STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 58, 29 July 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL. THE MAYOR'S LOAX PROPOSALS. SCHEME TURXED DOWN. At a speical meeting of the Borough Council on Monday evening the Mayor (Mr. W. P. Kirkwood) in pursuance of the pledge given by him during the Mayoralty campaign, brought forward the following motion: —'"That for the purpose of providing a comprehensive drainage scheme and the completion of ihe water reticulation in the Boroueh. the Borough Council approve a loan of .-eIG.OOO, this sum being made up of ,€1'2,000 tor drainage and £4OOO for water." . , • In support of the motion, his Worship said he considered that good drainage and water were the first requisites of a town. After these had been provided he would be quite willing to support a proposal for a loan for street improvements. The borough was not keeping pace with the development that was taking place around it, and he considered the Council should show a more progressive spirit than in the past. With regard to sanitation, he suggested that there should be a £1 sanitation fee for all connections, and out of that the interest on the loan could be met instead of by a rate, so that "by that means those who had the benefit of the sanitation scheme would pay for it, and that should be more acceptable to the ratepayers than striking a rate over the whole borough. The area proposed to be included in the drainage scheme was from Swansea road to Hamlet street, and from Pembroke road to Celia street, •whereby the greater portion of the borough would be provided for, only a few houses being left out. He was | strongly of opinion that those who had I hitherto enjoyed the advantage of drain- i age should vote for its extension to the j others who had not got it, but w:io hail to pay "the sanitary rate all the ! same. With regard to the north en.l, j when the Health Inspector was in Strat- j ford lie was shown the area, and though he had expressed no decided opinion, he j intimated that he considered the area should be drained. His Worship considered that 'vhetlier the ljiitepayers | agreed to the drainage of the north-east j area or not, the Government would insist on it being drained. With regard to the loan for water, lie considered the whole borough should be reticulated. As for the new pipe-line, that would have to be the subject of a separate loan of £7OOO ] or £8000! The amount mentioned in his proposal would provide for reticulation. He asked the Council to seriously consider the matter in the best interests of the borough. Cr. Fredriv seconded the motion pro forma, though he was very l.im.h against | it. He considered there had been no demand for water and drainage, and | that it was putting the cart before the. j horse, as a new pipe-line should be th■<. | first work. It might be necessary to J obtain the water supply from a new j source, and that should be first ascertained before the reticulation was extended. He did not think that those who already had the drainage would be willing to vote and pay for its extension to others.

C'r. Boon agreed with the drainage proposal, but could not support tlu> motion, as it did not go far enough ti> satisfy him. He considered that loin proposals should include £SOOO for ki-rbing and channelling, and £7OOO for a new pipe-line, otherwise as soon :is the Mayor's proposals were carried another loan would have to V- raised. Money must be borrowed to keep tinstreets in order owing to the difficulty in finding sufficient revenue for tinwork in consequence of the width o f the streets.

Cr. llorision was of opinion that before tile borough knew where it Was there would be a loan of £40,01)0 or t.XMKH) sticking out. He strongly opposed the motion, as lie tlioiiglit tlie proposals would liave no chance of being carried by tile people. Cr. Richards did not think the Mayor's scheme was equitable or comprehensive. Drainage fees could only be imposed by the will of the Council from time to time, whereas a rate was binding. He did not "onsider drainage was one of tlie most urgent requirements, as the question of lighting was of far greater importance. The town wanted polishing up a good deal, and lie believed the ratepayers would approve of a loan for that purpose. Cr. Masters opposed the motion. If a loan were carried there would still be many ratepayers without drainage. He favored a loan for street improvements. The first loan should be .CV2.(M!O for kerbing and channelling.

Cr. Thompson opposed the motion, as he considered street improvements should come. lirst, and for that work CIo.OOO was required. Cr. Header ridiculed the idea of extending tlie water service, 69 there wore parts of the borough now where the water only trickled through the pipes. Cr. King contended that the proposals now brought forward had !»'•■-!! rejected at a meeting of ratepayers in the Town Hull, and until a comprehensive scheme 01 drainage was brought down it would be of no use. Larger pipes at the head works would absorb must of the monce. Xothing but a loan of .C.W.oO'i or C 10.000 would lie any good, for Ol'tO was required for kerbing ami channelling. The. Mayor replied to the varioi-s points raised, pointing out the extraordinary attitude t:;ken bv the councillors in advocating :i larger loan. During his replv Cr. .Vforison endeavored to apply tin' closure, but the Council voted against it. Tlie motion was ]<>st on the voices.

SERIOUS BUSH ACCIDENT. j "MOUK HEROISM. j While engaged in "ml-' 1 <"' ' Monday on Mr. Smith's property at | .Mamjapapa. a voiim,' man named Kobi if j White. !!> year* or"'age. hml tlie ini-loi - tune to meet with a serious accident. ( ife had -lit tin' scarf in a t.-v ami Kid I >tartcil mi ihe hark, wlicii it suddenly split u|i ami flint, back, pinnii'c (he low r | part ~1" White's lej; a-ai;i-t a hi;;. Mr. j j Smith, an ehier brother of the owner of j the section, who was working with \ White. promptly went to the sulVerer's ! aid anil extricated him from his a«' ; ;- wanl position, and applied haniki,i.'es to the shattered liml). which was fastened up with temporary splints, lie then went I'm- the assistance of the nearest , neighbor, who was iV,rtimat-d\ at i: ; - ' wlnn-e. and tilev carried tile sillier,,thither. After doinc wiiat tl.ev could ' they carried White further alunii the road toward, Whanejamominn (distant about IK m'.ie-si, and before hum; more I volunteers were available. White li.ivinu' to hold the broken limb. (In ,r----rivins at tho horse tramway White w.s

PROM OUR RESID EOT REPORTER. Office arid Job Piinting Work?: York Chambers (upstairs) Telephone No. 113.

| placed on a trolley and brought on for some four miles, when he was placed :n a vehicle and carried to the railway line, being brought on a truck to the township. Dr. Hitchcock had meanwhile been communicated with, and had galloped as hard as lis horse could go over the bad roads until he met the party, and did what he could to case the injured man, who was bearing up wonderfully. On arrival at Whangamomoiia, the doctor said that White must be sent to the Stratford Hospital, and Mr. Court at once got into comI mnnieation with Mr. Murray, of the Public Works Department, 'Stratford, who promptly telegraphed to Mr. Armstrong, District Traffic Manager, Wanganui. for permission to bring the sufferer mby special engine and van. The required authority was promptly despatched, and though the only engine available was a small one. it did the journey from Whanga. to Stratford in the record time of one hour and a-half. arriving at Stratford at 12.30 a.m. White was at once conveyed to the hospital, where he was promptly attended to, but it is feared that amputation will be necessary.

The settlers along the route to Whanj>amomona displayed the usual backblock generosity and willingness to help in such cases, providing refreshments ind doing all in their power to assist. A good part of the first portion of the journey had to be made over a pack track, and the roads in some places, especially at the Tahora Saddle, were axle-deep in mud. Too much praise cannot be given to all those who lent a hand in getting the unfortunate young man to the hospital, and included in the number is the Mayor of Stratford, who did what he could to facilitate matters at this end. According to latest reports White was bearing up well.

GENERAL. At a meeting of the committee of the lnenl branch „f the Soc'ety for the Health of Women and Children on Monday, it was decided to apply for the services of the TTawera Plnnket nurse for one day a week at Stratford. Your photograph will pl eaße them all —some of your friends have been expectins: one for a long time—don't be satisfied with one taken rears ago ■Send them a fresh portrait, iiist as vou 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