STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in tte Taranaki Daily News* should be left at the office oF our local representatives, Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford? Or tiers for papers may also be left with them. • BOROUGH COUNCIL. ' October 18. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) and Crs. S. Rutherfurd, C. B. Walsh, S. B. Hunter, T. Lawson, C. Jackson. W. Mclnnes, A. Stewart, S. Ward, and R. H. Cameron. CORRESPONDENCE, « The secretary of the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society wrote thanking the council for its donation to the funds of the recent concert ana da pee.—Received. The secretary of the Stratford A. and P. Association wrote asking that the council should grant their employees a whole holiday on November 24, people’s day of the annual show. The request was granted.

The secretary of the Stratford Pictures and Amusements, Ltd., wrote asking for permission to close the present aisle along the south wall of the auditorium of the theatre, to erect seats in the passageway and increase the width of the middle aisle from 3ft 3in. to 4ft. The matter was left to the works committee with power to act. The secretary of the Stratford model dairy farm wrote asking that the council’s employees should have access to the hydro-station from Ohura Road and not across the property of the farm. Th? matter was referred to the electric light committee with power to act. Mr. B. Sturm, manager of the P.A.C, again applied for paddock accommodation at the abattoirs, pointing out that the stock which was killed for the P.A.C. ptiid the fees. He enclosed the plan of the butcher’s shop which is to be erected at once, stating that alterations had been made and approved by the Health Department so that meat could be sold by .auction or otherwise. It was decided to leave the matter of the erection of the butcher s shop to the abattoirs committee, the borough err gineer and health inspector, with power to act. The voting was even, the Mayor’s casting vote deciding the motion. PROTECTION FROM FIRE. The'Mayor referred to tlje rule of the Fire Underwriters’ Association that unless electric light installations in certain premises in Stratford were altered to comply with the conditions demanded by the Fire Underwriters within 30 days the light from those places should be cut off. They wanted to know if the installations which' were condemned were not safe, and if so, to what degree they were not safe. If the owners of the dozen installations which were condemned were compelled to put in new installations then 75 per cent, of the installations in Stratford would have to be replaced. If the installations were safe it was unjust to insist that the householders should spend £2O to £25 in putting in new installations.

The Mayor moved: ‘'That the Fire Underwriters’ Association should be asked to send their fire inspector to consult with the Borough Council with regard to the installations condenftied and with, regard to all other installations.” Cr. Ward asked the Mayor if he was looking for trouble. If an inspector came he might condemn the whole town. The Mayor said that quite 75 per cent, of the installations of the whole town were unsafe and he would prefer the whole town to be condemned to taking the risk. BOROUGH HOUSES. Cr/’Ward gave notice of motion asking for details from the housing committee regarding the cost of timber, joinery, plumbing, papering and painting at various borough houses,- and that the housing committee lay on the table for perusal the minutes of their meeting and details of tenders. The motion further asked that the town clerk bring down a statement showing the cost of houses completed to date, and the amount of (a) commission (if any), (b) architect’s fees drawn by Mr. Healy. Cr. Ward said that he intended to have the matter discussed at the next meeting of the Council. The Mayor said that he wanted the council to turn down the notice of motion. which amounted to a vote of no confidence in the committee. The committee had agreed to bring a monthly report to the council, and if Cr. Ward did not then approve he could move a notice of no confidence in the committee.

The housing committee was empowered to deal with the matter of housing and in agreeing to bring down a monthly report to the council was waiving its rights to a great extent.

Cr. Ward asked when the motion giving the housing committee power to' deal with the building of houses was passed. The Mayor replied that the motion was passed on April 18, 1921. Cr. Ward said that the motion was passed by the old members of the council and he took no responsibility for it. It was only fair to the public to have the reports brought in. In building a £lOOO house there was a difference in the cost of £4O between August and September. He did not think that his motion east any reflection on the pres ent committee. The council had a perfect right to know where the money had gone. The Mayor said that committee had brought down a full report. At the next meeting they could have a report of the doings from the commencement. I’he notice of motion was withdrawn. WORKS COMMITTEE.

The works committee reported as follows: “We recommend that the chairman of this committee and the engineer be given power to arrange fbr a further supply of stone up to a price limit of 6s fid per cubic yard, and that the Government be advised that the council does not require any metal from Te Wera at present, preferring to be on the open market. The question of mapping put areas and methods of collecting rubbish has been left to the chairman, town clerk and engineer. That the council prohibit fences being erected around graves except by way of concrete or stone kerbs, subject to the satisfaction of the engineer.” The report was adopted. GENERAL BUSINESS. Cr. Ward moved that the Defence Department should be asked to set up a sale

of military stores similar to those being carried on in New Plymouth and Hawera in Stratford.—Carried. On. the resolution of the Mayor a motion of sympathy with Mr. C. D. Sole (chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board.), who is at present seriously ill, was carried. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Cameron, that the Mayor should call a public meeting to consider the provision of a suitable recognition of the work of Mr. F. Tyrer, who is retiring from the headmastership of the school. OBITUARY. The death is announced of Mr. J, L. Vicary, son of the late Commander W. Vicary, R.N., and a well-known business man in Stratford in the early days. Mr. Vi was connected with Mr. S. H. Janies commission agency business, and later with the business of Mr. T. C. Fookes in Stratford. He was a member of the football club and other athletic bodies, and the Mounted Rifles. When war broke out he was in Canada, and he joined the Ambulance Corps ahd saw a good deal of military sendee. For two years he was in the Shorncliffe military hospital, and he did splendid work at the time of the German air raids. Nervous trouble caused a collapse, from which he never recovered, and he died on September 6 in the Vancouver military hospital. GENERAL NEWS. After the ordinary meeting last night the Stratford Borough Council met as the Domain Board. It was reported that the Wellington Regiment had decided to build, as a memorial to the late Lieut.-Colonel W. Malone, a gateway for the Fenton Street entrance to King Edward Park. The board had written asking if the gateway will be placed so as’ to be in the centre of Fenton Street. The Mayor reported on the work requiring attention in King Edward Park. The large number of satisfied users of the Corona Portable Typewriter is the best advertisement the machine could have. It is ideal for secretaries, ministers and all business men. A special discount of ten per cent, off all machines is offered this month at Wilson Bros., Printers and Stationers. Stratford.