CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1931, Page 8

CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

Telephone Nos. Stratford Exchange 552 Office 718 Private

Telephone Nos. Stratford Exchange 552 Office 718 Private

MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT

MEETING OF STRATFORD COUNCIL.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORTS.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night, those present being the Mayor, Mr. P. Thomson, and Messrs. R. F. Harkness, N. B. Fletcher, C. L. Speck, ,A. Nelson, R. R. Tyrer,' D. J. Malone, A. H. Trotter and S. A. Ward.

The council adopted the works committee’s recommendation that the reading committee of the Mangapurna landing be supported in its endeavour to have the Mangapurua Valley road connected to the road from Whangamomona to Sponner’s Bridge

Reporting on the work done during the month, the;borough foreman, Mr. L. B. Davis, stated that the intersection of Cordelia Street and Regan ; Street had been reformed and metalled and grouted with two coats of bitumen. The intersection of Orlando Street and Regan Street had had similar treatment. In Broadway North the east side of the tarred surface had been repaired from Seyton Street to Craig Street. The intersection of Pembroke Road and Broadway had been formed, metalled • and grouted with bitumen, Broadway central from Fenton Street to Seyton Street had been top-dressed with bitumen and special sand. A good deal of clay-banking had been done on Broadway north and Regan Street east in an endeavour to improve the sides.

The drainage work was nearly completed. The last of the mains was laid on February 26 and all but two men had been put off. Those two would be required for two weeks for work. The bulk supply had been very satisfactory until February 27 when a stoppage took place at 10.15 p.m., followed by a partial supply until 10 a.m. the next day, reported the electrical engineer, Mr. A. E. Moss. The stoppage had been due to a short-circuit caused by a bird flying into the main feeder line of the Taranaki Electric Power Board’s scheme. On February 22, following a heavy gale, a short shut down on the south feeder had been necessary to enable a loose tail piece to be secured. No interruptions had occurred on the low tension side. Units purchased for the month had been 137,000 making 435,200 for the quarter as compared with 380,000 for the corresponding quarter of 1930. The peak for the quarter had been 360 as against 350 for 1930. The 100 k.v.a. transformer removed from •Juliet Street had been erected and was operating over the southern end of the town. Opportunity had been taken in the slack period to overhaul all switch gear and fuses on the sub-stations, to coat the iron-work with non corrosive paint and to overhaul the trip coils. Two residences had been finished and connected during the month, making an addi-. tion of two ranges to the load, one water heater and 31 points. The librarian, Mr. A. S. Martin, reported that books issued had totalled 1849, returned 1836, new books added 40, number of subscribers 220, subscriptions received £l2 14s 9d.

Mr. R. Jenkin, abattoirs manager, reported that the following stock had been slaughtered: Cows 78, heifers 22, oxen 14, calves 2, sheep 533, lambs 87 and pigs 77. Slaughtering fee had totalled £B4 5s 9d. GENERAL ITEMS. The action of the town clerk (Mr. P. Skoglund) in insuring the town clock against earthquake risk was confirmed by the Stratford Borough Council last night. The watercourse across Portia Street south of Romeo Street, Stratford, is to be cleaned by unemployed relief labour. A bag of trout weighing 341 b. 12oz. was caught in the Manganui River by Messrs. J. Petrie and G. A. Carter, Stratford. Six fish were caught, the weights being 61b. 140 z., 61b. 40z., three at 51b. lOoz., and one at 41b. Boz. A grant of £lO to the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade was made by the Stratford Borough Council last night.

Irish national items will be a feature of the St. Patrick’s concert to be held in the Stratford Town Hall to-night. Mr. M. McDonald, land agent, Stratford, has for disposal a 58-acre farm two miles from Stratford. The property would be ideal for supplying a milk run. Possession may be had at any time, and there is a 7% years’ lease with right of purchase if required. The annual meeting of the Eltham Football Club will be held on Friday at the Foresters’ Hall, Eltham. The report and balance-sheet will be dealt with and officers elected for the season.

Entries close on Thursday for the main events at the Pukengahu athletic eports, which are to be held at Mr. W. H. Stevenson’s paddock on Thursday, March 26. Besides the running and cycling events there will be a number of post entry races, including single and married ladies’ races, school boys’ and girls’ races, relay race, naildriving, eheaf pitching, etc. A very good day’s sport is assured both competitors and spectators. In the evening there will be a dance in the Pukengahu Hall, Wills’ orchestra playing the music. KING’S THEATRE PROGRAMME. A MUSICAL PLAY. “The Battle of Paris,” a phrase that needs no explanation to ex-service men, is the title of the Paramount feature

coming to the King’s Theatre this afternoon. “The Battle of Paris” pictures the lighter side of the war and depicts the soldiers of all the Allied armies in search of relaxation from the grim business of fighting. Gertrude Lawrence, popular musical comedy star, takes the lead. Charles Ruggles, the clown in “Gentlemen of the Press” and “The Lady Lies,” is also featured in the cast. The story is that of a young street song seller who lifts a young artist’s wallet, and when she, in a mood of remorse, returns it to him, he begs her to stay and model for him. She does, and they fall in love. Along comes the war, and the lover leaves for the front. She turns to nursing in the hospitals gnd becomes the friend of three strange soldiers who call themselves the three musketeers. Her lover returns and becomes entangled with another girl.' The three musketeers come to her aid, with but little success. Then when she is kidnapped her lover comes to his senses and a whirlwind finish follows.

PLAYGROUND ON MOUNTAIN

ROAD TO PLATEAU NEARLY READY

The road from Pembroke Road to the Stratford mountain house has Deen handed over by the Public Works Department to the Egmont National Park Board and will be under the jurisdiction of the East Committee at Stratford. It is in splendid condition for traffic all the year. The Public Works Department is prosecuting with vigour the extension of the road beyond the house to the plateau high on the slopes of Egmont. Formation work has been completed most of the distance and the surface will require practically no metal because of the pumicy ground. Already cars can proceed three-quarters of the two-mile drive and the East Committee is considering the formation of a suitable turning circuit on the plateau as well as the preparation of a parking area 4000 feet above sea-levcj.

The committee has in hand the erection of an emergency hut near the Manganui Gorge and the acquisition of necessary furnishings, stretchers arid first aid outfits. The design of a hut has been prepare/! by Mr. T. R. Anderson, a member of the committee.

A report covering this record of achievements was furnished to the Stratford Borough Council last night by Mr. J. C. Robins, chairman of the East Committee.

In conversation with a News reporter, Mr. Robins explained the aims of his committee. “Imagine,” he said, “this splendid drive higher than was ever imagined possible on the mountain, terminating on the comparatively level ground that constitutes the plateau. There will be miles upon miles of views embracing a large portion of the North Island.' In the near future this attraction will be available to motorists.

“Imagine the continuation of this roadway as a ski and toboggan track rising on the heights of Curtis Ridge. Such a track has been surveyed and planned with the assistance of Guide Williams, Mount Cook, who regards the site as being the finest of its kind it is possible to conceive. Every curve is steeply banked and the course scientifically graded.” Dealing with the possibilities of the plateau' for winter sports, Mr. Robins described a “made-to-order” area of about half :«i acre in perpetual shade at the head of a depression. Here a stream could be diverted to overflow the level area and convert it into a skating rink.

Mr. Robins said the committee had saved the trees felled in extending the road for building log cabins on the plateau.

STRATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB LOSS. TEAMS HAVE SUCCESSFUL YEAR. On the field the Stratford Football Club had a very successful season but financially last season was disappointing. After £2l Is 9d was allowed for depreciation, the income and expenditure account showed a loss of £32 12s 4d, against a profit of £2 6s 5d the previous year. The loss was due to the large decrease in senior match gates, the club receiving only £3O 3s sd, against £BO the previous year. Working expenses were kept down to a minimum. Travelling expenses showed an increase of £lO, due to the central junior competition being played in one division, against two last year.

The report to be presented to the annual meeting of the club on Monday states the membership of the club and subscriptions were about the same as in the previous year. As only financial members received benefits under the union’s accident scheme, subscriptions were paid much more promptly than in other years. : The senior team, of which Messrs. R. Wood and J. D. A. Mackay were the selectors and Mr. R. Fryday was the coach, was runner-up to Old Boys in the northern division. The team was a credit to the coach. Mr. W. J. Aitken made an efficient manager. The following members represented the province: A. Kivell, J. Walter, E. N. Owen, A. Collins, J, Young, R. Bond and R. Smith. The first juniors, coached by Mr. F. Nolan, won the central division but were defeated in the first semi-final by the Hawera Wednesday team, which eventually won the Taranaki championship. The third grade team, coached by Mr. W. J. Sharrock, was runner-up to Inglewood, being defeated in the final after three drawn games with Inglewood. Mr. R. L. Wynyard, coach of the fourth grade team, had difficulty in securing a suitable night for training and consequently the team was not able to have the coaching so necessary in a low grade. Under the circumstances the team did very well, fulfilling all the engagements during the season and showing much improved form in the second round.

The gymnasium was used to greater advantage than previously by the senior and third grade teams but there was room for improvement in the other grades. During the season Mr. Alf. Petrie donated a cup to the club for annual competition in the third grade team. The cup is for the most improved player, and Rex Harkness was the first winner. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. OPERATIONS IN STRATFORD. Work done in the Stratford borough under unemployment relief schemes was

the subject of a report presented to the meeting of the council last night by the foreman, Mr. L. B. Davis. The Miranda Street formation had been completed at a total cost of £244, Mr. Davis said. In Hamlet Street south a start had. been made on the fillings and formation on February 2'2, good progress having been made. An average of 18 men had been employed on the work and all the men were working well. Tree-cutting in King Edward Park had been commenced on February 22. The men had been working very well and good progress had been. made. About 24 men were employed on the work. A number of men had been cutting weeds and blackberry around the streets.

A start would be made this week in Seyton Street east, where the bank was to be cut and the hollow filled.

WHANGAMOMONA COUNTY

UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF WORK.

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The Whangamomona County Council met yesterday, when there were present; Messrs. N. R. Cleland (chairman), E. B. Roberton, B. Newstroski, V J. Rawlinson, M. P. Ford, G. Gower and J. Law. Notification was received that the executive committee of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association would meet to discuss the wages and salaries paid by local bodies in the No. 7 highways district. They asked also that the council forward a list of its employees with particulars of wages, holidays, hours of work, whether paid wet or dry, and other information.

Mr. Roberton said he thought it had been decided to leave the question to individual local bodies.

Mr. Law said thebe had never been any uniformity of pay. Mr. Roberton: here is not likely to be either. The Whangamomona Council would also have to pay Is more than some other local bodies if it was to secure good men. The information will be supplied. UNEMPLOYMENT. RELIEF. The Stratford Borough Council asked that the council appoint an additional representative on the Stratford Unemployment Committee. Mr. Law said the whole organisation was at fault. The labour should be scheduled and carried out according to its importance, irrespective of its location.

Mr. Ford &aid the Unemployment Board was criticised for doing work in the towns whereas the borough councils and town boards who arranged the work should be blamed.

Mr. Law eaid labour could not be more profitably employed than in givi g metalled access to settlers who had been striving for 20 or 30 years. Mr. Cleland said it would not be expedient '-> send men into the country unless more constant work could be guaranteed. Mr. Gower said there was work to be done on the- Marangae Road and he was prepared to find a whare to accommodate four or five men. The council should make use of all the men possible. The chairman explained that the council was finding work for all registered men. Work was being found as close to their homes as possible. The clerk stated that 16 men so far had registered. . Mr. Roberton said he thought farmers should also be entitled to register.

Mr. Ford asked what possibility there was of putting men on the Brewer Road. The clerk said there was a possibility that a few might be engaged, but he thought the establishment of large camps further back would be favoured. Mr. Ford was appointed to represent the council.

The Croixelles Road Board asked support to a resolution urging that in view r ’ the present economic situation, coupled with the additional financial strain caused by the Hawke’s Bay disaster, the Government cause an investigation to be made of the Fisher stabilisation plan, which was recommended by the New Zealand Board of Trade in its annual report for 1919. The Rangitikei County Council also asked support to a resolution urging that in order to relieve county ratepayers the cost of maintenance of county roads other than main highways be subsidised £ for £ out of funds to be provided by an increase in the petrol tax or out of other motor revenues.

Members considered that the council had been no better off since the last increase. The letter was received.

The Matamata County Council sought support to the following resolutions: That the present system of subsidising local body rates be abolished (this was now paid out of petrol tax funds but had indirect relationship to reading expenditure); that the main highways system be revised so as to include only roads of national importance; that a reading fund to include all petrol tax, tyre tax, license fees and other moneys of a similar nature be utilised for financing the Main Highways Board apd subsidising local bodies in proportion to their annual expenditure on all road works, including principal and interest on loans; that the Government be requested to institute an inquiry into the position of roading finance with a view to moving the incidence of roading expenditure off rateable property and on to road-using vehicles generally. The communication was received.

The committee set up to consider tenders reported having accepted tenders as follows: Formation work and carting of metal from Kohuratahi station to Kohuratahi Road, A. J. Scott (Inglewood), £366 15s 4d; formation work and carting of metal from Kohuratahi station to Putikituna Road, A. J. Scott, £416 12s sd; quarrying shingle at Kohuratahi Road, M. D. McDonough, 4s per yard. Mr. Gower drew attention to the necessity for endeavouring to complete a further section of the Kohuratahi metalling this season. Mr. Law suggested applying for a grant for the lower end of the Marco Road at Mr. Stockwell’s property. A grant of £25 should cover the work, he said.

On the suggestion of Mr. Gower it was resolved to have some slips removed from the Maranga-e Road.

ELTHAM THEATRE.

“SMILING IRISH EYES.”

“Smiling Irish Eyes,” to be shown to-night at Eltham, is a romantic tale of a Killarney colleen and her Irish sweetheart and his heart-breaking efforts to find success in America. All know the old, old story. “Smiling Irish Eyes” is liberally sprinkled with comedy episodes, a particularly laughable portion of the story occurring at an Irish county fair, while one of the choicest comedy scenes in which Colleen has ever appeared finds her with her “Irish up” in a scene with the lord of the countryside. It has as a background all the folk-lore, “wishing wells” and banshees.