STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

[All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] MORE LIGHT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wednesday, Pel). 14. The decision of the Borough Council on Monday night to adopt the Mayor's motion to instal seven lamps, three of ■tOO-candle-power and four of 100-eandle-power, within close proximity to the main thoroughfare, should convince ratepayers that the present Council is very much alive, and is actuated l>v a commendable progressive spirit. The introduction of three 400-c.p. lights in Broadway will be welcomed 'bv all who believe in having a good light when occasion demands. The faulty lighting of the past will now be removed. Controlling the electricity works gives the Council power to introduce experiments that a private company would perhaps hesitate to do. With the fine broad streets Stratford possesses the setting up of the three clusters of lights in the main street will serve a dual purpose. It will increase the illumination of the streets and serve to make the travelling public observe the rules of the road —keep to the left. At the present the centre of the road seems a 110-man's land, and consequently the bulk of the traffic, whether proceeding north or south, draws to the crown of the road, to the confusion and danger of all. There are a few—indeed more than a few —who would wish that the Council would go a bit further and proceed with tar-aca'iing the road. The work the borough engineer estimates could be accomplished at a cost of approximately £•2500. Yet, although the light is not a new one to Stratford, it is a new move in municipal control!, and ratepayers, like the borough engineer, would prefer that the Council give the light a twelvemonths' run and see how the financial results pan out before going before the ■burgesses for a tar-sealing loan. Much can lie said in favor of the substitution of the present metalled road for the tarsealed, but that is in the future. The present concerns the increased illumination of the borough thoroughfare, and now that the decision has been made, probably the electrical engineer will make every effort to have the <?xtra lights in use before tiie present Council goes out of office They certainly have earned tiie thanks of the ratepayers, and if they are what has been termed a "scratch crowd,'' then Stratford could do with a few more ''scratch crowds'' in the future.

The Assistant Adjutant General of tlie Wellington "Military District, Captain l'urby, is at present on a short visit to ! St.ratfonl. Our military visitor is hero more for a braee-up tluin anything 1 else, having snlVered a nervous breakdown The weather just now is very bracing. > SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The School Committee met last evening. Present: Messrs. .J. McMillan (chairman), Lawn, 0. Martin, W. McDonald, Pinney, Smart, and Sanderson. Apologies were received for non-attend-ance by "Messrs. P. J. McDonald and Skoglund. Some discussion ensued regarding Albert Anderson. The lad had won a Senior National Scholarship, but, owing to being under age, had been denied full benefits. A motion was passed, "That the Education Hoard be requested to endeavor to obtain for Albert Anderson the full benefit at once, he having won a .Senior National Scholarship, or that, upon attaining the prescribed age, he should be allowed to take up his scholarship without again srtting for examination." A letter of congratulation will be sent to the lad. Additions required to the infnnts' room were left to the chairman and headmaster. Arrangements were reported as complete for the picnic at New Plymouth next Thursday, 22nd hist. J The headmaster reported that tech-; meal and evening classes would com- • menee in March. The llorouyh Council had donated a sum that would considerably reduce the fees for this session in mosjt classes of technical work. The results of the recent examinations showed that the standard of work if. generally being maintained. Albert Anderson, in the Senior National Scholarship/ gained the possible marks (40(1) in' mathematics, also that Ronald Syme, R. Clare, Annie Arms, Mary Lanam, and Winnie Ilinton, whose names were placed in the credit list of those who passed the intermediate examinations, had been only two years doing secondary work. There were 181 pupils receiving instruction in agriculture under the Board's instructors. The attendance last week was —Primary school, 589; secondary, 15G; total, 7<!i3. —The report was received, members coimnenting very favorably on the splendid results achieved by the school during the year.

Messrs. Martin and F. J. McDonald were appointed visiting committee for tiie month.

Accounts totalling £34 were passed for payment.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Messrs. R. Masters, E. Dixon, and H. Trimble, members of the Taranaki Education Board, hold a conference here yesterday with Messrs. R. Browne, 11. 0. Sergei, and Johnson, agricultural in; structors under the Board. Mr. Browne stated that the instructors desired the Board to grant permission to all teachers to have a few days' cessation from school work to secure practical study in the new branch of their duties. The idea they wished the Board to sanction was to have a fortnight during Easter, at which the instructors would take masters and teachers to certain localities, and there demonstrate the qualities and natures of soils, grasses, .(lower and fruit life, etc. The matter had been betoro tlio teachers previously, and as the outcome of that meeting they now approached the Board to assist by granting the necessary leave. The Chairman (Mr. Iy Masters) stated be thoroughly sympathised with the desire of the agricultural instructors to pusn on the work of masters and teachers acquiring knowledge to impart to the scholars. Personally, he had always maintained that agriculture should secure more prominence in the school work than had been the case in the past. Taranaki was recognised as one of the richest agricultural provinces in the Dominion, and the value of the instruction about to be imparted would be of untold benefit to the fanners of the future! Messrs. "Dixon and Trimble were also favorably impressed with the request of the instructors. 'The question will be decided at the next meeting of the Board. HOSPITAL BOARD. ' The monthly, meeting of the Strat-

was held yesterday, "Mr. J. McAllister presiding. The Various reports submitted wore received, and showed that generally the month had been uneventful. • The chart issued by the Health Department showed that'the Stratford district had been honored with a clean sheet for several weeks. The action of the chairman in appointing Miss Victors (Midhirst) probationer was confirmed. Applications for assistance were considered and granted.

At Wanganui last week some excitement was caused by the crowds of women blocking the thoroughfare eager to participate in the bargains being offered in that town. There is no need for Stratford people to visit Wanganui, as bargains in every class are being offered at C. E. James' fancy goods warehouse.*