STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(All communications, letters, etc., left velth Mr H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receite prompt attention.) June 17, BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. VV. McMillan), Ors. B. H. Cameron, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. Lawson, W. J. Newton, C. J5. Walsh, S. B. Hunter, W. H. 'H. Young, and Stewart. A deputation consisting of Messrs E. Masters, Healey, and Ward, representing the Egmont Club, waited on the council in connection with proposed additions to the club's buildings, with a view to providing accommodation for the KjS.A. It was stated by Mr. Masters that when the present building was erected provision was made for a second storey. Since then the by-law relating to brick

'-. alls had come into force. The returned soldiers had contemplated building clubrooms of their own, but on consideration lmd approached the Egmont Club with a view to having accommodation provided in their buiidings. The club was quite willing to comply, but the by-law constituted a difficulty. The present accommodation was quite sufficient for the Egmont Club, but they wished to assist the R.S.A. He hoped the council would see their way clear to waive the by-law. On going into the financial position they had found that if the club was required to erect brick walla the R.S.A. would have to seek other accommodation. If a second storey was put on they would have to purchase a foot of land on either side for the brick wall, and if they extended by building alongside in wood the outer wall of the newlyconstructed part would, according to the by-law, have to be in brick. They had an option over the adjoining section, which was offered to the club for £7.50, and the option would expire this month. They would like the council's answer before the option expired. To make the additions required to me*t the R.S.A. would cost £llOO without the necessity for erecting brick walls, which would cost an additional £SOO. He pointed out that the club would receive no return from the R.B.A. beyond a nominal rental. It was purely a patriotic move, and he hoped the council would not impose conditions which the club would not be able to carry out. Mr. Healey (architect) said the council had the power to waive the by-law where it could be shown that its enforcement would mean hardship. The club buildings occupied a rather isolated position, being bounded on the north by the fire brigade station, on the south by a vacant section, on the east by the railway reserve, and on the west by Broadway. It might be said that by granting the request they would be establishing a precedent, but the special circumstances did away with that objection.

Replying to a question, Mr. Masters iaid it was intended to provide the R.S.A. with a large meeting room and office upstairs, and there would be three small rooms for the use of the men generally. The Mayor said he was not sure that they could grant the request, and it would be necessary to take legal advice. The deputation would understand, however, that the council would not willingly put anything in their way. At the same time he was sure that they would not wish the council to do anything detrimental to the welfare of the town. The establishment of a precedent was a most important point. After a brief discussion it was agreed that the Mayor obtain legal advice, and that the matter be further considered at a special meeting of the council oa Mond avevening next. The Moa Road Board wrote stating that a petition was being circulated in their district asking for the formation of an Electric Power Board. It was proposed to obtain a report on the Mangonui river as a source of supply. The Stratford Borough Council waasked if they would care to join aB an outer area. —It was decided that the council be represented at any meeting held in connection with the matter. The Mayor and Cr. Cameron were appointed delegates to the conference to be held in New Plymouth on July 7 to discuss the Taranaki County Council's vehicle by-law.

A petition signed by about 60 business people was presented requesting that the taxi-stand remain at the present, site.— A letter was received from Messrs E. D. Lowers, W. C. Christy, and Geo. T. Walters requesting that a site either in the middle of Broadway or opposite the post office be allotted to taxis.—A further letter was received from Messrs Spratt, Halliwell and Thompson (solicitors), objecting, on behalf of Mr. Lewers, to the present stand. After a prolonged discussion it was decided, on the motion of Or. Young, to rescind th»>, resolution standing in the minute hook-allocating the present site as a stand. It Was then resolved that the stand he Fenton Street west, where, it was pointed out by the Mayor, the drivers could obtain the hest protection from the bad weather most frequently prevailing. The general view of the council was expressed by Cr. Young, who said he did not think the stand should be in front of anyone's business premises. On the motion of Cr. Thompson, the Mayor and Cr. ~ameron were appointed a committee to arrange for the erection of a telephone box for the use of taxidrivers.

A proposal hy the General Purposes Committee that a working foreman be appointed, so that the engineer might have the necessary time to complete estimates for street improvements, was lost.

The appointment of a representative on the King Edward National Park Board was considered. Cs. Jackson said there was a strong movement in Stratford having for its object the popularising of the east mountain house A substantial sum of money was in sight, and it was the intention of certain local people to erect a first-class hostel, making tl)c Stratford side of the mountain wore attractive to visiters. Considerable progress had already been made. It was necessary to liave on the board a live man who would look after .Stratford's interests. They were showing plenty of activity from .the other end. The Mayor and Cr. .Tackson were appointed to confer with the East Mountain House Committee with a view to having a suitable representative appointed to the board. In renlv to a question the Mayor said the town could have a penny-'m-tbe-slot telephone anv time they pleased. The population was not large enough for the telephone to pay, and the council would be required to make good the deficiency, which was estimated by the Department at £ls per annum.

On the motion ot Cr. Thompson the Library Committee was recommended to provide the librarian with a counter or large table. He mentioned that the library was growing fast and better provision for dealing with subscribers was necessary. St was d«dd«d f on tha notion of th*.

! [Mayor, to have the telephone installed at the residences of the engineer and the town clerk.

The Mayor stated that the cost of the new electric lighting plant would exceed the estimate of the engineer, who had added £IOOO to the Wellington estimate. They would have to deal with the matter smartly, and he would suggest a special meeting next Monday. He saw no chance of machinery coming down in price. Thiß was agreed to. With regard to the painting of the Town Hall, the Mayor said that, 89 far as he could see, the contractor did not Intend to go 011 with the work, and they might as well cancel the contract.—The matter was left in* the hands of the Mayor with power to act. The question of having levels of streets taken and estimates of the cost of. putting them in order was raised bv Cr. 3Toung. The Mayor said he would like to know what it would cost to put the whole of the streets in the town in order. They could then provide for raising a loan and could spend a certain sum each year till the work was done.

Cr. Stewart: If only a few streets are done it will be hard to get the ratepayers to sanction a loan.

Or. Hunter: Many of the streets are in good order, and those tar-sealed will require no attention. Cr. Lawson: The streets on which the money is to be spent must'be defined before a loan is taken. The Mayor: If a loan of £IO,OOO is taised we can decide from year to year what work is to be done.

Cr Thompson said that a loan had been opposed in the past because too much was to be spent in one street. They would have to decide where they Were going to spend the money. Cr. Campbell said they should agree on the amount of the loan required and the manner in which it is spent. They could then hold a meeting in the Town Hall. If that course was followed he was sure they would have the support of the people. ,

Replying to a question, the engineer said lie could take levels throughout the borough and give estimates in less than a year. It would not take more than a week to give an estimate of the cost of channelling and kerbing. The motion was carried.

Cr Newson then moved that the permanent levels of the borough be taken in accordance with the Municipal Corporations Act at as early a date as possible. If the motion was carried, it was pointed out by the mover, all streets laid down in future would be laid down permanently, and the cost of taking the levels, instead of coming before them in globo, would be spread over a long period. It might also be advisable to go into the question of grading property streets already laid down and obtaining an estimate of the compensation that would have to be paid those whose entrances to their properties would be affected. The motion was seconded by Cr. Campbell and carried.

The Mayor moved: "That the following rates be struck for the current year: (1) General rate of 3Jd in £ on improved value; (2) special rate of Id in f on unimproved value; (3) special rate of id in £ on unimproved value; (4) hospital and charitable aid rate of Is 8d in £ on capital value; (5) water rate of fld in £ on annual value; and (G) sanitation fee of £1 Os per annum "—Carried.

GENERAL.

The friends of Mr. D. J. Malone, who met with a gig accident, as a result of which he had to be removed to the hospital. will be pleased to learn that he is making a good recovery. At its next meeting on Tuesday the Egmont Club Debating Society will discuss a "Housing Bill," the provisions of which are set out in sixteen different clauses. The Bill allows ample scope for discussion.

Mr P. E. Cheal, chairman of the Auckland Railway League, is visiting Stratford, and will deliver an address in the Municipal Chambers this evening on the need for a more energetic policy in railway construction. At a meeting of the Stratford Re t d Cross Copper Trail Country Committee it was decide ! to pay over the balance of the money raised, amounting to £27 ss. This; makes the total for the committee £3092.

The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) left on a visit to Palmerston North this morning.