STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Conespofldwt.) (All communications, letters, e!a, left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention,) " .' Oct. 15. At the request of the Borough Coun_, cil, Mr. R. W. Holmes, chief engineer of Public Works, Stratford, made an examination of the bridge across the Patea River on Broadway, at the south end of the town. The report, which has now been placed before the Council, condemns the bridge as unsafe- The Mayor, on receipt of the report, telegraphed to the Minister for Public Works informing him of the position and stating that the Borough Council proposed rebuilding in concrete. In view of the fact that the bridge was on the main road,' Wellington to New 'Plymouth, it was thought the Department should subsidise the work, and an early and favorable consideration was requested. The Minister was advised that the estimated cost of the bridge was from £BOOO to £IO,OOO. Sirf William Eraser replied as follows: "As you, doubtless intend to build the bridge the full width of the street thia will be more costly than any bridge on a main road, and I cannot see my way to place on the estimates more than £SOO on accduiM of £2500, being £1 for £3." The matter was discussed at the Council meeting last night and it was decided to accept the Minister's offer. Estimates of the cost of a bridge the full width of the street are to be prepared at once, and notices warning drivers against taking loads of more than six tons across the present bridge are to be posted up immediately. Sir Francis Bell has been unable to accept the Stratford School Committee's invitation to lay the foundation stone of the new school, and it has been decided to invite the Hon. J. B. Hine, Minister for Internal Affairs, to perform the ceremony, and Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the Education Board, to preside over the proceedings. The stone will be laid at 2 p.m. on Labor Day, October *> Afternoon tea will be served to visitors and members of local bodies in the Municipal Buildings at 3.30, and a social and dance will be held in the Town Hall in the evening. Miss M- Myers, formerly "sister and sub-matron at the Stiatford Hospital, has been appointed district nurse for the Whangamomona district. Miss Myers has been in the Imperial Nursing Service, and has been nursing in Britain and France during the war. She is highly qualified as a_ surgical, medical, and maternity nurse. The nionthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board was held on Tuesday, Mr C. D. Sole presiding. The Public Health Department wrote stating that it was not intended to make any special grant towards the establishment of medical men in r-nmtry .districts. ' It was one of the functions of the Board to provide necessary medical treatment for their districts, and the money needed could be raised by levies on local bodies and Government subsidies thereon. The chairman said that this, then, was what the Government's wonderful scheme for helping the baclsblocks amounted to. Dr. Leatham reported that he had cabled to London for X-ray quotations. The Department notified that reimbursements of half the cost of relief granted by Hospital Boards to enemy aliens would now be discontinued except in the case of interned persons. The medical supertendent (Dr. Steven), reported that.during September, 21 patients were admitted, 14 discharged, and two had died. Eight operations had been performed under anaesthetics. Miss Irene Jones was, on the recommendation of the matron, placed on the permanent staff. The Health Officer reported four cases; of diphtheria in the Stratford county, and two cases in the Borough There were also three cases of influenza, and one of pneumonia. The chairman reported that though increased salaries had been paid there had been a considerable saving in the cost of working the hospital. Oct. 18. The success of the Stratford Model Dairy Farm is arousing interest in other parts of New Zealand, and, recently, Mr. Richards, who is on the Board of Managers, received a letter from the Gisborne Farmers' Union asking for full information about the farm, as it was intended to establish one near Gisborne on similar lines. Mr. F. D. Gaffaney, jeweller, has presented to the 1 Stratford Fire Brigade two silver medals, which are to be awarded as prizes to the winners of a recent competition. At the brigade's ball, to be held shortly, four prizes will be given for the best costumes and the prizes will be exhibited in Messrs. Weston Bros, windows in the course of a few days. The Hon. J. B. Hine has accepted the invitation of the Stratford School Committee to lay the foundation stone ol the new school. The annual meeting of the Taranak'i Hydro-electric League could 1 not he held as insufficient members were present. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Stratford Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday evening, Superintendent Grubb presiding. The balance.sheet showed that the Jotal receipts for the year, including a credit balance from the previous year of £4l 9s 2d, amo'inted to £157 IT'S lOd. The expenditure for the year totalled £35 10s »3d. leaving a credit balance of £122 Is 7d'. The following officers were elected: Superintendent, Mr. T. G. Grubb; deputy superintendent, Mr. W. Rowson; first foreman, Mr. A. Moon; second foreman, Mr. J. , Pearce; treasurer, Mr. A. Moon; secretary, Mr. P. Aitken; committee, Messrs. Brocklebank, Davis and Crofts; custodian, Mr. Brocklebank; auditors, Messrs- Sole and Burmester. A five years' service medal was presented to Fireman Voyle. Later, a social hour was spent in Smith's tea-rooms, during which a number of presentations were made. Foreman Moon was presented with a clock, in recognition of his services as treasurer, and medals were presented to Foreman Moon and Lieutenant Rowson (donated by Mr. Fargie), for best attendance. There was a long list of toasts, and musical items were given by Messrs. P. Aitken, A. D. Bills, R. Douglas, and .T. H. Thompson. The Stratford Bowling Club held a ball in the Town Hall last night in aid of the pavilion fund. There was a satisfactory attendance, and socially and financially' the ball was a success. Music was provided by Mrs. George's orchestra. Extras were played by Mrs. Reira, MrsRichmond. Mrs. Brewer, and Miss Uniacke. The first prizes in a euchre tournament, held for non-dancers, were Won by Mrs. A. Davies and Mr. C. Norton. The booby prizes went to Mr. W. Robinson 1 and Mrs. Oxenham. [ POLITICAL. ; Mr. R. Masters, the Liberal and Labor candidate for Stratford addressed between 60 and 70 electors in the Tahora Hall. Mr. H- Dickson presided, and Mr. ' Masters was accorded a good reception. In addition to matters dealt with at Whangamomona he dealt with the rationalisation of coal mines, and the development of industries. The following resolution was carried at tkf con*

elusion of the address, on the motion of Mr. Kerr, farmer, Mold Road, and Mr„ Gillivray: "That this meeting weK comes a man like Mr. Masters into poli. tical life with such a sound and progressive policy, and hopes to see him returned to Parliament." On Monday evening, Mr. Masters will deliver an address at Pukengahu School, and on Tuesday evening at M*t«u School. Have you had them photographed? The kiddies are growing and changing every day. Have them photographed a; McAllister's, Stratford, and preserve the charm of the present. It will be a source of enjoyment in the future. In these days of high cost of living it is 8 relief to find something to purohase at the old pre-war prices. Just now ladies will find at C. E. James', Broadway, Stratford, a display of Leather Hand Bags at the old value. They are a special purchase, and are selling at one price, 7/6 each.