STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL. '""■• - . (Trora Our Resident Reporter.)' Monday, November 6. A ratepayer recently remarked that considering the present Council was a "scratch" one it was not a bad one, and had exceeded expectations. Usually, the ratepayer measures his criticism by the 3xtent of the inroads made on his Mieque book by way of rates. If the bank-book is not hit too hard he is contented, but he also keeps a watchful eye on the Borough improvements or undertakings. Criticism, provided it is '■ friendly, is helpful, but Councillors are ( only human and resent hostile and dis- ' paraging remarks on their work or ae- | tions, as they give much time and labor ■ on behalf 01 . dtepayers that does not J appear noticeable to the burgesses. On ' Friday the Council practically completed ' the taking over of the Electric Lighting Company's plant. The function was a '< formal one. The Mayor, Councillors, Town Clerk, and the directors of the Company and solicitors were the only gentlemen present. Apparently not i much notice of the change was taken by : the general public. Municipal enterprise '] should be encouraged, and the wisdom s of the Borough's recent purchase will -be 1 shown as the year goes by. The taking I over of control of the works will involve 1 a great deal more work on the Town 1 Clerk. Mr. Skoglund has proved a faith- i ful and efficient servant to the borough, j and the new undertaking will lose noth- i ing in coming under his direct control, i Those who study municipal matters readily confess that a Town Clerk is 1 really the Council. Certainly the mem- i bers constituting the Council are good '< men and true, but they will readily grant that their labors can be lightened or increased by the efficiency or inefficiency of the Town Clerk. To the uninitiated it may be stated right here that the Town Clerk is practically director-general of the town r.lfairs. Eis | storo of law, routine and precedents, must be always at his finger-tips, as it ' were, for the success of the various heads ' of departments. He is an expert within - his own particular province, and a point of focus generally for the Council and its staff. He needs to blend the qualities of the specialist with those of th» tactful ' and patient administrator,; He is the , Mayor's right-hand man, and adviser on ; innumerable points nf law, faet. and ' practice. Mi W. J. Newton, electrical engineer, i will remain in that capacity to the borough, so that the authorities can rest assured there will be no dislocation of : the working power or interests. The < secretarial duties naturally will devolve i on Mr. Skoglund, and although it will mean increased work that gentleman will be found quite capable of meeting all calls in this direction. The old company now ceases to exist as a lighting power. They deserve more than passing commendation for the manner in which they stuck to their task in the early stages, of the light. Whatever success they attained has been secured by thorough management and a bold policy of keeping up with the town's extension. Stratford is ever on the upgrade, and it can be confidently anticipated that the Mayor (Mr. Boon) and town clerk will continue to secure the same good results as when the light was privately controlled. The remarks of Mr. R. Masters, chair- , man of the old company, that the borugh sliould keep an eye on the value of light and power to those living on the outskirts of the borough'will be safely stored in memory. There is nothing to prevent extending the light from time to time as business warrants. ' Meantime the borough is now in possession of a good lighting .plant, efficient itaff, etc. and the future may confidently be looked forward to to prove the value of this latest instance of municipal enterprise. THE FARMERS' CO. OP, The commencing of operations by the Farmers' Co.-op. is causing a good deal of interest among local farmers, and it is certain there will be a large attendance at the meeting called foi next Saturday afternoon to discuss matters in connection with the forthcoming sales. The manager and directors of the Co.-op will be present. The Co.-op. is growing "some," as the Yanks would say, and it is only natural that they .should open up in the centre of the province and in a district that is closely settled, is imbued with a progressive spirit and has such a splendid future. GENERAL. i Despite the wet weather prevailing, the Ladies' Patriotic Committee report good,business on Saturday. The amount seemed at the Red Cross Mart was £ll, Ss 4d, and £4,15s at the tea rooms. The Mayoress wishes to acknowledge the donation of a red satin-covered cushion b) Mr. G. T. Walters. Gifts like this are very welcome, and are much appreciated by the committee. Sergt.-Ma'jor Mahoney informs me that as a result of a shop-to-shop call in Stratford he has secured eight or nine recruits. He will now move round the Whangamomona district, and hopes to secure good results in that locality. The Borough Council are fitting up one of their rooms in the Municipal Buildings for the display of electric light fittings and other accessories to their electricity plant. Inspector Wilson, of the Police Department, is loging no time whilst here. On Saturday he stepped off the train, and to-day he will visit Whangamomona, and see how police matters arj going in that part of our district. The chairman of the Education Board, Mr. R. Masters, with Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., intend inspecting, the Boys' Home, Rotokare, and Fraser Road Schools on Wednesday. On Friday they will inßpejjt ten schools between Kaponga and Opunake. A cable message was received yesterday that Private "Dick" Masters, was invalided home, and had left by the Mahena. He was a member* of the Bth Reinforcements, and was wounded in the head during one of the recent advances in France. His brother, Harold Masters, who is still at the front, left with the Main Body, and was twice wounded at Gallipoli. Word has been received in town that Major Cox, head of the Hawera office, Bth division, will arrive to-night. He will be met at the station by Mr. J. Masters, chairman of the local Recruiting Committee, and other gentlemen, and matters connected with enrolling recruits discussed. Recruiting just now is of vital importance, and the committee trust that every possible effort will be made by Stratfordinns and others in the district to push on enrolments. Adjutant Cook, of the local Salvation Army, is very pleased with tho selfdenial total secured. He speaks well for the generosity of the district, but it also testifies to the alertness and personalis at the army'a bead man here.