STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

[All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] THE ELECTIONS. Stratford, April -2G. The- elections for 1917 are now matters of the past. During the next two years municipal business will be conducted by ft piaetically new council. The policies outlined by the defeated Mayor (Mr. .f. W. Boon) and the successful candidate (Mr. J. W. McMillan) were very similar. Probably the chief plank of the incoming Mayor's platform was the desire that the council should go in for a loan of £15,000 to make Broadway a street more in keeping with what might be expected from a town of Stratford's importance. Whether Mayor McMillan will be able to convince his colleagues of the necessity to go in for a loan of that dimension remains to be seen. He was also agair/it the retention of a minimum charge, and, "pricking the card," this looks to bo one of the first actions that will go on the municipal books. Every candidate and burgess admits that Broadway is capable of improvement, the only difference of opinion being on the method adopted. No doubt the tar-sealing method wil come in time—it has been urged more than once in these columns. The lighting of the borough will also be. Revised, and probably the motion with regard to street lamps for the main thoroughfare, passed at last council meeting, may bo rescinded. The defeat of Mr Boon is no reflection on his work. The two years he has held office have proved times of strenuous toil, and he will be able to retire for the present with the knowlodge. that Stratford has advanced under his guidance. As shown at his meeting, he goes out of office after meeting much extraordinary expenditure, with the finances in better condition. Possessing the knowlodge he has of municipal business his loss will be felt, bill fortunately the ratepayers have returned Crs. Hunter, Lawson and Thompson, of the retiring council, who should possess a fair idea of borough details. Cr. W. H. Young, who was chairman of the lighting committee, must bow to the dictates of the ratepayers, and retires. In this connection the weight of public opinion regarding the minimum charges is shown here, as Crs. Boon and Young lost many votes in this direction. Cr. Coleman is to be congratulated on topping the poll for councillors, and ex-Mayor Cr. J. Masters, who is the "daddy" of them all ,in the matter of experience, finished a good second. The indications are, if the general opinion is any criterion, that his Worship Cr. McMillan will have at his back one of the strongest councils elected. The future ,is in .heir hands, and now that the decision has been made one and all.should work for one purpose, the prosperity of the borough. AT THE POLLS. The town clerk, Mr. Skoglund, deserves credit for the prompt manner in which the returns were announced. The polls closed at 7 p.m., and before eight o'clock the complew voting was announced, and the decision in the Mayoralty contest was announced at 9 o'clock.

Mr. McMillan, whose win was plainly a popular one, was very happy in his few remarks. He thanked all for the hearty support accorded him, congratulated his opponent 011 the clean fight that day, and hoped his policy during his term ai Mayor would be beneficial to all. He then caused a ripple of merriment by asking to be excused, as lie desired to communicate the glad tidingß to his daughter (10 days old). Mr. J. W. Boon congratulated his opponent on his success. He (the speaker) had ever endeavored to do his best, on behalf of the ratepayers. He had been identified with Stratford borough affairs for some years, and believed tha': during that period he had been of some service to the ratepayers. He sincerely thanked all who had favored him with their support that day, and concluded by wishing his opponent (Mr. W. McMillan) a successful term of office. Cheers for both parties were exchanged, and then the crowd waited for further results. 1

When the results of the voting for thecouncil seats were announced the candidates received a mixed reception. Several were counted out, and others were obviously overcome for the moment, consequently it may be briefly 'stated that all tried, and some succeeded, in conveying to the ratepayers their thanks for support accorded that day. Probably the most unconcerned candidate was Mr. J. H. Ford. He was amongst those defeated, but was not dismayed, and in clearly-expressed words thanked the 380 who had favored him with their support. The voting lie. had received that day, he said, encouraged him to offer himself again should the opportunity occur. He also believed it was necessary to establi/ih a ratepayers' association, and promised to do all he could in getting one started. GENERAL. Mr. A. D.. Stanley, secretary of the A. and P. Association, is about again. After his bout of illncßS he is naturally gery weak, but in a few dayß he should be his old self again. Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the Education Board, is a busy man those days. He seems to divide his days between New Plvmouth and Stratford. On Monday and Tuesday he was in New Plymouth on board business, and the visit of the Minister of Education, the Hem. J. A. Hanan, made it imperative to journey to New Plymouth to-day, an l he will also be there to-morrow. To inquiring friends it may safely be said that his present residence is in a motorcar, and the locality anywhere between New Plvmouth and Hawera.

The altered time-table ban hampered the school children from Whangamomona arriving here. The Chamber of Commerce made application to the Railway Department to have the trains leave iWliangamomona about 7 a.m. instead of after ten o'clock, but a reply lias been received stating that the request could not be entertained under the present circumstances.

A very pleasing ceremony took place at the post office this afternoon. Mr. C. Craddock, wlio has been engaged on the staff for a number of years, was farewelled by his comrades. Mr. Brookes, in a few words, expressed their pleasure at Mr. Craddock's promotion to the New Plymouth office, where lie enters the. money order department. The remarks were backed up with the very acceptable gift of a smoker's companion. The recipient suitable acknowledged Mr. Brookes' warm appreciation, and the good relations that had existed during his term with them. He left the same evening to take up his new duties.

T. LAMAgfON'S WEEKLY REPORT, last Saturday our uiual sale was

when we had a very large entry of poultry/ etc. We quote as follows:—I Hens 2s 2d to Is <M; pullets 3s to .'is Gil; cockerels Od and Is Ixl to 2s; ducks Is !M to 2s lid; geese .'is Gd to 4s; canaries fis to 12s pair; pollard 15s Gd to 10s: bran 10s Gd. (10(1); apples lis Gd to 7s Gd case; furniture and sundries at usual auction rates.

T. Lamason's usual auction sale is advertised for .Saturday, when lie will be selling a quantity of useful furniture. The publi? are being continually re minded that they should economise. Good advise this, and to this must bo added that the best wav to economise is to purchase where you get llie lest value. To obtain this desirable end all that requires to by added is that for the best frockerywarcv good stationery, excellent ''smoke?." fashionable trinket? etc.. .'all at C. E. James', the'good value warehouseman.