STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 11, 1 June 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

STRATFORD BUILDING SOCIETY. A BOON TO THE TOWN . The near approach to the completion of the appropriations in the first group of shares in tho Stratford Co-operative Building Society would of itself justify some reference to the good work done by the Society since its existence, but the splendid object lesson given by its financial operations is one that cannot be over-estimated. The Society has been in existenco for 16 years, and the paid-up capital has totalled £12,873, but of this sum the i withdrawals and forfeited shares amount to £5G29i, yet with this comparatively small sum the Society has lent to tho members a total of £24,032, without interest, merely collecting annually a small levy to defray management expenses. It is anticipated that in 18 months' time the whole of the shareholders will have received the appropriations to which they are entitled. A result like this stamps the Society as a great boon to the public, for it not only encourages the best kind of thrift, but it adds to the value and prosperity of the town to a very large extent. It is abundantly evident that the directors have exercised great care, as no losses have been made on any of the Society's investments. Last year a second group of shares was launched, and with such a striking example as the success of the first group one would have thought thee would have been a rush for the new group, and that it would have been over-sub-scribed. As a matter of fact, the group is not yet filled, probably for the reason that its great advantages are not fully realised. Tho exceptionally favorable terms of repayment of advances and the fact that no interest is charged should -draw shareholders like a magnet. It is an opportunity for providing a home that far exceeds all others, as those who have participated in the benefits will know. Apart from this, there are profits to be received, the accrued profits in the first group now standing at £9 lis Id per share. Tho directors, and especially the chairman (Mr. N. J. King), as well as the shareholders, may well be congratulated on the success of the undertaking.

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CO. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of shareholders in the Stratford Electrical Supply Co., Ltd., was held on Friday evening last, Mr. R. Masters, chairman of directors, presiding over a good attendance. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, tho chairman congratulated the shareholders on the fa«t that last year's operations had been the most successful in the history of the company, the increase in the "sale of current having been very large. As evidence of the growth of the business, he pointed to tho fad that the second series of five years Bhowed an increase •of £3OOO over the first five years, and that the last five years showed an increase of £6OOO, the prospects for the future being exceedingly bright. Mr. Forritt seconded the motion, which was carried.

Messrs R. Masters and A. W. Reid, the two retiring directors, were reelected. Tho vacancy on tile directorate caused by tho resignation of Mr. W. A. Anderson, who has left the district, was filled by the election of Mr. S. TI. James therdto.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the directors; also to the staff for the excellent work done during the past year. At a meeting of the directors held immediately after the general meeting, Mr. R. Masters was re-elected chairman, his services being very highly eulogised.

A. & P. ASSOCIATION. '■ A meeting of the general committee : of the A. and P. Association was held h in the secretary's office on Saturday ! last.

Mr. E. Jackson, the president, welcomed Mr. Allan J. Hill, the newlyappointed secretary, to tho Association. Mr. Hill suitably replied, stating that he would endeavor to make the Association second to nono in the North Island.

The following were elected to the executive for the ensuing year:—Messrs R. Dingle, D. J.'Maono, J. Brake, J. D. Healy, E. Kellehcr, F. E. Dobson, J. Shelter, W. H. Young and W. P. Kirkwood.

Mr. W. P. Kirkwood was appointed treasurer.

PERSONAL. Mr. Millar tlie Government electrical expert, was in town last week inspecting the Electrical Supply Co.'g equip- ! ment. His visit was tie outcome of i the recent sad fatality. Mr. Kimbe'll, manager of the Bank -of ' Australasia's Hawera was in ' town on Friday last, and left for Hawera the following morning. GENERAL NEWS. Though the football match between j Stratford and Clifton on Saturday was i a very exciting one, spectators had their i attention diverted from it for a moment i or two to witness a rather amusing \ interlude. When Olifton scored tlic ! only try of the day, and thereby an- | nexed the victory, an excited Clifton ! barracker went wild, and on the lawn '. in front of the grandstand gave an ] hilarious dance, a mixture of haka and tango. In the midst thereof he slip- ! ped and subsided gracefully into a pool of water, to the accompaniment of voci- i ferous laughter from the crowded grand- . stand. Nothing daunted, he rose, and vigorously continued. I Owing to being engaged with the , fiovernment electrical expert on Friday uflernoon. Mr. K. Masters, who is n'l member for the Stratford district on the Education ?"aiil, was nimble to tike part in the presentation to Miss King. It was a matter of great regret, to him til be deprived of the opportunity of joining in the universal testimony to j Miss King's s-.ilendid record as a sehol- I ar and a teacher. An apology for his ' absence w.ik made by the headmaster, i In connection with the report of the .judgment, given by the Magistrate on Friday last, iu (lie case of Hawkins v. Lamason, the names of the solicitors appearing for the parties were unintentionally omitted. Mr. Macalistev was for the plaintiff aiul Mr. Thomson for tho defendant. ...,,.;$. .3.! !f |gT|

FEOM OUE RESIDENT REPORTER. Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

COUNTY ROADS. QUESTION OP FINANCE. DEBUTATION TO THE MINISTER. OF PUBLIC WORKS. The Chairman of the Stratford County Council, accompanied by Councillor Ghristoffel, waited on the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. W. Fraser, at Opunakc on Thursday, and placed before the Minister the position in which the Council was placed, through lack of insufficient funds to maintain the county roads. He emphasised the fact that un- ■ less the Council could obtain a larger subsidy from the Government it would be necessary to erect toll-gates, and he urged that a tax should be imposed en motors, the proceeds to be handed over ,to the County Council' pro rata, for the maintenance of 'the main roads, Ho explained to the Minister the costly nature of the work connected with maintaining the roads in proper order, and v tho large area administered by the Council, urging very strongly that help should be given. Or. Christoffel drew the Minister's attention to the fact that the consent of the Minister of Internal Affairs would he necessary to the schedule of tolls, and he asked the Minister to facilitate such consent being given in the event of the [Council being compelled to resort to toll-gates.

The Minister, in reply, sympathised with the County Council in its unfortunate position. He pointed out that there were difficulties in the way of imposing a tax on motors, such as the amount of tho impost, its apportionment, and the necessity there Would be for giving motorists good roads if they paid a tax. He suggested that the Council should bring the whole matter before the Minister for Internal Affairs when applying for his consent to the schedule, and he promised' thai he would dc what he could to assist the Council in their difficulties.

Speaking in response to the toast of "Public Bodies," at the luncheon tenderoil to the Minister, Mr Hathaway said that the main Mountain road had in three years involved an increase of expenditure from £BO a mile to £l2O, and he estimated that the motor traffic had increased between 40 and 50 per cent. The Stratford County was on the point of erecting toll-gates (groans), they had no alternative, as financially the Council was on the rocks, and unless the Government gave a larger subsidy there was no other way of meeting the expenditure. He compared the position ol (Taranaki and Canterbury relative to rates, pointing out that 'the Stratford County was collecting in general rates £LI,OOO, and in special rates £6OOO, making a. total of £17,000, the rates varying from l%d in £ to 3d in £. (l%d in South Hiding, 2Vid in the West 2 1 / 2 d in tho North and East, and 3d in the Mangaehul, while in Canterbury they were only collecting rates of l%d and Id, and yet obtained the full subsidy. He urged that the Government subsidy should be 5s 5d in the £. Maintenance work -was costing at the rate of £4OO a mile, and renewals were necessary every eight or nine years. As a consequence, the County revenue was short by £ 11JOG0. The position was a very serious one, and it called for the application of o remedy that would enable public "bodies to make both ends meet.

Tho new winter clothing for men is attractive in many ways. Wise men will buy now -while the variety is big, and they will find "The Kash" prices made to suit them. For high quality and low price MuTlen and Marshall easily lead in Stratford,

You hardly feel the razor pass over your face when Stan. Sharp handles the shaving operation. Added to this delightful sense of comfort is the knowledge that every utensil is sterilised', and everything is absolutely clean. Next Bellringer's, Stratford. Your photograph will please them all —some of your friends have 'been expecting one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken years ago. Send them a fresh portrait, just as you are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr McAllister, StratforJ