STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (AU communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopltlns, bookseller, will recslvt prompt attention.) ' BOROUGH COUNCIL. January 2d The Borough Council met last ingThe consulting engineer (Mr. Sturrock) reported on street loan improvements. After some discussion the engineer was authorised to make the width of the street, north of Seyton street, 18 feet instead of 16 feet as previously provided. A deputation from the School Committee, consisting of Messre G. Smart and W. Pinhey, waited on the Council in reference to the drainage from the new TechnicaUSchool site. The matter had previously been before the Council, which refused to accept responsibility, as the water was following a natural course through the grounds and to divert it would be very costly. It was agreed that the Works Committee bring down a report for consideration, at the special meeting to be held on Monday evening next. Mr. T. D. Sullivan was granted leave to attend the Sanitary Inspector's conference at Wellington this week. The Sanitary Inspector was asked to bring down a report on the boardinghouses in the borough. A letter, similar to that placed before the Stratford County Council, was Tead from the district engineer for the Public Works Department re the re-opening of the Mt. Egmont quarry.—lt was decided to ask the Department to quote the cost of metal on the basis of the maximum output. ' An application was received for the lease of the shop in the Municipal Chambers at present occupied by the electric supply department, and it was resolved to ask the Electric Lighting Committee for a full report on the question of accommodation.

The Mayor and Cr. Cameron were appointed delegates to the local bodies' conference at Eltham.

Auctioneers' licenses were granted to Messrs Newton King, N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy., Farmers' Co-op., •T. I. Lamason and the People's Auctioneering Company.

The Council toed the weekly haifholiday for Saturday. GENERAL. As an instance of the effect on milk supplies of the dry weather before Christmas, it is stated that the number,, of vats in use at the Ngaere factory is three less than in the flush of the season. From reports, it looks as if there will be a considerable falling away in the output from most factories.

Mushrooms were on sale at Stratford yesterday. They were sold at threepence per lb. tn a Chinese retailer, who wag about to ticket them at sixpence per lb. when the New Plymouth price of Is was brought Under his notice by a customer. The Stratford price immediately went up twopence. It is not always a question of what is a fair profit in these days, but how much can you get, and the Chihßman was proably following a rule which has been responsible for many complaints about the cost of living. The attempt to limit the quantity of sugar purchased for different households has not been altogether successful, and woman's wits have proved quite equal to the emergency. The jam season is on, and to be without ample supplies of sugar means trouble throughout the whole year, so that those who have any knowledge of women will not be surprised to learn that, while the grocer has been doling out sugar, or at least professed to do so, in bib. lots, some women measure their reserves by bags, not pounds. The sugar is bought In small or large quantities from various grocers and through different agents, and no opportunity to add to supplies is neglected. It is stated that one of the effects of removing the railway station to the south end of the town, where there will be ample room for stock yards, will be to make Stratford the great distributing centre for stock. At present the Stratford station has no facilities for loading stock. r

With the jrreat cry about the need for education, it is rather remarkable that local bodies should be so unwilling to assist the Education Board in carryout its work. The application by the Board for exemption from toll gate charges met with very little sympathy from County Councils, two, at least, refusing to make any concession. There is a probability of their decisions being reversed, but only after a second application had been made. The Stratford Borough Council has been asked to attend to some drainage necessary hefore the contract for the new Technical School ean be proceeded with, and some members, overlooking the generous treatment the town is receiving from the Department in regard to the school, and (he great advantage it will bo to the town, are inclined to avail themselves of certain conditions which afford an excuse, but hardly a good reason, for not doing the work. It might be expected that the Council would go a little out of its way to second a movement which must help the town along, even if it does mean fairly heavy expenditure. The matter is to come before, the Council again, and it is hoped by that time members will be in a more geneYous mood,

During the holidays, while the kiddies are looking their b.'st, take them along t, McAllister's Studio* The photographs will give ynu satisfaction to-day, find lasting pleasure. McAllister's Studio is the most up-to-date' in Taranaki. Reduce the depreciation in your motor car by taking it to C. T). Mathews. Stratford, and if it is mechanically sound lis will return it looking as well as when you first bought it, at a very small cost. The best paints and varnishes, and workmen who know their trade.

Save yourself trouble and avoid loss by providing yourself with the means for keeping records of those things you need to remember. Get a 1020 diary from H. J. Hopkins without delay. These diaries contain a lot of useful information in handy form, and can be obtained in sizes to suit requirements.