STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (AH communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will recelv« prompt attention.) COUNTY LOAN POLL. Stratford, l{ov. 4, A poll was taken to-day of the ratepayers of the Stratford County on proposals to raise loans for road work and machinery in the various ridings, totalling £90,000. With four returns to come in, the result last night was: For the proposal 256; against 47. In the North Riding the proposal was carried by 68 votes to 18. In the East Riding 99 voted for the loan and 8 against. The Huiroa return is not in. For the South Riding the voting was 44. for and 10 against, Pukengahu return still to come. In the West Riding the voting was 45 for and 5 against, Mahoe and Rowan still to come. There is little doubt that the proposals will be carried. BOROUGH COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. JMcMillan) and Crs. Hunter, Walsh, Newton, Lawson, Stewart, Young, Cameron, and Thompson. The balance sheet for the year ending March 31 last, showing the receipts and expenditure in connection with the electric light undertaking was presented. The revenue account showed a gross profit of £1638 and the trading account a gross profit of £289, making a total of £1927. The expenditure (including interest £B4O and depreciation £703) totalled £1714, leaving a credit balance of £213. The debit balance on March 31, 1918, was £244, so that the actual credit balance now existing amounted to £3l.

The Mayor stated that, under their license, they were not permitted to charge more than £4 per horse power per annum, and he would move that the Public Works Department be asked for permission to increase the charge to £7.—This was agreed to. Cr. Cameron moved that the Lighting Committee make inquiries from the New Plymouth Borough Council with a view to learning at what price they would be prepared to supply Stratford Borough with current. He understood that they were prepared to supply current at 2d per unit. If they could get it at a reasonable figure it might be to their advance to take it for four or five years—till they got the Government scheme. 'The motion was carried.

A report was presented by the Town Clerk showing the amount of the council's insurances with various offices and the premiums paid, and also setting nut alternative schemes. under which the council could have' its own insurance fund. The total amount of the cover was £9150, and the premiums paid totalled £lOl 17s 7d. By appropriating £2OO per annum and placing it on deposit at 3i per cent., it would take 12 years to reach £3OOO. £250 per annum would give £3OOO in 10 years, and £l5O would give £3OOO in 15 years. He recommended that the council appropriate £l5O per annum, insuring the risks for half the present amounts in the meantime, and get the fund established in 15 years. The Town Clerk's recommendation was adopted. A report, accompanied by plan, was received from Mr. John St.urroek, consuiting engineer, on a sewerage scheme for the borough. The scheme provided, in the first place, for tin* more closely settled parts of the borough, and, in the second place, for the' whole borough by extension of the first.

The discussion on the report was adjourned till the following Monday. Reporting on an improved water supply, Mr. Sturrock made the following proposals: (1) A larger system of screens and wells at the present intake: (2) a larger pipe from the end of tile present tunnel to the existing grit tank; (3) a concrete settling and storage tank at the site of the present grit tank, such tank to hold at least six hours of the prespnt average daily supply: (4) a ten-iiseh main from the new storage tank to the town; (5) mechanical filters near town; and (6) improved reticulation in town. The estimated cost of the scheme was £28,500. In addition to his estimates as above for water and sewerage, it might be as well to borrow, say, £IO,OOO for future extensions Of the water and sewerage pipes.

It was decided to adjourn the discussion till next Monday evening. The Electric Supply Committee recommended that the price per unit for current for power and heating purposes be increased from 3d to 4d nett, with a minimum of 4s per horse-power. For motors used for milking purposes it was recommended that the charge be £ls per annum.

It was pointed out that the lines for supplying milking motors had to be carried considerable distances over farms, and the line losses were consequently greater. Further, separate transformers had to be erected, making the cost of installation and supply greater than for motors used in town. The Government charge for motors for milking machines was £2l per annum. It was recommended that the proposed additional charges come into operation on December, 1919.—The report was adopted. GENERAL. Two motor cars came into collision on Broadway on Saturday evening, with the result that the axle of one car was broken. Mr. J.- W. ;}joon and the secretary of the A. and P. Association (Mr. A. J. Barr) left for Wanganui this morning to canvass for entries for the spring show. The weather to-day was cold, wet, and boisterous. _ Shortly after noon there was a heavy hailstorm, which, however, was of short duration. THE KING'S CINEMA THEATRE, STRATFORD. SPECIAL ATTRACTION. A special attraction is billed for the King's Cinema Theatre for Thursday and Friday night, when Mary Pickford will be seen for the first time ill a dual role in the best picture she has ever done, "Stella Maris," "Stella Maris" offers two wonderful character studies —Stella, the lovely, cherished daughter of the rich, and Unity Blake, the abused orphan, whose love leads her to make smooth the path of the man she adores. We are given an Opportunity to see the versatility of Miss Pickford, and as the sensitive, beautiful, aiul sympathetic Stella Maris she displays acting abilities of marvellous appeal, sincerity, and depth. Her Unity Blake is a wonderful i bit of character drawing. She succeeds, I by sheer art, in making the-hunchback's t beauty of seul as Apparent ai bit

physical ugliness. Through remarkable photography, both characters are shown on the screen at the same time, and effects are obtained which have never heretofore been successfully attempted. There is also a Mack Sennett comcdv, "Love Loops the Loop," a two-reel avalanche of laughter and gasps. Special musical items will be rendered by an orchestra of seven players. The box plan is now open at the Marble Bar.

The war has done much to renew old acquaintances and make many new ones They will be thinking of you at Christmas time, so don't you forget them. Suitable cards for overseas, booklets, etc., a big variety at H. J, Hopkins', Stratford. &

In these days of high cost of living it is a relief to find something to purchase 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 arc a special purchase, and are-selling at one price, 7/6 each. Don't trust pictures you value to travellers and strangers. If you want any photograph copied or enlarged send it to McAllister, Stratford. The result will be the best possible, and you save the canvasser's commission.

Reduce the depreciation in your motor car by taking it to C. D. Mathews, Stratford, and if it is mechanically sound he will return it looking as •wall as when you first bought it, at a very small cost. The best paints and varnishes, and workmen who know their trade.