STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) I All communications, letters, etc., left With Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting was held on Moudayi evening. Present:—The Mavor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), and Crs. J. Masters. A. Coleman, D. J. Malone, C. Jackson. H. J. Thompson, T. Lawson, 8. B. Hunter, C. B. Walsh and W. J. McDonald.'

CORRESPONDENCE. From Hon. J. Allen re calling up 19 years old boys for military service.

C. J. Reakes, Live Stock Di\*ion t stated that the Council's resolution re opening of State butcheries in towns applying for same had been forwarded to the Board of Trade for attention. A communication from the Board of Trade stated that at. present there wa* no legislation on the Statute Book empowering municipalities to engage in the butchery trade. The board, however, understood that such legislation is contemplated.—Received. The chief telegraph engineer notified the council that the Department were agreeable to the erection of two street lighting wires at 100 volts on its poles, on the eastern side of Broadway, and to the erection of lamp brackets at a height of lift above the ground.—The Department is to be thanked for granting permission as requested. Mr. P. Aitkeu, on behalf of the olectrical light department, applied for the free use of the Town Hall for a concert and dance on Thursday, 27th inst., the entertainment being in aid of the Taranaki Wounded Soldiers' Fund.—Resolved that the sum of £3 10s be charged and the amount donated to the fund.

CONCRETE ROADS. On the suggestion by tin- works ore* inittee that the engineer be instructed to submit an estimate of the cost of making a concrete road in Eroadway, Cr. Hunter stated that he was hardly in favor. 'Fully a third of the roads put down in America had turned out a success, hut only two States had found the right method. Without the right machinery and informaion there ;was no use going on with the scheme. Cr. Coleman said they had practically promised the [burgesses to go on with street improvement, and he favored the proposal.

Cr. Hunter said he wish/id it understood he was not against the engineer obtaining information, but they must remember that councils in America had found their funds in a *•» ~ condition through the failure of their concrete *xperiments. The Mayor favored the suggestion. By sending the engineer to Wellington he would obtain the benefit of the views of the authorities there on both concrete and macadam roads.

Cr. Masters stated that despite Cr. Hunter's statement concerning America there was a lot of concrete work in the Dominion.

Cr. Coleman agreed 'with Cr. Masters, and stated that work of this description was being carried out in Wellington, and there the engineer would obtain auequatc "nformation desired ro formation of concrete works. At Wellington the engineer, would have ocular demonstration and that was preferable to information by correspondence. Cr. Hunter said he offered no objection to the engineer proceeding to Wellington. It would prove serious and costly if the concrete construction was not properly put down. Cr. Thompson said he was doubtful if the ratepayers would sanction the proposal. It was a fine visionary but he doubted whether the Council had a chance of obtaining the money.

Cr. Lawson endorsed the views of Cr. Thompson. He felt very positive there was no hope of carrying a loan of £15,,000 for expenditure on Broadway. The Council should get permission for the loan first, but there iwas little prospect of the same. Regarding sending the engineer to Wellington, it would be a waste of money at the presnt time, but believing the information obtained would be -useful at a later period he "favored sending the engineer to Wellington. Cr. Jackson disagreed with the last two_speakers. Unfortunately there was always a few 'who were .prepared to throw cold water on any proposal. He agreed with Cr. Hunter in some of his remarks, as they indicated progross and I prosperity. He believed the loan would be carried. Broadway at present was a disgrace to the town on account of the [dust nuisance, which was unbearable.

Cr. Thompson said he never objected to support any work introduced for the welfare of the town, but he doubted if the Council could afford this expenditure. Cr, Jackson had placed a wrong meaning on his remarks, and was "talking loudly to the public through the press." Cr. Jlalonc said he was in favor of the proposals brought down by the works committee.

The various clauses were all earned. Regarding the one re allowing a. strip of 10 feet wide in the middle of the street to allow o; tree planting, opening of main sewer, etc., it was resolved that the work in this direction be made in Broadway South.

[ GENERAL. Kiimcar Ross, manager of the abattoirs, reported that during the month 10 cows, etc., 200 sheep, and .14 pigs had been slaughtered and £4!t 10s 34 earned in slaughtering fees. Excepting the fences and two or three chains of roading leading to the works requiring attention everything is satisfactory. —(Received.

Mr. Lavertv, librarian, stated that the number of books issued during the month was S4<!. number of books added to library 43, new subscribers four, subscriptions received £4 Is OV. Mr. G. M. Curtis presented the library with eleven volumes of the Encyclopedia Brittanica, together with a contour map of the war. —Mr. Curtis is to be thanked for his generosity. The reserves committee's report was received and the Council will review the cottage next to County Council chambers before granting £25 for repairs. The general committee's report touching on the Town Hall was adopted. The fire brigade committee reported that the chassis bad been cut through a severe trial and found satisfactory and •had been purchased on behalf of the brigade. ' ' The ranger (Frank Lane) reported that he had inspected shops, etc., in Broadway. Thirteen head of cattle had been removed from the streets. Seven summonses had been issued for riding and driving without lights.—Received. TURNED DOWN. The Mayor said the Town Hall had been let And he., had been anted ta. are-

side at a meeting to he held shortly and addressed by the Rev. Elliott. The Mayor said he was against the idea, and bearing in mind tho trouble over the Post Office business in Auckland, he moved tho following resolution:— j I "That in tho opinion of the Council it is not advisable to allow the Protestant Protection League to hold a meeting in the Town Hall, as it may tend to cause religious strife, which i 3 very undesirable at any time and particularly at present when all our thoughts and energy should i be concentrated on assisting to bring the j war to a victorious conclusion, and that | the rent paid for hire of hall be returned and further that bodies owning hails | be asked to support the council by acting •in a similar manner." Cr. Masters secjonded. Crs. Hunter, Walsh and Jackson briefly spoke on the motion, which was carried unanimously.

GE.MEBAL. The weather was not very favorable for the farewell social tendered to LanceCorporal Hector Mail at Midhirst last night. Those mho attended, however, enjoyed a very pleasant evening. Mr. Mountford made the presentation (a money belt) to the departing soldier, accompanying the gift with the good wishes' of the district for the recipient's welfare. An enjoyable programme of songs, recitations, etc., was submitted by Mesdames C. Massey, Tapp. and Bennett, Misses I. Fieldes, V. Rowe, and Huse, and Messrs B. J. Peters and Patterson. The accompanists were Misses R. Anderson and Huse, and Mr. J. Edmondson. On an excellent floor dancing was kept going merrily till long past midnight. The Ngaere Dairy Company held their annual meeting to-day, but though a motion was proposed to allow the "press to take notes, the voting was against publicity, so the writer had to retire without any "copy."

There is no time like the present. It is yours., and the wise man is he who makes the most of the opportunity. Just now the opportunity of making a little cash go a long way is presented at Mr. C. E. James' warehouse. Prices are down to bedrock, whilst quality is of the highest. Ladies, don't neglect this chance of securing best leather handbags, jewellery, wedding presents, etc., now offering. Call and inspect when next in town.