STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 288, 8 May 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

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

ELECTRIC LIGHTING. The announcement made by His Worship the Mayor, on the occasion of his installation into ofiice, that one of his first official acts would be to bring down proposals for dealing with the question or the 'borough acquiring control of the supply of electrical energy for lighting and power purposes, is but the natural sequel to the contest for the Mayoralty. The nature of the proposals will be seen in due course, but it may confidently be | assumed that they will be, as the Mayor aptly stated, an honest attempt to deal with the question on lines that are based on fairness to the company and the borough. Throughout the contest be never swerved from that attitude, ami his opponent, Mr N. J. King, adopted the same policy. The streunous contest was like a storm that cleared the air. It hag opened the way lor the discussion of an amicable arrangement, for there is j ample evidence that tlie generality of . the ratepayers are decidely favorable to the borough controlling the electric i light supply of tlie town and suburbs. | Their wish in this matter is equivalent | to a mandate, which the council must recognise, and, if possible, earrv out. A vita! principle is involved in this municipalising of electric supply. Not only is there the prospect of a butler and cheaper service, 'but every penny of profit will be, available for borough requirements, a result that is equivalent to lessening the rates. The burge«ses are, therefore, to be gVeaty commended for this further exhibition of public spirit, which thoroughly accords with the enlightened policy adopted by all the progressive municipalities and people of the Dominion. The exercise of tlie requisite tact and determination to bring this matter to a successful issue will redound to the credit of both parties. It seems puerile, in flee of present conditions, to wait for the present concession to the company to run out before coming to reasonable terms. The Mayor i 3 to be commended for his prompt action in keeping the ball rolling. and the company will be advised to blot out all friction (if any) that has taken place, and approach the council in a franlc, businesslike way. They have everything to gain by adopting a conciliatory spirit, and they may rest assured that they will get far better terms now than will be possible if the present opportunity is lost, and tlie attempted settlement thwarted. If those citizens who are interested in the Electric Light Company set the laudable example of doing their 'best towards bringing ah. out a fair and equitable agreement they will show their wisdom and enhance their reputation as well as that of the town. THE POST OFFICE. It is said that all things come to those who know how to wait, but those who have to wait their chance of obtaining their correspondence from the Stratford post office private boxes may well be pardoned for their unwillingness to acquire further knowledge of the art of waiting. Their patience is exhausted, and if the. postal establishment that now disgraces the town had been a private yenture it would long ago have closed its doors and the. cabin awaited a tenant in vain. Whether the requisite funds for a ne\r building have been diverted to some other equally great necessity matters not one iota. Tha same old makeshift, inconvenient, and insignificant tenement still stands in Broadway, a source of irritation to the public and a disgrace to the department as well as to the town. The Mayor intends to ask the Council's assistance in bringing pressure once more to hear on the Government with a view to securing a new post ofiice, for it is absolutely ii'bstlrd to tinker with the existing structure. Other constituencies can and do obtain proper facilities for transacting their business. Why ritould Stratford be. ignored? l'osaibly the member for the district in his forthcoming address may b? able to throw some light on this important matter. He would certainly make a great hit if he were able to announce in the course of his pre-sessional address that the plans for a new post office for Stratfonl were in hand and that tenders for the work would shortly be called. In the meantime, the Borough Council will be doing well in again pressing the matter on the Minister's attention, and if no action is, taken bv the department it will be for the people to make their voice heard in an effective manner.

GENERAL. j Owing to a fall from n. cart oil Wed- i ncsday afternoon, Mr P. Lennon re- ' ceived .some nasty cuts and bruises, but fortunate!;.- t!tw<? wore not of :i serious nature. In spite o/ t!h! ilireai oiling weather yesterday niorniii;.', a !.ilev party left Stratford J>y the'mai! train to visit the Mounuihaki Statu Farm. The following new boi>lcs have been added to the Stratford Public Library: "The Cuckoo Lamb" (11. W. Xcwte'i, "The Golden Road" (D. Montgomery). "Gold" (Stewart While), "ft was the Time of Roses" (Holf Wyllarde). "The Way 01 These Women" (E. A. OppenbcinO, "An T'liiemy Until Done This" (Joseph lint-kin"), "Out-ide the Law' - ivford), "l''rivo!e" (Kate Horn), "Unlu fae-ei"' (llarmios-, Orczy), "The Aw:.!,-nil]'" (R. 8. M'nennmarra), "The Xfeklns of Bigot" (liose Macaulay), "A Heather M'ixture" (Moriee Gerald), "His Great Adventure" (Tl. ITerrick). I'M-try Opoushaw). "A Crooked Mi..-" lO'iver Oni'ins). "The Day of Days" IL. Vanec), ''The Marriage of Cieilin'' (M. l.eeiea). "Handicapped" (David Lvnll). "The Iron Year" (W. Blof.ni), "Tli« Shop Traek" iII. Webster), "One Man Ketunis" 111. Spender). "A Lndy of Leisur"" (K. Sidgvrickh "A Free Hand'' "(11. Roberts).

Yon feel tile razor pass over your iaer when Stan. Sharp handles tl'e shavinnr operation. Added to this <?»»- liglitfnl sense of comfort is the knowledge tlia! every utensil is sterilised, mil everrthin'; is almoluteh clean. Ke\t Bellr' lifer's. Stratford.

Your photograph will please them ali —some of your friends have been evpeetiiil' one for a lons time—don't l»* satisfied will, one taken ve.ars aim. Send tliem a fresh portrait, just an rn.i are to-day. in vonr everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal en II on q;ood friends. Male an appointment to-day with \fi'. McAllister, Stratford.