STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

DAILY NEWS AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for Dublication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local rcpresentatatire, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. “ELECTRICAL” TROUBLES AGAIN. A HEATED DEBATE. Dec. 19. The “electrical” storm that broke over the Borough Council at its last monthly meeting died away in almost perfect calm, but the high tension area did not disappear. In the interim it gathered strength and reverberated as loudly as ever at last night’s meeting. When the time for general business came, Cr. T. Lawson asked: “Is (an employee) still in the employ of the council?” The Mayor: Yes. Cr. Lawson said he had a motion to move as a result of the engineer’s failure to dispense with the man’s services, according to the wishes of the council, but the Mayor said he would not take a motion, as the matter had been disposed of at the last meetingCr. Lawson: You will have to take it. I will move and you will have to take it, and if the council carries the resolution you will have to leave the chair. The Mayor ordered Cr. Lawson to sit down, but he refused. He was going to continue and enter a protest, he said. The Mayor, the engineer and certain members of the council were trying to flout the council. The Mayor: You are out. of order, and if you do not sit down you will have to leave the table. You do not know the rules of [ the council, and will not sit down when I | rise. Cr. Lawson: This matter is not finished. I am going to move The Mayor: I will not accept the resolution. Cr. S- Ward then rose and moved that the engineer be given three months’ notice, but the Mayor ruled that he must give due notice of the motion. Cr. Ward then moved that a special meeting of the counoil be held the next night to deal with the question. The Mayor: Not sufficient notice, Cr. Ward. Cr. Lawson: Then will you accept a motion of no confidence in yourself as Mayor of the town? , Cr. Ward: On what grounds? Cr. Lawson: That he refuses to accept motions moved by councillors. The Mayor accepted the motion with alacrity, and after some further irregular skirmishing it was lost, Crs. Lawson, Ward and Jackson only voting for it. The Mayor: I am sorry it was lost. Cr- Lawson: So am I. Cr. Ward then moved, in accordance with notice, that Clause 2 of the electrical engineer’s schedule of duties be altered to read as follows: “Engineer to be in charge of all outside work, power stations, lines, etc., and purchase material; to have control of the mechanical staff, all engagements or dismissals to be subject to the approval of the council after being considered by the electric light committee; wages sheets to be made up, analysed, and certified to every fortnight: In support of the motion, Cr. Ward spoke at length. He said if a boy was wanted in the borough office, applications for the position came before the whole council, but the engineer was given power to engage anyone to take charge of valuable machinery. The men were dictating to the engineer as to whom they would work with. Cr. Jackson seconded. The motion was carried.

At the conclusion the Mayor smilingly said that now that confidence in him had been expressed by the council, it gave him pleasure to wish them the compliments of tbe season. Cr. Jackson responded, and the meeting ended harmoniously.

SUNDAY SPORTPROTEST BY METHODISTS. The question of allowing Sunday tennis on the Victoria Park courts was before the Domain Board last night. The subjest was broached by the receipt of a letter from members of the Methodist. Church protesting against Sunday play. The letter was signed by Messrs. F. J. Clemow, E. G. Foster, C. H. Lawn, T. I. Lamason, J. W- Boon, and the Rev. L. B. Neale, and was as follows: “At a public meeting, held at .the Methodist Sunday-school on Tuesday, November 28, it was unanimously resolved that the meeting protest against the Stratford Borough Council allowing the use of its grounds in Victoria Park on Sundays for tennis, and especially during church and Sunday-school hours, and respectfully suggest that the practice be discontinued.” Mr. C. Jackson moved that the letter be received. Mr. R. H. Cameron moved as an amendment that the Domain Board meet committees from the church and the tennis dub, with the object of arriving at an amicable arrangement. Mr. Mclnnes said he did not think permission had ever been given officially for Sunday play. I MWard said it was clearly understood i that Sunday play was to be allowed. The Mayor said the position had never cropped upMr. Jackson said that tennis, bowls and golf are universally played on Sundays. The tennis on Victoria Park did not interfere with the church, as it was a quiet game. Mr Ward said he understood the Ministers' Association was taking the matter up, and they should also be invited to meet the board and arrive at a definite arrangement. Mr. P. Thomson said it was not a matter of tennis alone, but football would be concerned as soon as the grounds were ready. A principle was involved. Ir was finally decided that the board should meet committees from the Methodist Church and the Tennis Club, at a date in January to be fixed by the Mayor. WORKERS’ DWELLINGS. The raising of a special loan of £3OOO at 44 per cent, for 36 years for the erection of workers’ dwellings was discussed by the Borough Council last right. A special order authorising the Joan was instituted and will come up for confirmation on January 15. Or. Ward said he hoped that if the loan was raised the work would be let by public tender. He wanted this undsrstoad .before he would vote for the

loan. The ratepayers and those for whom the houses would be built should have a fair run for their money. He wished to pledge the council to calling tenders for the work before any steps were taken to raise the loan. Cr. Jackson supported Cr. Ward and refused to vote unless this provision was inserted in the motion. If the work was let by tender it would help to avoid friction, which had been caused in the past over housing matters. The resolution making the special order was then carried, Crs. Ward and Jackson voting against it. CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS TREE. A very pleasant function in connection with the Primary School took place in the Town Hall this afternoon, when Santa Claus paid a visit and distributed a vast number of presents to the young people.. The hall was crowded with children and parents, and the two huge Christmas trees looked most inviting with their loads of toys and various presents. The headmaster (Mr. L. J. Furrie) introduced to the gathering Mr. J. W. Boon (chairman of the school committee). who presented a number of prizes to the primer classes and standard one. Santa Claus was drawn in on a decorated sleigh and was preceded by a boys’ band of drums, bugles and cymbals. Tn the body of the hall he was met by a coterie of beautifully dressed fairies, who conducted him over a pathway strewn with roses, to his throne, where he was introduced to the teachers. In a neat little address to the children Santa Claus mentioned that he was 1922 years old and that day they were commemorating the birth of the Saviour. The difficult task of distributing presents to hundreds of children then commenced. Credit is due to the organisers of the function, especially to the headmaster and teachers, and the large number of the public who contributed gifts for the Christmas trees. The excited interest and evident enjoyment of the children must have repaid, in a large measure for the trouble taken. GENERAL. Tito dog tax for the year was fixed by the Borough Council last night at 2s 6d for cattle and sheep dogs and 10s for Other dogs. < To facilitate the work of tarring the streets, the works committee recommended to last night’s meeting of the Borough Council that a street sweeper ,be purchased. The recommendation was adopted. The installation of officers of the Loyal 'Stratford Lodge, Manchester Unity, took place in the Lodge room last night. Bro. H. Summerfield. P.G., acting as installing officer, and the following - members were duly installed: N.G., Sis. R. Burke; V.G.. Bro. • I. J. Pearce; Warden. Bro. Boyde; E.S., Bro. Paynter; 1.G., Bro. Rudings; Treasurer, P.P.G.M. Bro. T. Lawson: Permanent Secretary. - .i'.'G.M. Bro. C. D. Sole; B. and L. Supporters, P.G.’s Bros. S. Thompson, TT. Summer field and Sisters Burke and McPhee. The secretary notified that quinquennial valuation is now due. During the month the Loyal Britannia Lodge, Wellington, sold its office and land for £54,000. This makes it the richest lodge in the world. The Manchester Unity still leads all other societies with its members and funds. All ihe latest Magazines and Periodicals, Fashion Books, the “Best Way” series, etc., etc.; Collins’ Diaries for 1923; now on sale at W. H. Humphrey’s, Broadway, Stratford. The residents of Stratford and district are notified that Ernest Davies, the London qualified sight-testing optician, visits Stratford every Tuesday, and may be consulted at Mr. Gaffaney’s, Broadway. Hours: 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.