STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent). [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, -viill teceive prompt attention.] .. . BOROUGH COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held lust night. iPvesent: The Mayor (Mr. ,]. \V. McMillan). Crs. Masters, Coleman, Malone, Jackson, Lawson, Hunter, Walsh and McDonald.'. The meeting was held in response to the following proposals by the Lighting Committee:— (1). That the engineer be placed in sole control under the supervision of the committee. (2) That the retail and clerical part of the department be carried on in the iliop now occupied by Mr. Walters, and that the whole of the stock be stored ihere, excepting transformers, and suchlike.

(3). That an assistant be engaged to assist in the retail business and clerical work at a wage / of 20s per week, with a half-yearly increase of 5s up to 40s. (4). That.all accounts, including consumers', be kept by the engineer and his assistant. (

(5). That the engineer be responsible for all monies received, and to pay same to the treasurer daily. The resolutions wore moved by the Mayor, and seconded by Cr. MeDonaH. T'.ie Mayor stated that the committee had made a careful study of the position :.f the town clerk and engineer, and found that the system of dual control was not desirable, as it must impair the efficiency of tlioir officers and demoralise the staff. Someone should be placed in control under the supervision of the committee. They had selected the engineer because he was a practical man, and should be the responsible officer. The committee also suggested that the front shop should carry the retail business and clerical work. He believed the present methods were not going to obtain the best results, there being :no much carelessness and waste apparent. He agreed that if they expected the town clerk to carry on the work he should receive a substantial increase in his salary. The work, lie considered, ihould carry a salary of £IOO. With the shop in the main street, he believed the retail business would be increased. This was the only course to make the business pay. In selling their electrical appliances the council must consider the profit they made on individual items, as in selling those appliances they were also selling current. Cr. McDonald covered the Mayor's ground, and added it was a matter of opinion as to whether the engineer was tied to his books, and could be better employed elsewhere. The item on the balance-sheet he the sum of £IOOO to be paid in October was misleading. He '■ontenddd that they had already earned this money, and the finances were not really so bad. Their income was £1242 and expenses £720, leaving £522, which went to pay sinking fund £SO and interest £420. The position really was that they had made a net profit of £163 for the- 'worst five months of the year. Cr. Masters moved: "That the engineer have charge of all outside work, purchase of goods, and control of the mechanical staff. Seconded by Cr. Lawson, and agreed to unanimously. Cr. Thompson suggested that the committea should report on the cost of setting in a suitable window in the storeroom for the display of electrical goods Cr. Masters approved of the idea, and seconded a motion to that effect, but it was The 6alary to be paid to tiie assistant was reviewed. It was I bought that the duties required should carry a larger salary than 20s per week, and eventually a motion by Crs. Colo !* an and Thompson was carried fixing the salary at 30s. Clause 4 created a little discussion, and a motion by Crs. Coleman and Thompson, "that the words 'engineer and ■tssistant' be deleted, and 'town clerk' inserted," was carried. Clause 5 was' withdrawn.

The Mayor in the face of the council's voting on the proposals, said he would have to resign his position as chairman of the lighting committee. Cr. Hunter and McDonald also resigned their positions on the committee.

Several councillors vainly endeavored to persuade the Mayor to re-eonsider his position, but he declined. Crs. Hunter und McDonald, however, reconsidered the matter, and withdrew their resignations. Crs. Thompson and Masters were appointed on the committee, with Cr. Hunter as chairman.

Cr. Thompson then asked to be reliev-ei-«f-his position on the finance com--mittee. aind Crs. Coleman and McDonald will look after this portion of the borough's business. . SHOOTING ACCIDENT. A 3erious shooting accident is reported from Mahoe. Yesterday a party, consisting of Norman and Richard Sattler, Roy Perry and Tom Woodhead, were on a shooting expedition in some bush in the neighborhood. About mid-day, by some means the gun carried by Norman Sattler discharged, the contents lodging in bis back. The party immediately went for assistance, while others remained to assist Sattler out of the bush. Dr. Buist, Kaponga, went out, but owing to the rough nature of the bush it was four and a-half hours later before they got; Sattler clear. He was then removed to the Stratford hospital by ear, arriv. ing at 5.30 last night. Dr. Steven was in attendance, and this afternoon informed the writer that Sattler was lying in a critical condition. Tho shot caused the maih artery of ,the left arm to be divided, and the left side of the client is also badly lacerated. GENERAL. At Ngaere yesterday two motor cyclists, whilst proceeding at a solid pace, collided with a motor 'ear. The ear was climbing a, hill, and failed to see the cyclists in time to save a collision. One cyclist managed to clear the ear, but the second rider was not so fortunate, and'his ride came to an abrupt end by oontact with the car. The cycle became a derelict, and the car showed viable signs of contact, but the rider hud a wonderful escape, and except for a few bruises escaped injury. Tho riders were unknown, and, double-banking, the cyclists smartly continued on their journey. At the council me-;'in; last evening application to substitute an iron for a concrete dividing wall between the garage of Mr. Newton King and Messrs Wright and Lawrence's chambers in Fenton street, was declined. Cr. Coleman gave notice of motion "that the work" committee be requested to consider the matter of framing traffic by-laws, for the borough," and report

thereon as soon as possible," at the council meeting Inst night. It is surprising what one can find if he or sho only takes the trouble to investigate. Stratford possesses a shop where the wife can obtain the best croekeryware and most pleasing bangle, bracelet, or watch she desires. Hubby can obtain his choice of smokes, pipes, and reading matter; the eldest girl and the- youngest boy can get what they covet most, be it jewellery, thimble, or pocket-knife, and the place where this wonderful variety is obtainable is C. E. James' Warehouse*