Work of the Borough.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 97, 17 April 1914, Page 2

Work of the Borough.

MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.

COUNCILLORS COMPLIMENTED. At Wednesday night's meeting of tho Borough Council the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood) read the following report on the Council's operations for the past year:— I have the honor to lay before you a statement of the work of the Council during the past twelve months: Twelve ordinary and two special meetings of the Council were held during the year in addition to numerous committee meetings. ' The attendance at meetings of the Council was as under:—Mayor 14, Cr, King 14, Cr. Masters 18, Cr. Arden 14, Cr. Thompson 14, Cr. Dingle 10, Cr. Boon 12, Cr. Fredric 11, Cr. Richards 13, Cr. Morison 13. In every case where councillors were absent, apologies were received for non-at-tendance.

Evidence of the satisfactory growth of the Borough is given by tho value of building permits issued during the year, the value being. £8566. This amount does not include the value of the fine premises erected by the Public Works Department,

Permits include the loilowing:—New residences 11, additions to existing buildings 3, oflices 3, shop 1, work- : shop 1, whare I.—Total 20. Works.—ln addition to the usual routine work of the outdoor staff, the following works have been attended to, the cost of each being shown:— Scarifying, metalling and roiling Brecon Road south, £94; do. Opunake Road, £206; do. part Cordelia Streat central, £11; do. part Regan Street west, £l7; do. Fenton Street wev«>. £11; do. Pembroke Road west, id") do. Warwick Road east, £35; do. pa t Juliet Street north, £9; do Juliet Street central*, £l6; do. Broadway north, £210; do. Regan Street west, footpath, £9; do. Miranda Stress, north, footpath, £l6; do. Brecon itoad north, footpath, £32; do. Romeo Street, footpath, £6; do. formation of Pembroko Road, £5; strengthening Broadway tunnel, £25. Total, £B3).

In addition to the above works, metal patching of streets and re-gruv-elling of footpaths were attended to where required. 210 chains of ruad were scarified, metalled, and rolled, and 45 chains of footpaths formed and gravelled. \ Tho stone required during the year was broken by the Council's own staff, with\tlie Eltham crusher, and amounted to 2035 yards. Broken metal on hand at 31-3-13, 300 yards; broken during the year, 2035.' Total 2335 yards. Used on works mentioned above, 1930 yards; metal patching on various street, 205 yards; on hand, .31-3-14, 200 yards. Total 2335 yards. There is also on hand 300 yards of boulders, part of the 1913-14 boulder contract. Stone Crusher.- During the year a, stone crusher was purchased, and has since been set up in thorough working order, together with the necessary screens and bins, at a .cost of £365. This plant, together with the road roller, gives the Council a. firstclass road-making plant. The cost of crushed metal to the Council will now be reduced considerably. For 1914-15, crushed boulders at the depot will cost about ss, and crushed shingle 3s 3d. There will be about 4000 yards of boulders to crush this year, and the Council will save about £IOO in royalty alone. At this rate, the plant will soon pay for itself. Kerbing and Channelling.—This work is now well under way: the paths on both sides of Broadway North, between Regan and Seyton Streets being completed before 31st March, the balance of the authorised work is being pushed on as rapidly as possible. The complete portion has cost £6 3s per chain: the Overseer's estimate being' £6 6s. The wisdom of doing,this work with the Council's own staff is shown by the, fact that when tenders were called the lowest tender was £0 10s per chain, the Council having to supply the necessary gravel in addition. Road Roller.—During part of the year the road roller was hired to the County Council, the Borough Council receiving £53 for hire in addition to the men's wages and cost of coal consumed.

Horses and Drays.—lt was found necessary to increase this part of bhe Council's working equipment during the year, and a new horse and cart, and necessary harness were purchased.

Tree Planting.—The work authorised in this direction was carried out, but it will l>e necessary to wait till spring time to determine whether the experiment will be- successful. Uncompleted, Authorised Works. — The following authorised works have not yet been, completed, but will be attended to as early as possible:— Footpath, Cordelia Street, between Fenton Street and Cloton Road; footpaths on both .-ides of Cloton Road, between Cordelia Street and'Swansea Road; filling in hollow in Juliet Street North; forming part of Orlando Street South ; the work of making a footpath in Seyion Street, between Broadway and Juliet Street, and the forming and gravelling of part of Portia Street South is under way. Reserves.—As forecasted in my last report, there lias been an increase in revenue from our reserves, the figures being 1012-13, £663; 191314, £757. The amount estimated for 1913-14 was i:7SI). The difference in the amount estimated and the actual amount received is more than accounted for in outstanding accounts, the amount being £54. , Town Hall.—The revenue from the Town flail is practically the same as last year. The loss on this institution for the past year is £64, as

[against £137 for tho previous year. jAb councillors are aware the Hall ha» 'now been let to a picture proprietary for three mouths with the option of renewing for a further nine months. If this arrangement is carried out, the Hall for tho ensuing twelve months will show a profit of £9O to £IOO.

Abattoir.—The working of this institution continues in us usual satisfactory manner, and shows a small (profit on the year's working. The Ifollowing table shows a comparison of the stock slaughtered for the years 1912-13 and 1913-14:

The increase shown is very satisfactory, and it is a good indication of the steady progress of the town and district. Improvements to the paddocks are effected as opportunity offers, and this policy will be continued.

Library and Reading Room.—The reading room continues to be well patronised. The present method of filing papers in this room has had a good trial, and has not proved at all satisfactory. The Library Committee is preparing a new system which will be placed before the Council for approval. Subscriptions to Dhe Library show an increase of £9.

Che policy of having a regular supply of new books and the provision of light reading, matter in the shape of magazines and illustrated papers for subscribers only, evidently finding favor with the public.

Fire ■Brigade.'—The Brigade still continues to maintain its high state of efficiency. A fire plug fed from a dx-inch main has been placed in Victoria. Park. This will give the Brigade better opportunties for practice, and svill also enable demonstrations by the associated brigades to be given.; in Stratford. The report presented to the .Council by the Brigade Secretary furnishes information respecting the work of that useful body.

Water Supply.—Applications for connections and extensions still continue to come in. Extensions where practicable have been made. The Works Committee are now negotiating with Mr Mnrchant with, regard to necessary improvements iftfcnthe head works', ilt is; hoped to put, a, definite scheme before, the Council during the ensuing year. >r. ■ > Lighting.—The additions made to the number, lofi lamps, last year have been .much -appreciated] | The . new style of globe fitted to the new lamps have proved a success. ,and every lamp, in my opinion, should be fitted with these globes. ,>.;■!l i

Finance.—The year closed with an apparent loss on the general, accpunt of £3Bl. Against this must be set increased assets in the shape of crusher and bins £365, and increased value of metal on hand as compared with 31-3-13 of £lO. .-.There are also general rates outstanding to the amount of £lO5. The Bank ovurdraft has decreased by £.L'B, this lias been made possible by the increased revenue from water account. "When it is considered that during the past two years ww have acquired roadmaking plant to the value of £llOO, and have considerably improved our streets and ,footpaths,} the, f«ict that our overdraft is. only £2lll must be considered very satisfactory. A comparative statement of receipts and expenditure will be placed before you by the Town Clerk.

Opunake Railway.—The importance of this line junctioning at Stratford was not lost sight of during- the year, and every assistance possible ivns given to the movement in placing representations before the Government urging the desirability in the interests of the district that the point of junction should be at Stratford. ft would appear that the exact location of the junction is not jet definitely fixed, and while not wishing to adversely criticise the decision of the Government on the route selected, it tnav be fairly claimed that the Stratford route did not. receive at the hands of the. Government due consideration, insoxr.en that notwithstanding strehu-.us efforts were made in the direction of getting a. detailed survey c* the route fnim ■Stratford with an easier grade than the route considered by the lailway commissioners, the request- was ignored. Lighting and Lice ise.---During the year records have been taken by voltmeter (tested by the Government), to ascertain the voltage in supplied by the Electrical Supply Company. The records should be dealt with ihinng the coming year, and men actum taken as should be deemed necessary. The question of the i -sue of a license to the Electrical Supply Company by the Public Wo'ts Department, such license lo ho operative, over the Borough and Countv, has engaged the attention of the Council for some months past, and being deemed highly detrimental to the interests of the residents of the Borough, your Council rightly protested against the issue of such license as far as the Borough is concerned. iNo objection was raised by your Council as far as the said license referred to the County. An assurance has been received from the Government thai no Action will be taken in the,matter without due reference to your Council. The Council.—l desire to place on record my appreciation of the universal courtesy extended to me by Councillors in the conduct, of the Council's business. While at times in no way agreed in opinions held on differ-

ent matters, the smooth working of the Council has been very gratnymg vo myself as .Mayor. Office Start and Council Officials.-•-During the year the office staff have earned out their duties very efficiently a „d the Town Clerk is Lo ho complimohted on his thorough system of keeping the office accounts, together with his satisfactory maimer in conducting the office routine. The Council's officials ' generally have given everv satisfaction, leaving little to he desired either in services rendered or the way in which such service* hare been carried out.

A MAYORAL CANDIDATE.

Cr Kin-- said he thougut the whole of the Cornel could be congratulated on the work of the year He believed that every councillor had tlie best interests of the Borough at heart ' T here lmd been d,fferenCP9 between them, but each councillor had thought himself in the right. As regarded the Opunake railway, it was a great pity it did not come to Stratford. He knew that the Mayor and the Chamber of Commerce had worked hard to get it, but his own opinion was that the non-success of their efforts was due, to assistance hum a certain quarter being withheld. It was known that he was to contest the coming Mayoral election, •md he hoped the campaign would be carried out in a friendly spirit. Ho cerbainlv intended to dp so, and as the Mayor was a broad-minded man he presumed he would do so aiso. If ie was not elected Mayor and retained his seat on the Council he .vould continue to endeavor to do lu:> best for the Borough. It was freely stated that he had said at the Council table that he considered £2 per h-eek as a sufficient wage for a working man. He emphatically denied .•hat he had over made such a statement. What had actually happened was that the wages of the Borough ;taft' were being discussed, and it was shown that their average earnings aorked out at between £2 and £'2 5s oer week. He had gone into the mutter of how much he paid his own men, and had found that their average earnings were about equal to these of the Borough employees. bVom this circumstance there had loen built up the allegation complained of. Whether or not he was misreported, he desired to emphatically j.eny having had the intention of making such a remark. The courtesy extended to councillors by the'Mayor had been very marked" and he hoped the same good feeling would obtain in the future. Whoever won the Mayoral contest and if both retired from public life he felt sure they would both continue to work in the interests of the Borough. Cr. Masters said that on the whole the Council had been a happy family. If Mr Kirkwood were re-elect-ed Mayor, he (Cr. Masters) would continue to help him to improve the '1 lord ugh.

THE OPUNAKE LINE.

Cr. Richards said the report was one on which the ratepayers and councillors could congratulate themselves. The fact that "good permanent work had been done out of revenue was one which should appeal to everybody. The kerbing and channelling and the roller and stone-crush-or had all been paid ior out of revenue, and he thought burgesses fully appreciated the fact. He believed that the revenue of the Borough was being well expended. Stratford people had done a lot of work in connection with die Opuuake railway, and he was as sorry as anyone that that work had not had a successful issue. He de■irecl, however, to indicate a point .viiich was not generally appreciated. Li the junction had been at Stratford it would have been a line thing for the town and district, but the construction of the line to any point on the main line would be a service to the town, as it would enable Stratford merchants to send goods to the south-western portion of Taranaki without employing carriers. • Cr. Morison said that during the year the Coucil had opened up a good stretch of footpath to people who were previously isolated. As to loans: If the Council would be content to ask for some amount up to £15,000 or £20,000, to bo used for water and drainage extension, ho felt .aire they would secure the support of the ratepayers. A loan of £lO,000 would never be supported.

TAR-SPRAYER WANTED.

Cr. Boon said he was particularly pleased with the idea of doing kerbing and channelling out of revenue. There was one piece of road plant he was sorry they had not got, and that was a tar-sprayer. Ho believed that the last rain had done damage the cost of repairing which would pay for a sprayerj which was, he believed, the only thing which could hold the roads against the effects of rain and wind. In one direction no progress had been made—drainage. Of course he knew there were no funds available, but next year lie hoped something would be done. Cr. Thompson spoke shortly, endorsing the views of previous speakers. The Mayor said that as a Council they had worked vavy amicably together. He would certainly fight the coming campaign on the lines laid flown by Cr. King, and he sincerely hoped that the friendship which had existed for so long would not be broken as a result of the contest. He thought it was a good tiling to have a contest for the .Mayoralty, "as it would provoke argument which could not fail to be in the interests of the Borough. In the campaign lie would not be personal in any way, .hut he claimed the right to criticise any pub-

lie act of Cr. King:, \Vh*n any loan* were raised the first idea should he to extend the water and drainage. In concluding, Mr Kirkwood, as had been the practice in the past, presented the Council with a framed collection of photographs of councillors and officers of the Borough. On Cr. King's motion n vote of thanks was passed to Mr Kirkwood.

ANNUAL HONORARIUM.

The Mayor then lei'f the chair, which was taken by Cr. King. . Cr. King said that in the past the Council had voted the Mayor an annual honorarium of ■ £SO, but he thought this sum inadequate. He did not say this merely because he Thought that lie himself would be tl» next Mayor. For some years past an endeavor had been made te get the Council to ' agree to raising the amount. On Cr,. Morison's motion it was decided to grant the same honorarium as last year. Cr. Morison said they all desired to increase it, but it would not be fair to do so in the present state of the finances.

1912-13 1913-14 Increase Cows 747 800 .5.9 Heiferg 201) 315 115 Oxen 171 183 12 Calves 36 41 5 Sheep 2893 3118 525 Lambs 636 686 50 Pips 307 433 66 Tripes prep'd 476 559 83 Slaught. fees £616 £7.05 £89