STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS. STRATFOKD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news (or publication should be%left ut the office o; the local representative, \Y. 3. Wilson, next Union bank. J,., THE LOAN PROPOSALS. December 20. In regard to the loan proposals which are to be submitted to the ratepayers on Wednesday, there appears to be an impression in the minds of some people that if they are carried the rates will be doubled next year. This is very far from being the ease, and in order that there should be no misunderstanding of the position it should be stated that if the loan. is carried on Wednesday and £IO,OOO is borrowed and spent during 1021, the interest and sinking fund for t' at amount will be paid out of the principal. During 1922 another £IO,OOI will be borrowed, making the total 10 that year £20,000, and for the year 1923 a rate will require'to be struck of 3d in the £ on the unimproved value, which is equal to 6s 3d for each £IOO of unimproved value. As the amount borrowed increases so will the rates increase gradually, but as only £IO,OOO can be borrowed each year the increase in rates after 1921 will be on a very gradual scale, and if during the second and third year of the loan the money is spent principally on water drainajr." improvements, the increase of rates wiii be proportionately smaller as this expenditure will be very largely selfsupporting. Unfortunately the ratepayers of Stratford have been very nonprogressive in the past and practical!; all proposals have been turned down, with the result that for: ita £;•>> and size, Stratford is now one of iTie most backward towns in the Dominion. The same pessimistic tone appears to be very prevalent regarding the present proposals, and there soems a possibility that unless the more progressive element shake off their present apathy anci record their votes in favor of the loait on Wednesday, the loan may be defeated. The principal argument of the non-progressive element which is opposing the loan, is that the amount is too large, but as the Council's borrowing powers are to be limited to £IO,OOO a year, there should be no fear on this score. Another argument used is that the present is flie wrong time to go on the market for money, but even if this is the case, the money is only to be borrowed as required and the Council can, if it likes, borrow less than £IO,OOO in any one year.

Actually rbe question which will he 1 decided on Wednesday will be whether Stratford is to progress or go back, for 'it is obvious that if the essential works I are delayed much longer the town will go back, and the more progressive boroughs in the province will reap benefit at Stratford's expense. Another aspect of the matter which is not taken into consideration by the opponents of the loan, is that if the loan is defeated the rates will have to be increni-l! next year to a greater extent than they would be if the loan was carried, simply because certain works provided for in the loan, must be carried out without delay. This is a matter well, worthy of careful thought, for it is obvious that it is better for property owners to pay a gradual increase in rates as the borough is improved, than to face an immediate large increase, caused through the works having to bo done which should rightly be a charge upon posterity as well a 9 the present ratepayers. The Borough Council Chambers, Broadway, will be the polling place on Wednesday, and the hours will be from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. All ratepayers and their wives or husbands, as jthe ease may be, are entitled to record their votes.

[ MOTOR BY-LAWS. At to-night's meeting of the Borough [Council, the following resolution in regard to motor vehicles was passed:— ''That in accordance with the provisions of by-law No. 349, motor vehicles may be parked in any street within the borough excepting on a duly appointed taxi stand provided they are drawn up alongside and parallel to the footpath of u distane of not less than 3ft Cin from the kerb; that on streets running north and south vehicles left on the western side thereof must face north, and on the eastern side must face south. On streets running east and west vehicles left on the northern side thereof must face cast and on the southern side must face west; that a space of not less than five feet must be left between each vehicle for the convenience of footpassengers." STRATFORD RAILWAY LEASES

Prior to the close of the late Parliamentary session, Mr. R. Masters, M.P., asked Mr. Massey, as Minister of Railways, whether when making conditions for new leases for the railway reserve facing Broadway, Stratford, he would grant a lease similar to the education lease, namely, for a term of 21 years, witTi a perpetual right of renewal and a re-valuation at the end of 21 years, with a provision for improvements.

Mr. Massey has replied stating that an officer of the Department has recently visited Stratford for the purpose of reporting on the question of the subdivision and other matters connected with the leases. "When the present leases expire," added Mr. Massey, "they will be put up in accordance with the terms of the Government Railways Act, 1910. This provides for a lease of twenty-one years, subject to a further lease if not required for railway purposes,' the interest of the tenants being protected when the re-leaise takes place. The question has already been discussed with the lessees, to whom a clear indication has been given of the terms under which the new leases will be let, and I regret I cannot adopt the suggestion to lease the railway land on similar conditions to education leases. The lands belonging to the Education Department were originally set aside as endowments for education purposes, and intended for lease for the purpose of producing revenue to that end. The primary object for which land for railways is reserved, is to provide land for the purpose of railway purposes, and it is specifically dealt with in the railway legislation. It is inadvisable to alienate railway lands for a longer period than laid down in the statute, particularly in view of the fact that the railway requirements undergo material, and in many cases, very rapid changes, to meet the altered circumstances of public busjness."

GENERAL. On Saturday night a circus horse, ridden by a Maori, and a motor-car collided. The ridsr wti lumttd and

sustained a broken coUar-bone and other slight injuries, and the windshield of the car was broiien. The .lorse was practically uninjured. The Stratford Retailers' Association advertises that holidays are being observed as follows:—General business, Christmas Day and Monday, fleceinber -7; butchers, Christmas Day, Monday and Tuesday. New Year holidays will be generally observed on January 1 and :i, except tea-rooms, which will be open noth days. The shops will remain open all day on Thursdays, December 23rd and 30th.

.Donations for the provision of Christmas extras for the staff and patients of the Stratford Hospital have been received from Mrs. L. A. Wilson, of Wellington, and Messrs. Masisey-Harris and Co. AJioliday dance is arranged to be held in the Stratford Town Hall on Boxing night, Monday, December '27. The music will be provided by Mrs. Bianchi, and all tickets will be 2*3.

Christmas will soon be here and the problem of selecting Christmas presents is already engaging the attention of most people. li'or the children, what more desirable presents can be found than the Christmas annuals? Included amongst H. J. Hopkins' large stock of annuals are the following, which are specially suitable for presentation purposes: Chums, Boys' Own, Girls' Own, Australasian Boys and Girls, Empire Annual, Wonder Book, etc. Call and inspect at the shop Broadway, Stratford.

Redeem the long-standing promise and have the photograph taken at McAllister's Studio. We are always ready, day or night; no delay; no waiting either in taking or finishing, at this studio. Ring 2f>, Stratford.