STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1926, Page 8

STRATFORD NEWS.

MUNICIPAL BUSINESS. BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETS. QUESTION OF KERBSIDE PUMPS. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Feb, 15. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held this evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) and Crs. W. Mclunes, T. I. Lamason, J. .McKee, A. Nelson, 8, A. Ward and T. Lawson.

Permission to erect bowsers was sought by Messrs. E. 11. Eason, Kleeman and Bishop, Lightband and Wann, Rogers and Co., and the Farmers’ Cooperative Organisation Society, Ltd. — Cr, Ward suggested arranging a conference of members of borough councils, the motor trade and 1 automobile associations to discuss this matter. It was decided to ask the Mayor of New Plymouth to call a meeting at an early date.

The deputy-chief inspector of explosives advised that the department was strongly in favour of underground, tank storage of petrol, since this was by far the safest method, and he forwarded notes and regulations regarding the installation of underground tank storage of petrol. —Received. The Government inspector of scaffolding (Mr. D. Mansfield) advised that section 11 clause 2 of the scaffolding regulations stated: “Where the work abuts ou any thoroughfare protection for the passersby shall be provided to the satisfaction of the inspector.” Mr. Mansfield continued: “I consider that for the protection of the general public it is necessary that a hoarding should be erected in front <Jf Mr. Grant’s job in Broadway, Stratford.”—Received.

The secretary of the Stratford primary school (Mr. J. H. Thompson) advised of the annual excursion to take place on Thursday, February 25, and asked that the council consider declaring a full holiday on that day. —Granted. A letter from the district engineer’s office of the Railway Department approved the council’s application to be allowed to remove the bank of earth on the south-western corner of the Flint Road railway crossing and the right to use the spoil. The letter advised that if operations required the removal of the fence, a temporary fence would have to be erected to prevent stock trespassing on the line. —Cr. Ward pointed out that the intention was for the Railway Department to provide the labour while the council was prepared to remove the spoil. The town clerk was instructed to forward a corrected letter. The Mayor referred to the motion on the minutes allowing motor-cars to stand on the streets for twenty minutes before tlie borough inspector was to take action, and stated that this was ultra vires. He was satisfied that the carrying out of the by-laws was quite satisfactory, and moved that the minutes be adopted with the deletion of the clause dealing with this matter. His motion, however, was not seconded. Cr. Ward, said he was not prepared to take the responsibility of rescinding the motion, and driving farmers from the town. The Mayor reiterated that the clause was inoperative, and stated that there was no other town in New Zealand which gave motorists the same privileges as Stratford. Subsequently, on the motion of Cr. Mclnnes, the clause was rescinded. Cr. Ward made reference to the continuous absence of certain councillors, and said it was a hardship, not only to the council, but was also not in the interests of the ratepayers. If such councillors were not prepared to be present, they should resign. The Mayor said he thought the council fully agreed. The council decided to allow all permanent men on the staff one week's full pay in the event of absence through illness.

The usual annual donation of £lO was granted to the fire brigade, and Mr. L. B. Davis was granted eight days’ leave of absence in order to represent the brigade at Dunedin. The council, -after considering a loiter from the Railway Department dealing with the site for a proposed rest room, decided to close with the department’s offer and to call for competitive designs for the proposed structure, entries to close on March 31. CARE OF THE BARKS. DOMAIN BOARD MEETS. A. meeting of the Domain Board was held to-night, Mr. P. Thomson attending in addition to those present at the Borough Council meeting. The organising secretary of the new-ly-formed Community Club (WarrantOfficer J. L. 0. Rowe.) requested permission from the council to use the Victoria Park football ground on the evening of Tuesday, February 23, in order to hold a fireworks display as a means to raise funds to enable the dub to carry on its sphere of work. The letter further asked for permission to allow the executive of the club to charge for admission to the park on that occasion. —The necessary permission was granted, subject to patrols being provided to keep the public off the area recently sown down, and the council required £5 deposit, this amount to be refunded if the ground is left in suitable order. The necessity for making improvements to the grounds in the vicinity of the Malone memorial was mentioned by Mr. Thomson, and the board decided to employ extra labour to give attention to this matter. Reference was also made to the unsatisfactory state of the tennis courts In Victoria Park. The Mayor said the surroundings of the courts were in a disgraceful state. With a view to having the courts kept in a more satisfactory order, the board decided to consider this matter at its next meeting ami io invite members of the tennis club to be present.