STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'{From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. B. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) HOSPITAL BOARD MEETING. March 9. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held to-day. Present: Messrs. C. D. Sole (chairman), R. H. Cameron, C. R. Finnerty, E. W. Hancock, J. O'Neill, and F. J. Mackay. The Medical Superintendent (Dr. Steven) reported that during February, 31 patients were admitted, 27 discharged, three had died, and 22 remained in hospital. Fifteen operations were performed \inder anaesthetics. There were 14 civilian, five soldier, and four special outpatients attending. There were two cases of scarlet fever and three of influenza in hospital at the end of the month—Received.

The matron (Miss S. G. Beedle), reported that the daily number of patients was from 20 to 26. Nurse Bretherton was engaged for a week to relieve the pressure, and Miss Dorothy Waite commenced her duties as a probationer on March 2.—Received.

The Health Inspector (Mr. A. Gray) reported that 09 cases of influenza and two cases of measles had been notified in the district during the month, or? of which were of a mild nature.—Received.

Miss Myers, district nurse at Whangamomoiia; reported that ten cases had been treated during the month. — Received.

The chairman reported that the isolation ward, wfiieh had been closed on Saturday, had been re-opened, a diphtheria patient having been admitted the previous day. Miss Maude Smith and Miss Dorothy Wicksteed, probationers at the hospital,, tendered their resignations for hesflth" reasons.—The resignations were accepted with regret. The Whangamomona Medical Association wrote asking for the board's assistance towards providing a medical practitioner for the Whangamomona district—Decided that the application for a subsidy be granted, - provided the Board was safeguarded in the matter of expense.

It was decided that the question of providing additional accommodation for the domestic staff, be reported on at the next meeting. The question of supplies was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary to report upon at the nest meeting.

LICENSING COMMITTEE ELECTION. The election of members of the Stratford Licensing Committee, which was held to-day, was noteworthy only on account of the inconvenience which was caused to the business people, who were compelled to close their premises from noon.

The necessity for closing the business premises came as a great surprise to the shop-keepers who did not know anything of the matter until this morning. Being sale day here, +here was the usual large influx of country people, who were considerably annoyed when they realised the position. Many of the shop-keepers decided amongst themselves this morning that they would keep open in spite of the provisions of the Legislature Act requiring them to close, and at mid-day there was some speculation as to whether a halfholiday would actually bo observed. The police, however, got busy, and informed the shop-keepers that they would be liable to severe penalties if they failed to close, and as a result, the whole town was closed up by one o'clock. Even the offices were compelled to close their front doors, but the staff continued their work inside. Finding all the shops and hotels •closed, the country people hardly knew what to do with themselves, and during the whole of the afternoon they could be seen in groups about the street, sheltering from the rain, discuss;ing the position. The town polling booth was at the Courthouse, but the polling throughout the day was very light, little interest being shown in the election.

Owing to the necessity of closing today, the local retailers will keep their premises open all day on Thursday, the day of the weekly half-holiday. With eight small returns to come in the polling was as follows: W. Morisson ...- 231 KR. Cleland , 224 W. Hathaway 219 C. D. Sole 2ifi J- W. McMillan 202 L. Baskin 84 Messrs. Cleland, Hathaway, McMillan, Morison, and Sole are "assurred of election. GENERAL. Mr. R. M. Peattie,, who has been etationmastcr at Stratford for the past sis years, has received notice of his transfer to Wanganui as chief goods clerk. Mr. H. Beauchamp, who has been chief clerk for the past seven years has been transferred to Hawera as chief clerk.

The need of a new Town Hall for Stratford was brought up by Cr. C. .Jackson at last night's meeting of the Borough Council. He said that the present building was nothing bettor than a barn, and suggested that it should be used as a fire station. He thought that the people would support ft proposal for building a new hall. The Mayor agreed with Cr. Jackson's remarks, but thought the time was hardly ripe for embarking on the proposal at present. The discussion ended without any decision being made.

In connection with his project for forming a children's playground in King Edward Park, between Miranda and Portia Streets, facing on Fage Street, Mr. Percy Thomson' applied at last night's meeting of the Borough Council, for permission to fence in a strip of 20 feet of the grass portion of the street contiguous to that portion of the domain, with the object of planting small flowering and ornamental shrubs, The letter added that it was intended to erect a good fence with concrete posts. The Council agreed to give the permission asked for, several councillors paying a tribute to Mr. Thomson's efforts in the direction of improving the domain. The Stratford tavi-drivers have decided to increase their charges, owing to the increased cost of benzine, tyres, etc. The committee in charge of the children's arrangements in connection with the visit of the of Wales has decided to ask the Borough Council to erect a barricade in Broadway for the protection of the children; also to request the Education Board to make suitable train arrangements, and to seek the o-operation of the Stratford School Committee in taking charge of the catering arrangements for visiting children, It was also decided to ftp-

proach the A. and P. Association, for the use of the Show Grounds, where it is proposed to hold a picnic and sports ra the afternoon. Messrs. Tyrer and Curtis were appointed to superintend the marshalling of the children. The pnpils of all public and private schools will be invited to be present. It was decided to ask the Music Committee to arrange if possible for a musical programme at the picnic and sports. Free railway passes are to be provided for pupils of Standard IV to VII., also for teachers in charge of the children, travelling to any centre from which they can conveniently return home the sa,mo day.

Secure the greatest degree of pleasure from motoring by having vour car renovated by C. D. Matthews, Page btreet, Stratford. He specialises in reiliooding and repainting, and will make your car look like new, for a very small cost. The very best of materials a.re used, and only first-class workmen are employed. On Monday next, the schools will be re-opening, and the kiddies are now preparing to resume their lessons, after the Mng holiday they have had. The selection of school requirements is an important matter, and wise parents will make a point of inspecting the full stock at H. J. Hopkins', bookseller and stationer, Broadway. Here they will find everything the kiddies require, and always at the lowest possible price. It's time to have that long-promised portrait taken. No need to wait for a fine day. With the equipment at McAllister's Studio, Stratford, you can be taken any time, day or night. The most up-to-date Studio in Taranaki—McAllister's.