STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STBATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatative. Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. BOROUGH COUNCIL. GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. April 11. A meeting of the general purposes committe of the Borough Council was held last night. The electrical engineer reported on the operation of the plant as follows, the figures for the corresponding month of last year being given in parentheses: Units generated during March, hydro 23,940 (9936), Diesel 4698 (19,205); total, 28,627 (29,141). Units generated for the twelve months ending March 31: Hydro, 264,816 (233,823) ; Diesel, 143,538 (129,217) ; total, 408,354 (363,040). This showed a total increase over the preceding year of 45,314 units.

Miss Laverty (librarian) reported that the number of books issued during the month was 1675. Three new subscribers were enrolled, bringing the total to 169. The reports were adopted. Town Hall Seating. Cr. Ward complained of crowding in the pit seats in the Town Hall. He intended to move at the next meeting th?t six seats should be alloted to the pit. Cr. Lawson said he intended to urge that only four seats be allotted to the pit at the lower price. He moved that the original resolution denoting four seats to the pit be adhered to, and that in the event of theatrical companies refusing to CQjnply with the restriction the hire of the hall be refused.

Cr. Jackson considered that too many restrictions should not be placed on theatrical companies. Cr. Ward said more restrictions should be placed on the hire of the hall, to safeguard the public against being “rooked”.The Mayor said it was beyond the scope of the council to interfere with the business of theatrical companies when the hall was rented to them at a fair price. Cr. Lawson’s motion was passed after the portion regarding the refusal of hire had been deleted. General. The Valuation Department wrote advising that a sitting of the Assessment Court would be held in Stratford towards the end of April for the purpose of hearing objections to the new valuations. Mr. J. Hignett was appointed the council’s representative on the court.

The stock slaughtered for local consumption at the Stratford abattoirs during March was as follows, last year’s figures being given in parentheses: Cattle, 144 (143) ; calves, 12 (2) ; sheep, 529 ( 324) ; lambs, 77 (64) ; total fees paid, £9l Ils (£74 3s 3d). On the motion of the Mayor it was decided that the council’s antecedent liability (£8741) be extinguished by means of a loan. It was decided to support the Chamber of Commerce in its efforts to press the department to expedite matters in regard to the erection of a new post office. The Town Bridge.

It was decided at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, on the motion of Cr. Lawson, that the honor of laying the foundation should be conferred upon the Mayor. In returning thanks, Mr. McMillan said there had been some criticism of the decision to make the bridge a full-width one, but he was sure that in the future the decision of the council would be appreciated. Electric Power. The electric light committee recommended to last night’s meeting of the Stratford Borough Council that the council inspect the Skinner Road proposed site for a hydro-electric station, with a view to providing for an ample permanent hydro-electric power source in place of the existing power stations. In regard to the suggestion that the council should consider the proposed power site at Skinner Road, the Mayor said that the council was in a bad position regarding the lighting department, which was being run at a loss. There was a possibility that the price of oil fuel for the Diesel plant would come down. If good hydro power could be obtained at Skinner Road probably the council could sell one of the Diesel plants. He thought the suggestion to inquire into the Skinner Road scheme a good one. Cr. Cameron said the opinion had been expressed that the Skinner Road site was the best on the Patea River.

Cr. Ward said he thought that before anything was done the possibilities of securing power from New Plymouth should be inquired into. He mentioned that the Inglewood Council had visited the New Plymouth scheme recently, and he thought the Stratford Council should ask for an opportunity to visit the New Plymouth works. He said it was considered that power would be obtained from Arapuni within ten years.

Cr. Hunter supported the suggestion that the Skinner Road scheme should be investigated. There was a possibility that the present plant might give out at any time and put the council in a bad position. Engineers, said Cr. Hunter, had expressed the opinion that 500 horse-power could lie developed at Skinner Road. If the council could deal with New Plymouth, well and good; but at the same time the Skinner Road scheme should be investigated.

Cr. Jackson said it was only “beating the air” to talk about the Skinner Road scheme. Before anything could be done there they would be able to get. the Government supply. He thought the present hydro station should be developed. They might get some power from New Plymouth to tide them over. He asked the Mayor if the ratepayers would give a shilling for the Skinner Road scheme even if tne engineers did approve it. Voices: “Yes.” The discussion was then dropped. DOMAIN BOARD. A meeting of the Stratford Domain Board was held last night, for the purpose of advancing arrangements for the laying down of tennis courts in Victoria Park. A deputation from the Stratford Tennis Club waited on the board in the matter. Mr. Clarke, for the deputation, said they had £430 guaranteed, which was sufficient to complete six grass courts, put the three existing courts in order, and provide three concrete courts. The club was prepared to take up debentures to the amount required.

Mr. McMillan said it would be necessary for the club to take up the debentures before the work was commenced, and this was agreed to.

Rules and regulations, as laid down by the council, were adopted, providing, among other things that the council should receive Is per financial member. It was decided to expedite the plans and call tenders for the laying down of the courts. A sub-committee was set up to carry out preliminary work, and to meet the Croquet Club in regard to its grounds. It was decided to make provision for twelve courts if possible.

The Mayor reported that the Association Football Club was enquiring after playing grounds. Mr. Ward said the rugby footballers used the A. and P. grounds for matches, and the Association Club should arrange with the union for this ground. Rugby had the monopoly of Victoria Park, and this was what he wished to prevent. They should be all treated alike.

Mr. Ward later moved that the Hockey Club should be brought into line with the other sports. The sub-committee was directed to interview the Hockey Club, advising them of the necessity of making application to the board for permission to use the grounds.

STRATFORD GOLF CLUB. THE ANNUAL MEETING. April 11. The annual meeting of the Stratford Golf Club was held at the Egmont Chambers last night, the preffldent (Mr. E. S. Rutherfurd) being in the chair. The annual report states that during the season a senior team from the club visited New Plymouth, Waverley, Eltham and Inglewood and return matches were played with teams from Eltham and Inglewood. A large number of club ‘ competitions were successfully played, indicating that a greater interest has been taken in such competitions than in the past. The senior championship was won, after a very exciting contest, by Mr. R. B. Anderson, Mr. W. T Christie being the runner-up. The junior championship was won by Mr. W. Ryan. Greater interest was added to the championship by the institution of the twolives system, which the committee recommends should be adopted for the future, as, besides giving competitors another chance, it doubles the number of championship games. Owing to the extensive alterations on the eastern part of the racecourse, the committee were obliged to abandon the fourth green, and to consider- • ably shorten the length of the fifth hole, / with the result that play was carried on J under very disadvantageous circumstances, 1 but there was reason to believe that the Racing Club would permit the laying down of a new fourth green on the new race track. The committee thanked the donors of special prizes; also the ladies for assisting in providing afternoon tea on week days, and in connection with the entertainment of visiting teams. The balance-sheet showed a balance of receipts over expenditure of £9 13s lOd. The balance of assets over liabilities was £B4 17s 4d.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president said that in the past season the fourth hole was probably the worst in New Zealand. On Thursday the Racing Club would consider giving permission to put greens on the new course. The Golf Club was also considering asking the Racing Club to cut down some trees, and to clear the greens with its horse mower.

| The medals won during the year were 1 presented by the president as follows: Senior championship, Mr. Anderson; junior championship, Mr. W. Ryan. The winners of the club competitions were Mesdames Glasgow and Budge (two each), and Messrs. L. R. Curtis, H. E. Abraham (2), Anderson, Rutherfurd, Winter (8), and Jeffries (6). Election of Officers.. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, Mr. S. Spence; vicepresidents, Messrs. H. D. Hill and P. Jef- ■ fries; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. R. B. Anderson; club captain, Mr. J. Winter; committee, Messrs. L. R. Curtis, J. S. Lyons, W. P. Pratt, W. Ryan, R. V. Kay and D. J. Malone; auditor, Mr. P. Skoglund. General. | It was decided to institute a ladder competition. The chairman said the cup which had been presented for the medal aggregate would be competed for this year. The following new members were proposed : Misses Pratt, Porritt, Wright, Hall and Hodgens, Messrs. C. Clark, H. R. I Amess and R. F. Malfroy. Votes of thanks were accorded the ladies, the retiring secretary and the Press.

GENERAL ITEMS. The engagement of Mr. W. J. Roche as engineer to the Stratford Borough terminates on Monday next. At the meeting of ! the council last night it was decided to I relieve Mr. Roche of his duties on ThursI day, and to grant him a month’s leave of absence on full pay. Mr. H. Atmore, M.P. for Nelson, who 1 spent the week-end in Stratford as the 1 guest of Mr. R. Masters, M.P., left for Nelson this morning. On Sunday Mr. Atmore ascended to the summit of Mt. Egmont, and was highly pleased with the scenery.

Mr. A. Klee was, at last night’s meeting of the central division of the Taranaki Referees’ Association, appointed to active membership, having passed his examination. Mr. McCallum, of Tariki, was proposed for membership. There is apparently considerable confusion among the retailers of Stratford as ito which dates should be observed for i the Easter holidays. The grocers are ! compelled by law to close on Thursday at noon and on Saturday. The dates of closing of the soft goods shops are notified . in this issue.

I Country subscribers not receiving their j Daily News regularly are asked to im- ■ mediately notify our circulation manager, 1 care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Stratford. Complaints will feceive prompt attention. The ladies of Stratford and the surrounding district will be inte.rested to learn that Mrs. Humphrey is opening the small shop" adjoining the News agency, Stratford, as a fancy needlework depot at an early date. All the latest English magazines and periodicals are now obtainable at W. H. Humphrey’s Stratford office, Daily News, also a large assortment of 2/6 novels by popular authors.