STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

EWiCTIUC UliliX PUliClUtfli. (From our Owu Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Nig Jit. The Borough Council and the Electric Supply Company met on Monday evening in conference, in order to arrange matters in regard to the purchasing of the company's undertaking 'by the council, The Mayor stated it was necessary that a proper agreement he drawn up by a solicitor; that the valuers should not base their valuation on the abnormal prices created by the war: that the costs of the arbitration should be borne by both parties irrespective of whether the loan was carried or not, and that the agreement must expressly state that it is only binding providing the council can raise the money. lie thought the terms suggested were very fair ones, seeing the company had such a short time to run. Some of the councillors would have liked the company to have run till the end of their concession. Mr. Masters: "What is wie basis 1 of the valuation;" His Worship: ''The basis woiuld be prices say six months before tire war. The council would not think of paying present day price for copper." •Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the company, contended that the only fair way ■was to arrive at the price of the goods. As to copper, if the council put in their own plant, tliey would have to pay the market price for it. His Worship: "We would not put in a plant at the present time." A long discussion ensued, in the course of. which it was suggested,, on behalf of the'company, that thi" Council if they bought the properly need not raise u loan at once, as the company would let the payment stand over for three years. Eventually," after the representatives of the company had retired to confer on the points raised, it was decided to accept the company's offer ithat copper and machinery be valued on the average price for the lastfive years, and the rest of the plant on open valuation. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The local patriotic committee has submitted a very extensive report on its operations since its inception. It states that besides equipping soldiers in every desirable manner, assisting in recruiting, and attending to requirements of soldiers in eainp and on active service, as well as to several cases of relief to soldiers and their dependents, the committee had raised £7lO 7s lis for the hospital ship, the total amouat received by the committee up to July 23 being £3780 18s lOd, the total amount in hand being £l3-14 10s Sd,of which ' .CS24 ISs 10d was received for the sick and wounded and tlleir dependents. The position of affairs in relation to the consolidation of patriotic funds was frcelv •explained, and a statement made that failing dominion consolidation the committee favored consolidation with ihe Wellington military area. The nee.l for -persistent and maintained effort, as svell as unified consolidation, was urged.