Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 251, 23 April 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

Stratford, Monday. HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING. 33y Telegraph. Mr. R. Masters presided over an attendance of about sixty' householders. The following committee was elected: Messrs. S. Clark, T. C. Fookes, A. Stewart, CI. Smart, J. \Y. McMillan, Skogliuul, J. W. B. James, J. Vt. Boon and E. Hancock. Mr C. D. Sole did not seek re-election. At a subsequent meeting Mr. P. Skoglund was elected chairman. THE MAYORAL ELECTION mr. McAllister, takes the platform. Mr. J. McAllister, candidate for the mayoralty, addressed the electors at the Town Hall this evening, the Mayor presiding. Mr. McAllister said he had, no apology to make for thus appearing before the I electors, for he considered it the duty I of every candidate for the honor of occupying the position of chief magistrate i of the borough to declare his attitude jin regard to various proposals which had been or were to be submitted to the (ratepayers; to make public any suggestions he might have for the public welfare; and to express his attitude with .regard to the past policy of the borough council, whether to continue it, to amend it, or to reverse it. He fully recognised the abilities of the past Mayors, and remarked that Stratford had' been very fortunate in its public men. He understood and fully appreciated the great responsibilities attaching to the position for which he was now a candidate. LOAN PROPOSALS. Probably the most important question in the minds of the people of Stratford just now was that of the loan proposals. There was much work requiring to be done in the borough, the most pressing needs being filtration 'of the water supply, street improvements, and sewerage.' Facts which ratepayers should bear in -mind jten borrowing was discussed were that Wey could not hope to do all that they would like to do, and must there-' fore concentrate upon what they could afford to do and pay for. It was easy enough to point out what should be done, but the ratepayers, who would be called upon to pay the piper, should in all fairness have the right to call the j tune. Caution, Mr. McAllister em-, plmsised, was just as necessary as enter- ■ prise. The re-valuation of the borough; had recently been completed, but they j had no knowledge yet of the total i figures. On this new valuation their' rates would have to he struck, but he j did not think that the* amount collected should be increased. ] The proposals which would probably i be framed would be to raise, say, £22,000 for street improvements, etc.; £7500 for widening the town bridge, and £14.000 for drainage, to which' would have to be added £3OOO for the purpose of assisting ratepayers to connect their properties with the drainage system; a total in all of £47,100. It was not suggested that this scheme' would go to the ratepayers. The real battle would commence when the. time came to sort out the various proposed items of expenditure. He repeated that the rates levied in Stratford were quite high enough, but he considered a loan of £BOOO could raised without increasing the rates now levied. The borough finances were in a better position at 31st March than at the end of the previous financial year by £843, as the balance-sheet showed, but the road roller on order would absorb the whole of this surplus. This year the council would receive an increase of £350 from reserves, and next year the increase would rise to £SOO. If the same revenue were available every year they should be able to pay the balance off the roller next year, as well as the interest on a loan of £BOOO. He considered the council should set to work I to extinguish its bank overdraft, and should set aside £4OO a year for this purpose. The roller would not make any great reduction in the cost of maintenance for a year or two. There was ; some doubt as to whether or not it would do all that was claimed for it. If it fulfilled expectations the borough overdraft should melt away like, the snow on Mt. Egmont in summer. If not, then his figures would be found to be about representing the position. THE WATER SUPPLY. The most pressing work for which it was proposed to make provision in the loan was the filtration of the water supply. This -would be of benefit to every resident, and would not be a very costly business There was no need to | emphasise the necessity for the work, I which was, he thought, quite apparent I in the state of the water delivered to

* From Our Resident Reporter, 4 * * Broadway North., next Loan & Mercantile Agency 00. * * ♦

the houses, The committee had full j information on hand concerning the cost of the work, Mr. Olimie had estimated the cost at under £2OOO, the interest on which amount, at 5% per cent (including one per cent, sinking fund) would be £lO5. The present profit on the water account, which now went to swell the general account, was £l2O, so that the work could be done without extra rate. The next charge on the loan would be street improvements, such as laying permanent kerbing and channelling and necessary formation work. Mr. McAllister spoke on the great economy possible in street maintenance by the adoption of concrete channelling, and said that' in some parts it was quite a necessity. He mentioned Juliet ( south and north), Miranda, Hamlet, Ariel and other streets as requiring' expenditure in formation work in order to improve access to the homes in the various localities. The matter of extending the sewerage system had to be most carefully considered. A comprehensive scheme would have to he derised sooner or later, but he could not recommend its adoption now, for the present drainage scheme would have to be practically duplicated, with another septic tank to serve the north-east portion of the town. It might be necessary to select a new site, near the Esk road, for instance, for the septic tank, but this would commit the borough to a tremendous expenditure. It had been hoped to connect Juliet street north with the present system, but he regretted that this was quite impossible. He favored awaiting further developments before launching out into j big drainage works, but thought it would be advisable to raise a small loan to | link up certain streets (Juliet street, from Lear street to Celia street, and part of Pembroke road) with the existing mains. Mr. McAllister, repeating that a loan of £BOOO could be raised without any! increase in the local taxation, said there} were, of course, alternatives. First,' they could decide to raise no loan at j all. and to go on effecting improvements out of revenue. Such a policy would mean stagnation for the next year or two, because there was plenty of work in sight now to absorb the revenue, viz., the purchase of the Toad roller and the necessity for renovating the municipal buildings. Such a policy would mean that the work of carrying out a scheme of filtration of the water supply must - be put off indefinitely. The second alternative was to go in for a big loan under a comprehensive scheme. That would mean extra taxation, and his 1 view was that the rates were alreadyhigh enough. The time for raising a { big loan was inopportune, for Govern-J ment money could not be obtained at | le6s than 5% per cent., with one per cent, sinking fund. Such a loan at tlrstage in the history of the town might.' well cripple the council in making pre- J vision for future development. l THE DOMAIN. The cnndidate also referred to domain matters. During the coming year.) he said, the borough council would be j required to deal with this matter. The | Domain Board, as at present constituted, would go out of office, he understood, in about twelve months' itime, or, afe least, the members originally gazetted would have to be re-appointed then. He thought the council should move in the j matter of having representation on the; board, for the two bodies should work together in harmony for the good of the inhabitants, and there should be neither indifference nor antagonism. He had on) different occasions, defended the board against what he considered unjust attacks. Their revenue was only about £BO a year, and he believed they had done very good work. But the council should take some active part in the improvement of the parks, which were a splendid asset, but which needed greater expenditure. He would be prepared to subsidise money voluntarily given to the Domain Board, this, of course, excluding rents, the amount 'of this subsidy to be limited to £SO in any one year. Mr. McAllister mentioned that he had agitated for better approaches to King Edward Park, and at a recent meeting had had the pleasure of carrying a resolution to improve the Fenton street entrance. Among other matters touched on was the ELECTRIC LIGHTING QUESTION. He was quite aware that fault had been found by some people with his attitude on the recent proposal to municipalise the local electric light undertaking. It was a matter, however, on which people were entitled to their own opinions, and it had yet to be proved that the proposal to acquire the property was not a good one. It amounted to this, that the directors had asked more for it than the people had been prepared to give, and that the directors were TjJot go anxious to get rid of it. He made it clear that he was not in any way associated with the company, and whether as Mayor or councillor he would always put the ratepayers' interests first in any dealings with the company. He praised | THE FIRE BRIGADE for the splendid services rendered and for their efficiency, and said he believed that their equipment should be kept up-to-date. In any loan raised the fire brigade was entitled to a share. PERSONAL. He dealt briefly with Mr. Morison's rushing into print and charging him with unfairness. He had just as good a memory as Mr. Morison bad, and he was <|uite confident that he had never urged Mr. Morison to stand, nor had he told him that he ("Mr. McAllister) was not coming out. for he had not nt that time made iip hid mind. He pointed to the fact that during bis fifteen years-' residence here he had always associated himself with public affairs and assisted all movements which he considered in the best interests of the town. He had been a member of the East Egmont Mountain House Committee, for two years a member of the school committee, and was now representing the people on the hospital board and borough council. MR. KIRKWOOD'S ADDRESS. Mr. Kirkwood, who is contesting the Mayoralty with Mr. McAllister, will address the electors in the Town Hall tonight (Tuesday). At this meeting Mr. I Morison will reply to ihe remarks made by Mr. McAllister concoringhimself. COMMERCIAL MR. NEWTON KINO'S STRATFORD WEEKLY REPORT. Mr. Newton -King.reports as follows: At the Hnvmarket on Saturday there was a good entry of pigs, and although there was a good inquiry prices were somewhat easier on Mnall stuff. T quote: Slips and weaners 5s Gd to 14s; small

stores 17s to 18s, small porkers £1 4s to £1 ss, medium do. £1 8s to £1 9s, horses £9 19s fid to £ls, milk carts £4 ss. Sundries, etc., at usual prices. At the Mart I had a good entry of poultry, and prices ruling were in advance of last sale. Pullets brought 2s Bd, to 3s, purebred hens 2s 6d to 3s Id, purebred roosters 3s, killing hens Is 2d to Is fid, killing roosters Is ifid, turkey gobblers 7s to 8s 3d, turkey liens 6s >6d, cauliflowers lis '7d to 2s doz, onions 14s cwt., cabbages 2s Bd doz., cauliflowers Is 7d to 2s doz., range £3 15s. A large quantity of furniture and sundries met with good competition. About 350 cases of fruit came to hand during the week. Prices were about par with last sale. Apples, dessert 2s '6d to 6s fid, cooking 2s '3d to 4s 9d; pears, cooking 2s fid to 3s 3d, dessert 3s Gd to 3s 9d; tomatoes, 4s to 5h fid; grapes, 8d lb., according to size of case and quality. LIBERAL BANQUET AT WHANGAMOMONA. The Liberals in Whangamomona, district will tender a complimentary banquet to Mr. Joseph McCluggage at Whangamomona on Tuesday, May 7. The Hon. <5. S. McDonald, Minister of Public Works, is expected to be present. " THE BELLS." Perched on the pinnacle of picture eminence, ringing out a story of intensely tragic details, is ''The Bells." The picture was screened to-night to an audience which followed the film with breathless interest, and so great a hold had it on the people that one expects to see ■the same faces in the seats to-night. Matthias, the poor innkeeper, is tlio central figure. Threatened with ruin, and with the eviction of himself, his wife, and family, unless he can pay a large sum of money on a given date, he robs a Polish Jew who had repaired to his inn for the night, his arrival having been heralded by the ringing of the sleigh-bells. The snow scenes in this part of the picture arc excellent. But the bells arc ever present, to the wretched man, who is haunted by the fear of detection of his crime, and although lie prospers exceedingly his conscience allows him no rest. Fifteen years after the murder, on the eve of his daughter's wedding, he lias a horrible dream of his trial and condemnation, and the effect of the dream is to deprive him of his reason, followed shortly afterwards by his death. Such a story is one in which the cinematograph had splendid scope, and the pictures are vivid and intensely interesting. "The Bells" series is supported by other high-class films, including "The House that Jack Built." "A Central American Romance," "Bill makes Butter," etc. "The Bells" will be shown on Tuesday 'evening for the last time, and a fresh series will be screened on Wednesday, with the usual grand change on Thursday. ] A NEW FIRM Folks who knew Mr. Joe. McCluggage best were certain in their own minds that he could not long endure without active business interests to control ITence it is not surprising to learn that he intends to continue in the land and commission agency business, which was within the scope, of Messrs. McCluggage Bros, at Whangamomona. Mr. McCluggage has taken oflices in York Chambers, and has associated with him Mr. W. Bowler. The new firm will be known by the style and title of "McCluggage and

C 0.," and as Mr. McCluggage lias a first-hand knowledge of practically the whole of the great country lying to the eastward of Stratford, a close and intimate knowledge also of the whole of the Crown lands of Taranaki, and is also conversant with business affairs throughout the island, all these facts, coupled with his popularity and character for honesty and integrity, should ensure to the firm the full meed of success to which they are entitled. 'A business announcement will appear in these columns in due course. GENERAL NEWS Mme. Bernard has kindly consented to give a benefit entertainment at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, May 22, for the local Convent, in aid of the Sisters' Fund. An accident to a gig this morning provided bystanders with some amusement. Two well-known business men were driving along Juliet street when the axle broke. The wheel caught under the splashboard, and the occupants were not immediately thrown out. The passenger essayed to jump, but the wobbly gig made his movements uncertain, and he 'bobbed up and down like an excited Irishman at an Orangemen's gathering. Someone caught the horse by the head, and all the fun and all the danger was at an end. The speed at which motor-cars and motor-cycles tear along our streets is a matter demanding attention on the part j of the authorities. One motor-car driver ' can thank his lucky stars that on Friday evening, when he rushed past a gro«p of firemen, that the water had been turned off. The men were right out in the road, and, seeing the car coming, they signalled to the driver with a light, but he took no notice. He held straight on his course, and whizzed past within a j foot or so of one of the men, Tunning 1 right over the gear. Had the water been on, an accidental shower might have cooled down the motorist. William Jenkinson Sparrow, undergoing a "Kathleen Mavoumeen" sentence, was allowed out on probation in the Stratford district, but breaking the terms | of his parole, was arrested and brought j back fr#ni Aramoho to Stratford, and was I sentenced this morning to three years' ! imprisonment. Sergeant McNeely stated in Court that the man had spent 21 years in gaol altogether. Stratford admirers of the prowess and straight-going of Mr. Louis Kobertson, wrestling champion, are presenting him with a belt, which is now on view in Mr. J. 'F. Watson's window. There are three plates, the centre one bearing a | silver miniature of a wrestling match, | flanked by golden ferns, whilst on each j of the other two is a lion, doubtless as a J tribute to the strength of the recipient \ The belt is being provided by public subscription, and Mr. Watson'and Mr. P ) Skoglund will be glad to receive subscrip tions. The Stratford and Kaponga Rifle Clubs will fire a match at Stratford on Thurs day. The gun championship of Taranaki wil be decided at the Stratford Gun Club's meet on Thursday, in Fenton street Owing to the Coif Club using the race course, the Gun Club has had to fine fresh quarters The Stratford Golf Club will open its 1912 season on Thursday with a mirac j foursomes match. i. The first annual general meeting o: the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Soci ety will be held in the Stratford Mu nicipal Buildings on Wednesday evening 24th inst. It is hoped that there will bi a good muster of members, and thi executive is particularly anxious to havi good representation from districts othe: than Stratford.