STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] BOROUGH COUNCIL. Stratford, Mav S. A special meeting of the Borough. Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), and Crs. A. Coleman, J. Masters, D. J. Malone, T. Lawson, S. B. Huntev, C. B. Walsh and W. McDonald. The following committees were elected:— Executive.—The Mayor. Crs. Masters (deputy-Mayor), and Coleman. Works.—Crs. Malone, Coleman, Jackson and Masters. Finance.—Crs. Coleman, McDonald and Thompson. Lighting.—The Mayor and Crs. Hunter and McDonald. I Reserves',—The Mayor, Crs. Hunter "and McDonald. i Town Hall, Library, Band, Fire Brigade, Abattoirs.—Crs. Malone, Thompson, Walsh, Jackson and Lawson. '

REPEpNCES TO COMMITTEES." Works Committee (within 3 months)- ■ '(1) ; Aii enquiry into the beßt methods of street and footpath construction, having regard to the special require- '" ments of those streets bearing: (a) >'■ exceptionally heavy traffic; (b) f. moderately heavy traffic; (o) light 5." traffic. '(2) To report; upon the lengths of each class of construction it would be '' possible to lay down, with ft total |" expenditure not exceeding '£15,000; I the widths to be, for the whole width ' : : of streets in class (a), and, say, 15

feet in classes (c) and (c). (3) To bring down recommendations

•„ as to street re-cohstruction, stating .% what streets should be reconstruct<M ed, and the manner in which, in each 'H'f, case, thfe work should be done, giving ji preference to those streets the re's construction of which would save •$! the greatest amount of annual mainP tenance expenditure. (4)' To report upon what additional kerbing and channelling would be jjj necessary, consequent upon the fe above, and the approximate cost pf jgjfe same.' ■ n-w-;«s-w-dUBStV""* "71 ! :* Ke General *% "j ri(s)' To enquire into the present jne> fa thods of street and footpath maintff tenance and construction, and to re--Ijj? port upon same, and upon the ad-' % visability of adopting labor-saving $' devices, such as graders, etc., to perW' form part of this work? \ nV , Electrical Committee.— -St"

'j(l) 1 What is the present margin "of eleck, trical power available for future sfit lighting and power requirements, be\H! yond' the present maximum load, 0! and report thereon to the council. j5 [(2) ! What are tho probable additional U requirements of the near future, and "§& report thereon to the council. }■'• {{3)' Enquire into the matters of ad- >)„ ditional lighting facilities in the "outfi* lying portion's of the borough, and l<sit improved street lighting, and report «$£ thereon to the council, with any re>W commendations.

," [(4) ! Enquire into the best means of l*w providing for additional plant (int«S eluding generating plant) necessary Ml to provide for all reasonable i,l| requirements for some years to come, !$ and to report thereon, making recom'fflti mendations and furnishing estimates W of cost, etc. , '(s)' 'Enquire into the best methods of ) f . handling the electrical department "jft on sound business lines; and report V* to the council as soon as possible.

' Finance Committee.—That the Finance /..Committee make enquiries and reP port to the council as soon as pbssM,ible, re matter of raising loans for (JS? £ treet improvements and lighting W from the Government or private jW Sources, furnishing full particulars of W the termß offered. Also to report on || the borough's financial position geni' fc ' erally; ■ i

Town Hall, Library, Abattoir, Ban* •SJ. and Fire Brigade.—To bring down *s? report and recommendations, if- any, on each of the departments.

'■" Reserves Committee.—To furnish a *4i full report, with recommendations, yji if any, as soon as possible. ffpj?: NOTICES OF MOTION. The Mayor gave notice to move "That the present mjnimum charge of lighting be rescinded." Also "That the resolution regarding the setting up of street standards in Broadway be rescinded."

fc W!lvS: RESIGNATION.

Mr. A. Spillman, manager of the abattoirs, forwarded his resignation, having accepted ariother position.—Accepted, with regret. .''.«•<,•,•.

; HOSPITAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid "Board was held this morning. Present: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), C: D. Sole, J. Christoffel, E. Walter, J. Smith, and- W. Rogers. " Smart Bros, wrote, stating that the electric bell wiring at the hospital was more or less perished, and the indicator worn out. They offered to undertake the work pi restoring same,—Work to be done. Dr. (Valentine, Inspector (General of Hospitals, stated that the total population of the hospital district alone is 1 all that is required in respect to levies on each contributing district. A second letter stated that charges made by the Public Health Department for payment of persons in the department's institutions is 30s per week, and the localities i Cambridge, Rotorua, Otaki and St. Helens. He also referred to the fact that the department's charges were considerably lower than that charged by boards for the maintenance of military patients, the majority of boards charging 355. The clerk said that these charges would not interfere with their charges.—Received. Wanganui Hospital Board brought before the board's notice an application regarding a family in Wanganui, who were iE need of assistance. The chairman Btated that the individual concerned was not in the Stratford Board's district, but in the Taranaki Hospital Board district. Miss Gertrude C. Burgess '(Stratford) was appointed a probationer, and the »ame of Miss 0. Peers (Waipawa) was placed on the probationers' list. Dr. Valentine requested particulars of fhe board's proposals to instal a hotwater system costing £3OO to £SOO, so that he coifld make a definite recommendation to the Minister on the subject. A later Jettw jrtfttei jfchat neither the

' last inspector nor himself could see the necessity of installing the hot-water radiators in the matron's, nurses' and servants' bed rooms. These luxuries were not provided in any of the nurses' homes in the Dominion.—Received.

The secretary's action in ordering a year's supply of gauze, cotton-wool, etc., was confirmed. The chairman stated that these appliances for hospital work were continually rising. The board decided to accept Mr. Bull's offer to supply four cords of rata fire wood at 40s per cord. Dr. Stevens, medical officer, reported that during the month of April 28 patients were admitted, and 24 discharged. There were 4sdeaths, and 19 patients remaining. During the absence of the matron (Miss O'Brien), Sister Healey had been acting as matron. There had been a large number of admissions, the greater proportion being serious eases. She had worked efficiently and ungrudgingly. He suggested that the board purchase a chair for a patient confined to bed. The nature of the patient's disability prevented him using the ordinary wheel chair, the cost being £9 15s, The report was adopted. . _ ' _, _ A. Gray, health inspector, reported two cases of scarlet fever, and one of phthisis, in Stratford borough, all of which were treated at home. Two cases of diphtheria were received from Stratford county. Various food shops were visited in the borough.—Received.-,,- , . ■ The board then rose, ■"'■'.: •':•:■.•

J ""■ •;*•*•■*- *- .'■■■'. - i general; ...v. A model of how to dispatch business Was exemplified at the ,meeting to-day. The board met at 10.30, and at 11.30 the business was completed, the work' being carried out with expedition and dispatch, quite a- contrast to other meetings one could mention. _ >: : _ ■ The Mayor informs me that owing to so many calls on his time, he wisheß it to be distinctly tinderstood that he cannot possibly accept invitations to presido at any and every function that takes place. While willing to preside at publie functions, he trusts to be exempted from attending semi-public meetings, etc. He intends to be at the council office between 9 and 10 a.m. and at 4 p.m. ' Mr. 0. N. Curtis,' chairman of the Belgian Relief fund, is appealing for funds for this deserving object. He has shown practical sympathy.by giving (£IOO to | the fund, and he invites all in the position to do so to send their contributions to the town clerk, treasurer of the funds.

Mr. C. E. James has just opened up a fine assortment of Doulton ware, vases, salad bowls, etc. These are of tlie very be9t quality, and are original in design. Doulton ware has established a reputation for being the best 'grade on the market, so those who like the best and nothing but the best, 'should make their purchases at C. B. James' right now.- ,