STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'{From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left With Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] PICKING A COUNCIL. Interest is being worked up in the town as to who is likely to go to the poll in the approaching municipal elections. The names of several business people have been mentioned but when questioned on the matter a denial has generally been given. The first man the writer been given. The,first man the writer questioned was Mr. R. H. Robinson. "No, Sir, I've put four years in at the Council table. I must now attend to my own business. Let some other business people take their turn." "Do you intend offering your services, Mr. Masters?" "Just now my hands are full. I have been honored with a seat on the Efficiency Board, and that will entail a fair amount of time. I have, interests in other affairs that do not allow many spare moments, so I do not desire any more public duties, at least just now." "Why is it that the majority of business men fight shy of municipal honors?" "Hard to say. Before coming to Stratford I had 15 years on a Board in the South Tsland, and since coming to Stratford I have sat at the Council table for 14 years, and also liad the honor of being Mayor for two terms and from six to seven years chairman of the works committee', so I have done my fair share." "Is it the fear f f penalising business that causes a man to hang back?" "I don't think so. Whilst sitting at the Council table I may have offended some people by words and voting, and by doing so lost a little business, but on the other hand I always believe that if a man filling a public position acts as he conscientiously thinks best, the. public , recognises the position, so it acts both ways." "Stratford should hove a good Council.

Surely the men are available 1" "Well, look down the street and tell me one business man wh6 is prepared to give his time ior borough matters. There j s M r . . He went on a Belgian Relief Committee. Messrs. Eobinson and Hopkins have had four years at the Council table, and if they stand asido now who can. say they should not? Mr. Kirkwood has done good work in the past and his hands are full with other affairs. Walk down the street and yen come to this block. Mr. Frederic has

served a term and done good work, and Mr. Hunter is a present member. Yet there must be many good business men on this sid9 who could do excellent work if they would only make a start." "Yes, I'm going to the poll, and the more the merrier," remarked Mr. Campbell Jackson. "I've got the time and I may as well move round and do something useful for the borough, so you can put' me down as a starter."

"No, Sir, my name has been mentioned, hut T'm going to no poll. Business takes all my time," was the answer of Mr. Sharp. "I'm ready to accept nomination and do my best if the ratepayers believe I would be v: ofml. hut I'm not going to chase round for support," replied Mr. B. Burgess. "When I first struck Stratford I of-

fered my services to the burgesses, but the support was not sufficient to win me the honor," thus Mr. Alf. Moon, "What knowledge have vou of borough affairs?" "Well, I was engaged on the Wanganui Borough stall' for 22 to 23 years, so should know a little about roads. My friends would like to see me go to the poll, and it is very likely I shall do so." Mr. C. T). Sole said many ratepayers had requested him to offer his services, He was a busy man, but promised to give his decision soon. Cr. Walsh said that lie had only c.i<rhi months as a councillor, and was getting into the swing of things. From what he understood of matters the present Council appeared to have done very well, and if the ratepayers gave him sufficient support he hoped to fill one of the Council chairs again." Cr. Thompson, who has filled the position of chairman of Works Committee, will offer his services again. His name has been mentioned in the street as a i.ossible aspirant for Mayoral honors, BOROUGH COUNCIL. The- last meeting of the preesnt Council will be held this evening. The following is a summary of the work accomplished during the two years' term:— MAYOR'S REPORT. The Mayor, in his report, stated that during the year just closed they hv.' been enabled to assume possession of present chambers, thus enabling them to conduct business with a greater degree of comfort. Twenty-six meetings had been held. The Mayor, Cra. Young and Thompson had attended all, Cr. Hunter 25, Crs. Lawson and Stanley 24, Cr. Davey 18, Cr. Rutherford lfl, Cr. Mills 15, Cr. Walsh 14, and Cr. Hancock 10. Building permits for the year totalled £13,470, against £7270 for the previous year. Streets had received the usual attention and a large quantity of shingle was still on hand. More stone was required

but there was 1000 yards lying at the depot, on March 31. A new weir, costing £215, had been constructed at the waterworks and was a credit to the engineer. The same action of the borough was in a very satisfactory condition, and it was pleasing to note that there had been no serious epidemics in the borough. The rents for the reserves had been £578 Us 3d, as against £125 the previous year, the increase being principally reiits from the new buildings, £4OS la 3d being received from this source. A further snni of £137 3s lid was outstanding but a fair proportion would be paid this month. The rental of the new building totalled £S2S per annum; sinking fund, interest and insurance amounted to £">(W, leavig a credit balance of £260, and this must be regarded as very satisfactory. A loss of £1(14 was matit on the Town Hall, repairs (£36) accounting for a larger loss than anticipating. The abattoirs were working in a very satisfactory manner, and financial l y showed a small profit. needed repairing and posts replacing. A splendid crop of oats had been secured and this would effect a saving in horse feed. The fees received were £717, as against £736 for the previous year. The Library and Heading Room showed that library subscriptions had improved by £ls. Messrs. Patrick, Wright, and Roira, three subscribers, were added to the Library Committee. One of the most important steps since the borough inauguration had been the acquisition of the electric light undertaking. Tliiß question had disturbed tne

minds of councillors and ratepayers for many years, and the settlement thereof was of great benefit to the town. The majority favoring the purchase was 24-1. An estimate of the financial results of the undertaking could hardly be arrived at as the Council has only'had control during the summer months when the revenue is at its lowest. During the five months receipts from all sources totalled £1.1:15, and working expenses, including six months interest £l2-15. in addition to this expenditure a sum of £.'150 had been expended out of the working account for stock, necessitating a temporary loan from the district fund of £4OO. ' A further loan r.-ould V.-, necessary to meet further capital expenditure. The sum of £SOO should bo sufficient. Tt was anticipated that th* .major portion of this would be repaid before the close of the next financial year. The value of the stock on hand was greater than when Hie Council look the concern over. After allowing for depreciation he was confident that a

balance-sheet framed on a commercial basis would show a profit. By way of comparison the following receipts were shown for five months under the Council's control and that of the company's: Comnanv. Council. Nov. 1015 £2in mil) £23S Dee. 1015 £214 1910 £2;">S .Tan. 1910 £179 1917 £212 Feb. 1010 £225 1917 £2U March 1916 £2OO 1917 £273 '£1097 £1222 The year closed with a debt balance of £1992 against £1124 last vcar, notwithstanding the fact that £I7OO (the amount of insurance money that the Council has had the use of in the District Fund Account for the past two years) was expended on the new buildings. With a continuance of careful administration there was no reason why the Council should not continue to remain in its present healthy financial stale. The question of a loan for street improvements would no doubt he considered during next term, but in view of the request by tbe Government to restrict expenditure as much as possible during the course of the war it wasipies-

tionable whether a loan policy was a good one. He wished to express appreciation of the uniform courtesy shown during ;.;- Mayoral term hy the Councillors and also for the interest taken in the Council. They had had two strenuous rear* of office and he was sure those socking re-election could go to the bnrgessc-s 1 .-cling confident they were satisfied with the result of the Council'? stewardship. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Mr. W. J. Newton, electrical engineer, reported that the plants at- both stations were running well. It was still necessary to run the Diesel engine from S a.m till near midnight. A further 20 chains of light tension has been erected ann the old wire removed. The iron bark poles. 27 and 30 feet, had arrived, and were- a fine sample. There was a vacancy on the staff through camp enlistment and a second employee would also

go into camp shortly. The Council's tender to builder for electrical work connected with erection of theatre in Broadway was accepted. It was necessary that the conduit should be ordered at once, as the walls were now going up. Wires would not be required get awhile.

flood solid rains fell during Sunday night and Monday morning. The roads were soon overflowing in portions, but towards noon the weather moderated and conditions improved. The rains will do an imme-nse amount of good, hut from what one gathers have arrived too late to save the turnip crops. Winter feed i will probably rule high. The ladies conducting the tea , and mart each Saturday are still \ et , n i on their work. They have Wured a fairly large sum for patriotic funds by ; these means. They would appreciate , any gifts of produce, literature, etc i that- may be sent along. Nominations close this week for seats on the Borough Council. The present - Mayor (Mr. J. W. Boon) is hardlv likc- ; ly to be opposed. Pricking the card, the ; following are- mentioned as likely to be , nominated for the council:—Messrs ,T. H. Thompson, W. H. Young, C. B. Walsh, T. Lawson, J. B. Hunter, A. Moon, D. Malone, C. Jackson, ,T. H Ford, C. D. Sole, G. Smith and J. Frederic. America has got a move on at last. We have been expecting it. There, lias also been a great move-on in Stratford, and wise people have been sharing in the move-on. which operates at C. E. James' jewellery warehouse. Easter gifts have had a big run, but the shelves still hold many useful gifts acceptable for Easter. See the fine range of crockery wa are clearing.