STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)' ' ■ [All communications, letters, etc., left ; with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will ' tereive prompt attention.] ' BOROUGH'COUNCIL. I Juno 12. The monthly meeting was held in the ' Council Chambers on Monday evening. ' Present:—The Mayor (Cr. j. W. McMillan), A. Coleman, J. Masters. D. .T. Malone, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. ; Lawson. S. E. Hunter, C. B. Walsh and W. McDonald. The Wfl.ih: Borough Council requested the Council's co-operation in protesting against the proposed sale 'of State Coal mines.—Decided to support the motion. The Department, of' Agriculture, etc., wrote asking Council to further consider tho grant to manager of abattoirs. Mr. Ross, meat inspector, would take over tho duties pending appointment of a fSiiccessor to Mr. Spilman.—The Mayor's action was confirmed. Mr. A. C. Roch, district engineer, reI quested a hedge and several pine trees at the corner of Cordelia street to toe cat to engineer, R. D, Lowers requested Council to place a load of gravel in the right-of-way between his premises and Council's property, Broadway.—The works committee coull not recommend granting the request. P. J. Hopkins requested permission to erect a small shelter over the taxitelephone in Broadway.—Granted. The engineer is to attend to repairs to, pound, The abattoir' manager reported that during May 0-3 head of cattle. h 93 sheep, and 13S pigs were slaughtered, tees amounting to £59 13s. , Miss Kelleher was appointed assistant clerk to the electrical department. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. W. J. Newton reported that the plant at both stations was running well. The recent rains had eased the Diesel, which now only ran from about 4.30 p.m. till about 10 p.m. Five cottages had been wired, and several additional lights added to existing installations, and three new heating installations had been put in since last report. Sale of current for Apri1.—12,951 units, gross "£404 14s 9d. discount £77 16s 4d, net £3OG 12s Bd, outstanding £SO los 9d.—Report adopted. GENERAL COMMITTEE. The general committee recommended repairs to the Town Hall, that more back seats be secured and that part of the wails be repapered. A scheme had been proposed to reorganise the town band, a committee to consist of two prominent members, two councillors, and representatives from the band. The band intended to appeal to the public for funds, andi if successful the council is to provide £IOO per annum towards the salary of a conductor; the band to guarantee, a certain number of outdoor performances during the year. They recommended that 'fuel be siftplied to members of the fire brigade living at the station. The engineer's estimate for cost of improvements at the abattoirs was £79 19s.—Received. •BAND SUBSIDY, Cr. Malone, cnairmaft of the blind committee, stated that the band members, with tho assistance of several sympathisers, were endeavoring to place the band on a sound financial footing, and to equip members with uniforms and new instruments. The band had appealed Council for support in the way of an annual subsidy of £IOO. If {his was given the band hoped to obtain the services of a conductor and give several open-air performances during the year. Cr. Jackson favo/ed the band receiving a subsidy. Cr. Masters, whilst believing that the band should receive every encouragement, considered the present hardly au 'opportune time to give a subsidy of the amount suggested, as the Council had a lot of expenditure of a more necessary nature to meet. Cr. Coleman thought a grant of £IOO for five' years meant a good deal, and the same value of metal for roads would probably meet with the majority of the ratepayers' wishes. ' ■ ~ Cr. Lawson eaid the band should be assisted by the local authorities. He •."as sure the ratepayers would not begrudge 'the subsidy. The band had received an offer of a set of instruments that would probably cost £2OO more under ordinary circumstances. Cr. C. B. Walsh thought the band should receive support. ■ The Mayor said he favored granting a subsidy, end was satisfied the ratepayers would approve. By granting the subsidy the band would secure a good conductor, tnd that was generally recognised as the making of the hand. Cr. Hunter could not see how they could consistently give £IOO to the band, though they might grant a smaller amount. Cr, Thompson spoke in a similar strain. Cr. Malone, replying, said if the council had to cut down the subsidy he hoped it would not be cut out altogether. If a conductor was appointed he felt sure that several eld players would join again, and the present members desired that the money available should be sufficient to secure a good man. Cr. Coleman suggested that £SO would meet the wishes of the band. Cr. Masters' motion "That they delete the clause regarding subsidy and conductor" was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor, the voting being: For—Crs. Masters, Coleman, Hunter, McDonald and Thompson; against—Mayor, Crs. Malone, Jackson, Lawson and Walsh. Cr. Coleman's motion "That the council grant a subsidy of £SO" met with general approval, and was carried oa the voices. RATES STRUCK ' ",<' His Worship moved: "That the following rates be struck: General rate of 3M in the £ on unimproved value; special rate of fd in the £; water rate of 9d, and sanitation fee £1 per annum." —Carried. SOSPITAL BOARD. The monthly,meeting of the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held this morning. Present: Messrs .T. McAllister (chairman), C. D. Sole, R. McK. Morison, J. Christoffel, E. Walter, W. Rodgers, and A. Meredith. CORRESPONDENCE. !S. Robinson, Wellington, forwarded draft of proposed rules for the Hospital Boards' Association. They suggested a jon.vrence ibout August to formally

know if the board would approve of a provisional executive being appointed to deal with preliminaries.—Received. The board cannot see its way to join the association at present. Nurse Old, Whangamomona, reported giving attention to six patients, one being sent to the Stratford Hospital.-Re-ccived.

The matron reported that she had resumed duty, and thanked the board for granting extended leave and bonus. She also intimated that tho nurses' dining room needed attention.—Received, the chairman to see that repairs as"suggested are attended to.

Dr. Steven, medical superintendent, re- ' ported that durintr May 2(1 patients were admitted, 27 discharged, three deaths recorded, and fifteen remained in the hospital. A later communication stated there were 27 patients receiving treatment, including five cases of diphtheria. —Received. ' A. Cray, health inspector, reported that two cases of scarlet fever, 2 of tiiph- | theria, and, 1 of typhoid fever were investigated in Stratford borough, and four cases of diphtheria and one of consumption in (lie Stratford county. The work of disinfection of premises was carried out where required.—Received. After pasing accounts the board rose. GENERAL. At a meeting of the Town Band members last evening, Mr. J. Tizard presiding, it was resolved to accept Mr. Fred Fo-> ley's offer to put on a picture programme at His Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday, ,26th instant, members agreeing to make the most of Mr. Foley's generous offer. The resignation of Mr. Geo. Bradley as secretary and drummer was accepted with regret, he having filled both positions with credit during the past four years, The many friends of Mr. J. Ltiverty will resret to hear that he is an inmate 'of the New Plymouth hospital, wliere is 'underwent an operation yesterday. Latest advices are that his progress towards recovery are as satisfactory as can be exnected. The Patriotic Mart secured £7 l-3s and the Tea Rooms £4 10s on Saturday. Mrs. J. W. Boon, president of the Ladies' Patriotic Committee, states that the committee is always glad to welcome donations in the way of eatables, produce, fancy goods, eto., whilst the assistance of the ladies in the surrounding towns in controlled the mart and tea rooms occasionally on Saturdays is alvays appreciated. Considerable interest has been taken hers in tho baby competition concluded on Saturday. Over 72 babies wpre entered, and their photos were screened nightly at His Majesty's Pictures, When first mooted there were some who doubted the wisdom of the novelty -but Mr. Foley judged tho public mind correctly, and received entries from all parts of the district. The scrutineers, Messrs. J. D. Murray, T. Lawson and C. L. Grant, had no light task in keeping up with the voting recorded. Tho management states that one night his record was the best in tli'e history of the pictures, being £3 in excess of his previous best, when "Neptune's "Daughter" was the attraction. There is a possibility that a second baby competition will be held late; on, and in that case probably it will be controlled by the Patriotic Committee. For the benefit of those interested it nay bo mentioned 'tliat the winning baby was No.' 6S, Mrs. F. Shcaban's child, whose husband is now in camp at Trentham, with a total of 047 votes, the second place was won by Mrs. L. Neal (No.- 12) with a total of 499. Mrs W.' Collin's child was third with 302 votes, and Mrs. D. Bjitchart fourth with 269. . , Crockeryware isfcbecoming more and more expensive as the shipments Hecome mora scarce. That being go, those ladies on the look-out for the very best Doulton china and other ware should note that the best variety, combined with moderate- prices, will be found at C. E. Jame.s' warehouse.