STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. » Advertisements and’ items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local repfesentalives t Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with them. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. June 8. A meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday night, when various matters of importance affecting) the district Avere discussed. ■. SLOT TELEPHONE-. Mr. McMillan reported that though all other materials for the erection of a slot telephone had arrived in Stratford, the telephone itself had not put in an appearance, and meanwhile this urgently needed convenience was being held up. It was resolved that the chief Telegraphic Engineer be telegraphed to with a view to ascertaining the whereabouts of the telephone. NEW POST OFFICE. General dissatisfaction was expressed by the meeting at the delay by the department in the completion of the arrangements preliminary to the calling of tenders for the erection of a new Post Office in Stratford. A letter, received from the department in November, 1920, stating that authority had been given for the calling of tenders for the i erection of the building, was read, .and members strongly objected to the treatment they had received. It was finally resolved, on the motion of Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, that the department be telegraphed to requesting a definite statement as to when tenders will be called for the post office. RAILWAY FACILITIES. In the matter of the improvement of railway facilities in Taranaki, Mr. Kirkwood suggested that by improving the epgine power on the main line u greater speed could.be maintained on the grades. It was obvious, he said, that the lack of engine power was responsible for the slow average rate of speed attained on the hills, lie mentioned that it had frequently happened on the Wanganui Hill that a train had to back down from a first attempt, and be taken up in sections. This he characterised as disgraceful. When the improving of the time-table was under consideration, said Mr. Kirkwood, full consideration should be given to the matter of increased engine power, as if a greater speed could be maintained on the hills, sufficient time could be saved to obviate the necessity of cutting out many of the minor stopping places and still vastly improve the present average rate of speed.

Mr. McAllister said that the interview they had had with the General Manager of Railways when he was in Stratford s some time ago, was decidedly disappointing. lie said he did not like to have the difficulties. It was high time that the public bodies moved in the direction of securing a change in the methods of the department and its officials. Other members concurred in this view. Mr. McMillan pointed out, in defence of Mr. McVilly, that the General Manager was tied up with ‘‘red tape” and was responsible to the Minister for Railways. He considered that, being paid such a high salary, the General Alanager should be given more freedom of action, as the Minister himself was probably not possessed of practical knowledge in such matters. The President, Mr. J. B. Richards, said that wheh the time-table was under revision, the small stopping places outside of Taranaki should be eliminated, as the New Plymouth mail was essentially a Taranaki express, and the smalj towns farther down the line, especially below Marton Junction, were well served. Mr. Kirkwood moved that the General Manager of Railways be communicated with and requested to consider the possibility of employing greater engine power. He said that it had been stated by the department that the bridges on the line were incapable of bearing engines heavier than those employed, but this remained to be proved by the department. The motion was seconded by Mr. Me- • Allister and carried. •H YDRO-ELECTRICIT Y. A letter was received from the Auckland Chambei of Commerce requesting the attendance of delegates from the ■Stratford Chamber at a conference to be held in Hamilton, with the object of pushing on the schemes fur obtaining power from the works under consideration on the Waikato River.

Members were of the opinion that this was a matter for united provincial action, and the letter was referred to the Taranaki Progress League.

Your stationery requirements are well catered fpr by Wilson Bros., Stratford, who have a comprehensive stock of all office requisites and typdw iter supplies. Here are a few good commercial lines: Pilot better files, 3/6 each; wire document baskets, 4/6 each; desk blotting pads, 4/9 and 6/-; first-grade typewriter carbon, foolscap size, 15/- box. Don’t forget to call or write. —Advt.