STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY r'SWS, STRATFORD AGENCY. Adrertisenients and items of news for publication should lie left at the office of the local rewesentatire, W. J. Wilson, next L'ulou Bank. BOROUGH COUNCIL. Dec. 21.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held kit night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. \V. McMillan), and Crs. E. H. Cameron, \V. H. H. Young, A. Stewart, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. Lawson, W. J. Newton, C, B. Walsh, and S. B. Hunter. Mr A. C. Russ, ex-borough foreman, wrote thanking the Council for granting him leave of absence on full pay, and for its testimonial as to his services.— Received.

The dog registration tax was fixed on the same scale as last year, and Mr. W. Rowson was appointed registrar of dogs in the borough. The Mayor reported that Mr. P. Black, consulting engineer, would be in Stratford on Wednesday, and would be pleased to meet the Council regarding the appointment of an electrical engineer.

A resolution was passed empowering the striking of a special rate of 31-4aths of a penny in the £ upon the rateable value of the borough property, as an annual recurring rate during the currency of the £IO,OOO housing Ipan. It was explained that the matter was purely formal, and the rate, though struck, would never be collected. It wa9 decided to support the Gisborne Borough Council's resolution advocating that legislation be passed enabling local bodies to raise loans by means of premium bonds, the Mayor stating that the carrying of the resolution might help the Government to make up its mind to give greater assistance to local bodies in the matter of loans.

Regarding the new scale of charges adopted by the Department of Agriculture for meat inspection, the town clerk stated that as the minimum charge was £7, and that amount was never exceeded by Stratford, the new charges would not make any difference to the local abattoirs. Cr. Newton asked leave' to withdraw his motion to the effect that the resolution passed at the meeting of the Council on October 21st granting a license to the Farmers' Co-op. Organisation Society to conduct a hide and skin store in Broadway in premises lately occupied by Mr. A. J. Davey, be rescinded, and that the Stratford borough by-laws be amended in the direction of prohibiting any hide or akin business, or any other business of a similar obnoxious ' or semi-obnoxious character being carried on within the borough inside an area bounded on the north by Seyton Street, south by Opunake Road, east by Cordelia Street, and west by Hamlet Street. Cr. Newton referred to the apathy displayed by the majority of people in regard to the matter, and although having to drop it he thought it was no use going on with his resolution. The Mayor said he still thought the Council had been wrong in granting the license, but the apathy of the ratepayers made it quite clear to him that they were satisfied with the action of the Council. He moved that Cr. Newton be given leave to withdraw his motion. This was seconded by Cr. Lawton and carried.

TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS ON BRANCH LINE. In response to representations made to him by the Tahora Settlers' Association, Tahora Workers' Union, and the Ivohuratahi Settlers' Association, Mr. R. Masters, M.P., communicated with the railway authorities asking that the train on the morning of Christmas Eve, instead of starting from Whangamomona as at present arranged, should start from Kohuratahi and connect with the Public Works train from Tahora. The suggested alteration would enable al! those beyond Whangamomona to visit Stratford by the early morning train. Mr. Masters has received a tele, gram to the effect that the train arrangements as requested will be grant-: ed.

GENERAL. As a preliminary to metalling the Pembroke Road from the radius line to the Mountain House, Mr. H. Thompson, overseer for th£ Public Works Department, engaged four men to-day to pitch camp in readiness for work after the holidays. He had some difficulty in securing labor so soon before the Christmas holidays, but hopes to reeeive plenty of applications early in the New Year, when the co-operative system will be adopted, and the work executed with the utmost speed. Constable J. Tizard, of Stratford, has received word of his transfer to Tokaau, in the West Taupo country, and leaves Stratford on Thursday morning. He lias been in Stratford for over four years, and was at Timaru previously.

T. Lamason advertises his Christmas sale when, in addition to the poultry, there is a line of fat lambs to be Bold.

Christmas will soon be here and the problem of selecting Christmas presents is already engaging the attention of most people. For 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: Chum 9, Boys' Own, Girls' Own, Australasian Boys and Girls, Empire Annual, Wonder Book, etc. Call and inspect at the shop Broadway, Stratfovd.

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 25, Stratford.