STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

COUNCIL MATTERS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The ratepayers are to he congratulated upon at last settling-the much vexed question of controlling the lighting of the .own, and the credit of bringing the mat- • r er to a successful issue is certainly due to the present Council. At the first meeting of the Council it set to work to see if it could not come to some amicable arrangement with the Electric Light Company, and. no doubt, profiting by the fialurcs of Councils regarding the goodwill of the undertaking, the company agreed to submit the matter to arbitration. The goodwill has always been the bone of contention, and tile Council in getting over this difficulty mad*; the purchasing of the concern by the ratepayers a much easier matter. Now the question is settled once and for all, it is hoped that all petty jealousies will bu dropped, and that a * little more unity in the public life of the town will be manifested. For many years the borough elections were fought on the light question, and some hard things were said about councillors because they happened to hold a few share* in the company. The Council must recognise l/l'at it is taking over a concern that ■vill require men of business ability to rim. and the members of the Lighting Committee will lHed to give a considerable amount of time and attention to get the best results. Unfortunately, with the exception perhaps of Cr. Hunter, the councillors are not familiar with electrical matters, and it would be in the interests of the borough if an advisory board were appointed, consisting of three of the present directors of the Electric Light Company and three councillors, to ndviise the Council in all matters in connection with the undertaking. The present directors have everything at their /ingcr-tips in connection with the concern, and their advice would certainly Its oi assistance to the Council. GENERAL. It,, is understood that there will shortly be another vacancy on, the Council. Cr. Mills has sold the lease of his business premises to the 'Picture Syndicate and intends residing in Palmerston North-. The Picture Syndicate intends to :rect an up-to-date fcrro-concrete theatre on the section. Now that the borough elections are on, perhaps the Council might see its way to give a little attention to the footpaths of the town. A few loads of gravel are badly required on the paths in the north end of Broadway.