STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

BTBATFOBD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news foi publication in tto Taranaki Daily News shouh be left at the office* of our local representatives, ‘Vila on Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with them. BOROUGH COUNCIL. POSITION OF ENGINEER. June 28. A special meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night, chiefly to further consider the appointment of a borough engineer. At the last meeting of the Council a motion was passed appointing Mr. J. Sturrock (of Hawera; to the position of engineer to the borough. Last night Mr. Sturrock’s letter (already published), expressing his decision to withdraw from the position on account of the improbability of harmonious working between the council and himself, was received. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) said that the only course now left to the Council was to call for applications for the position of resident engineer. He regretted that Mr. Sturrock was unable to accept the non-resident position, but in view of the controversy that had arisen over the matter among the councillors Mr. Sturrock had taken the only possible course of action. The question before the Council now was in regard to the amount of salary to be offered for the position. He did not think that £4OO, as proposed, was sufficient to secure a competent man. Cr. Jackson thought the Council was just as likely to secure a good engineer for £4OO as for £5OO. Cr. Rutherfurd stated that the unemployment position was becoming so acute that many towns were putting off engineers in favor of overseers, and he thought it should not be difficult to secure the right man for £4OO. Cr. Ward questioned the need for appointing an engineer to Stratford at all, and asked if the grants, for the economical expenditure of which an engineer was being sought, were ia sight. The Mayor said the money had bqen granted and was expected to come to hand about July 1. Considerable discussion ensued on the principle of appointing an engineer at a low salary with the prospect -of a rise when he had proved himself, the Mayor saying that “it is all very well to prove a good man but it might be a very costly business to prove an incompetent man.” Cr. Jackson moved that applications be called for % resident engineer at a salary of £4-50 a year. The motion was carried unanimously. MUNICIPAL LEASE.

Mr. Bateman, Fenton Street, wrote in regard to the lease of the municipal property in Cloton Road at the corner of Juliet Street near Newton King Ltd.’s liay market. The lease gave the Council the right to cross the property and remove gravel from the Patea River, and he asked if the Council would be prepared to allow him as tenant to use the gravel (what he required) at a royalty of Is per yard, the Council having the right to remove any left after his requirements had been filled. Cr. Henderson thought it would be absolutely wrong to give away the rights to this metal which belonged to the ratepayers. The Council were going to be short of metal and should reserve the gravel in question. It was resolved that the Council could not see its way to granting any further concessions and that Mr. Bateman be informed accordingly.

HOUSING DIFFICULTY. W. Brown, a caretaker employed by the Council, wrote asking permission to reside in the Town Hall premises, as he and his wife and child were living in a very small whan*. He considered that his presence in the hall would Bp an added protection to the Council s property. The Mayor said he Would not agree to Brown living in the Town Hall for a minute. They had had regrettable experience of this state of affairs before and did not want it repeated. Tire premises were not lit for residential quarters, and if the Council granted the permission asked they would be sanctioning slums. Crs. Ward anil Lawson did not agree to this view, and said it would be a good thing for the Council to have a care taker living on the premises. The Mayor: “I will not countenance it for a minute.” He moved that the application be not granted, and the motion was carried. FORESTERS’ LODGE. The half-yearly meeting of Court Stratford, A.0.F., was held in the Foresters' Hall last night, when there were about fifty members present. The Court meeting was opened by Bro. R. E. Blews, P.C.R., in the absence of Chief Ranger Sister E. Murray, who is ill. P.D.C.R. Bro. J. D. Murray occupied the chair for the election and installation of officers for the ensuing six months, which resulted as follows: P.C.R., Sister E. E. Murray; C.R.. Sister C. M. Watkins; S.C.R., Bro. H. Hatch; S.W., Bro. J. Stephenson; J.W., Bro. \V. H. James; 5.8., Bro. R. Barry; J. 8., Bro. J. Roberts; auditor, Bro. F. Nolan; secretary, Bro. R. E. Kivell; treasurer, Bro. R. E. Blirgess. Bro. E. J. Kivell was elected delegate to attend the district delegate meeting in August, and was also appointed delegate to represent the Court at the annual meeting of the Friendly Societies’ Hospital Association in July. By resolution of the Court, on the motion of Bro. Kivell, Sister E. E. Murray will be presented with a P.C.R. neck ribbon, and her name will be placed on the merit board for past services. The social committee of the Court presented a balance-sheet of the first dances held this season, whfch showed a credit balance of £2B. The committee were congratulated on their endeavor by the Court. Bro. R. E. Plows proposed a hearty vote of thanks to P.D.C.R. Bro. Murray for installing the officers, and Bro. Murray, in reply, wished the Court every success, and said he was pleased to note the large increase of initiations at each meeting. He stated that Court Stratford Foresters could hold their own with any other Foresters’ Court in the Taranaki district. The Court adjourned for a social evening, at which there were again a large number of patrons present. Mrs. Bianchi supplied the music in her usual able style, extras being contributed by Misses Feaver and Fischer. Messrs. J. D. Murray -And R. E. Plewa were the

PHILHARMONIC CONCERT. The Stratford Philharmonic Society have secured the Town Hall for the night of August 11, when their first grand concert will be given. The society has met with remarkable success since its recent inception and all the members are practicing assiduously to make the opening concert a credit to the society. Intending members are reminded that the latest date at which they can join the society will be Monday next, if they wish to appear at the concert, as it would be unfair to the older members who have been practicing for some time if new members appeared at the initial function. Mr. Lester, who temporary held the position of conductor, has, at the unanimous wish of the members, been permanently assigned to this post. GENERAL. Mr. Cecil Arden, well-known in the district as host of the Empire Hotel, Stratford, and a trotting enthusiast for some years, has taken up his residence on his farm near Normanby. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., has been confined to his room by indisposition since his return from Wellington. While playing football in Victoria Park this afternoon, Hector, oldest son of the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan, broke his collarbone. The well-known hairdressing and tobacconist business in Broadway, until recently carried on by Mr. Stan. Sharp, has been purchased by Mr. C. B. Walsh. Mr. Lew Walsh will be in charge, and patrons may be sure of the very best attention. Your stationery requirements are well catered for by Wilson Bros., Stratford, who have a comprehensive stock of all office requisites and typew iter supplies. Here are a few good commercial lines: Pilot letter files, 3/0 each; wire document baskets, 4/6 each; desk blotting pads, 4/9 and 6/-; first-grade typewriter carbon, foolscap size, 15/- box. Don’t forget to call or write.—Advt.