STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXI, Issue 71, 12 October 1920, Page 3

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

[GENERAL PURPOSES MEETING. I 1 The Mayor (Mr J. W. McMillan) I presided at the- meeting of the ConnI oil held last night, and there wore. ; also present—Councillors It. 11. I Cameron, A. Stewart, W. H. H. Young, J. H. Thompson, C. Jackson, T. Lawson, W. J. Newton, C. Walsh, and C. B. Hunter. CORK ESPONDENCE. T; F. Martin, solicitor fdPthfe Municipal Association of New Zealand, wrote stating that the' Association was watching the interests of local bodies, as affected by tho Lana ana Income Bill, taxing municipal undertakings and debentures. Mr Masters, M.P., also wrote stating he was entirely in sympathy'with the Council, and would co-op orate with other members in having the objectionable clauses deleted. Regarding amendments sent to him for inclusion in the Municipal Corporations Bill, Mr Master* stated that, on the advice of the Crown Law Office, the clause relating to surveyors’ plans, it was considered unnecessary to include it in the Bill, and he would not press the clause. Mr R. V. Kay’s application in regard to culvert on the Brecon Read was. referred to the Works Committee for report.

Mr J. H. Thompson, secretary Stratford D.H.S. Committee drew attention to ' stock wandering in vicinity of the Technical School, doing damage to the plots. The Borough solicitors, in reference to tfre memorandum of lease re right-of-way from Stewart Huston to A. H. Hillock, stated that the lease was agreed upon before the by-laws cam e into force, bub it was dated the day after. The District Land Registrar had accepted same for registration, and under the circumstances the solicitors for the parties concerned asked the Council to dispense with 1 the formalities in connection with right-of-ways in this instance.—On ! the advice, of the Borough Solicitors, i it was agreed to waive the formali- ! ties, j The Dunedin Town Clerk wrote regarding a conference that had been held with reference to the subject of borrowing by local authorities, and stating that the committee were of opinion that the time had now arrived when borrowing should h e conducted under the aegis of the Government.—The proposal was endorsed. A. R. Masters wrote requesting the Council to {travel footpath on the north side of Scyton Street, from Broadway to the western end of his section, as in wet weather the approach was almost impassable.—Referred to Works Committee for report. Residents petitioned the Council to have the footpath on the north side of Pembroke Road, from Manoy’s past Henderson's rc s i d e n c e, f o rm c d. —Re - ' fened in Works Committee tor report. f Headquarters Defence Office, Haworn, reported that a mooting of the Group Committee would be held on Thursday to allocate additional war trophies. Tim Mayor, who is a. member < f tin' Committee, will attend in he > L < f S ford. ’ Mrs W. D, S. .Macdonald wrote

acknowledging the Council’s letter of sympathy in her recent bereavement. MONTHLY REPORTS. The committee reported as under: We recommend that any new lootpaths being made on chain-wide streets bo limited to a width of 10ft; that tresth 5 be placed across the middle of Broadway at Regan and Scyton Streets, with the object of diverting traffic to the sides in order to consolidate the top-dressing, Tiie Abattoir manager reported that during the month the stock slaughtered was as follows; Cattle 165, sheep 020, pigs 15. Work at the Abattoir was proceeding ilyThe Librarian reported that 1640 hooks had been issued during the month; twenty new books added; and nine new subscribers enrolled. The total membership was 18-1. The Borough Inspector reported that the Town Hail had been let three times during the month ; fifteen head of stock taken ; two convictions for riding cycles without lights; backyards of premises'inspected. He re commended forming footpath from fire escape on south side of hall as means of exit was bad in wet weather. Th e Cemetery caretaker reported having carried out general routine work during the month. Five Interments had been made. GENERAL. Tire request of a ratepayer for water to he laid on to his house occasioned some discus ion, Cr Cameron, as chairman of the Work Committee, said the matter should'he held over until the loan was decided, Cr. Jackson strongly objected, and said that if it were possible the request should be granted, ft might be year or two before the Council would he able to carry into effect the loan if it wer e carried. Ho considered the request was a fair and 'reasonable one, and water-supply was urgently needed in a house. Other councillors questioned th e immediate need, and it was pointed on; that the applicant had been in the house (a small’one) only a week or ! wo. The work might have to ho done over again if the loan, was carried. Eventually. the Council decided that the matter lie held over until after the vote on the loan. Th c estimate for’the work of drainage necessitating a tunnel at the site of the new Technical School i s C2od, which was submitted by Mr Spence, it nas decided in view of the unanticipated cost that the plans and estimate he sent to the Education Board for confirmation, and if agreed to tliat tenders be called and the work carri- d cut at once. The Board, it should he stated, previously agreed to pay halfcost of the work. In regard to the recent case < f mischief by a. hey on the electric department’s ground near the'hydro works, it was resolved tliat notice he given that trespassers would lie prosecuted, and that a reward of £o be offered for information loading to the conviction of anyone damaging tiie property of the Council.

Or Lawson again brought up the matter of the County Council storing their plant in the borough, and stated that it was the intention to shift to a section in a residential portion of the south end oi Loruelia S'rcet. He considered such a state ol affairs was not at all desirable, and he wished to. know if it could net he avoided. Some members agreed that it would be better >1 the plant was not loca'ed in the vicinity, but it was pointed out that the Council was. powerless, a s the County Council had secured a. section for the purpose. Cr Gamer 11 said that some people had complained to him of the drastic nature of the new by-law prohibiting the storage of benzine of over 20Q gallons in one shed. The Mayor pointed out that-until applications had been received from the burgesses as to storage the Council could not do anything, and at any rate no one in Broadway would like to see explosives' -stoied indiscriminately all over the place.'

In connection with tlie collection of rubbish in the town, the Mayor stated that there had been a little friction in certain instances owing to accounts having been sent to people who had not benefitted by the service, but he pointed out that in the case of an innovation such as the one in point the routine of the business had not been learned. However, the procedure had. done good, if only in finding out who were taking advantage of the service and in being the moans of enforcing the by-laws. This discussion hrougnt Cr Stewart to bis feet with a plea for the worker on fhe rubbish cart. It was hi s opinion that the vehicle was altoge her ursuitable for the work, and “a bally disgrace to the man who designed it!” To expect any man to vie posit loads of rubbish such as ho hid to handle through a trapdoor on the top of the cart «a g ridiculous. The statement by one c r.oc'll ir that a ladder was being provided T ithe worker appeared to add point to Cr Stewart’s remarks. On th e suggestion of th e Mayor, the matter of securing, a more suitable vehicle for the job was left in the hand s of the Town Clerk and Cr. Stewart. Two matters—street collections aid control of the band instruments—have been placed in the hands of the Mayor and the Town Clerk. The Stratford School Committee has been granted permission <o carry, out a. street collection in connection with their Spring Day to be held shortly. Mr Sp nne, consulting engineer, reported that be had great hopes of securing the timber for Victoria Hrldge from To Kiri, shortly, and members s:>- Tied their satisfaction. The General Committee recommend-] ('d xlint various small requests by the! Fire Superintendent he granted,