STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From. Our Own Correspondent!. r.All communications, letter?, et. loft w?th Jfr. 11. J. liopkins, ii'jofcw!;'.m iU tcpeivo prompt attention.] BOROUGH COUNCIL, Stratford, Hay 22. The adjourned meeting of the P.ornugh Council was Jiolil on Monday night. I'".?scnt: Uis Worship tho .Mayo;' (Mr. J. W. Crs. W. MeDonrvid, C. !!. ll'alsh, T. Lawson, C. Jackson, .T. MasH. Hunter, D. J. Mr.iune, J. 11. Thompson, and A. Coleman. The report of the Works Committee recommended that the estimates, as

rchednled, be approved; that the whole of the borough by-laws be placed in the borough solicitor's hands for revision, with the . istruction to have a draft of same phu-r.l before the Council as early .Is possible; that the borough inspector undertake the work of street trjfii:. control His Worship the Mayor and the chairman of the • conunTi'tee have been asked t-j have a valuation made of the engineer':; timber wagon. If the valuation is satisfactory, we recommend purchasing the wagon at £3O. His Worship, Crs. Coleman and Jackson have been appointed to wait on the Domain Board re acquirement of a site for a municipal yard.

It was resolved that the clause re the by-laws bo deleted, "ul the remainder of the report ado:... .l. In coming to this decision, Cr. Masters explained that ■he cost of revising the by-laws would probably amount' to £IOO, though several believed it might cost. £2O. It waß pointed out that whilst it vras severity years since tlie laws were revised, they were generally quite up-to-date; but when the laws were framed/ motor-cars were not in vogue, consequently the laws provided that no person should store more than one pint of benzine. Cr. Lawson said the by-laws were useless regarding controlling traffic, and the borough inspector would have a thankless task.

Cr. Thompson said the Council had previously tackled the question, but the trouble was that- their laws lacked uniformity. They should be revised, but in these times of stress the cost of revision shoulij be considered. Mr. I). J. Malone. chairman jf the Abattoir Committee, reported that the committee had made an inspection of the abattoir property, and recommended several improvements.—Adopted. ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT.

The town clerk (Mr. P. Skoglund) submitted n report of the electric light department during the five months ending March 31. Tho total revenue received was £l2-12, number of consumers (lighting connections GBS, power 23, heating 39) 747; units sold for private "lighting, Hl.tfST, power and heating 1-1,082, public lighting 0254—total, •18,003. For public lights there were five of 10(j candle-power and 123 of 32 candle-power. The general expenditure included hydro-station salaries and wages, repairs, etc., £l-17 3s lOd; Diesel station, £294 Is Sd; repairs to lines £?2 2s 4d; superintendence,' £4l 13s 4d; general expenses (wages, printing, rent, insurance, etc.), £l.w ISs Od—total, £720 19s lid. The receipts were made n-p as follows: —Private lighting, £928 17s 3d; nublie lighting. £l5O 7s: power and heating, £I3S 7s 2d—£1223 lis sd.

Other small items brought the total to £124-3 5s 31 The net revenue account sliowed the interest due on loan for' .five months, £350; from October 1, 1910, to November 1, 101-6, extraordinary loss £420; sinking fund for half-year, £SO; reserve for doubtful debts, £4 10s; balance to balance-sheet, £lO 15s 4d—£521 5s 4d. The town clerk forwarded the following communication on the same question:— Tlic statement shows, after allowing for six months' tinterest and 'sinkinc fund, also a small amount for debts, a net profit of £l<s 15s 4d. It must bo noted, however, that no allowance has been made for depreciation. Tiic Council has been unfortunate in the fact that the extraordinary dry summer compelled a greater use of tlie Diesel engine than usual, also in 'having to pay over 100 .per cent, more for fuel oil than in the past, owing to supplies being unobtainable from New Plymouth. These, circumstances account largely for the heavy working expenses, namely, 55.08 of the revenue. It must also be remembered that no allowance is made in the balance-sheet for the value of accountancy work. The experience of the past five months raises the question as to whether or not. in the future, cheap oil and a full river in summer should be treated more as fortunate,.circumstances than as normal conditions, and the department's business adjusted accordingly. The whole of the profit lias gone in capital expenditure and stock. To meet tho interest (£>42o), due on April 1, the amount had to bo borrowed from the district fund. Interest £420 and sinking fund £l<ifl will fall due on October I next. It is therefore, necessary for the department to find £loo*l before October 1 to meet this liability. With regard to the administration of the electrical department the committee Tecommended: That tho engineer be placed in solo control, under the supervision of the committee; that the retail and clerical part of the department be carried on in the shop now occupied by Mr. Walter.?, and that the whole of the stock be stored there, except transformers and such like; that an assistant be engaged to assist in the retail business and cierieal work, at a wage of 20s per week, with a half-yearly increase of 5s per week up to 40s; that all accounts, including consumers', be kept by the engineer and his assistant; that the engineer be responsible for all monies received, and to pay same to the treasurer daily.—After snme discussion it was resolved that tho matter be referred to ft special incr-IT, : on the 28th inst. Mr. .T. \Y. lioon.. chairman of the School Committee. waited on the Council had roques'tcd that' the borough workmen, whilst engaged in Fenton Street, should continue Ihe. concrete and jkerbing work past (he school.—lt was resolved that tho engineer report on tho matter at the iioxt ordinary meeting of tlie Council. An npnli'ition was received from the A. and ' for use of tho Council i. .hers on Saturday, .lime 2. [t was suggested that, there could be ho harm in acceding to the request, provided there was no smoking. Some councillors did not believo in the rooms being used for these purposes, and the request was declined. On tho motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Musters, the Works Committee were given power to a«Jt in connection I with the rubbish tip at Green's property.

A resolution was iafaled that the Council by special order reduce the runt of the ihop loMtd by A. 7. M.ollison,

draper, from a yearl" rental of £152 lo £lofi. This resolution will oe submitted for canlirivn'.i ion at a special meeting to be held on June IS. Those on the lock-out for jewel levy of the. highest hall-mai*:-:. should make a point of inspecting lit'"' very line and vajied stock now oiioving by Mr, C. ■Tames. If you are in kkiitli of wedding Mid birthday gifts 10-o ,w time in visiting 11) is shop, v.liere you will secur:! your requirement- ;:t a price that will compare with lowest city figures.