STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1924, Page 6

STRATFORD NEWS.

‘ THE PUBLIC DOMAINS. MEETING OF THE BOARD. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Sept. 15. The Stratford Domain Board met tonight. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) chairman, and Messrs T. I. Lama-son, W. McDonald, T. Lawson, A. Nelson, C. R. Finnerty, E. S. Rutherford, S. Ward and P. Thomson. The caretaker, reporting upon the domains, stated that the young hedge along Orlando Street was cleaned and the ground forked over. Grass seed was sown and lawns mowed and rolled, flower beds weeded and shrubs and flowers planted. The plots at the railway station were also attended to. The native trees recently ordered were planted in King Edward Park. Donations of shrubs were received from Mesdames Stewart and Neilson, Cordelia Street, and choice flowers from Messrs S. Reader, Orlando Street, and L. Reader, Regan Street. The attention of the board was drawn to the practice of distributing circulars at gatherings in the park, with the suggestion that the practice should be carried out outside the gates. —The report was received. CONTROL OF SPORTSGROUND. In reply to the board’s letter to the headmaster of the primary school pointing out that i'f the rule making it necessary for anyone wishing to use the sportsground to obtain the permission of the ground committee was disregarded the board would have to reconsider its decision to allow school matches, Mr. L. J. Furrie wrote that under the agreement arrived at. between the board and the local school’s football club, the Taranaki Primary Schools’ Rugby Union, under whose jurisdiction he had arranged the match, the board gave authority for the use of the ground on Wednesdays for school matches to be played on any day when the ground was available. The borough foreman (Mr. A. E. Sayers) was to be responsible for the decision as to the fitness of the ground. These? conditions, he maintained, had been strictly observed by the school, so much so that, during the whole season ''nly one match was played on the ground He understood this match had been the subject of comment and criticism levelled at the school and himself by members of the board and grounds committee. No practice had been held on the ground for nearly three months and he assumed that because the school had use of the ground it had been singled out for special treatment. He suggested that to prevent further misconception a more definite understanding be arranged whereby all parties likely to require the ground for games purpose* be clearly notified of the requirements of the board and the ground committee; A deputation from the Stratford School Committee waited on the board in support of the attitude taken by Mr. Furrie, and also asked that the board favourably consider the matter of allowing children to use the pa r k as a playground, their own ground being too confined for games.

After considerable discussion, the hoard decided that in view of Mr. Furrie’s explanation he was quite justified in playing the match. In connection with the committee’s request it was decided that the children would be given every opportunity t> play in the park under supervision, but the park could not be regarded as a playground for one particular school. EGMONT NATIONAL PARK. Tn connection with the control of the Egmont National Park. Mr. J. B. Richards, the council’s representative on tin park board, replying to the circular letter issued by the New Zealand Forestry League, wrote that the area of the park exceeded 76.000 acres ami the funds available for conservation purposes hopelessly inadequate. He had frequently drawn attention to this and to the danger and damage from goats and other causes. The proposed legislation was not likely to improve the means available for thi conservation of plant and herb life. The action of the Forestry League should be heartily welcomed in the hope that it might result in having established more satisfactory measures of conservation. —Received. OTHER MATTERS The Borough Council employees were given permission to use the playing ground for a football match next Thursday. The distribution of circulars in Victoria Park was prohibited. Donors of flowers and plants were cordially thanked. The matter of draining the sportsground was left in the hands of the works committee with power to act. The overseer was empowered to have two swing boats constructed for the Victoria Park.

The ground committee and hockey committee were abolished, Crs. Neilson and Finnerty being congratulated on the finished result of the hockey ground. BOROUGH COUNCIL. LAST NIGHT’S MEETING. The Stratford Borough Council met t after the Domain Board. With the exception of Mr. Thomson all the councillors were present, the Mayor presiding. The works committee recommended:— Skin and hide licenses. —We beg to recommend that all licensees be notified that licenses will not be received for their present premises after March 31 next, and that, each firm be offered a piece of land, with 24ft. frontage, on the northern .side of the paddock on the eastern side or Swansea Road (pound site) from the entrance gate eastwards. Rent £1 per annum. Firms to have the right of removing any buildings they may erect.—This matter was deferred pending an inspection of the premises by the council. Town Hall.—Owing to numerous complaints regarding untidiness we recommend that every person (booking the town hall, except for meetings, shall deposit with the town clerk the sum

of £1 in addition to the ordinary rent of the hall, to be forfeited if the to*wn hall or its environs are left in a dirty or untidy condition for more than 24 hours; that before any person be given possession of the hall he shall produce to the custodian a receipt for this deposit; that before any deposit is refunded the lessee must produce to the town clerk a certificate from the custodian that the town hall and its environs have been left in a satisfactory condition; that no person shall interfere in any way with the lig'h'tsu— Adopted. The contractors for the town clock (Messrs W. Littlejohn and Son, Wellington) advised that the supplying of the automatic switch gear to the clock movement would make a little difference to the time in completing the clock. In any case they hoped to have the finishing of all parts completed in a day or two, when the whole mechanism would be re-assembled for a final test and then packed in cases. Delivery was expected in about ten days’ time. —Received.

In respect to negotiations in connection with land acquired by the Railway Department on Brecon Road for a housing scheme, the department are to b. w informed that while the council is prepared to assist in every way .possible, no money was available for road foundation at present. The works committee were authorised to kerb the channel and roadway over the new bridge. As soon as the weather becomes suitable the work of tarring and sanding Broadway will be proceeded with. DEATH OF MARRIED WOMAN, DUE TO HEART FAILURE. A verdict of death, from heart failure, was returned at an inquest held by Mr. C. D. Sole, J.P., i n the Stratford Court this afternoon into the circumstances surrounding the death of Jean McGregor, a married woman, 44 years of age residing in Miranda Street, Stratford, who was found dead in bed yesterday morning.

Edward Carnigie McGregor said he last saw his wife alive at dinner time last Friday, when she helped him to pack his bag in readiness for a trip to Te Wera. Deceased appeared well at the time and seemed to be in her usual good health and spirits. This fact was borne out by deceased’s daughter, Rosa lima Oston, who conversed cheerfully with her mother late on Saturday evening and received a great shock when, on entering her mother’s room next morning, deceased failed to answer her call and could ■ 6t be roused from her bed. Witness described her mother as cheerful and contented, but subject to heart attacks after working in the garden. Dr. D. Stevens, who was promptly called, certified to the holding of a post mortem and gave it as his opinion that death was due to heart failure.

GENERAL ITEMS. The secretary of St. John’s Ambulance Association (B. C. Black) iforwards the following list of successful students in the first aid examinations for the 1924 session, those marked x having completed the course, and are entitled to the Bronze Medallion of the Society. Town Class.—Mrs. Black (x), Mrs. Yandle (x), Miss M. Lawerg (x), Miss Burke, Mrs. Vasseller, Miss M. Hannah, Miss A. Tucker, Miss J. Oyston. Miss O. Cheer, Miss B. Black, Miss M. Yandle, Miss R. Mclvor, Tom Pugh, Harn’ Thomas, Alf. Thomas, Ernest Coldwell, Leu Manning. High School Class.—E. Geever, R. Mounsey, I. Peebles, J. Allen, B. Copping, K. Gill, Z. Masters, J. Bremner, M. Elgar, A. Dick, A. Hinds, 1. Taplin, B. Egarr, N. Trolove, R. Havlock, D. Callaghan, M. Manley, Tom Miskelly, Tom Hickson, Jim Boon, Eric Bone, Murray Thompson.

The many friends of Mr. C. C. Johnston, of the staff of the Bank of Australasia, will be sorry to learn that he was removed to the Stratford Hospital on Saturday morning, suffering from an attack of pneumonia. His condition was sweetheart of the Shaugruan is tempered ports to-day state that there is further slight improvement. Mr. H. H. Scott, who has occupied the position of Clerk of the Court at Stratford for about two years, has received notice of his transfer to Auckland as Assistant Official Assignee, and will leave for his new home in the course of a few days.

In connection with the Governor-Gen-eral's visit to Taranaki, arrangements have been made by which the mail train will be delayed for five minutes at Stratford on Thursday morning. A guard of honour will be provided and the Governor has promised to appear in uniform to receive the civic farewell. THE KING’S THEATRE. “MY WILD IRISH ROSE.” “My Wild Irish Rose” a picture, the very title of which will appeal to all sons of Emerald Isle is billed as the starring attraction at the King’s Theatre, Stratford, to-night and Wednesday night. The story is adapted from the famous stage play, “The Shaugruan,” which had such a success in London. “My Wild Irish Rose” is a romance of Shamrock Isle, and breathes the very atmosphere of the sod, and there is a touch of brogue in every title that makes on love in the very atmosphere of old Erin. Pauline Starke and Pat O’Malley are the star players, and the intrepretation of the former as the sweetheart of the Shaugrum is tempered with pathos and feeling. Usual prices will be charged for this •special attraction. Intending patrons are advised to book their seats at Humphrey’s, Bookseller, Stratford. 1