STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at t he office of our local representstatlve, Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left him. BOROUGH COUNCIL. March 14. A general purposes meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), Crs. R. H. Cameron, S. Ward, C. Jackson, S. B. Hunter, C. B. Walsh, A. Stewart. T. Lawson. An apology for absence was received from Cr. W. McInnes. ELECTRIC POWER OUTPUT. The electrical engineer reported that during the month the following units had been generated at the power station. the figure's ior the corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses :-—Hvdro, 16,362 (8622); Diesel, 6677 (16,572)’; total, 23,039 (25.194); gross revenue, £472 5s Id ( £442 5s 7d). MIRANDA STREET LIGHTING. Thirteen residents of Miranda Street petitioned, asking that electric lights be placed in that street between Regan and Leyton Streets. It was stated that the lights were necessary from a safety point of view. The electric light engineer estimated the work of installing’ the lights at £3O. It was pointed out that several of the residents whose names were included in the petition had no need to use Miranda Street, and others did not use private lights or contribute to the electric revenue. It was decided to provide a light with a separate switch, and appoint a responsible person to switch it on and off. THE LIBRARY. The librarian reported that the number of books issued from the library for the month was 1500, the number returned 1670, odd books issued 246, odd books returned 309. Eight new books had been added and six new subscribers had enrolled, bringing the total to 170. Subscriptions received amounted to £l4 13s 3d. The borough inspector reported that he had taken 16 head of stock, 7 horses and 9 cows from the roads during the month. There had been eight convictions for breaches of the by-laws, seven for turning on the wrong side of the road, and one for riding a motorcycle on the footpath. The fines amounted to £3 10s. GENERAL. The State Forest Service wrote advocating a policy of tree planting on waste land, and’ pointing out the advantages thereof as a supply of timber for the future. —The Mayor said this matter should not be lost sight of, and it might be of value in the future. — The circular was referred to the Domain Board. The Napier Borough Council asked support ,’for a resolution: That the Government be urged to introduce legisliv tion providing that credit balances of local authorities on loan accounts shall be set off by the banks against debit balances on other accounts as regards the payment of interest on the general ac-

counts. —The council decided to support the resolution. The medical officer of health, Wanganui, circularised the council, advising strict precautions for the prevention of the spread of bubonic plague, and stating that March and April were regarded as the chief rat-breeding months. The clerk stated that the council had spent 18s the destruction of rats.—The circular was received. The secretary of the Education Board wrote, asking the council to remove electric light posts and wires from a paddock adjoining the Technical High School. —The council deeided that the electric light committee should meet the Education Board for discussion, to report to the. next meeting of the council. Cr. S.. Ward said, in connection with the power station, that he would like to recommend the engineer to clean up the road leading to the station. The fences also needed attention. Other san'itary improvements were also recommended in view of the nearness of the station to the new school. HOSPITAL BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Board was held to-day. Present: Messrs. C. D. Sole (chairman), C. R. Finnerty, G. P. Harkness, W. H. Were, J. T. Belcher, P. Thomson, J. O’Neill, and E. Marfell. The medical superintendent (Dr. D. Steven) reported that during the month 39 patients were admitted to the hospital, 29 were discharged and there was one death. Twenty-five remained in the institution at the end of the period. Eighteen operations were performed and two eases were in isolation, which was closed on March 7. The matron reported that all the applicants for probationership were under age with the exception of one and this one was not recommended. The chairman said the position had been freely advertised, but they had been unable to obtain p. nitioner. At the same time he did 11 link the hospital was understalled: they had a larger staff than ever before.

The Department of Health notified that in accordance with the Hospitals Act Amendment. 1920, that the Minister had approved the bcratford Board incurring, during the year ending April 1 next, a bank overdraft, not exceeding i:500. It a greater amount was required it would be necessary to obtain the Minister’s approval. The Otago Hospital Board’s resolution of protest against the increased audit fees charged by the Government was supported. Jn view of the amount of work entailed in the hospital gardens Mr O’Neill suggested that a grounds committee be set up to assist in the work and give advice. Messrs. Finnerty and Thomson, in conjunction with the chairman, were appointed a committee. A number of letters were received from various debtors regretting inability to pay accounts, advancing various reasons of hardship as the cause. The chairman moved that all debts contracted prior to April, 1921, be off as had debts.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. L. C. Vickery for his help in putting the X-ray plant in order. The committee recommended that tenders bo called for hospital supplies for six months. The chairman moved that the bank overdraft of £3OO be paid off, with all other accounts at March 31. He pointed out that the hoard had to pay 7 per cent, interest on the overdraft with no allowance for other credit accounts. The board had the necessary funds in hand. —Carried. It was decided, in view of the power conferred on hospital boards bv legisla-

tion in 1920, to grant the chairman an honorarium of £5O per annum for his services to the board. MATERNITY HOSPITAL WANTED. A deputation from the Stratford Hospital Board, consisting of Messrs. C. D. Sole (chairman), P. Thomson, E. Marfell. and xir. Steven waited on the Minister for Health (Mr. C. J. Parr) tl '- evening asking him to give his assistance in raising the necessary funds to erect a maternity hospital, the plans for which were already drawn up and approved by the board and the department. The cost of the hospital, which would house 12 beds, was estimated at £6OOO, and this would be subsidised £ for £ by the Government. Dr. Steven said such a hospital was a crying necessity in Stratford. The Minister said it was not generally known that a hospital board could raise a mortgage over its assets in the hospital district. The Public Trust Office was empowered to lend money for hospital purposes and this was the best source to get it from. Mr. Parr said the project had his sympathy and he would be pleased to give it his help. TEACHING AGRICULTURE. The deputation from the Education 1 Board which waited on the Hon. C. J. ’ Parr this evening asked that a, permanent agricultural instructor be appointed to the Stratford Technical High School in pursuance of the policy of giving the school a strong agricultural bias. Mr. H. Trimble, explaining the position, said that strictly speaking the school was not entitled to another teacher, but in view of fjhe 'special circumstances such a concession might be made. Mr. Amess said that it might be possible to bring the roll number up to 196, which would entitle them to another teacher. They now had a part time instructor and the difference in his and a full time instructor’s salary would only be about £lOO. The Minister promised to go into the j matter. A number of good second-hand typewriters, in first-class condition, for sale; Remington. Smith Premier, Monarch. Yost. Barlock, Royal, Remington Junior and Oliver. Prices from £7 7s to £25. Type-writer supplies and repairs.—W. H. Humphrey, Daily News office, Stratford.