STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1922, Page 7

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. , Advertisements and items of news for publicaf->n in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatives, Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with thecn.

FIRE AT COUNCIL YARDS.

Stratford was roused a little before seven o’clock this morning by the insistent clanging of the fire bell, and the brigade, on arriving at the Borough Council yards, off Fenton. Street, found that the tar-boiling apparatus, in which tar was being prepared for operations on the Pembroke Road, had caught fire.

Dense volumes of black smoke issued from the burning tar, and from a distance it looked as if the conflagration was of considerable dimensions. However, only the tar-boiler was alight, and the brigade kept a constant play of water on an adjoining shed and prevented the fire from spreading, whilst the flames were subdued by throwing loads of gravel on to them. It- is not yet known to what extent the plant has been damaged, but it is thought that beyond burning up the tar which was in the boiler little damage has been done, although damage may have been done to the tanks, which are very old and nearing the end of their usefulness. An examination showed that only about 50 gallons of tar were lost. The origin of the fire is not known.

The outbreak might have resulted in much greater loss but for two or three fortunate incidents. Had the wind been blowing in the opposite direction the crusher plant would in all probability have caught fire, and as this is housed in a fairly old wooden building, much bespattered with tar, the consequences might have been serious. The motor which drove the crusher plant was previously housed in a small shed next to the boiler, but both motor and shed were removed only a short time ago. A shed of corrugated iron over which the smoke and flames swept, and on which was kept a constant play of water, was packed with sawdust for the purpose of bringing barrels of tar to sufficient heat to make the tar rim easily into the boiler, and had this caught fire it would have caused a much bigger blaze.

PERSONAL.

Mr. A. M. Robertson left Stratford this morning for the South. He is going to Dunedin to manage the Dunedin district for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, whom he has represented in Stratford for some time.

Mrs. R. Henry, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. J. Rowe, left by the mail train this morning for a long holiday. They expect to be away for two or three months, and will visit Rotorua and Auckland.

Mr. P. McNeil, who has recently been on the Stratford County and Borough Council staffs, leaves Stratford to-morrow to take charge of the .traction roller for the Woodville County Council. Mr. and Mrs. L. Lilley, of Stratford, were on Monday the recipients of many congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of their golden wedding, the event being marked by a very pleasant gathering of the family and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Lilley were married by the Rev. George Knight at Dollar, near Stirling, Scotland, on January 2, 1872, and came to New Zealand about twenty-four years ago. The members of the family are Messrs. A. Lilley (Stratford), J. Lilley (Waikato), Mrs. Jardine (Eltham), Miss Lilley and Mrs. A. Rawles (Stratford).

GENERAL.

Three building permits, for £23, £177 and £917, making a total value of £lll7, were issued by the Borough Council during the month of December. During the year the number of permits issued was 30, and the total value £27,943. Several permits for buildings costing well over the four-figure mark, were issued. The largest were for £5OOO, £3900 and £2BOO.

The Borough Council’s workmen have been engaged during the past few days in tar-sealing the- Pembroke Road, and the tar which was destroyed in this morning’s fire was being prepared for work on this road. A temporary tank for boiling the tar is being erected, so that work on the road can continue while the plant is being repaired. There was a meeting of the Stratford Swimming Club last night to go into further arrangements in connection with the swimming carnival which is to take place on the afternoon and evening of January 12. It was reported that all arrangements are being carried out smoothly, and that a large number of entries are being received. A big number of visiting competitors are expected to be present, and local competition will also be very keen.

A Fountain Pen is always a useful and an acceptable gift. Messrs. Wilson Bros., of Stratford, have some reliable Fountain Pens at 9/- each, others at 10/6,, and high-grade self-filling Pens at 15/-. Don’t fail to see these. Other lines suitable as gifts are Pocket Diaries. Leather Wallets and Purses, Cabinets of Stationery, Stamp and Photo Albums etc. Don’t forget the address—Wilson Bros., opposite P.A.C. Auction Mart, Stratford.