STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 29, 24 June 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

GENERAL PARAGRAPHS.

The meeting of the local branch of the Society for the Health of Women and Children, which was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, was well attended, the chief attraction being the Plunket nurse for the district, who can always give an instructive address.

The balance-sheet of the Stratford Acclimatisation Society shows the income for last year as £llß 17s 5d and the expenditure £lßl 6s 9d. The amount in hand at the commencement of the ,year was £ll6 13s sd, and at the close £54 4s Id, the sum of £SO having to be taken from the Post Office Savings Bank and placed to the general account. Fish charges amounted to £64, and pheasants cost £'49. The assets are set .iown at £74 12s Id and the liabilities nil,

At this season of the year those who intend planting trees, shrubs hedges and are getting the ground ready so as to give the plants a good chance to thrive, will find all their labor to be in vain unless they can secure the right material for planting. This, together with good, sound, practical advice, can be obtained at Air. E. McIC Morison's Stratford nursery. Details will be found in his advertisement in this issue.

PERSONAL. The many, friends rff the late Mr. Oedric Crawshaw will be pleased to l.learn that he secured a pass in his final law examination for which he sat at ■Wellington just before his sad death. Dr. Robertson left Stratford yesterday for Wellington, en route for the Home Land. •.

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 U-day- with Mr McAllister. Stratford

SETTLERS' MEAT FREEZING WORKS DIRECTORS' MEETING. . AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

A meeting of ifte j lovisional directors of the Taraaaki Sett.'era Meat Freezing Company was hetd'at the Borough Council Chambers yesterday, Mr W. A. McCutchan (chairman) presiding. It was agreed that the first step to be taken before proceeding with the articles of association and the.canvass for shares was the fixing of the locality where the works should be erected. After the matter had been fully discussed it was resolved that a committee consisting of Messrs A. W. Budge, C. Young, and E. Margell, be set up to- go into the question of the most suitable site with the expert, and to repu-t thereon as soon us possible.

It will be seen that the committer appointed is entirely composed of settlers who are directly interested in the export of frozen meat, being producers to a considerable extent. With the assistance of the expert, who. will,, of course, be in I'osse-sion of the necessary knowledge of the Hocks and herds in tlie different parts of the province, it is only reasonable to antieiato that the question of site will receive that fair and thorough consideration which, tlie settlers as a whole may rightly expect. The decision arrived at by the directors is the most important step yet taken in this ■business, and though the task of

the committee is by no means an easy one they may be rciied upon to do their best in selecting a *ite that will fulfil all reasonable and necessary requirements', bearing in -view not only the facilities for the reception of stock, but economy and efficiency in converting the live animals into frozen meat and shipping same to the overseas markets. They cannot hope to satisfy the wishes of every settler, hut tihey may be trusted to solve what is the hardest problem connected with the project.

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL. SPECIAL MEETING. RESOLUTIONS RESCINDED. A special meeting m tlie Council' was (held on .Monday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr iVV. P. Kirkwood), Or* N. J." King, .1. Masters, It. McK. Moriso.n, J. 13. Richards and Thompson. Letters were read from Mr W. G. Malone on ibehalf of clients who ob- j jeeted to the waiver of by-laws in rcMpcct of a brick wall at the new buildings in the rear of the Club Hotel. The Mayor stated that although the Council had decided that an exemption should be made with regard to the brick wall, he had seen the proprietor of the 'hotel, who had agreed to'jiuld the wall in kick, and it would be *o built.. As to the concrete Horn- in the "stable, it was feared that concrete was not suitable to bed horses on. He considered that the time had arrived when the building by-laws Aould be strictly adhered to,"anil he intended to move, in that direction. It was essential to the safety of the town that brick walls should be used, and that no exemption should be granted. Or Masters explained tftat he had advocated the exemption as to the brick wall for the reason that he considered it was a hardship on the owner to insist on- the by-law in tliis ease, and be had consider'd that a concrete lloor m the stable was desirable for drainage purposes, bus had since been told that It was unsuitable and would therefore support the motion. Cr Richards considered it was, righ*, to •withdraw the exemption. Cr King said he quite agreed with tlie lliivor on the subject of the by-laws. The motion was then carried.

It was then -rebuked that t-hc neeossai'v permit bo granted for the proposed "buildings at fte rear of the Club Hotel on conditio that th». wall he creeled in brick, the. flooring of the stable to be as ,-peciliod in the application.

DELEGATE TO CONFERENCE. | l.'r Morison then moved: ''That the resolution passed on June 8. appointing , Mr J B. Bin;, M.P., to represent the. ' Council at the Municipal Conference, be rescinded." TTc considered that no apolojrv was needed for tabling the motion. Since the resolution was passed it was found that although Mr Hine was wiKir.<r to act, yet Biis duties in the House mT'lit prevent 'hia attending the conference. It was MsWy desirable that the borough should be represented I>y a

FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. • r-i Office and Job Planting Works: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

member of the Council, and he proposed to move in that direction alter the resolution had heen rescinded.

The Mayor explained that Hie had conveyed to Mr lline the request of the Council that he should represent the borough at the conference, and that Mr Hine had said 'he would he only too willing to attend, but it placed him in a very awkward position, as his Parliamentary duties might prevent 'his attendance. His Worshio pointed out it must i>. apparent that to attend a conference of that nature must mean a considerable fund of knowledge of niiinicipal affairs would be acquired Iby the ■delegate, not only at the conference itsilf, but in conversation with tne other delegates. On the last occasion he represented the Council, and derived great benefit; in fact, it was an education. As far as cha Council's remits in the past were concerned, the fact that only one (had,'been carried did not bear upon the question of representation at all. Remits before the conference were considered in their bearing on municipal affairs as a whole, and from from a local standpoint. It was for the conference to decide, and if any remit were not carried it must be considered as not being in the interest of the majority of the municipalities. Resolutions! passed by the conference were forwarded to the Government and formed tie basis of legislation* Tie pointed out that the Council ihad sent forward a most important remit relative to the grading of meat, and it wou!d be only politic that tjhe Council's reasons therefore should be voiced by its delegate. Or King contended that no practical good would result from sending f a delegate. irad been represented . (it the conferences for the lasit 10 or 12 ,'(ars, tat had only had one remit ca> ried. He doubted whether any councillor would gain much knowledge by attending tihe conference. He might gain a little, but It regarded it as a waste of money to -end a delegate. Cr Masters considered that as Mr Hine was not in touch with municipal matters he would not he in a position to give a practical vote on the questions submitted.

Cr Richards said that although lie had n oved the resolution under discussion, he had no strong feelings in the mutter, and was quite willing that it should be rescinded, though he was doubtful whether any direct or practical good would accrue' to the Council ■by sending a ; delegate, he would vote for the motion. Cr Morison replied and the motion was carried.

Or Morison then moved that a member of the Council he appointed as delegate to the Municipal Conference. O r Richards said that if the motion wm altered to rend "Hint the Mnvor flie Council at the conference " lie would second it.

Or Morison accepted the alteration, ami the motion a*, amended was s»e ended by Cr Richards, who stressed the importance of the C.,,mci."s remit relative fo the eradin-j of meat. Or Kinc: "All twaddle."

Or Richards enquired whether the remit was agreed to bv the majority of t'lie Council. The Atavor: Yes

Or "Richard--: Then I protest asrainst Or King describing en act of the Council as "twaddle."

Or Reader considered tho remit wa«of the greatest importance. The Mayor remarked that Or Kin? was entitled to hip opinion, but it wa = to be regretted that Cr King had express id the opiniol, that :i remit of sucli importance to 'he public was "twaddle." Cr King reiterated that in his opinion the remit wis "twaddle." The Council then divided on the motion, which was carried, Crs Kint; and Thompson voting with the "noes."

SUBDIVISION PLANS. The Mayor then moved that the following remit be sent to the Municipal Conference for consideration. "That provision be made in an amendment to tllie Municipal Corporations Act for compelling owners subdividing their properties, where it is not intended to form streets, | to deposit a plan of the proposed subdivision for the Council's approval, such plan, when approved, to be the property o! the Council." In, supporting the motion, his Worship explained the idea was for all plans of subdivision-; to be submitted to and approved by the Council, and that the plans Mhould be lodged with the Council At present the Council's powers were limited in these cases to where streets were to be formed. He referred to the expense which the Council was r.ow incurring with reference to a plan of the town, which could onlv be kept < orrect by (having all subdivisions marked. Under existing condition*, the Council could oitfy obtain j these suklivNion plans from, the Surrey office.

Or King npniv.vcd of the proposal. The Town Clerk pointed out, that the Council had the power to approve frontages.

Or Richards did not think the Council should have the power to sav how a n-.an should cut up his l an ,l. Minue'. j ]( , "1 '' ,V(,(i °f the principle of controlling the frontages. It might b" that- an owner might want to put a warehouse at the back of the land.

OrKin.j considered that the dittin? nr> of land for business .purposes wa'* a different matter. When the,land wa.« so dear it might lie advisable to cut it vn into small areas.

The Mavor said it did not fo'low Mint the Council would 'object to tlu> proposed method o- cnUin." up. but it was rijjlit tbov Aouhl hav> tlio power to do so if .advisable.

C r flicha removed n „ amendment <JeMinjr the Council'- approval. Tlis wis s<eriide<l i, v <-,- Thomson, ami after some discussion (lie amendment w lost, and the motion carried

A OFESTIOX OF TMP.ROVEMFXTf:. Mr .T. n. ITcaly. architect, wailed on tlio Conned and submitted plan of alterations and additions to tlio premise* formin" part of the municipal.taildines and occupied ',; vMr Pi vac Tlio cstiniat--0(1 cost of Hie work was 80. and a* at would largely consist of permanent .improvements to borough properly be [asked that (l.e .Council woul'd contriI l)iitp £3O towards the cost.

The Mayor pointed out lih.it the question was wli.v.her the Council shon'd pay anything for the improvements now or at the end of the lease, \vQiieh had SV-, years to run.

The motion was daily seconded.

A GKAZINCT TENANCY

Cr Thompson, in seconding the motion, said it, w»s a Vtcp in the right direction.

The motion was carried. The next meetinc of the Council was fixed for the first Monday in July, instead of the s.'cond, owinc to the latter date clashing with the Municipal Ocmference.

After some discussion. Cy Kins moved that the Cour.cil consents to the proposed alterations to the premises occupied by Mr Pivae. and will allow him one-third of the cost of the. same at the end of his lease, sucli allowance not to exceed i3S.

Or Masters moved that the Council consent to the alterations, and pay down I the cost of the brick wall, not to ex- I ceed £22. (

Cr Render seconded the amendment, which was ?arried.'

The Reserves Committee recommended that a portion of Juliet street reserve be let to Mr. Kerr for grazing at£l a year, provided that he does the necessary fencing. The recommendation was adopted. TOWN PLANNING.

Or .Morison brought up the question of obtaining a visit to Stratford of. the lecturers oh town planning now touring the Dominion. He considered it would be a good ri.lng for a ymmg Jbormigh like Stratford, which was carrying oat tree planting and other ornamental work, to have the benefit of a lecture by these experts, and he moved that the Mayor and 1 ;mself be a committee to make enquiries in the matter and report to the Council.