STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1928, Page 10

STRATFORD DISTRICT NEWS

Telephone No*. 552 Office 718 Private

Telephone No*. 352 Offioe 718 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS}

THE ELTHAM BOROUGH. THAT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. CONDEMNATION AND DEFENCE. The Eltham Borofigh Council is somewhat unique in that it possesses an executive committee in addition to the usual divisions of municipal government. This executive consists of the Mayor and the chairmen of the four committees of the council. It has proved of great assistance in many ways, but is not looked upon with favour by some of the councillors. In fact, the actions of the executive are regarded in some quarters with suspicion, and despite emphatic assurances to the contrary by the Mayor it has been accused of usurping the functions of the council. A further point that has become the cause of some friction is that the deliberations of the executive are not recorded in minute form, and sometimes the results of the meetings are not laid before the council at the following meeting. The question of the executive’s right to exist has been debated with some heat by previous councils, and when it laid a brief report before Friday night’s meeting, the old question was reopened. In reply to Cr. Peebles, who contended that the executive usurped the functions of the full council, was unnecessary, undesirable and unconstitutional in that its business was not reported, the Mayor (Mr. I. J. Bridger) set up a vigorous defence. He explained that the executive was very convenient and desirable in carrying on the council’s business, as it gave heads of departments the opportunity of getting together and talking over many problems of administration. “The executive,” he said, “has never made a decision; therefore it has nothing to report. It has, however, discussed matters referred to it from time to time by the various committees, and has always sent its suggestions back to the committee concerned, where they can be adopted or discarded as the committee sees fit.” Some of the councillors were still dissatisfied, and, on the question of constitution, demanded that the minute giving authority for the formation of an executive be produced. This was found by the town clerk in the record of the May meeting of the 1925 council and read as follows: “That an executive committee consisting of the heads of the various departments be constituted.” There were no restrictions or definitions of duties.

Cr. Ricketts argued that as the 1925 council had gone out of existence, so also should the executive, and his reiteration of the contention showed that he did not agree with the remark of the town clerk that with each succeeding council the newly-elected, or re-elected, heads of departments automatically became members of the executive.

Cr. Peebles led a further discussion, finally moving that the executive be used only when the full council is not available and that the business transacted lie tabled at the following meeting of the council. To the surprise of the mover and those associated with him the Mayor seconded the motion. “That is the main function of the executive,” he said. Cr. Nairn: I wish to goodness someone would move that there be no executive. It is little enough thanks we get and I, for one, would much rather remain at home these cold nights. The motion was carried, but the mat ter cropped up again later in the meeting when the Mayor moved that certain matters connected with the municipal pictures department be referred to the town hall and pictures committee in conjunction with the executive. Cr. Thomas, chairman of the town hall and pictures committee, was at once on his feet claiming that the resolution was tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the administration of nis committee. “My committee,” he said, “is quite competent to deal with all matters affecting the pictures without the assistance of the executive.” Cr. Peebles: The Mayor is out of order. We have just passed a resolution restricting the executive to sit only in the absence of the full council. Cr. R. L. Garden moved as an amendment that if a special committee was necessary it should consist of the full council. Cr. Thomas seconded.

The Mayor: “Is not that also practically a vote of no-confidence in the town hall and pictures committee I” Cr. Thomas: Well,, yes, I suppose it is, and I have seconded the proposal. The Mayor said the amendment was quite to his liking and withdrew his motion in favour of it. Cr. Thomas harked back to the executive council. “The executive,” he said, “met last Wednesday but I was not present ” The Mayor: And you did not send an apology either. Cr. Thomas: I have sent apologies on other occasions and they have not 'been recorded. He complained that although the executive ostensibly met to discuss general business, he was informed that practically the whole of the discussion centred about the affairs of the committee, of which he was chairman. The Mayor: Well, you should have been there. The executive met to discuss estimates and naturally your department came under review. After further discussion the motion that the council sit as a committee to go into the affairs of the picture department was carried. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. SOUTH TARANAKI BRANCH. A meeting of the South Taranaki branch of the Educational Institute was field on Saturday at the Stratford primary school. Present: Messrs. J. Nairn, Manaia (president), T. Taylor, Ngaere (secretary), F. A. Bates, M.A., W. Burgess (Opunake), L. Galbraith (Huiakama), David Taylor (Stratford), C. V. Smith (Rawhitiroa), Misses Ritchie and Lawn (Stratford). It was resolved that Professor J. Shelley, M.A., Canterbury College, be invited to address teachers at a meeting in Hawera in November; that school committees be invited; that the meeting be of a social character, the arrangements to be in the hands of a L Hawera sub-committee (Mr. Bates to act as convenor). Failing Professor Slid

the secretary is to arrange with other educationists.

The proposed formation of an Opunake sub-branch was left in the hands of Messrs. Burgess and T. Taylor to report on its advisability or otherwise at the next meeting.

A donation of £2 2s was made to the South Taranaki Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs’ Association. The growing practice of publishing inspectors’ reports was discussed, and it was decided to bring the matter before the central executive and to ask the Education Board to see that the department’s regulation regarding the treatment of inspectors’ reports as strictly confidential be enforced.

Regret was expressed that the Education Board had misunderstood the attitude of teachers through the request of their representatives in seeking to carry over the poposed refresher course into the holidays, and it was resolved to take the first opportunity to correct the misunderstanding. At a general meeting in the afternoon Mr. J. Nairn presiding, there were 53 present.

The meeting decided to protest against the treatment accorded division D students who had been debarred from entering training colleges and that the Tara- i naki Education Board be thanked for its effort in trying to secure their admittance. The matter was referred to the central executive (Taranaki). The attention of the N.Z.E.I. is to be drawn to the fact that the department proposes to make its basis for the appointments of probationers: A full D certificate; B, partial D, or senior leaving certificate; C, matriculation; D, partial D. This is taking into consideration the purely academical and will operate unfairly against this year’s students. Mr. R. E. Thomas, Eltham, was appointed honorary auditor in place of Mr. D. Langley, who had been transferred to Matiere, King Country. The resignation of Mr. T. Innes, Okaiawa, who is retiring after 40 years’ service, 19 of which had been spent as headmaster of the Okaiawa school, was accepted with regret and a letter was sent from the institute wishing him a happy retirement. Inspectors N. R. Mackenzie and J. A. Henry attended to discuss with teachers the new syllabus. An apology was received from Inspector T. J, Griffin. Mr. Mackenzie stressed the. fact that teachers would be perfectly free to carry out the spirit of syllabus; the inspectors had no wish to tie any one down. Every teacher should write something of himself into his work. A real difficulty, however, existed in Taranaki. It is one that would give considerable trouble —the many changes during the year. In one school he had found that two-thirds of the children had changed during the year, in another half of the children had been there but a month or two. As certain essentials were required the speaker suggested that groups of teachers should meet and evolve a scheme or schemes to suit the district based on proper principles. A full discussion ensued, the inspectors answering many questions. They were accorded a vote of thanks. STRATFORD A. AND P. ASSOCIATION MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. Mr. J. W. Boon presided at a meeting of the committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association on Saturday. Replying to representations made by the committee, the Prime Minister wrote that when the date of the general election was being fixed the matter of choosing a date other than those of the Stratford Show would be taken into consideration. The chairman considered the reply quite satisfactory. With reference to.the sale of poisons for agricultural purposes, the DirectorGeneral of Health forwarded a circular stating that it was proposed to alter the Sale of Poisons Act in such a manner as to give a cheek on such sales. The idea was to secure some control in the matter, but it was hoped that this could be done without in any way interfering with trade. Air. Boon remarked that he had never heard of trouble arising from the wrongful use of poisons supplied for agricultural purposes. It was resolved to notify the department that the committee could not support the proposal, the opinion being expressed that the suggested alterations to the Act were not called for. Eight new members were elected. McLeod shield presented. MANGATOKI SCHOOL HONOURED. WINNERS OF COMPETITION. In a beautifully decorated ball at I Mangatoki on Friday night the children of the local school had “a real night out.” The occasion was the annual school ball, and during the evening occasion was taken by the president of the Taranaki Rugby Union to present the McLeod Shield to the Mangatoki team, the winners of the primary school provincial junior competition. The hall was crowded with parents and friends, the early part of the evening being devoted entirely to the children, who thoroughly enjoyed old-time dances such as the Maypole, Porridge Hot and Porridge Cold, etc. Mr. Farnell, headmaster of the school, presided and during an interval called upon Mr. G. H. Percy, of the Eltham school staff, to introduce the president of the union (Mr. A. Neilson). In handing the handsome shield to Master Hoskin, Mr. Neilson extended his congratulations to the team and commented upon the fine football they had played throughout the season. The hall was subsequently cleared for adult dancing, the music being supplied by Coburn’s orchestra. A dainty supper was served. MOTORISTS’ INTERESTS. STRATFORD MEETING OF S.T.A V That the Borough Council be recommended that two further turning points for vehicles be provided in Broadway ly between Regan and Fenton Streets, ant

that a regulation be made requiring all vehicles to turn at one of the four points which would then exist, was a resolution passed at a special meeting of the Stratford branch of the South Taranaki Automobile Association on Friday night. It was reported that since the last meeting the membership had been increased bj' 69. Messrs. S. A. Ward, G. A. Carter and A. 11. Gaze were appointed a roads and signs committee. It was decided to change the monthly meeting night from the first Wednesday to the first Friday. ASSISTANCE TO CHURCH. EUCHRE AND DANCE AT NGAERE. As a result of the recent euchre party and dance at Ngaere the funds of All Saints’ Church, Eltham, will benefit to the extent of £8 12s. The party was exceptionally well attended, and, as the Rev. Whittacre said in presenting the prizes, “it has been a most enjoyable and happy function.” The winners of euchre were: Ladles, first prize, Mrs. Butchart; booby prize, Mrs. T. Walsh. Men, first prize, Mr. N. Coleman; booby prize, Mr. G. Koefoed. The prizes were donated. by Messrs. W. Moss >ind F. Tecofsky. A large cake made by Miss Coleman formed the centre of interest in a guessing competition and realised 30s, while at the close of the evening the exhortations of Mr. W. Pratt, who presided over a “Dutch” disposal of the remainder of the eatables, added to the total. In presenting the prizes, the Rev. Whittacre extended congratulations to the energetic committee responsible for the party, and thanked parishioners for their support. The music for the dance which followed was given voluntarily, as also was the supper served by the ladies. Mr. W. Pratt made an efficient M.C. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Mr. C. J. Bunell has made a donation of £lO to the east committee of the Egmont National Park Board in aid of the fund for developing the east mountain house. Mr. A. Ferguson has been appointed the school committee’s representative on the Stratford Technical High School Board. Mr. C. Ennis has returned to Stratford after visiting Feilding and Wellington. Having once lost the Dunbar Cup, the team representing the public services of Stratford regained the trophy by defeating Union Foundries by 11 to 3 at Victoria Park on Saturday. As entries have been received from many of the best growers in the North Island, the .Stratford Horticultural Society’s show, to be held next Thursday promises to be a great success. Entries close on Tuesday night, and for the convenience of competitors blooms may be left at Mr. T. G. Grubb’s shop in Broadway.

“CAPTAIN SALVATION.” KING’S THEATRE PICTURES. Just how much harm and grief can be brought into the lives of innocent •people by that evil serpent scandal, is illustrated in “Captain .Salvation,” the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture at the King’s Theatre to-night only. It is a highly dramatic story of the sea, taken from the popular novel by Frederick William Wallace, in which some village gossips start a series of dramatic events that work up to a spectacular climax, Tiie exceptionally strong cast in “Captain Salvation” includes Lars Hanson, famous Swedish star, in the masculine lead, Ernest Torrence, Marceline Day, George Fawcett, Pauline Starke and Flora Finch. The picture was produced on a most lavish scale and was directed by John S. Robertson. HUINGA EUCHRE AND DANCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A euchre party and dance was held at the Huinga hail last Monday evening, when there was a fair attendance in spite of the boisterous weather. The first prizes were won by Mrs. C. Darrah and Mr. J. Whittington, and the second prizes by Miss G. Corbett and Mr. If. Henderson. The booby prizes went to Mrs. Whittington and Mr. A. Martell. The Monte Carlo dance was won by. Miss F. Loving and Mr. C. Vaughan. Music was supplied by Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Vaughan, Mrs. C. Darrah and Miss Whittington. A large sum of money has been raised towards the laying down of a local tennis court, which it is hoped to commence shortly.