STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TAII communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will rewive prompt attention.] BOROUGH COUNCIL. -MONTHLY MEETING. _. .Stratford, April 17. The monthly, and also final, meeting of (lie present Council whs held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (chairman), and Crs W. 11. Voung, J. H. Thompson T. Lawson. J. V, Hunter, C. Walsh, A. J. Davev, ami E. S. Rutherford. Cr. A. D. Stanfey bis absent through indisposition, CORESPONDE'NCE. ' | C. A. Wilkinson wrote re representing Stratford Borough on the New Plymouth flarbor Board. He had represented the Stratford, Eltham, and Inglewood Boroughs on tho Board for .some years, and if,they preferred it he was willing to represent them for another -term.—His \Vorship said that Mr Wilkinson had put in a lot of time on the Board, and lind proved a very capable man, and he would like to see him selected. Cr. Lawson concurred. Resolved: That the Council re-appoint Mr Wilkinson. T. G. Trowern, secretary of the Plumbers' Board, Wellington, notified the Council that the Board had no power to grant Council permission to grant temporary licenses to unregistered plumbers. —Received. The Stratford Patriotic Committee rcfommended the Council to observe Anzac Day, 23rd inst., as a public holiday, and that the churches be asked to hold special services.—The Mayor said the idea was a good one, and he believed the citizens would bo willing to fail in with the wishes of the committee. A holiday is to be observed. N. C. Christenson, caretaker of the cemetery, was allowed 5s per month extra pay. C. B. Robertson, Wellington, forwarded cheque for £ls .Is 4d for month ending March 31. This was in 'onncction with renting shop in Municipal Building by A. F. Mollison, and who had vacated the premises.—The Mayor reported that the borough solicitor had the nntter in hand. The action ,of the town rlor'; in writing on the matter was confirmed. The secretary of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote intimating that tho Council's levy was £245 Bs. A complaint by Mr S. Ward against the conduct of a borough official was taken in committee.—On resuming, tho Council resolved to take no action.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S' ANNUAL REPORT. Mr W. J. Newton stated that the revenue for current sales showed an increase over tho corresponding period (five months) of tho company's time. Until this yean, except for clearing out the dam, tho Diesel engine had been used only on rare occasions in the daytime. r n the last four months it had been running generally from early in the afternoon, and the last six weeks, prior to the 31st, to 11.30 p.m. Owing to the New Plymouth oil bores having to he recased, oil has had to be seeur.'d from Australia at more than double the cost. —Received. . ABATTOIR REPORT. ■During the month, 00 head of cattle, 242 sheep, and 07 pigs had bo-?n slaughtered, fees for same amounting to £sl iOs Gd. ' l -~ LIGHTING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Tjio committee reported that an application had been received from Mii!h:rst residents for electric lines to be extended to that town. It recommended that the application'could not be considered at present. Fifty more meters were to bo ordered. • , works comum'n ■ The Work? Committee recommended that the water main in Mirando street he extended to connect with 2in. main in Seymour street, at an estimated cost of £2l; that the caretaking of the station garden plots he part of the inspector's duties; that the inspector's salary be increased by £5 a year; and that'a'dozen wire rubbish baskets be procured.— Adopted. ENGINEER'S REPORT. '* v •Mr Stf.'ivarl, borough engineer, reported as to the repairs work done during the'month. Good progress was being made with the carting out of boulders. The new intake silt trap and weir at the head works had been completed and was a decided success, tho total cost being £2o3.—Report, received. The committee recommended that all the reserves at present let on an annual tenancy be offered for lease—Adopted. f' LIGHTING QUESTION. T Cr. Lawson moved: "That the resolution passed at the ordinary meeting of the council in February re minimum charge of four units for electric lighting be rescinded." Ho considered that this decision had caused a considerable amount of dissatisfaction amongst the. ratepayers. The matter had not received the consideration it should have from the council. The decision was not a correct one in his opinion, nor a just one to those ratepayers who were being charged for something they did not use. He quoted parallel eases. Regarding the meeting held in the Town Hall on the matter, no doubt the public were mistaken. The statement had been made that the Mayor assured ratepayers that no extra charge for current would be made. He was at the meeting, but could not say that he remembered the Mayor saying so. The Mayor had advocated a "go-slow" policy, but he believed the Mayor had jumped off too soon. Tho ratepayers now owned the light, and should be eneouragod to make the most of it, but the decision of the council was against that. They had taken over a works that had been in existence for many years, and knew what to eipcct, yet'had insisted upon a minimum charge. He maintained that the minimum charge was an unduly harsh one, and unfair. Cr. Thompson seconded pro forma. The Mayor stated that the council were starting off with a new concern to them. It was net possible for them > to have » a set of rules ahead that would be perfect. That would come with exper'ence. Ha regretted that lie had been misunderstood at the meeting of ratepayers. He had said nothing regarding *ie minimum charge. In fact, the question of a minimum charge had never been discussed by tho council. Certainly the previous council, acting on the, advice of their legal adviser, refused the company's application to make a minimum charge, because they did not wish to vary the existing deed of- concession between the

council and the company. Nevevthelesv, for several years the company did make a minimum charge for light of 2/(1 per month.\ A minimum charge was mane for beating and also power. :iiie principles they believed in for these should nlfo apply to lighting. The whole of Hto undertakings of the council were based on that principle. He quolcd the case of an employer using a ten horsepower plant. There a minimum charge of £2 per mouth was made, and that had to be paid whether the power was used or not. If not the power was cut off. It was quite eerreet that oilier boroughs showed a certain loss through units escaping, ami who wns going to pay for that? The ratepayers, of course After referring to press correspondence, he said the council were there lo do their best. There were several matters they could not discuss in public They had to watch their expenditure and receipts. For instance, their men were getting lis per day, and probably would expect more. Again, that night a petition had been placed before the council for an increase in wages by the whole of the electrical staff. He was bound to do what he considered the proper and right thing to ia, even though a number of ratepayers opposed. Mr. Ford requested permission to ask a few questions. Tho Mayor slated it was for the council to say whether they should allow anyone other than a, connlillor to speak. There were 12 burgesses present, and oach, might claim the came privilege as Mr. Ford. Evidently the council did hot desire any further discussion, as no motion was tabled to adjourn the council for a few minutes to allow Mr. Ford to be hoard. Cr. -Thompson suggested that they might reduce the minimum from 4 units to 2 units, but his amendment was ruled out of order. 6l " ■-. Cr. Rutherford drew bis comparison on the minimum charge, to those using a gas stove. In the latter instance *the company installing charged so much for the hiring of the stove, and the minimum charge for lighting set by the council was something similar. On the motion being put, tho only ave was that of Cr. Lawson, and it was consequently lost. „

;_2._ MAYOR'S HONORARIUM.;';; It was resolved that the Mayor be voted £SO, the usual honorarium. Cr. Thompson, chairman of the Works Committee, congratulated the Mayor on the work accomplished under his guidance .during the past, two years." He (the Mayor) had got through a tremendous amount of work, and thoroughly earned the grant. Cr. Young expressed admiration of the uniform courtesy extended to councillors by the Mayor, and endorsed Cr. Thompson's remarks about the good work vcomplishcd by his Worship. Cr Lawson said they had had a "brush" occasionally, but where all were actuated by the desire to do their best there was no sting in any remark. He trusted that the Mayor would have a successful term with the incoming council. Cr. Hunter said he had not always agreed with tho Mayor on some details, but the occasional "clash" did not affect their personal feelings. He wished the Mayor the best success with' his new councillors. The Mayor briefly acknowledged the good wishes, and referred to the groat assistance they had received from the press and also tho borough officials, ~. ■ ■ '!■ ■- ■ ' / GENERAL. 1 y V>' ! The Mayor drew attention to the hnproved state of the sanitation of the. town. There were a few eases where residents 'Wore unable to take advantage of tho drainage system, but the Council were able to locate these, and see that the regulations were complied with. The septic tanks were working in a very satisfactory manner. The trial of the 'tanks •had extended over 12 months, and had given every satisfaction. Ho moved that the engineer (Mr Sullivan) be rr-ted £lO Ids for work in this connection.—Carried. ■ The sum of £fi was voted to the Fire brigade delegates' expenses to went conference; £ls to the Band, and £3 3s to the returning officer for work in connection with election of members to Hospital Hoard, Harbor"Board, etc. Regarding the question of increased salaries to the electric light staff, the Mayor said (his was a matter that might be. referred to tho incoming Council. He moved to that effect.—Carried. ~'. '', / GENE-RAli NEWS. the close of the Borough Council meeting last evening several councillors desired the Mayor to convey to Mrs Boon their keon appreciation of the active part the Mayoress had taken in patriotic and other matters. They felt sure .that much of the success of these matters was secured by the enthusiasm of Mrs. Boon, and believed it was only fair that the lady's services in this anil other directions should be duly noted. Mr. R. M. Pcatty, 'stationmasfcr, left yesterday for a month's holiday. Mr. 1 Stubbs, relieving officer, is now in charge of the station. The friends of Mr. A. D. Stanley will regret to hear that he is confined to his bed through illness. The lad, Willie Gcrnhocfer, of Toko, ".hose absence from home caused some anxiety, has been found at Hawera, where he was visiting relatives. Considerable interest was shown by councillors at the meeting last evening. They had reason for this in that they were honor, d by the presence of several ratepayers. Interest in council matters hitherto centred in tho newspaper rereports. Ratepayers present appeared to take a keen interest in the proceedings. A very popular wedding was solemnised at the Anglican church on Monday morning, the contracting parties being Well-known and popular residents, Considerable interest was taken by the publie. The bride was Miss O'Brien, matron of the hospital here, and the bridegroom, Captain F. Fussell, now in Trcntham camp, hut previously a dentist hero. Mr. T. C. Fookes was best me.n, and Dr. Paget gave the bride away, whilst Miss Flossy O'Brien acted as bridesmaid. After the ceremony, and despite the atrocious weather, the railway station was crowded with well-wishers of the happy couple, who gave them a hearty cheer as the onghio steamed south, where the honeymoon will be spent. . t America has got a move cm at last. We have been expecting it. There has also been a great move-on in Stratford, and wise people have been shaving in tho 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 crockcry we are clearing.