STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD 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. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. May 3. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held last night, Mr. J. W. McMillan presiding in the absence of the chairman (Mr. J. B, Richards). In reply to the Chamber’s letter to the Department of Lands and Survey requesting that the lands on both, sides of the Tangarakau Gorge be set aside as a scenic reserve, the chairman of the Scenery Preservation Board wrote stating that the functions of the board are, when directed by the Minister, to inspect and recommend what lands shall be reserved. Such reports are made to His Excellency the Governor-General, and he was not in a position to report to any other person. The request could not, therefore, be complied with. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce has decided to cordially second the efforts of the Stratford Chamber in the matter of setting the whole of the gorge aside for scenic purposes. It was decided to hold over further action until next meeting.

No reply was received from the department in regard to -the request to have tenders called for the erection of a new post office. Mr. Thomson was appointed to the vacancy on the sub-committee dealing with the above. It was resolved that Messrs. McMillan, Thomson, and Malone be appointed to go further into the matter of the alteration in the timetable of the afternoon train as affecting the school children attending the Stratford schools, the published reply not being at all satisfactory. BOROUGH VALUATIONS. ASSESSMENT COURT SITTING. , 1 When the Assessment Court resumed last night to continue the hearing of objections to the Government values within the borough of Stratford, the Stratford Borough Council, represented by Mr. P. SKoglund, objected to the unimproved value on the municipal buildings. Mr. Skoglund said the municipal building was probably the only one that relied upon rents for its revenue. On “the capital value the building should return £lB5l in rents, whereas they would now return £1263. The council was only asking for a reduction on the ' unimproved value to the extent of I £l3BB The increase in the valuation was not justified on a population basis One hundred pounds per foot was too , high. The council had been offered a j reduction to £9O, but this was not con--1 sidered sufficient. At the valuation it i was impossible to get 10 per cent, on the I building in rentals. While the average 1 increase in the valuations of the borI ough was about 50 per cent., Broadway ; had increased about 70 per cent. I The Court made a reduction of 10 per j cent, on the unimproved value from £7650 to £6885.

An agreement having been arrived at regarding these sections, a large number of cases were put through on the same basis, namely, 10 per cent, reduction on the unimproved value. The Stratford Racing Club objected to the value placed on its property of 95 acres on the edge of the borough; After lengthy argument it was agreed to reduce the unimproved value from £55 to £5O per acre. The Court sat until far into the night and heard objections to the valuation of a very large proportion of the business area of the town, the 10 per cent, reduction on the unimproved value being the usual mode of disposing of the cases. The Court left Stratford for Auckland this morning.

GENERAL ITEMS. In his report to the School Committee [last night, the headmaster (Mr. L. J. Furrie) said that by the death of Mr. Stanton the school and board had lost a very promising teacher. It was decided to send a letter of condolence to the bereaved relatives. Sergeant Martin, of New Plymouth, is relieving Sergeant Dale in Stratford. Sergeant Dale has holiday leave until June 6. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., leaves for Wellington to-morrow (Thursday) morning on business connected with his constituency. Country subscribers not receiving their Daily News regularly are asked to immediately notify our circulation manager, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Stratford. Complaints will receive prompt attention. Cal] at W. H. Humphrey’s (Stratford News office) and inspect a consignment of leather and wood-work articles in marquetry and poker-work. Beautiful wedding or birthday presents. We are sole agents in this district for Miss Ayling’s famous studio (Auckland). If you want a souvenir to send to the Old Land we have what you want. Fancy needlework materials of al] description at Mrs. Humphrey’s, Stratford.