STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

tAll a>n«mmi<*tion3, letters, etc., kit with Mr B. J. Hopiiia, tortaoUcr, v?ai iscsiv* 3i<j»?S aucaUuo.j

BOROUGH COUNCIL. Stratford, Jan. 28. Tho Borough Council met lust evenin?. Present: The Slay or (Mr 0. W. McMillan), and Crs. Malone, Thompson, Jackson, Lawsou, Hunter, Walsh, McDonald, and J. Masters-

CORRESPONDENCE. State Advances Office, Wellington, notified that tho £7OOO loan has been approved. This amount is required for electric light, and a poll will be taken as soon as the Town Clerk can complete details. Stratford branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association forwarded a resolution: "That this committee nereis that recent drafts of returned soldiers who have arrived at Stratford were awarded no formal welcome on behalf of the citizens."—-The Mayor said he had always done his best in regard to meeting the returning soMiers until he had gone for his holidays.

Wanfanui Borough Council desired' co-operation in urginj upon the Government the necessity of preventing overcrowding of transports in repatriation of soldiers.—Endorsed-

Newmarket (Auckland) _ Borough Council desired support in uiging upon the Government to provide necessary legislation whereby the upkeen of all fire brigades should be shared equally between the Government, Insurance Co.'s and local bodies.—Fire Brigade Committee to report to next meeting. G. P. Newton, assistant under-sec-re-tary, notified that where extraordinary vacancies occurred through the influenza epidemic, that borough council mav appoint a Stii table person to fill the "position till the present council retires on April 30-—Received.

Regarding the recent epidemic the Hawera Borough Council forwarded circular letters desiring support in securing ohe health inspector for each hospital district, and that a resident medical man shall be district health officer. -On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Cameron, it was resolved to "support the Hawera resolutions.

Messrs S. G. Smith and C A. Wilkinson M.'sP., notified the Borough that they would do their utmost to assist in procuring a new post office for Stratford. Letters were also received from the Acting premier, Sir Ja<;. Allen, promising to bi i.ng the matter before his coiN spies. wh;lst the Minister' for Public Works, stated the letter to him from the Borough Council on the matter, was outside his jurisdiction and shou'.d go to ths Postmaster-General.—These lettew were received, and the members thanked for their efforts, the clerk being instructed to place the position before the Postmaster-General.

Mr K. Ross, abattoir manager, reported that 83 head of cattle, 204 *heep. 248 lambs, 3 calves and 19 pigs hnd been slaughtered, fees earned totaling £53 12s 3d.-Received.

A petition to have the electric light extended to Pembroke road west was received from Messrs J. T. Martin. H. Gordon, W D. Colson, C. Muinby. J. Fawkner, and G. A Freweek. They were prepared to take 2S lights and three also desired power for milking machines.—The Lighting Committee was requested to report next meeting

John Sturrook, boorugh engineer, etated that unusual bad fortune experienced had caused delays In commencing tar macadam work, but if they had luck in the weather and were able to carry on in the autumn, a good portion of tile central part of Broadway should be laid, but :t wa3 necessary to get mrrr» meh —Lettc-t received, Crs generally expressing satisfaction at progress made, and recognising that any delay occurring was not due to the engineers Tho General Committee reported that the fir? brigade had adapted the now niles and recommended Mr Gruhb as th<» first superintendent Repair of gutters and spouting to town hall lias necessitated a larger expenditure ihan anticipated, tho gutters being in disrepair. —Report adopted. E. F Hollands, electrical engineer, reported that the hydro-station and Drieael plants were running well. Several sections of the transmission lines had been overhauled, and the new high tension line run from Broadway to borough yard, and a 35 k.w transformer installed. Damages had been sustained to globes and fittings in Broadway north on January •>, evidently caused bv stone throwins.—Received

T D. Sullivan, borough engineer, reported that watertables had been cleaned in several streets, footpaths repaired, and several roads scarified and rolled down! The tar macadam mixer has been erected, and electric motor placed in position Regarding St. Mary's School drainage he had taken leyels along Broadway from Pembroke road to Mr S. Pitt's boundary, and also from Broadway to Miranda street. The former route would only serve St Mary's School property, while the latter would servo four. —Received. In connection with the last clause relating to St. Mary's School drainage, Messrs W. 11. n" Young and S. M Porritt, waited upon the council urging expedition, as the school would be opened shortly In the discussion that followed the Mayor stated the school was not a public one- They had turned down similar applications and m one instance the applicants had paid for the Work, the money to be refunded. Cr. Jackson moved that the requert he granted Cr Malone moved that thev proceed with the work, provided the school officiils were prepared to loan the council the money foi the drainaieThis amendment was seconded bv Cr, Thompson but afterwards withdrawn. Cr. Jackson's motion was then carried, the voting being 7 for and 2 against. PEACE CELEBRATIONS. The question as to Stratford participating in the peace celebrations and the form this ceremony should take, wa* brought up by the Mayor, who further suggested a conference between the council and tho patriotic committee. He then touched' on the question of welcoming home the returning soldier?, and said they were doing their best to receive each contingent. Cr. Cameron expressed the opinion that a delegate shtruld proceed to Eltham and endeavor to get those leaving the train at Stratford to leave from one carriage, otherwise- the present difficultv must continue.

Cr. Masters said lie had previously suggested a delegate proceeding to Eltham- It was impossible to get the men together after they had scattered from the train. Cr Malone stated that a few months back -a '•Soldiers' Night" had been tended the soldiers and he thought this siionld be held more frequently, prefer-

I »My twice a year. The men returnJutLvduld axmradata this. Regaxdivg

meeting the men at the station New Plymuolh had the same trouble, but they couid ajways depend on the Mayor and Deputy-Mayor meeting the men at Stratford station.

After a little further cljscusaion the motion suggesting a er.nfe'ienee to arrange details in connection with the Peace Conference was carried.

HOSPITAL BOARD.

A; titling of the Stratford Hospital Board was held this morning, i'resent: Messrs J. McAllister (chairman), 11. McK. Morison, E. VV. Hancock, J. O'Neiil,! C. Finuerty, F. J. Mackay, and E.', Walter.

Consideration was first given to accounts, the secretary producing a statement showing that these totalled £2170. The board had paid out £1375 3s Id, leaving £734 lUs lid. To meet these claims the- Government had forwarded; £1360, whilst tho board had £153 lln: 7d iu hand from ordinary revenue, which would ie.-.ve a very small margin. In reply to Mr. Walter the secretary: intimated that they would have no subsidy for another mouth, and to Mr. Mackay that if more accounts came in the board would have to go to the Government.

The chairman said that about £BOO ought to be paid beyond the £1375 already paid. The Government desired receipts, but these could not be forwarded until they had the money. Mr. Mackay said the Government had paid the amounts over £4O, and thought she smaller amounts should also 'be attended to.

A motion was carried that the secretary write to the Department for a further £9OO for payment of amounts' wider £4O, and explain the circumstances.

In connection with a resolution passed at the last meeting concerning the engagement of Captain (Dr.) Paget to assist in combatting the epidemic, the following letter was received from heaa-qiu-rters of the New Zealand Military forces: "I have to inform you that this officer was paid by the Defence Department during the period he assisted at Stratford. The Defence Department will look to tho Public Health Department for a refund of the pay drawn by Captain laget for the period that his services were available for the civilian population. The Department is not aware whether the patients visited by Captain laget wero called upon to pay a fee, and, -f so, this would call for an adjustment between those whom Captain Paget represented and the Public Health Department."

Mr. Mackay stated that Dr. Pat-et if he worked for the board, did not put in any charge, neither did he the Public Health Department. Mr. Finneny said the doctor'a whole time was on behalf of the board, the Defence authorities having placed his services at their disposal. In reply to a question, the chairman stated that any claim for wages made by the Defence Department would probacy be dealt with by the Health Department.

Mr. Finuerty thought the doctor might have been a little lenient. He had the assistance of board workers and a citizens' committee, also a special assistant to look after the telephone. The doctor's expenses must have been a small item, as the board met many of them. Others in town had shown their patriotism.

Mr. Walter moved that tho letter be received, and the motion was carried. A letter was received from a parent in the back area protesting against a charge of 5s (Id a day for his son. "He was agreeable to pay 3s, stating the plague had already cost him £oo.—The chairman remarked that the man had received every consideration. No charge had bem made by the doctor visiting the home, whilst a girl had been sent to assist with the work when the family wore down.-No reduction is to bo made.

A claim by the Railway Department for special trains bringing in patients for treatment was before the board.— The chairman remarked that this was rqally a case of claims between two departments, and should be referred to the Health Department. It was not a case of the board trying to get the better of the Government.

The Taranaki Education Board desired that schools used in connection with the epidemic should be thoroughly disinfected before being opened.—The chairman remarked that this only applied to the Stratford Technical School and fumigation had been carried out. Regarding Whangamomoua, the secretary stated the people there had held a meeting on Friday evening and took exception to having to collect fec3 from patients after the Government had announced they would meet all claims. Previous to this announcement the Whanga momona Medical Association Imd agreed to collect the fees, but after the Government had stated its intention thev 'eased doing so. He had forwarded a letter, but so far had received no reply, though he noticed in the papers that Friday's meeting strongly disapproved of having to collect these fees in view of the Government's promise. The chairman stated that Kohuratahi had made no claims, having paid their way, a. spirit of independence which all appreciated. Mention was made of the fine work accomplished by the Boy' Scouts in running messages, doing odd "jobs, etc. It was against the mlcs of the corps to receive payment, but as a recognition of these service.-; he had received J2 medals which would be presented to the lads. The M'onhies arc of silver, being of Maltese Cross design in a circle. On one side the recipient's initials appear, and on the reverse "Hospital Service, ID IS."

The chairman intimated that at the next meeting ho would move that the salaries of the nurses bo revised

GENERAL i.lr. W. D Bayley, the Canadian Prohibition organiser, delivers an address at the Town Hall on Friday evening. He 'undertakes to answer the arguments brought forward by Messrs Armstrong and Findlay, of tho Moderate League. Full particulars appear on page one.

Information has been received that the dwelling occupied by Mr. Moore, at Whangamoinoiia, wes destroyed by fire hist evening. It is supposed the fire was caused through the spilling of kerosene. Two petitions were before the borough council last night. One with ttis signatures of 37 retailers desired the council to endorse 0 o'clock closing. The second petition carried 1.2 signatures protesting against any alteration of the* present hour, 9 p.m. on Saturdays. The council I favored the majority petition, and this petition has been forwarded to the Minister of Labor for his consent.

Applications for auctioneer licenses were granted to Mr. Newton King (2), Mr. T. I. Lamasoti, and the N.Z. L. and M.A. at last night's meeting of tie council.

NEW POST OFFICE. With a view to obtaining a more suitable,post office, the people of this

town are once again exercising whatever miluence they may possess to secure the urgently needed facilities. Iu the absence of the M.P. for the district, Maior Wmo the assistance of Messrs S. *G,. M.P., for New Plymouth, and' C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. :o r Egmout, has been secured. At present, the eastern side of the business portion of Broadway stands on leasehold ground, which expires generally within 18 months to two years. The Post oflice occupies one ot these sections, and is an ideal central spot. However, the public do not mind .moving a few hundred yards further north or south if they can get adequate premises, out the Government in the past has preferred to sit tight and let the years roll by with the increased business to be transacted in the same old way and same old style. With the elections looming in the distance there are a few sanguine enough to believe we shall receive something more substantial than a promise, and if it comes about that •the neit estimates shall include provision for now premises tiicre-wil! be general rejoicing. All the towns along the line possess better premises than Stratford, so in seeking new premises it cannot be said that our town is asking out ■of its turn for improvements that rightly should be theirs. The Borough Council has been making a move in the matter, and as a result it haa received the following letters: Sir James Allen, Acting Prime Minister, wrote stating the matter would be brought before his colleagues and the result communicated to the Council. Sir W. Fraser, Minister of Public Work?, stated the request did not come under his jurisdiction, and had been referred to the Postmaster-General.

STRATFORD A. AND P. SHOW.

The prize list for the forthcoming show to be held on the 19th and 20tl February shows an aggregate of £lOl9. The cattle classes as is proper in a dairying district account for £370. This should elicit keen competition from breeders of purebreds and from owners of grade cattle. Sheep'; horses, pigs and dogs are well provided for. A new venture by the association is in vegetable classes. Tho growing of vegetables should receive every encouragement they grow easily and well in this district and provide wholesome and cheap diet which is more particularly welcome in view of the increased cost of living. The value of the good kachen garden would bo difficult to overrate, and its care provides interesting and healthful recreation.

Entries, which are now coming in freely, close on the 10th February.

Mr. T. I. Lamason announces a sale of household furniture and effects on •behalf of Mrs. T. Young on Thursday, 30th inst., at the corner of Orlando and Fenton Streets. Details will be found on page 8.

Attention pk-we! Although ih« holi-. day season is advanced there is yet ample time to secure that gift or present. Don't go out of Stratford for the article. CaR and cc-e C. E. James' stock. His ebekes, floors and cases Ere crowded with ladles' handbags, jewellery, Dou'ton ware, elec-tro-plate, niekla and Kitimcsiy articles fit to grace any home. Prepare for the evening by purchasing your parlor games. here. Do you smoke? Ii so, remember you can purchase the bsot tobaccos, pipes,, etc., at C. E. Jamea, the man ior honest .value, every articles.