STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) j (All cuwmimicutlons, letters, etc , left with: Mr H. J. liopfclus, boufctttiler, will receive proupi utteiitioa.) May 28, The Eginont Parliamentary itebatiug Club opened their season ou Wednesday night. The attendance and the interest siiown augurs well for the future of the club. Mr R. Harkness was appointed speaker, and the subject for debate was "'The Laud Resumption Bill," introduced by Mr C. D. Sole (premier), who was supported by Messrs A- 1?. Masters, S. Ward, ,f. I'ritehart, W C. Bicheno, and L. M. Moss. The opposition was led by Mr J. B. Richards, who counted among his chief supporters, Messrs H. B. Gibson, L. T. Aylward and R. Masters- The debate, with many interjections, points of order and personal explanations lasted till about 10.15, when, on a division being called, the Bill was passed by a majority of two votes. The next debate will be held on Tuesday, June 10, when Mr Sole will introduce a "Public Health Bill."

The meeting caleld for Tuesday night for the purpose of forming a branch of the Public Safety League had to be postponed owing to the poor attendance. The night was most unfavorable, a keen penetrating wind was blowing, and the conditions were such that few people would care to leave their homes. The Rev. Papakakura's concert was fixed for the same evening and there were other attractions as well.

A special meeting of the Stratford school committee was held on Tuesday evening. The Taranaki School Committee's Association notified that the annual meeting would be, held at New Plymouth on June 12. The following remits were drawn up for consideration by the association: That the association be recommended to support the system of national hostels for Taranaki as one of the means for protecting the national system of education; that the association consider ways and means for reducing the cost, of books and stationery; and that the Government be urged to establish a central bureau for the supply of school requisites, With regard to the cocoa scheme, Messrn Pinhey. McDonald wcTe appointed to canvass the town for sub-scriptions-for the purpose of building a shed. The committee is to report at, the next meeting. The chairman and Mr Martin were asked to have a plan of a suitable building prepared. The Stratford Kire Brigade have decided to hold a second ball in the Town •Hall on .June 5, in aid of the demonstration fund-

BOROUGH COUNCIL. Stratford, May 2!?. A special meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was lielil on Wednesday evening. The estimates for the ensuing year were presented, totalling £7B2s.—Adopted. The following motions, of which notice [ had been «iven, were moved by the Mayor, and carried: (1<) That Mr. Sturrock be engaged to report 011 a. thorough system of drainage for the borough, including public "conveniences! and destructor, with, the estimated east; (2) that Mr, Sturroek report, on the water supply and advise on necessary alterations and additions, with the estimated cost; (3) that the borough engineer be instructed to bring down a report on work required on streets, and estimated cost: (4) that the Public Works "Department be asked to have a report prepared on the condition and approximate life of Victoria Bridge by an expert bridge engineer, and be also asked whether the bridge could, be profitably shifted to another t'ite: (5) that the Government ])e nsked to make a rc-valuation of the borough.

Cr. Hunter moved, in accordance with notice of motion: That the resolution of February 12, 1017, fixing the lOlli day of each month as the last day on which discount will be allowed on electric light accounts, be rescinded, and that, in lieu thereof, the council resolve that discount be allowed on all accounts paid within ten days of being rendered, and that all account?: lie rendered by the loth of each month. —Carried. Cr. Cameron moved: That a contract be made with the Avon Bowling Club to place 3000 or 4000 yards of earth in the gully in Hamlet, Street, between Regan and Seyton at point?' to be indicated, at ftd per cubic yard. After discussion, the motion was lost on a division, the ayes being Crs. Cameron, Young, Stewart, and Jansen, and the noes the Mayor and Crs. Thompson, Lawson, Newton, Walsh, and Hunter,

It was! resolved to ask telephone subscribers to petition the postal authorities with a view to having the telephone exchange at Stratford open continuously. The general committee presented a report in which recommendations were made as follows: (l)* That permanent employees be paid 13s per day and casuals Is per hour, overtime to be paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for ordinary days .and double for Sundays. l and statutory holidays; (2) that £l2O be placed on the estimates for Swansea Road Bridge; (3) that tenders be called for Hamlet Street footpath and a sufficient sum placed on the estimates for the work; (4) that W. Wiley be engaged for the work of sweeping Broadway between Seyton and Lear Streets clean, the work to include cleaning the channels, and the wages to be £2 10s per week; (it) that Warwick Road be tar-sealed instead of forming a footpath; (ti) that two new gate;: be erected at Kopuatama Cemetery and a new fence; also that hearses be not allowed to enter the grounds without the consent, of the caretaker; (7) that the water be laid on to Mr. Kelly's residence from Miranda. Street. The committee also applied for permission to purchase new shrubs for the cemetery as required. The report was adopted. ' ' The Mayor, reporting on ltis recent visit to Wellington, said he wai: satisfied that the Town Planning Bill would be placed upon the Statute Book next session. He had interviewed the Public Trustee with regard to the loan of £7OOO for electric lighting extension, and believed that they had a of obtaining the money. There "should be no difficulty in obtaining money for roads and bridges if a loan was sanctioned, as the State Advances Office would lend for such purposes up to £IO,OOO. He had approached the authorities in reference to a new post office. The delay was due to negotiations between the Post and Telegraph Department and the Railway Department in reference to the site. He had arranged for telephone connection with the waterworks property. This wa»s very necessary to effective work by the Arc brigade in cases of fire. From inquiries, he had learnt that Stratford could have a continuous telephone service if they- desired it. The fee for business telephones would, in such a case, be £7 10s per annum. Before the change could be nade two*thirds of the subseribera^WQUkl

have to declare themselves in favor of the alteration. The Mayor was thanked for his report. As;. Mr. T. J. Malone was proceeding home from Stratford along the Opunake Road in a gig at about G.:JO on Wednesday evening, the conveyance he was driving collided with a gig driven in the opposite direction by Mr. W. Witt. Both, it appears were on the right side of the road, but, according to reports, neither had lights:. Mr. Malone, who was thrown out of his gig, was much bruised and shaken with the fall, but, apart from this, his injuries were slight, consisting mainly of a cut on the ear. He was removed to the Stratford Hotel, where he was attended to by Dr. Steven, and this morning had almost quite recovered. Mr. Witt escaped with a good shaking. The body o£ one of -the. gigs became detached from the horse and shafts by the impact, and the horse, with the shafts, careered along the road at ?. dangerous rate. About four miles from town it collided with a motor cyclist, who had the good fortune to escape without injury. A littla damage was done to the motor cycle. Territorial J. Crosson, while drilling jayfc evaning, broke his ankle. This injury was sustained in leap-frogging, a part of the physical exercises. Lieut. Charles Bayly, of Toko, has handed the Stratford" R.S.A., for the Nurses' Memorial Fund, £IOO. Toko had already raised £IOO for the fund. In Stratford subscriptions are hanging fire, and, so far, only one of £lO 10a has been received. The R.S.A. are expecting much better support than they have yet received in their effort, and would like any sympathisers to hand in their subscriptions as early as possible.

Bargain fortnight at James', Saturday 17 to Saturday 31. Sale discounts on ail fancy goods, jewellery, brooches, pendants, bangles, etc. Special sixpenny table. Special half price table. Discounts on ladies' hand bags. A fortnight's sale of fancy goods and toys. Please come and see. Charles E. James, Broadway, Stratford*