STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

(AH communications, letters, etc., left with Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt mention)

BOROUGH COUNCIL. Stratford, March 19. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held lust evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) and t'rs. I), i. Malone, R. H. Cameron, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. Law*on, S. B. Hunter, C. B. Walsh, and W. McDonald. .Eltham Chamber of Commerce forwarded resolution carried at recent meeting that the bodies interested in the hydro-electric scheme should share the cost of ascertaining sources of supply available.—Or. Hunter stated that Kitham generally favored the New Plymouth scheme. Personally he thought they were wasting time considering small schemes, and moved that the matter be held over till the Minister is interviewed at the end of the month. A motion to this effect was carrie'd unanimously. A request by four ratepayers that the council should consider asphalting the footpath in Fenton Street from Broadway to Miranda Street was referred to the Works Committee, who could not recommend the work whilst loan works were being carried out. Three property-owners drew attention to blackberry growths at the Kopuatama cemetery.—To be informed that weeds are to be kept down by Mr. Ireland in return for using the remainder of the reserve.

The Works Committee recommended that the drainage of Page Street at a cost of £lB3 be deferred, and the question of a comprehensive drainage scheme reviewed by the new council. Regarding the cemetery the public are to be notified that the council will keep graves in r.rder on payment of 15s for the firßt year and 10s per annum thereafter.— Adopted. The borough and electrical engineers' reports dealt mainly with ordinary routine work for the month, and were adopted. o Fees earned at the abattoirs for the month totalled £sl lis 3d, and stock slaughtered included 10 oxen, 51 heifers, 41 cows, 9 pigs, 9G lambs, and 200 sheep. Miss M. Laverty (librarian) reported that the number of books issued was 1050, number returned 987, odd books issued 143. Twelve new subscribers had joined, and fees received were £l3 10s 9d.

Weston Bros.' tender for alterations to the town hall was accepted. Concerning the pound, the Mayor reported that the conference with the County Council resulted in the following recommendation: That the poundkeeper's wages, loss on stock sold, and cost of upkeep of pound be equally divided between the two bodies.— Received.

Superintendent T. Grubb reported that the pre-war value of the Fire Brigade plant was £OOO. The strength of the brigade was 10; several had resigned, but the vacancies were being filled. Superintendent Grubb and Fireman Croft represented the brigade at the Invereargill conference.

A request from the Stratford Prohibition League for use of the council's hoardings to display Alliance posters was granted, provided that theatrical companies have preference and the subject matter is satisfactory to the council. The Mayor and Crs. Malone and Hunter will represent the Council at the deputation to wait on the Ministers here regarding the hydro-electric scheme and the need of a new post office. A little discussion ensued concerning the band and the need of a conductor to succeed Mr. Spurdle, who has gone to Hastings. The Mayor thought it desirable to pay a good salary, supplemented by grants from the Racing Club, etc. A motion was eventually carried that a public meeting be called to consider the question. Cr. Hunter, chairman of the Electric Light Committee, mentioned that since the council had purchased the plant the number of consumers had increased from 600 to 900. The plant was now running to full capacity and certain proposed additions were very necessary.

"HEARTS OF THE WORLD." At the King's Cinema Theatre on Friday the masterpiece film that has played to large houses in Wellington and elsewhere will he screened. An outline of the story shows two American painters make their home in France and live next door to each other. Marie, the daughter of one painter, and Douglas Hamilton, the eldest, son of the other, eventually fall in love. The Little Disturber, a strolling street singer, also falls in love with Douglas, but contents herself with Monsieur Cuckoo. Marie and her lover are in the midst of great preparations for their coming wedding: when the Great War begins, and thaugh nn American citizen he offers his life to the service of France. Marie's mother and father are killed during the German bombardment, and the girl, her mind shattered by her experiences, wanders out on the battlefield at night to search for Douglas, who has been shot through a French counter-attack and left on the field for dead. She finds his body, wanders back to the village, and is cared for by the Little Disturber, who has been pressed into service as a slavey. Marie is among those forced to work in the fields by the brutal Germans. Unknown to her, Douglas is nursed back to life by the Red Cross, and secures information regarding the German trenches, later penetrating the German lines to the village, disguised as a Prussian officer. Chancing to go to the inn, he finds Marie, and the lovers hide in an unoccupied room at the inn, and are discovered by Von iStrohrn. who, with his comrades, endeavors to batter down the doors, and is just on the point of succeeding when the Little Disturber wounds the Germans by throwing a hand grenade among them. From here on the interest is intense. The battle scenes were taken on the battlefields of France.

GENERAL. j There should he a crowded house at the Town Hall to-morrow (Thursday) evening, when Mr. Bruntncll will deliver a lecture on the prohibition question. He is recognised as one of the most eloquent and forcible orators ever heard on a Dominion platform. Those who desire a eomfortahle seat should make a point of attending early. Mrs. T W. McMillan presided at a special meeting of the Stratford branch of the Women's National Reserve. Mesdarnes McMillan and Malone presented their reports on the recent conference jheld at Wellington. Anzac Day is to be kept in a fitting manner, and tlje schoolI masters are requested to permit children

to assist in placing flowers on the graves I of those soldiers buried locally. Peace Day is drawing nearer, and the town clerk has already received donations of £5 each from Waingongoro and Pembroke Boad and £2 2s from Huiroa. Stratford Dairy Company were also forwarding £lO. Don't forget the Jersey Breeders Association's field day on Mr. J. S. Jones' property, Opunake Road, on Thursday afternoon.

Now is the opportunity for ladies desiring to purchase choice handbags of best quality leather. Mr. C. K. James has recently received a large shipment of English goods, and is ottering same at prices well within the reach of all. Those on the look-out for wedding and other presents will find Doulton wire is also being offered in large variety. Don't forget to inspect these stores when next in Stratford.