STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 287, 7 May 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

PROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTER. Office and Job Printing Works: York Chambers (upstairs). Telephone No. 113.

THB MAYORALTY, INAUGURATION CEREMONY. THREADS OF POLICY.

! In the presence of seTeral citizens Mr W. P. Kirkwood was yesterday installed in the office of Als-j or for a further i term of two years. Additional interest was taken in the ceremony on account of the -rigorous and close contest for the position which recently took place between the Mayor and Mr N. .1 King. All the councillors were present except Mr Dingle, who sent an apology for his absence. The Town Clerk, in his capacity as returning officer, formally announced that Mr W. P. Kirkwood had been elected Mayor of the Borough of Stratford, and called upon Mr Kirkwood to make the statutory declaration of officp. On this being done Hia Worship took the chair. Gr King congratulated the Mayor upon being elected after a strenuous contest, the result of which showed that public opinion on the merits of the two candidates was very much divided. In such a severe contest many things might have been said that Bhould be now forgotten. He trusted the Mayor would have a successful term' of office, and assured His Worship that he (Cr King) would give him his best assistance. One advantage of a contest was that the ratepayers had an opportunity of hearing both sides of the question. His attitude had always been, and would continue to be, that of furthering the best interests of the borough. (Applause.) Cr Morison complimented the Mayor on ihis re-election. He considered that what criticism had been voiced during the election ehcpild be forgotten, and the council go forward with the work of the borough. It behoved all councillors to unite in putting shoulder to shoulder so as to push forward the borough work, especially in the improvements of tlie streets and, paths in the outlying portions of the town. lie was confident that they would all do their best. Cr T. Masters congratulated the Mayor on his election, though he admitted having done his best to oppose his candidature, lie accepted the verdict of the electors. Every councillor should realise that it was his duty to work fearlessly in the interests of the borough. He was confident that the Mayor would have the support of the council, and he intimated tl.at His Worship could rely on him for support during his term of office. Cr Boon added his congratulations and promise of support. He pointed out that the completion of the drainage system was urgently required. When the scheme was first brought down it was considered that £IO,OOO was required for the whole town. He did not advocate a loan, but as there ,was' no funds for that special purpose he considered the work should lie done out of revenue.

Cr Arden, in extending his congratulations to the Mayor, said he hoped they would all work harmoniously together. Cr Fredric sv'bo expressed hia congratulations to tiie Mayor, remarking that he had always tried to do Ilia duty and would still do so, but if he studied hia own convenience he would sooner be off the council than on it.

Cr Thompson, in the course of his congratulatory remarks, said the Mayor had won after a keen and clean fight. Strenuous debates were sometimes necessary, but no remarks should be allowed to rankle. He pointed out that the minor streets required attention, and miles of kerhing had to be done, not a . few chains. He would do liis best to back up the Mayor. Cr Richards, after congratulating the Mayor, said they all knew that in a conflict of opponents for such a position as the Mayoralty, the truth must be mighty, but one man saw things in one light and another saw the same things in a different light. All that could be expected of the council was that it should do what they thought right. In acknowledging te compliments and congratulations, the Mayor said it was very gratifying to him to have the assurance that councillors would support him during his term of office. Although occupying tlio Mayoral chair, yet as an individual member of the council he had but little power, so that without the support of the council very little would be done. He hoped thit the coming year would show marked progress. if they looked back to what Stratford wns twenty years ago they would see that tfhe town had made wonderful progress. He recognised there was still a great deal to be done. With j regard to drainage extension it was impossible for tlisit work to be executed out of revenue, but he proposed thai .CnflO should be set apart out of revenue for kerbing and channelling, j During the last two years about one- i half of the revenue had been expended on the upkeep of streets. If the ratepayers' expressed a wish for a loan of £15,000 for water and drainage he was quite willing to take the necessary steps for raising the loan, but the ratepayers must first move in the matter. Out of that sun be advocated that from £ISOO to £2OOO Should be devoted to assisting the ratepayers, by way of loan, to make the necessary drainage connections to their residences. With regard to the electrie light, His Worship stated Wat he proposed to submit to the next mcetong of the council a proposal with the view of making an honest effort to acquire the control of tlie electric supply of the town. In this matter he would be frank and free, but firm, the object being to give the people a better and cheaper service. Referring to the erection c' a new pound, the Mayor said t!he expense would have to be provided out of revenue. As to the post office, lie considered that » strongly worded resolution should bo Bent to the Oovonrment, urging the f erection of a building suitable for the [requirements of the town. Touching on committee work, the Mayor urged that members of committees should do the work referred to them, and that they should attend the meetings, as a large amount of the council's work depended on committees' recommendations. He also urged that councillors should lake a lively interest > in borough matters, keeping themselves in t/onch with the correspondence i, from day to day. He intimated his in tcntion of adopting this course and be ing present at the council chamber fo! a certain timo every da v. Some conversation took -lkice relativi to the liour of meetings for coir mittocs

the Mayor pointing out that it was a matter for each committee to agree upon. The council went into committee relative to an application of the late lessee of the Town Hall for the release of his cinematograph machine. On resuming, it was decided that the matter be referred to the Town Hall Committee, with power to act.

BERNARD'S PICTURES. The new programme last night was much appreciated. Lovers of Charles Dickens' inimitable "Christmas Carols" (and yiey are to be found everywhere) were delighted to renew acquaintance, in picture form, with Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghost of Jacob Marley. The tale is one of compelling interest, and its chief incidents are most attractive. There is an excellent programme of dramas, comedies and miscellaneous films, and the music is always a pleasure. The programme will be repeated to-night. GENERAL. | Up to last night there were 75 najnes down on the list of> those who proposed joining in to-day's visit to Moumahaki, arranged by the A. and P. Association. For stealing an overcoat from the lobby of the County Hotel, Alfred Hoy, who was caught rcdhanded and secured | after a struggle, was sentenced to a [month's imprisonment. Prisoner was also wanted on a charge of failing to comply with a maintenance order, and was remanded to Wellington. The meeting of the committee appointed to collect information relative to the proposed freezing works, has been postponed till a later date. , A first offender was yesterday convicted and discharged! at the Police Court on a charge of insobriety. The Mayor, Mr W. P. Kirkwood, yesterday presented each member of the council with a copy of the large photograph of the whole of the council, which now adorns the council chamber, that also being the gift of His Worship. The courtesy- was aiuch appreciated.

You hardly feel the razor pass over your face when Stan. Sharp handles the shaving operation. Added to this delightful sense of comfort is the knowledge that every utensil is sterilised, and everything is absolutely clean. Next Beßringer's, Stratford. The new winter clothing for men is attractive in many ways. Wise men will buy now while the variety is big, and they will find "The Kash" prices made to suit them. For high quality arid low price Mullen and Marshall -easily lead in Stratford. Your photograph will please them all —some of your frieads have been -expecting one for a long time—don't k» satisfied with one taken years ago. Send them a fresh portrait, just as y»* are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is aa pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr. McAllister, Stratford.

SCHOOL DISABILITIES. ELTHAM'S CONTRIBUTION. The meeting of householders at Eltham, evidently none too well impressed with the way matters educational were progressing locally, were led into a wider field of criticism. The annual report of the outgoing committee said, inter alia, . . . The Education Department is an integral part of the State's activity equally with the railway and post office, and the whole of the expenses connected with it should be paid from the public purse. At present it is impossible to run the schools with the money allowed; therefore this has to be supplied by voluntary contributions, which means that the good citizen is taxed while the I mean one escapes. We should be gladj if a public protest was sent from this I meeting to the Government. . . . With 1 the work of the school the public apparently have nothing to do r as the report is 'confidential'; therefore no matter how good or bad the condition may be the public have no right to know it. It is time that wc demanded free and open discussion on the inspector's report. A serious tax upon the working men with large families is the stationery required. Paper being ÜBed : instead of slates rheans a considerable expense and some moans of reducing the cost of 'stationery is a matter which should releeive your attention. In the course of the discussion, the Hon. Carncross said: The Committee j had on occasions received some excellent reports of the school, and he thought it was a very great pity that they were not published. It would give parents more interest in the school, where their children were educated, and in which every one should have great interest and help the school generally. The chairman said he regretted that the business of the school had to be conducted secretly. It seemed to him that the trend of legislation was to deprive the people of their powers in connection with the conduct of the business of the schools. It was time that the publie took, the matter in hand and insisted | that they should know what was being done with their money and with their children. Eventually, it ws decided "tht this meeting deplores the fact that departmental regulations provide that then -ni spector's reports on the work of schools are confidential, and- if of opinion that j the Education Act be so amended as to 1 provide that inspectors' reports be made public. On the question o finance, the Government said the committees were asked to make bricks without straw. This was now becoming so acute that men wore difficult to procure to carry out the work. On his motion, it was decided "that in the opinion of this meeting of householders it is advisable that the capitation grant of school committees should be so increased as to enable them to properly carry out their work."