Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 65, 5 August 1914, Page 3

Stratford News

I . :-3 .•/. >. Tin' ordinary muiitkly die. iin B - «»('. tlie Council was held on Monday l-vciiiii'*. Present: His Worship the .Mayor (Mr. \Y. ]'. Kirkwood), Crs. J. Masters, .Morison, Richards, Fredric, Boon, Thompson, Reader and King. In connection with the minutes of tile previous meeting, C'r. Richards pointed out that it appeared as it all the councillors recorded as being at the meeting Were present during the whole time, whereas some came late. lie stated that his object wits to emphasise the necessity for punctuality, and to secure a true record, as it might happen that business had been transacted before some of the councillors arrived. He suggested that when councillors took their seat after the meeting commenced the period at which they did so should be noted 011 the minutes. The Mayor said he quite approved of Gr. Kichards' desire for punctuality, and he also stated that he intended to put a stop to the practice of councillors speaking more than oiiee oil any question, A request by the Carnival Committee for the use of the Council Chamber was granted. ]n reply to a letter from the A. and I'. Association, asking that trees be not planted in Broadway North, the Mayor stated that the trees had been planted, but that it was the telegraph posts which needed to be removed to the ex treme side of the road.—The Mayor was requested to "interview the Department's engineer as to removing the posts, with power to act.

Tlie District Health Officer wrote asking tliat the owner of a certain house in the town should be compelled to comply with the by-laws.—Action is to be taken. ELECTRIC LIGHTING. The special committee set up relative to electric lighting matters reported that Mr. H. \V. Clirnie had agreed to act as the Council's advisor, and would visit Stratford early this month for the purpose of making his report. Tlie Electrical Supply Co. wrote stating that as conferences with committees representing the Council bad in the past proved unsatisfactory, it was preferable that representatives of tlie company should meet the whole Council instead of a committee.—Received. WORKS COMMITTEE. Tlie committee reported .is follows: Re telegraph poles on Broadway North: The telegraph engineer had advised the overseer that the poles would probably be shifted within the next year or two. as tlie present poles were to be replaced with poles of heavier material. The committee instructed th; overseer to again interview the telcgiaph engineer with a view to having the poles removed at an earlier date. The committee recommended that the pound be set up on the septic tank site, and built at a cost not exceeding the amount placed 011 the estimate for improvements to the present pound: that a truck of concrete pipes be obtained for culvert purposes: that bnth sides of Seyton street from Broadway to Miranda street lie graded and sown with grass.

After some discussion as to the proposed grassing, which is an experiment, the report was adopted. ' ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer estimated the of a .'sft wide swing bridge over the river at Cordelia street would be £ll)f>. After considerable discussion as to ways and meatis, it was decided that the matter be referred to the Works and Finance Committees jointly, the understanding being that the work would be provided fin' in next year's e-.tiiiut"-. (JEN IiHAL. IViniisMou was granted to Mr. Wilson to use an existing brick wall as a pariv wall for his new building in Uroad'.viv South. The Mayor stated that permanent reading operations in Broadway would not be carried out till January or February, after the 1,-orbing anil channelling had been completed. Tiie borough engineer was granted three weeks'' leave of absence. WATER CHARGES. Pursuant to notice. Or. lioon moved that the resolution of September H relative to water charges be rescinded.--The motion was carried.

Or. lioon then moved— (]) That the charge for water for closets be £1 a year; (2) that (lie .proceeds from the charges for extraordinary supplies applied t« drainage, water and sanitaiy requirements: (.'!) that Mr. Fookes (borough solicitor) he instructed to have tli:■ waterworks by-laws amended in time tj give effect to the above recommendations oil April 1, 1015; (4) that the Council make provision before the expiration of the present sanitary contract for itself undertaking the sanitary work of the borough, ( barging £1 per annum for each pan closet, and Js fid per cubic yard for removal of rubbish. After considerable discussion, a fewminor amendments were made, and the •motion was carried so far as the water charges were concerned, the question of rabbish removal being referred to the Works Committee. CONSTITUTION" OF COMMITTKKS.

Pursuant to notice, Cr. King moved That no special or standing committee of the Council, unless the whole Council be such committee, be composed of more than four members, and that the resolutions of May 11 and 18, 11)14, appointing ■tho Works Committee, and the special committee re the lighting question, be rescinded. —The motion was lost. Accounts wore passed lor payment, afld the Council adjourned. GENERAL, At the Horough Council meeting on Monday night the Mayor verbally reported on the work of the Municipal Conference, at which he represented the j Council. He was accorded a lieartv voce of thanks, and was voted the amount of his expenses. A general feeling of (satisfaction was expressed at the proposed establishment of a superannuation fund for municipal employees. The borough overdraft on .lulv 31 was £2968 His Sd. 1 here will be a football at Victuria Park on Thursday afternoon between Stratford and tile Eastern I)i ;- tricts. There were slaughtered at tho borough abattoirs I;i-1 month 01 cows. -1 heifers, 18 oxen, i calves. 25!> sheep. !i) lambs, 19 pigs, (i;i tripes being prepare.!. The fees amounted to £sl 17s ."id. In the future when councillors arrive after the business ol the l>oroiigh Conncil has commenced, the time of their taking their seat, will be minuted. The borough pouiidkeeper Olr. Milner) has resigned, and his resignation lias been accepted by the Council.