STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

DEFENCE SCANDAL. A SAD CASE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. When one reads of the manner the War Pensions are being distributed to the dependants of those who have fought for our liberty, the case of a Stratford man is striking evidence of the generosity (?) of the Pensions Board. The dead soldier was a well-known representative footballer who represented New Zealand in the Californian tour, and was in every way a straiglit-going sport. He enlisted in Stratford, and left New Zealand with the main body for Egypt. He left behind him a widowed and aged mother, and a brother who was not in robust health. Every week this man sent the best part of his earnings home to keep his mother, and while at the front his mother drew his pay, amounting to 28s per week. The old lady lives in Falmerston North, paying 12s 6d a week for a house, and during show week or Christmas time she manages to let a couple of the rooms to visitors and this helps to pay the rent.

The son gets killed in the charge at Anzae, and soon after the only remaining son contracted spinal paralysis, and is now practically bedridden. The soldier son's pay stopped as soon as his death was recorded and the sad plight of the old lady was put before the Pensions Board last week. Out of the fullness of their hearts they decided to grant her 10s a week; pension, which \rith 10s old age pension means that she has 20s a week to live on, to pay 12s 6d a week rent and with the remaining 7s (id keep a sick son, and provide the necessary food and comforts to keep body and soul together. Ten shillings a week is the value the Pensions Board place on the services of the son who gave his life for the Empire. It is only fair to say that the local Patriotic Committee intend dealing with the matter at their next meeting, but surely the Pensions Board should have given nothing less than 30s a week to this poor widow and left the local Patriotic Committee to supplement anything further.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. Stratford, Yesterday. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. Boon), Crs. Hancock, Hunter, Lawson, G, W. Mills, J. H. Thompson, Rutherford, and Young. Adjutant Cook of the Salvation Army, waited on the Council and asked for free use of the Town Hall for a performance of the Auckland .Salvation Army Silver Band 011 January sth, in aid of the Servian Relief Fund. His Worship said the matter simply resorted itself into a grant to the army, and that was against the principles of the Council. Cr. Hunter said the Servian cause had his best sympathy, and the army deserved to be supported in such a "laudable object. He moved that the army be given the free use of the hall. Cr. Hancock seconded. Cr. Rutherford said the Council had five free nights for the hall in the year. That was the arrangement made with the lease. He moved an amendment, that if there are three free nights vacant the army be given one of them. Seconded by his Worship, and carried.

VICTORIA LAKE. Mr. G. W. Curtis, chairman of the Domain Board, waited on the Council and naked the Council to allow the Lake to stay at its old level. He said it would be a pity to spoil the beautiful sheet of water as for the likelihood of the water dammed up washing the road away. His Worship said it was a pity to lower the lake. It was one of the beauty of Stratford, and to lower it as contemplated would spoil its effect. He moved: That the lake remain at its original level. Cr. Mills seconded the motion, which was carried after some discussion, GENERAL.

Cr. Thompson moved that the resolution passed last meeting granting Mr. Mulree permission to connect with the drainage at new buildings be rescinded. Cr. Thompson was referring to the way the business of the Council was conducted, when his Worship said he would not allow him to reflect on the Council or himself. The motion was defeated.

.The Patriotic Committee were granted the use of one of the spare offices in the Municipal Buildings at the pleasure of the Council.

Mr. J. McAllister asked for patli to be asphalted from new premises to Mr. S. 11. James and Co.'s store, lie agreeing to pay half-cost. Referred to Works Committee.

Mr. F. J. Foley was granted permission to screen sacred pictures on Christmas night.

W. J. Newton, secretary of the Electrical Supply Co., wrote in reply to the overseer's letter re the banking up of the water on the Company's premises on Cloton Road. He reminded the Council that the Company would hold the Council responsible for any further damage.

His Worship said the letter undoubtedly cast a reflection on their overseer, and he moved that the Council had every confidence in their overseer.

Cr. Thompson, in seconding, said lie felt sure the overseer was right, and the Company had no right to send the letter. The motion was carried unanimously. The overseer asked for, free use of the letter, as he intended to take other means to Have the reflections cast on him removed.—The request was granted. It was decided to put a water trough near the corner of Regan Street and Broadway. Cr. Mills mentioned the bad state of the crossing opposite Dr. Stevens, in Broadway, and it was decided to refer it to the Works Committee.

HOSPITAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held t)ii<> morning. Preseni: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), J. Smith, E. Walter, A. Meredith, J. Cliristoffel, E. Hine, R. Mck. Morison, C. D. Sole. Miss Bessie Vickers, of Midhirst, was placed ou the probationer's list. Mr. C. D. Sole moved: ''That the Health Department be asked to send an inspector to make house to house inspection of the Borough."—Seconded bv Mr. Smith. Mr. Sole said there was five cases of diptheria in the hospital, and it was absolutely necessary that a thorough inspection of the Borough should be made and the Health Department were the proper authority to "do the work. Mr. Smith said the smell from the now it was emptied was something