STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All conummlcatious, letters, etc., left witb Mr H. 1. Hopkins, bookseller, mil receive prompt attention.) THE WATER SUPPLY. The Stratford water supply, excellent as it is for domestic purposes, is no,t all that could be desired for live prevention Speaking to the Daily News' representative yesterday, Mr. Grubbs, captain of the fire brigade, stated that much more effective work would have been done by the brigade at the late lire if the pressure had not been so low. The pressure was only a little aliove 701b, and it was impossible to use more than three jets. One jet was worked from the back of the buildings, and an endeavor was made to keep the remaining two directed to the seat of the fire.. Even witli Uie pressure as it stood Barker'.! shop would Jiavc been saved had it not been for the necessity to frequently shirt one of the jets on to which was separated from the fire by a narrow right-of-way and was constantly in danger. From Mr. Grubb's remarks it could only be concluded that the present prcn■/'•»j ?;ot 7ft;?'-, the needs of t.h>; towi'-. Asked what tmances the brigade would have of coping with a lire in one of the large hotels, lie replied that if the tire had a good bold they would be almost helpless. The only way to improve ;nali>" ■'.. .-mid Mr. Grubb, was to continue the pjpc line for another mile "p l.he i'atei ;ivo;\ By doing this pressure up to 1001b could be obtained, and this would be sufficient for any emergency.

CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETY. The annual meeting oi the shareholders in the Stratford Co-operative Build- ; ing Society wa3 held on Wednesday 'evening. Mr. X. J. King presided over i-. ilteudaiice. The annual report stated that as every shareholder in the first group had received a ioan no further appropriations ; would he made. In repaying subscrip- ! lions to all shareholders .£1256 15s had ! been distributed during the year as aec- : pud and third dividends. A fouri.li dividI end on this account would be paid out in ja few days time. The accrued profits i ( £1340 lis 8d) were equal to £7 10s fid I per share. Various economies in administration had been practised during the year with a view to conserving the accrued profits as far as possible. No losses had been made on any of the first group investments. With regard to the second group five appropriations totalling £IOOO bad beeji made during the year, on account of which £9OO hail been paid out. A loss of £69 13s M had been made in the working of this group owing to the non-payment of levies by some members and the fact that no premiums had been received for one sale of appropriations. Owing to the war and .the consequent absence of many of the members, also the high cost of living and building materials, the second group had hart an unfortunate experience, and the prospects were not encouraging. The ac*. erued profits had all been absorbed, and though 34 shares had been forfeited, benefiting the remaining.shareholders to the amount of £194, it was difficult to eee how the group could be continued. The balance-sheet for No. 1 group showed receipts totalling £1503 lis Od, including £l3Bs> 4s fid for repayments. The expenditure totalled £130!) 5s Bd, including £1256 159, repayments of subscriptions. For No. 2 group the receipts were £lO6l He. The credit balance on March 1, 1!)18, being £599 13s 3d, making the total receipts £1655 4s 3d. The payments fotalled £1499 ISs .Id (appropriations £9OO, withdrawal of subscriptions £492 6s). Cash in hand and in the bank on February 28 last amounted to £155 6s.

The chairman, in moving t'w adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that with (lie second group the position was not very satisfactory. They had every reason to hope when the second aroup was started before the war that it would be a success, but the absence of many of the men had greatly altered the position, and he would move at a later stage that they consider the desirability of winding up this group. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without further discussion. Mr. King, in dealing with his proposal that No. 2 group bo wound up, said they had started with 400 members, and only U5 remained. Appropriations had been made to the amount of £3500, and even if the group was wound up certain office expenses would have to be-met. One way out of the difficulty would be to hand over the shareholders to a kindred society With more interest on the part of shareholders they might be able to carry on. The society could not be said to be in a bad position at that stage, but it was not in the position he would like to pee it in. ! Mr. Coleman seconded the motion. Mr. McAllister suggested, as an alternative to winding up, that they should get more members. Winding up would mean loss, and would not be a popular course. He was confident that the people of Stratford appreciated the £20,000 which had been provided by the society free of interest, and if the matter was put to the people properly support would not be. wanting. The society was on a co-operative basis, and to get the full benefits from co-operation a large membership was necessary, Mr. McAlister said it would be better if they could not stop the withdrawals to wind up the group. It was' finally decided that steps be j taken to wind up the group. It waF further decided, on the motion of Mr. McAllister, that the chairman and secretary make full inquiries as to handing the group over to another society and the terms on which this could be done, a report to be presented at a meeting to be called as early as possible. Mr. Pinhey gave notice of motion for the next general meeting that rule 13, dealing with withdrawals after three ,-years, be rescinded. Messrs K.. J. King, G. Smart, and J. McAllister were re-elected to the directorate unopposed. Mr. T. H. Penn was appointed auditor.

MAYORAL INSTALLATION. The installation of Mr. J. W. McMillan as Mayor of Stratford took place in the Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday evening, when the whole of the newly elected councillors were present. After the usual brief ceremony, a number of addresses were given. Cr. Thompson, the senior councillor, said it afforded him great pleasure to welcome Mr. McMillan buck to the Mayoral chair, and promised his .support in all things concerning the welfare of the borough, especially in regard to sewerage and other necessary services. Cr. Lawson said that the Mayor's, victory clearly showed that he had the confidence of the burgesses and the councillors. He had had a sttenuous time during the past two years, and now that the war was over he would have more time for the affairs of the borough. Cr. Hunter »M that th« lUfijpert he

had consistenly given the Mayor in the ! past would be continued if his administration was on the same satisfactory lines. Addresses were also delivered by Crs. Walsh, Jackson, Newman, and Young. In reply, the Mayor said that the reelection of all the old councillors showed that the burgesses were satisfied. He congratulated Cr. Jackson on being elected at the top of the poll, and also the whole of the other members. He looked for their support in carrying out a progressive policy. The day had arrived when Stratford must step forward. To do what was urgently needed they must raise a fairly large sum of money, but the town would stand it. At the council table he hoped there would be no bickering. He would welcome discussion and argument of the most strenuous nature, but he did not want any personalities. He asked them to sink all differences and work together for the good of Stratford. POST OFFICE SITE. Speaking at the installation on Wednesday night, the Mayor of Stratford made reference to the question of a post office site. He said that Mr. Huggins, assistant secretary to the post office, had inspected several sites, but the department had not yet made a selection; nor would it do so without a . further consultation with the council, fie was of the opinion that the burgesses should vote on the question of B site.

MARRIAGE. On Wednesday morning the marriage took place of Miss Helcne Bredow. second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Bredow, Douglas, and Mr. L. C. (Jack) Betts, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Betts, Stratford. The ceremony, which wai held at the, residence of the bride's parents, and was performed by the Rev. J. Dawson Madill, was attended only by members of the families of the contracting parties. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a cream costume with hat to match. She was attended by Misses A. and G.'» Bredow as bridesmaids. Mr. A. Betts acted a? best man, and Messrs Walter and Curt Bredow attended as groomsmen. The presents received were numerous and handsome. In the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Betts left for their future, home in Palmerston North, the bride's travelling costume being a grey check with velour hat to match.

[ GENERAL. J)r. D. Steven, medical superintendent of the hospital, left on Thursday for Otago, on holiday bent. Dr. T. N. Watt acts "in his place. I Mr. J. Richardson, Cardiff, lias sold tout, and is leaving the district, after I having resided here for nearly forty years. Mr. Richardson has not yet decided where he will reside. There were about twenty members present at the new bowling club meeting on Wednesday. The sub-committee reported that they had inspected severa' sites for a green, and recommended the pnrcha.su of Mrs. Evans' property of one and a quarter acres in Regan Street West, and this was confirmed Sub committees on works and finance were set up. The title of the club vas fixed as the Avon Bowling Club, Stratford (Incorporated). Appreciative references were made to Mr. N. J. King, president of the Eginont Club, regarding Mr. C. J. Randrup, who is about to depart for Hamilton. Mr. Randrup was the snooker chaiunion of the club, and has many friends in the district who will wish him well in his new sphere of activity. The advisability of establishing a juvenile hand was discussed at the last meeting of the Citizens' Band, and it was decided that any lads who were prepared to offer their services be asked to leave their names with Mr. Lester.