STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1924, Page 5

STRATFORD NEWS.

'STRATFORD PROGRESS LEAGUE. METALLING THE WHANGAMOMONA HILL. MONTHLY MEETING. ('.From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Nov. 18. The usual monthly meeting of the executive of the .Stratford. Progress League was held last night. Present: Messrs. L. T. Aylward (chairman), A. H. R. Amess, A. A. Thompson, N. H. Moss, R. H. White, J. McKee, R. Masters, M.P., T. H. Cooper, €-. R. Finnerty and S. Ward. Appreciation of the efforts of the league in connection with the metalling of the Whangamomona saddle was conveyed by the Whangamomona County Council in a letter to the league. In thanking the executive, the council emphasised the vital importance of betIter access to the settlers. In connection with the same matter* the Minister for Public Works (H'on. J. G. Coates) advised that the representations made 'by the league and Mr. Masters, M.P., would have his consideration. T. E. Trask, secretary of the Kohuratahi Settlers’ Association, advised that his association had. noticed, throil'gh the press that the league was trying to convince the authorities that the Whangaracmona saddle required metalling, and also that Mr. Masters had stated there v.as unlikely to be any amount placed on the estimates for that work, but rather that a large sum would be available for metalling purposes beyond KoLuratahi. While admitting the correctness of this position, he pointed, out that one was a direct charge on the ratepayers concerned while the other other was a charge on the Highways Board. The league’s assistance was appreciated, and the association appealed for the league to link up with the New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford, and El-tham Chambers of Commerce who had already been communicated with, and again endeavour to have that provincial work completed. With reference to the railway timetable, the league was thanked for assist 1 ance in securing a return to the timetable in vogue before the slip*. The letter further pointed out that the Kohuratahi Settlers’ Association wa«s in no way connected with the affiliated association, and was In no way responsible for their deliberations. Mr. Finnerty thought that even though there was little chance of getting the road metalled the league should endeavour to get the road placed, in better order before next winter. In view of the fact that there was another reply due from the Minister on the. matter, action was deferred, the letter meanwhile being received. EASTERN TIME TABLE. The Whangamomona County Council have decided to support the proposal to request the department to revert to the time-table in use before the flood damage, with the exception that the train from Whangamomona to Stratford on Mondays leave the former station at 6.25 a. in. as at present. The council, in a letter advised they had made representation to the Railway Department requesting a reversion to , the old time-table on the above lines, at the same time asking that the trains on Tuesdays and Saturdays be speeded up. If the league could co-operate with •the council in bringing about this change the action would be appreciated, as the council contended the proposed alteration would suit the requirement*? of the majority of the residents in the oounty. A telegram was also received from the affiliated settlers’ association protesting that the present time-’taWe was most unsuitable and strongly urging a revision to the original time-table. The District Traffic Manager advised, per Mr. Masters, M.P., that it wae probable repairs to the track would be sufficiently advanced to permit of the permanent train service being resumed in the near future. It was regretted ' the request of the Kohuratahi Settlers’ • Association for the early Monday train to arrive at Stratford at 9.15 a.m. as ; at present instead of 8.10 a.m. could not > be acceded to. The later arrival would ' deprive branch passengers of the con- ' uection witii the 8.37 a.m. train from • Stratford to New Plymouth, which was i provided for the express purpose of per- • mitting travel once weekly to and from New Plymouth and transacting business there in one day.—The letters were received. mention being made of the fact that reversion to the original time-table was advertised that morning by the Railway Department. VISIBLE SIGNALS WANTED. The Minister for .Railways (Hon. J. G Coates) advised that he was giving careful consideration to the league’© letter expressing the opinion that the “wig-wag” system of railway crossing warnings was particularly suitable 'for 1 the Stratford borough. In a further letter, the Minister informed the league that the Stratford cits sings were already provided with 1 special loud ringing automatic warning bells, and it was Considered these provided reasonable warning. Tn view of the fact that a largo number of crossing- throughout the Dominion were, still without warning devices, and as the airount of money available for the work was limited, it was regretted that the nutter of installing “wig-wag” signals at Stratford could not be undertaken until such time as the crossings still

u» totted with warning devices had received consideration. Mr. Masters said the real question at issue was that of Cost. He suggested that if the “wig-wag” signals were installed at the Stratford crossings where traffic was intense, and the bells could then be transferred to some crossing where traffic was not so heavy. Mr. Ward considered the “’wig-wag” signals were absolutely essential as the ridiculed the alleged loudness of the bells, to a motorist, were “silent.” He bells, and stated that their warning value had deteriorated lately. Moreover, they were an expensive warning, and he had noticed a man almost continually effecting repairs. Action on the lines of Mr. Masters’ suggestion was carried. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce arc to be asked Borough Council and the Stratford to 00-operate in the matter. SIGN POSTS. “To the Dawson Falls 'Mountain House —<l4 miles.” This is to be the tentative wording of a sign shortly to be placed in a prominent position at the corner of the Mountain and Opuna’ke Roads just outside the business area of Stratford by the Dawson Falls Committee. Mr. N. H. Moss, secretary to the committee, explained that so many motorists experienced difficulty in turning off at the correct intersection, that the sign had ‘become almost a necessity. It was being provided free of cost by a 'firm operating extensively throughout the province in benzine and motor supplies. Mr. Ward, convenor of the sign .posts committee, explained that enquiries had shown that a cost of about 30s per sign post would be incurred if the league were to purchase and erect posts of their own. As over 40 would be required, the committee had regarded the cost os prohibitive, and had gone no further with the matter. After some discussion it was decided to ask the representative of A. S. Patereon and Co. to Confer with the subcommittee on the question of erecting sign-posts by his firm in the county.. Mr. Masters’ name was added to the sub-commit tee. GENERAL. A sub committee, consisting of Messrs. Ward and Finnerty, was set up to interview the postmaster with a view to arranging a postal delivery to all parts of the borough. This decision was arrived at after Mr. Ward had drawn attention to the fact that people living outside the borough 'boundary were in receipt of daily postal deliveries while citizens residing on Warwick Road east had no delivery. It was decided to circularise all the . settlers’ associations in the eastern districts with a view to ascertaining the most suitable arrangement for a special train service to Stratford on Christmas Eve. Representations on their behalf L could then be made by the league. The ritual team from the Stratford ( Druids Lodge paid a visit to the Ha- ! wera lodge yesterday to compete for , the Mackay Ritual Shield at present held by Stratford Lodge. A pleasant evening was spent, and the Stratford team was successful in retaining the shield.

Stratford was startled by the ringing of the fire-bells about 9.15 this morning. Almost before the first peal had rung out the new tire engine was on its way to the corner of Seyton and Cordelia Streets, where a chimney had been on fire, but the outbreak was extinguished without trouble or damage.

Mr. J. B. Pearson, who has been relieving at the Stratford office of the Public Trust, left this morning for Wellington.