STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 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. BOROUGH COUNCIL. GENERAL PURPOSES MEETING.

A general purposes meeting of theBorough Council was held last night. Cr. C. Jackson’s resignation as chairman of the works committee was accepted with regret. In tendering the resignation, Cr. Jackson expressed appreciation of the assistance rendered by members of the council and fhe Mayor. The Mayor, in moving tne acceptance of the resignation, expressed regret at the loss that would be sustained by the committee, Crs. Lawson and Ward speaking in a similar strain.

Cr. Jackson said this was his last year on the council. At the beginning of his term he was instructed to keep within the estimates and at the same time keep the streets in good order. This, he was glad to say, had been done. Reports. The electrical engineer reported that the following power units had been generated during April, the figures for the same month of the previous year bein ggiven in parentheses: Hydro, 23,210 (15,826); Diesel, 6’602 f 16,505) ; total. 29,812 (32,331).

The librarian (Miss M. Laverty) reported that .1594 books had been issued during the month and 1675 had been returned. Ten new books were added and seven subscribers were enrolled, making the total number of subscribers 166..

The inspector reported that he had taken 20 head of stock during the month. The abattoirs manager reported that the following stock had been slaughtered during tile month: Cattle 131, calves 9, sheep 435, lambs "ZS, pigs ?,7. The fees amounted to £99 0s 9d. Antecedent Liability.

The Pahiatua County Council asked support to a resolution “that all local bodies throughout the Dominion be asked to approach the Government requesting it to apportion a part of the loan now being raised on the London market for payment of local bodies’ antecedent liability.”—The resolution was supported. The Prime Minister and the Assistant Under-Secretary advised that the council’s application for authority to borrow £8750 at 6| per cent, for the purpose of paying off the council’s antecedent liability had been referred to the State Advances Department. General. T. E. Bridger wrote offering '£2 5s per week for the rooms in the municipal buildings for a year’s lease with the option of a further year providing the electric lighting and power charges remain as at present.—lt was decided to offer Bridger the rooms at £3 per week, Cr. Ward voting against the motion.

The Stratford Hospital Board notified that the levy on the council for hospital capital and maintenance expenditure amounted to £27 Is lOd monthly, being at the rate of l|d capital and Is o%d for maintenance, both on the £lOO capital rateable value. The district railway engineer wrote drawing attention to the hedge at Seaton Street level crossing obstructing the public view, and pointing out that the Public Works Act gave fhe council power to order the removal of such obstructions. —It was decided to instruct the inspector to attend to the matter.

Coombridge and Mackay ashed for a price for the supply of water from the borough supply for 2500 cubic yards of concrete work on the new town bridge. —lt was decided to offer sufficient water for the work for £2O. The usual price charged was stated to be 3d per cubic yard of concrete. J. K. Stone* applied for permission ro erect two poles six feet long on th© top of the municipal buildings to enable him to receive correct time by wireless. —The application was refused. Petitions were received from residents in Ariel Street asking for draining, lighting and footpath works.—The requests were left in the hands of the works committee.

HOSPITAL BOARD. - THE MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Hospital Board was held fo-day. Dr. D.. Steven, medical superintendent, reported for the month of April that 32 patients had been admitted to the hospital, 31 were discharged, and three died. Fourteen operations were performed and nineteen remained in the institution at the end of the month. The isolation ward was empty. The district nurse reported that she had attended 16 surgical and medical eases. The fees received amounted to £1 3s 4d. The chairman remarked that this nurse was doing splendid work. t The Department of Healt-i wrote as follows: It has come under the notice of the department in connection with applications that have been made by Hospital Boards for advances on account of subsidies that some boards do not anticipate receiving their levies from contributory local authorities until late in the year. I am directed by the hon. Minister to point out that suclf an assumption cannot, be accepted by the department, and boards should insist upon the contributory local authorities paying their levies at no greater interval by quarterly instalments.—The chairman said the Stratford Board did not have any trouble in this respect.

BOROUGH EMPLOYEES’ WAGES. REDUCTIONS AND INCREASES. The Borough Council, at its meeting last night, deliberated long in committee on the wages question as affecting the borough staff, and at about midnight it was reported that the following resolutions had been carried in connection with the finance committee’s recommendations.That the borough workmen’s wages

be reduced by one shilling per day as from June ].

That the salaries of the lady office assistant and the male assistant be increased by £l3 and £26 per annum respectively.

That the proposal to make provision for a motor lorry be abandoned.

That provision be made on the estimates for a tar-sprayer. Regarding the electric light committee’s recommendations, the following resolutions were passed: That the staff be reduced by two on the score of economy. That the outside staff, with one exception, be given the option of remitting their annual leave or the payments for overtime.

That the half-yearly increments of 5s per week at present received by the juniors cease when wages reach .£3 per week.

GENERAL ITEMS. The Minister of Justice notified last night’s meeting of the Borough Council that the department is unable to increase the number of police in Stratford at present so as to enable a constable to be on duty all night. Sufficient recruits were available, but the funds at the disposal of the department were limited. The Mayor said this was very unsatisfactory. On the motion of Cr. Lawson it was decided, that, failing the appointment of another policeman, the Minister be asked to rearrange the shift to allow of an all night patrol. “A great many ‘spongers’ come to us for help,” said the chairman at this morning’s meeting of the Hospital Board. He was sorry to say that some of them were returned soldiers, or professed to be. They seemed to have the idea that Stratford was a soft place to come to, and he had had to hunt many away.

Discussing a case of charitable aid at the Hospital Board meeting this morning, Mr. Sole said the old man in question could not be admitted to the Old People’s Home at New Plymouth. The time was probably coming when the board would have to erect a cottage where such old people could go and look after themselves.

At last night’s meeting of the Taranaki Referees’ Association (central division) it was decided to send a request to the sergeant of police, Stratford, asking that a constable be appointed for duty at the A. and P. grounds during -football matches on Saturdays and Thursdays.

The btratford A. and P. Association is holding its annual ball in the Town Hall, Stratford, to-morrow (Thursday) night.

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.

Call 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 all description at Mrs. Humphrey’s, Stratford.