STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left Witt Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller. Mil receive prompt attention.) January 20, Mr. Ogg. a traveller for Messrs Guthrie and Co. (Wellington), while crossing a road at Toko, was run into by a car driven by one of Mr. Newton King's employees. He sustained injuries to his foot and hand and had to be taken to the Stratford hospital for treatment. His injuries are not of a serious nature. The chairman of the Hospital Board stated yesterday that the hospital is practically full, but the new ward would soon be completed and'should be ready for occupation by the end of February. Speaking of influenza, he said that there were hardly any cases iu the hospital, and there was no likelihood of a recurrence of the epidemic in its old virulent form. Most of the cases in the hospital were the result of accidents, or required surgical treatment.' The preparations for the collection in aid of the X-ray fund are well advanced. Favorable Teports have been received from the country where local committees have bee formed. Next week the appeal to the public will be definitely made, and every channel through which money might be brought in will be opened up. The (Saturday half-holiday question is very keenly discussed, and there is general regret that the New Plymouth and Hawera people are unable to declare straight-out for Saturday. There is still a possibility that Stratford will lead the way. . Though the Retailers' Association is a representative body, the value of the resolution passed yesterday is discounted by the fact that the president. Mr. James, and the vice-president, Mr. C. Martin, both of whom favor Saturday, were absent. Several members of the executive have also signed a petition to the Borough Council bearing about (52 names of business and professional men in favor of Saturday. Those who signed the petition far outnumber those who refused to sign, and ;it is expected that several large firms who have so far stood out will siga later. The drapers and grocers seem to be the chief objectors to Saturday, but several mercers have signed the petition. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., when asked to express his views on the matter, said he would not express his personal opinions at present, but thought that an effort should be made to learn the feelings of the farmers and country people before [coming to a decision. I While in Wellington, Mr. E, Masters interviewed the Education Djpartment on various matters of interest to the province, including a subsidy for the proposed luncheon room at the Stratford School, alterations to the Jnglewood School, an additional area of land for the Douglas School, and new infant offices at ■the Hawera School. The Department has agreed to tho alterations to the Inglewood School and to the improvements at the Hawera School. The other matters have yet to be dealt with.

The member of the district also interviewed Mr. Triggs, of the Public Trust Office, with reference to the establishment of a branch of the- Public Trust in Stratford. Mr. Triggs said it was the policy of the office to move out into the centres and secure business. Though no absolute promise was obtained, there is good reason to expect that the representations made will have the desired effect. Mr. Masters also interviewed the Board of Trade on various matters of interest to his constituency, including supplies of cement for workers' and other dwellings. He was informed that it had been decided by the Board to allocate the available supplies l in the following order of preference: (1) Sanitary and drainage works; (2) workers' and other dwellings; (3) freezing works and schools. Other requirements come aFter these.

The election petition was mentioned to Mri R. Masters yesterday by a News correspondent, but he declined to discuas the matter. It seems that the firm of Bell, Gully, Bell and Myers are appearing for the petitioners. The date and place of the hearing has not yet been announced.

The weir at the hydro station, which was damaged by the recent flood, is being repaired as quickly as possible, but it will be some day 3 before tho damage is made good. The repairs involved the removnl of about 150 loads of earth.

Cr. Cameron, in speaking of the action of the Borough Council in refusing to bear the whole of the cost of surface water drainage from tho Technical School site,, said that as far as that work was concerned, he, personally, would have had no objection to the Council meeting the whole of the expenditure, but by doing so they would nave been establishing a dangerous and, perhaps, costly procedure. There was an exceptionally large number of properties in Stratford affected by watercourses, and if the Council made itself responsible for the diversion pi natural streams they would be confronted with endless trouble and expense. There are many sections of low value at the present time which could be utilised as building sites if certain creeks were controlled, instead of wandering at their own sweet wills in all directions through the town. Whether the matter is one I for the Council or private property owners, the day will surely come when a great deal of what is now waste land, hy reason of creeks, will be made available for building. A good deal of the land affected is right in the heart of the | town, and the failure to place culverts under streets at a sufficiently low level has made the work of drainage very difficult for some individual owners. A heavy list of civil business has been set down for hearing at the Magistrate's Court to-morrow, notice of defence having been filed in about a dozen cases. At the last monthly meeting of the Whangamomona County Council the resignation of the chairman (Mr. W. A. McCutehan) was received, and the following resolution was carried on the motion of Councillors Cleland and Geever: "That the resignation be accepted with deep regret, that the Council place on record its' appreciation of the [estimable services rendered by Mr. McCutehan as chairman and Councillor since the constitution of the County, and also of his untiring efforts to improve the general conditions of the district at all times during his lengthy stay in this community."

Those who value art as expressed in the famous Doulton ware should see the consignment of jugs, bowls, cups and saucers, plates, etc., now on view for the first time at H. J. Hopkins' shop. On each piece scenes from ,the classics are beautifully portrayed, the authors including Dickens and Shakespeare. See this ware for yourßelf. It will be sure to appeal to you. Welcome, farewell, appreciative, or any other kind of illuminated address can be supplied promptly, and to the satisfaction of both giver and recipient. Consult McAllister, the Studio, Strati ford. ..,.. ~., ..„. v