STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 7

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS. STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication should be left at the office of the local repesentatlve, W. J. Wilson,' next Union Bank. FIRE PREVENTION. February 18. A matter which deserves the serious l consideration of the public of Stratford is the need for a more adequate system of fire prevention in the borough. Under existing conditions, if a fire broke out among the wooden buildings in Broadway, it is doubtful if the present brigade, with its inadequate plant, would be able to* do much to prevent such an outbreak obtaining a serious hold. Fortunately Stratford has not had a big fire for several years, but because of this, the public should not overlook the fact that such an occurrence is possible at any time. Upon ; making investigations, it appears that 1 the reason why Stratford, in common with New Plymouth, Hawera, and now Waitara, has not adopted the principle of fire board control, is because the public do not understand the advantages that would accrue to them in the went of making the change. One of the main objections to fire board control, is stated to’ be that fire boards, as a rule are extravagant and do not consider the ratepayers’ interests to the same extent that the Borough Council would While it is admittedly a fact that the cost of running the brigade under a fire board is very much higher than under the local body, it should be mentioned that the cost ’to the ratepayers in the aggregate is considerably less. At the present time, Stratford property owners are in the unfortunate position of having to pay the second highest rate for fire insurance, the lowest insurance on detached dwellings being Sa 8d in the £lOO, whereas in the boroughs which have fire boards, the ate is from two to three shillings I-’ss. Furthermore, the Stratford Fire !■: maintained entirely by the Borough Council, not one penny being contributed by the insurance companies or the Government. Reliable authorities express the opinion that if a fire board was established in Stratford, the board would immediately take steps to improve the brigade's plant and that within two years the insurance rate on dwellings would be reduced from Ss 8d to 6s 8d as a consequence. This would mean that a house owner who was insured for £750 (house and furniture) would be saved 15s per annum in insurance premium*;. Against this must be mentioned that the cost of running the brigade would be trebled, but that difference would not amount to more than an additiorial 5s per annum to his rates. By this means a clear saving of 10s per annum would be made by that house-owner.

Reducing the matter to pLva facts, it should be apparent to ratepayers that a fire board would be a splendid innovation for the town. Briefly the advantage; r.my be summed up as follows: (1) < 'ir.s-derable saving in insurance pi'em’um: (2)' Che insure';*-;--:. companies would have to pay r.eari half of the cost of .-.inning the brJgad* instead of nothing under existing conditions, that is t • .-ay, if the annual co.’.t was £550 the tympanies would contribute £250: (3 the Government would contribute a subsidy of £5O per annum, instead of nothing at present: (4) an efficient brigade with adequate plant would be .provided; (5) the brigade would receive payment for actual services, and a jtermanent man would be employed at the fire station to receive calls. Wherever a fire board has been tried it has been proved to be better than the old system and it would be a good policy if the Borough Council invited either Superintendent Bellringer, of New Plymouth, or Superintendent Pettett, of Hawera, to address the ratepayers on the subject. If a ratepayers’ association was in existence the matter could be taken up by that body, but in the absence of such an association the public have a right to expect the Borough Council to take the lead. KING’S CINEMA THEATRE. “THE DEVIL’S PASS KEY.” Yvonne Bagrange, wife of an aspiring author, finds herself deeply indebted to Madame Malot, a scheming modiste. At the proper time, Madame Malot tells the girl of a young American, Hugh Randolph, who will pay her debts. Randolph advises her to tell her husband of her debts, at the same time informing her to call upon him if Madame Malot gets nasty. Enraged the modiste allies herself with Hugh’s former mistress, seeking to discredit him and at the same time implicating the girl. The schemers are foiled, however, and the modiste is forced to receipt Yvonne’s bills. How Bagrange achieves success as a playwright uY v presenting the trials of his wife on the stage, and how, upon learning her part, he seeks a divorce, but is reconciled upon learning the true facts from Randolph, presents a sequence of events in a manner only characteristic of von Stroheim. Again he shows Ills mastery at handling delicate situations. The box plan is now open at the Theatre. ‘Prices to Dress Circle 2s, Stalls Is Gd (plus tax).

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, it this studio. Ring 25. Stratford. y Have you realised the importance of keeping a copy of your letters? Here are a few lines that will interest you: Letter books, sxB, with 100 sheets and duplicates, 3/3, postage Gd; also 10 x 8, for 5/3, postage lOd; also 11 x 9, with 200 sheets and duplicates, 7/6, postage 1/2. Also account forms. 50 with duplicates. 2/-, postage 3d. Envelopes, high-grade Manila, 9/- box of 500. From Wilson Bros., stationers and printers, Stratford.