STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc, left «nth Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will teceive prompt attention.] BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting was held on Monday evening. The Fields' inspector requested the Council to have the broom cleared on tneir properties, and also on all boroiHi reserves—To be attended to. J. Hislop. Under-secretary of Internal Affairs notified that the Council's appeal relating to a portion of the Belgian S 1 £ un * s being placed to the credit of the Highland Land League was receiving the Government's earnest considera"on A later communication stated the money would be held for future use for the purpose for which donations are made, and regretted the Council's request could not be acceded to—Reply to be forwarded to the Highland League The Board of Trade, Wellington, notified that it was not intended to extend the number of State meat s hops in view of the contemplated legislation giving powers to municipalities to do so The Board suggested a comparison should be made with prices ruling in Stratford with New Plymouth and Waitara, and should there be any material difference the Board was prepared to investigate the matter-Mr. J. fl. Ford desired Council to have a State butcher's shop parted here on lines of Auckland —Letters received. In regard to a complaint lodged bv the Council concerning a. pig slaughtered at the abattoirs, the manager reported that the pig broke loose in the vards and through a faulty fastening, got into a paddock, and had to be run down and brought back with the assistance of a dog Every precaution would be taken in future to prevent a recurrence —Received. S. Remington requested the lighting committee to provide a lamp in Orlando street beside the gully—Referred to the lighting committee. •M. Taverty, librarian, applied for fortnight's holiday from 22nd inst—Granted Thirty-five retailers petitioned to make the closing hours on Thursday at 1* noon instead of 12.30, as at present, the alteration to have effect on November 1 Received. LETTING TOWN HALL. Messrs Halliwell and Thomson, on behalf of Messrs N. B. Frvday, C. E. Forbes and E. Tichbon, returned Council's cheque forwarded to them on the Council declining to let the Town Hall for a meeting of the Protestant Political Association on the 23rd. Their clients insisted on the contract of letting beine carried out. They had incurred certain expenses and would hold the Council responsible for any loss arising. Thev thought the Council would find thev acted rather hastily and unwisely in nassino on the spur of the moment the "resolu" tion at last meeting. Unless the proposed meeting was proved to he seditions or immoral, they thought it wis;> for the Council to abide by the contract. The Mayor said the Council should adhere to the previous resolution, and moved in that direction. Cr. Jackson seconded. Cr. Thompson desired to know whether the Council had received legal advice on the question, and was told no. He thought they should be on the safe side and moved: That the Mayor be empowered to take legal advice and act accordingly. Cr. Walsh seconded. The promoters of the meeting had had their cards ready for distribution. The Mayor said the apolicants were rather premature and should have waited to ascertain the council's views. Cr. Hunter said he had supported the resolution at the previous meeting, but conditions seemed to have changed somewhat and perhaps it would be wisdom to have legal knowledge. The Mayor stated that whether they had taken up a legal attitude or not he was sure they would have the moral support of the ratepayers at the back of them. They should stick to their resolution. Cr. Thompson protested. He had no knowledge of the Protestant League or the promoters, and thought they should be guided in the matter by the solicitor. He had moyed his amendment to put the Council right, because just now it appeared the Council did not know where or how they stood On the amendment being put only Crs. Thompson and Walsh voted in favor, it 'leing thus lost and the motion carried. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT. W. J. Newton, electrical engineer, "reported that the hydro plant had been working remarkably well. The Diesel engine was also working well. Since last meeting one house had "been wired. —Report received. NOTICE OF MOTION The Mayor moved: That that part of the resolution of November 13, 1916, requiring the electrical engineer to provide his own conveyance and motor spirits, etc., be rescinded. The Mayor said it was rather unfair that any employee of any public or private firm should provide the motor-ear and spirits whilst on the firm's business. Cr. Coleman agreed with the Mayor's motion. It was hardly a fair thing to expect the engineer to supply the benzine. Cr. Lawson asked if the Council expected the engineer to do this work with his own car, and if this was in the terms of agreement? The Mayor said that according to the minutes the engineer was expected to do so. Cr. Hunter said the engineer had to go out to all roads; and who was going to pay him? How was he going to get out there? Was he going to walk? The engineer's job was no sinecure. The Council could not ask a man to walk out and. if so he would not go, nor was it right to expect him to do so. They possessed a valuable plant and he would like to give the engineer credit. In the past the old Electric Light Company had a fair amount of trouble with their men. Now they had a man who had been with the plant for 14 years. They paid a man with no responsibility £4 a week and gave the engineer £0 with all the responsibilities. They should pay him more. He thought they might grant him benzine. They should remember they had a man who could bundle any part of I the electrical department, and he was not i so sure whether they would find anotlifr ! man to fill the bill like the present one. Cr. Jackson disagreed with Cr. Hunter. ! There was no personal feeling in the ! matter. No other member of tlip Council had received the same consideration. The borough engineer had to move round on a push bike, and had more responsibility and should be placed on a sinn. lar footing The Mayor said there was. no com-

parison. He thought they might in struct the engineer to hire a car whei necessary. _ Cr. Malone said they should have i limit as to the price, or else they migh find the position worse. The motion was then put and carried The Mayor then moved, Th ( at tin amount of £7 paid by Mr. New ton for benzine be refunded, and that ii in future he be instructed to ihiro a ca; when necessary. Cr. Coleman seconded. He said tin engineer should be instructed to use i car when going outside the borougl boundary. This motion was lost, those supportim being the Mayor, and Crs. Coleman. Jack son and Hunter, against Crs. Malone Thompson, Lawson, Walsh and McDon aid. Cr. Coleman then moved Uiat tin whole matter of the electrical engineer'i means of transit in connection with tin outdoor portion of his work be referrec to the lighting committee—Seconded ty Cr. Thompson, and carried, CONCRETE ROADS. T. D. Sullivan, Borough Engineer, reported he had been to Wellington regarding concrete and tar macadam roads. In Wellington there was a total area of 15,000 square yards of concrete roads, with a thickness of six inches. The concrete was composed of 3i bags of cement to a yard of good clean bank run gravel containing a good proportion of sand Eighteen basra of cement to the ton are usea throughout. No expansion joints were used, and the surface was coated with tar and sand after about 14 days. The traffic was allowed to run on tliat surface. The roads were sanitarv smooth and noiseless and practically dustless, no water cart being used. The cost of manufacture was practically nil compared to that on ordinary macadam. He had no hesitation in advising the adoption of concrete for road construction.—Received. The abattoir's report stated that during September 85 head of cattle, 184 sheep and 37 .pigs had been slaughtered. THE BAND. Cr. Malone brought up the position of the Town Band, which was at present without a conductor, and its onlv source of income waß the £25 subsidy from the council. This was insufficient for the band to carry on with, and unless further financial assistance was received, it was possible the band would go under. After some discussion, the Mayor said that, seeing the vacancy in the band of conductor was still open, they might wait till a future meeting, flie discussion was then dropped. A SOCIAL EVENING. At the Egm'ont Club, Mr. H. Wilson entertained his numerous friends in honor of the wedding of his youngest daughter. Miss Hilda Wilson. ' The early part of the evening was devoted to cards and billiards. Mrs. Crofts won the ladies' prize, and Mr. Adolph Manoy secured the gentlemen's trophy. These were presented to the winners by the president of the chtb, Mr. J. Masters, who expressed the appreciation of all present of Mr. Wilson's generous hospitality. Musical items were contributed by Mrs. Edmondsdn, Misses Phillips and Black; Miss Rowe gave a recitation, and songs were given by Messrs Peters and Sanne. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" concluded a very enjoyable evening. " GENERAL. At a meeting of the Stratford Dairy Company directors, it wsb decided to accede to the request of suppliers to erect cheese plants at Toko road. Toko and Stratford. In the latter instance, teams 'are already at work preparing for the site. Tt was also decided to alter the name of the Toko road plant to Huinga. Wednesday's meeting marks the last of the present County Council. Included in the list of wounded, to-day, is the name of Second-Lieut. E. H. Young, well known in Stratford football circles. He left with one of the earliei contingents, and so far has been very fortunate. Another ex-Stratford footballer, Lieutenant "Bob" Wood, was also reported a few days back as being wounded, but no details are available Mr. Cecil Wright, who has been for a month in Wellington, returned to Stratford last night. Mr. Wright, during his stay in the south, was successfully operated on for cataract by Dr. Hartz. Have you seen those Christmas and New Year cards, on sale at C. E. James' jewellery warehouse? These are just the jthing to send to the boys in the trenches, and to others in the Homeland. The choice is large and the price small, but you'll need to hurry, as the supply is not unlimited. There are also many other articles suitable for gifts that invite inspection, and challenge comparison.— Advt. The Stratford Dairy Company requires a third assistant for the butter room. Mr. C. E. James has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas cards for sending to soldiers at the front, and friends in the Home Land. A very large and varied assort-1 ment is available but already fc steady demand has set in, so those on the lookout for seasonable gifts of this description should lose no time in inspecting Mr. James' stock. STRATFORD DAIRY COMPANY. To the Editor. Sir, —At the meeting of the shareholders of the' Stratford Dairy Company the chairman %tated that the company could not pay half the. cost of installing a cheese plant at Robson road, leading the shareholders to believe that the Robson road suppliers had asked the company to instal a cheese plant for them. Why did he not state the facts? I believe these suppliers would not have broken away had they been treated on co-operative lines, as they had a right to expect. Their cheese plant was to cost £4OOO, and they offered to take up £2500, leaving £ISOO available For new suppliers,'. Several farmers from the Bird road were likely to supply, and they further guaranteed that they would take up the £ISOO or whatever portion of it that remained unallotted, when necessary. The directors would not give that offer a hearing, »nd sent them tne following resolution passed at their meeting: That the directors will consider the question of installing a cheese plant at

Robfion road on the following terms: The Robaon road .suppliers to take up sufficient shares to cover the capital expenditure, and lo pay up the shares within four years, and each Rotison road shareholder to sign a joint and several guarantee. Xow, Sir, is that co-opera-tion? Why had these fourteen suppliers to sign a joint and several and to pay off the £4OOO in four years when thev had such a strong company behind them' Those same fourteen suppliers', take about as much milk :'n the flush of the season a? tlie.ninety odd suppliers do to tlie main factory at Stratford. I wonder II th* BJfl^-.f»r3tet;,ia- SUMr now,

for our chairman sjM -<- "> P meeting that £30,000 could easily" be got without sigwng any joint and several. Was it Sir mf° P* » cl '«>« Plant installed at Stratford? What will happen when the new shares are issued? Robson road suppliers will then put their shares on the market and as they are the compnnya shares if a supplier buys enough of them, he can supply the cheese factory and who can stop him? If, wi u take te f, shares to a good Jersey cow doing three hundred pounds of butter-fat per season, and there are many such around Stratford, I think. "Shareholder" was not quite right about the fox. Robson road certainly has lost the tail, but only tc. take the head and transfer a very large' tail to Stratford. It does not require-' a great deal of imagination to see that' tail wagging at Toko and further east and perhaps providing in the future another tale. I fear lam taking up too much of time and space, so will conelude by advising your Pukengahu correspondent not to drag in another company's name in his discussions on Stratford's doings.—l am, etc., A STRATFORD SUPPLIER.