STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING, Our Own Correspondent.* Stratford, Yesterday. The Stratford electric light installation is pro'bably the pioneer light of its kind in the province, and, despite many drawbacks and failings, those who nad invested in the undertaking were always strong in the belief that electricity was the light of the future. There may, and probably are, some who claim ga s as a better illuminant, but they are in a great minority, as- the Borough Council have now confirmed, and this has been agreed to by the conference between the Council and the company to confirm the purchase of the installation. _ In arriving at this decision, the Council cannot be accused of acting with undue haste. The matter has been before previous councils on many previous occasions, but whilst the municipal authorities generally recognised ihe wisdom of becoming owners of the 'works, the tumbling 'block was the question of value. Naturally, the man making a purchase is very critical, and may be a good deal under in his estimate of value till he becomes owner of the article he is negotiating to purchase. The seller, too, does not hesitate to place hia views before a possible buyer in the brightest possible manner with a view to makings a good business deal. Hence tlie frequency with which public deals ore referred to arbitration is not surprising. In the present instance the Stratford rate-payers are becoming owners of a works with which they are thoroughly conversant. It is no new undertaking. They know what the light can do and possess information as to the cost of production and selling price, and what margin of profit there is to work on. The price paid is about £15,000. and of this amount £IO,OOO is to be paid when they take over the plant on November 1. 'TJiis is a fairly solid item to meet, hut the step having 'been taken it it ill probably lead.to increased revenue, as the more power consumed naturally the better the margin o' profit. The com"pany appear to have met the Council in every possible manner, and it now remains for the municipal authorities to show they are good business people, ami can handle the light in a manner that will reflect credit on, their methods and show a good return to ratepayers. THE PRICE OB BUTTER. "Look here," said an angry farmer today, "the County Council bumps lip the Ivagcs of men, and others do the same. I don't begrudge a laboring man getting a living wage, but should not the dairy farmer have the right to a war profit as others, appear to be doing. Seems to me the farmer is the 'donkey-man' of the Dominion. Why don't they (the Government) get at the big wool-kings and beef kings, and start with them. Or else why not introduce an export tax. It's about time the farmers (dairymen) had homebody to stick up for them. Let our butter go Home and command whatever price is ruling, and then let the Government come down on us for,a tax on same. Why should we be compelled to sell "at a fixed price? There are plenty of wealthy men in the Dominion who lire well able to pay a. better price for their butter, yet they are being pro- , tccttfl at our expense. , Whatever a farmer requires he has to pay the ruling pric.-, yet when he has an article to sell the Government steps in and states the figure." GENERAL This morning, five soldiers of King George, were farewelled from Stratford. Thev were Messrs. T. B. Bramald, L. D. McLeod. E. A. Fazackerloy. W. S. King. E. A. P. Fitzsimons. Despite the cold driving rain falling there was a good attendance of the public to give them a hearty send-off. The Mayoress, Mrs. J. Boon, presented each recruit with a parting gift, and as the train steamed out hearty cheers were given for the latest recruits of the Expeditionary Forces. The Stratford water cart was "on the job" yesterday in the streets. A few hours later the rain took a hand. Farm work is being hung up through excessive moisture.

To-day, Stratford lost a well-known and highly esteemed resident, Mr. H. W. Mijdford, who had a motor garage business at the south end of the .town. Deceased was for some time farming on the Waimate Plains. He leaves a widow, two sons and four daughter;!.