STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 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 representstative, Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway. Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. BOROUGH COUNCIL. THE MONTHLY MEETING. June 20. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. -I. W. McMillan), and Crs. R. H. Cameron, S. Ward, A. Stewart, W. Mcllines, C. Jackson, T. Lawson, S. B. Hunter, C. B. Walsh, and E. S. Rutherfurd. New Borough Works. The works committee reported having met Mr. Sturroek with regard to the allocation of the £lO.OOO loan from the Public Trust. Mr. Sturroek had submitted a report and estimate o-f the cost of the work required at the water works, and the committee, after consulting with Mr. Sturoek, recommended as follows: — That a settling tank be built capable of holding one half-day’s supply at a place suggested by Mr. Stutrock, and that screens be built at the intake. Estimated cost £3500. That a new sewerage purification plant be built at an estimated cost of £5OOO. .Street works at -«n estimated cost of £l5OO. With reference to street works, the committee recommended that Seyton, Juliet South and Orlando streets be proceeded with, and that the foreman submit an estimate of the cost of widening the culvert in Seyton Street; (that an es- mate of the cost be made by the foreman of filling in the gully in Mirando Street, between Regan and Seyton streets; that Mr. Sturroek be engaged to carry out the ’work included in clauses one and two at a remuneration of oi per cent, on the cost, plus travelling expenses, this fee to include complete supervision and plans and specifications. The report was adopted. The Municipal Leases. At the last meeting of the council E. G. Foster applied for a reduction of the rent on his shop in the municipal buildings. The matter was again before the council, the Mayor moving that the council negotiate with Mr. Foster for the surrender of the lease of his shop and that the lease be again put up by auction. Cr. Jackson moved as an amendment that Foster’s rent be reduced from £5 6s to £4 10s per week. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Stewart and supported by Crs. Rutherfurd and Lawson. Cr. Jackson said the council should look at the thing in a business light and save the expense of another auction. There would be no bidding if the lease was put up by auction. The amendment was carried, Crs. Ward, Hunter and the Mayor voting against it. It was suggested during the discussion that if one tenant’s rent was reduced the other tenants would imine•diately apply for reductions. General. The foreman reported that the Swansea Road bridge was at present in an unsafe condition, and recommended certain repairs.—The report was adopted the foreman being instructed to keep the bridge safe in the meantime. J. D. Murray asked that something : should be done to improve the condition of the footpaths in Fenton Street •from the school to Cordelia • Street. — The matter was left to the works committee with power to act. Cr. T. Lawson tendered his resignation as a member of the electric light committee. —Accepted with regret. BOROUGH RELIEF WORK. THE WORK COMMENCED. The question of providing relief work for the unemployed in the town was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council. The Mayor said he would like to see some work started at once. He suggested that unemployed men eould be put on the Miranda Street work to begin with. Such work would be suitable for the unskilled labor likely to be obtained on relief works. On the motion of the Mayor it was decided that applications be called for relief employment -from bona fide Stratford residents, preference to be given in the following order: Married men with families, married men without families, single men with dependents, single men. Maximum wages were agreed upon and left to a committee, with the Mayor as chairman, to arrange according to merit. No time was lost by the council in putting the scheme into operation, and by 1 o’clock this afternoon about a dozen men were started to work on Miranda Street cutting down the high banks on each side of the roadway.

DOMAIN BOARD. THE MONTHLY MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Stratford Domain Board last night the Mayor reported that work on the concrete tennis courts in Victoria Park had been discontinued until September owing to the fact that the newly-laid concrete had not been properly protected from the frost, and was therefore unsatisfactory. The grass courts were completed satisfactorily, and were paid for. With reference to the expenditure of the Poppy Day funds (subsidised by the council), the Mayor said.he thought the best place to spend the money would be on the parks and domains. Mr. Ward moved that when the Poppy Day funds come to hand the returned unemployed men be started to work on Victoria Park on the lines of Mr. Black’s plans. The motion was carried. Mention was made by Mr. Thomson of the £5OO secured by the Taranaki Rugby Union from the New Zealand Union for taking up debentures for expenditure on the Victoria Park footba.l 1 ground. On Mr. Thomson’s motion it decided to communicate with the

Rugby Union with reference to this ex penditure.

The Stratford Men’s Hockey Club rfnd the Ladies' Egmpnt Hockey Club applied for permission to use the grounds for practice. The applications were left in the hands of the grounds committee. A MOTOR COLLISION. A boy named Arthur Tubby, a runner for the Daily News and a mail carrier, met with a painful accident near Toko this morning. His motor cycle collided with a car, and the boy’s leg was broken. The cycle was seriously damaged. Tubby was admitted to the Stratford hospital. PROPOSED NEW POST OFFICE. The Postmrister-General wrote to last night’s meeting of the Borough Council with reference to the proposed new post office: “I have to inform you that plans and specifications for the building are being brought up-to-date by the Public Works Department, and it is expected that the authority of Cabinet for the calling of tenders for the erection of the building will shortly be obtained. The information was received with thanks. MODEL DAIRY FARM. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Model Dairy Farm Committee was held last Wednesday. Present: Messrs. J. W. Deem (chairman), J. B. Richards. K. Tarrant. S. Pitt, M. T. Phillips, W. H. Were and E. Marfell. The \ manager reported for £he month as follows: Fifty-two cows were milked during May, the quantity of milk being 16,6511b5. The test for the first and second periods was 5.0, and for the third 5.4. The total amount of but-ter-fat up to June 10 was 14,9401b5,, In conference with the stock committee they had decided to reduce the herd to 50 cows for the coming season. It was also suggested to sell two heifers and five weaners. Pigs on hand numbered 47 stores, 6 sows and 1 boar. Field 6 had been top-dressed with 3 cwt. of basic slag according to arrangements. Mr. C. Moore, of Stratford, had presented the society with 2 Small gates for the new cottage, and they had come to hand. About 200 eleagnus hedge plants had been sent from Moumahaki State Farm through Mr. Deem. The report was adopted. The stock committee were empowered to dispose of six cows with butterfat records up to 287 per cow. The sale of heifers and weaners was left over. Vottes of appreciation were accorded Mr. Moore in connection with the gift of gates, and to the management of the State Farm for the gift of hedge plants.

GENERAL ITEMS. “Stratford is one of the highest rated towns in New Zealand,” said Cr. Ward at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council- Referring especially to fire insurance premiums, Cr. Ward said the premiums in the town were so high chiefly on account of the poor water supply. At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor said he thought a committee should be set up as a preliminary step to the erection of a war memorial. He thought a public meeting might be called, in which case he would like the support of the councillors. The Scottish Society had £BO for the purpose lying idle, and there was also another £2O available. A committee should be set up to receive funds, etc.

THE KING’S THEATRE. “CONFESSION.” There comes to the King’s Theatre, Stratford, to-night, one of the most widely discussed pictures of the age in “Confession,” a National Film Corporation in seven reels, which is being exclusively handled by the Messrs. E. J. and Dan Carroll. “Confession” involves a theme never before attempted, and it is claimed that it will long be remembered for its powerful cry, and the marvellous portrayal of the priest, Father Bartlett, enacted by Mr. Henry Walthall, the actor who made his name immortal by his performance in “Hearts of the World.” An Australian critic says “Confession” is a story so perfect that one can hardly over praise it. If you wish to taste the pathos in this picture, compare it with “Humoresque,” “Hearts of the World,” or “The Mills of God.” It beats them all, for it is infinitely sweeter and simpler. The main scenes in “Confession” are set in the beautiful exteriors of Canada, and the rivers, mountains, lakes and bush scenery which abound throughout the production are wonderfully picturesque. “Confession” was considered one of the seven best pictures produced in America last year, and its success amply justified its enormous cost. The prices will be D.C. 2s, stalls Is Gd, plus tax. Box plan now open at Humphreys, bookseller, Stratford.

It is announced that Mr. Fred Hopkins has had his up-to-date car renovated, and that it will again be available from this morning. Country subscribers not receiving their Daily News regularly are asked to immediately notify our circulation manager, care Mi’. W. H. Humphrey, Stratford. Complaints will receive prompt attention. Have you seen the latest thing in Portable Typewriters? Call at W. H. Humphrey’s and see the new Portable Remington. No folding and unfolding; You simply open the case and the machine is ready for use. For private correspondence it cannot be beaten, neither can the price, £l9 10s. English magazines, Fashion Books ; etc., posted to any address.