BOROUGH MANAGEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1933, Page 6

BOROUGH MANAGEMENT

STRATFORD COUNCIL MEETS. REVIEW OF MONTH’S WORK. The Stratford Borough Council met last night, .when there were present the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), Councillors R. F. Harkness, R. R- Curtis, Dr. W. P. Gordon, A. H. Nelson, A. H. Trotter, C. H. Speck, R. E. Carryer, J. W. Crowe and C. R. Finnerty. The works committee reported that taking into consideration the capacity of the water main and the pressure available at the point where the service would be required it would be impossible to give the necessary supply of water for the proposed technical school baths; that for next season’s requirements of bitumen the necessary quantity be purchased through the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association; that the estimated cost of metalling, grouting and sealing the Fenton Street crossing is £7l; that the hospital rate has been increased by approximately £6O per annum, and the committee recommends the board be advised that the council views with apprehension the increase in the levy, and suggests that means be sought to effect economy in expenditure; that the engine shed and old fire station in Lear Street be pulled down and any useful material used for erecting an improved shed at the borough depot; that the filling in Hamlet Street, between Regan and Sey-' ton Streets, be the next work to be done by relief labour, and thait the foreman be authorised to remove the bank of earth on the southern side of Regan Street between Hamlet Street and Brecon Road. The committee was given authority to sell sqme plant which was useless for borough purposes, including an oat crusher and timber waggon. The following tar-sealed street had been scheduled for top-dressing: Fenton Street, Juliet Street to Cordelia Street; Orlando Street, Fenton Street to Regan Street; Pembroke Road east, Broadway to Cordelia Street; Cloton Road, Juliet Street to Swansea Road; Juliet Street, Fenton Street to Regan Street; Swansea Road central; Regan Street west, Miranda Street to Hamlet Street. It was recommended that the following streets be tar-sealed: Cordelia Street, Regan Street to Pembroke Road; Celia Street, Juliet Street to Swansea Road. The electrical committee reported that the Wiremen’s Registration Board had approved of Mr. A. E. Pollock’s appointment as a wiring inspector. The committee recommended that the minimum charge for current used for lighting only be abolished as from August 1; that another street light be erected in Miranda Street between Opuhake Road and Romeo Street CARE OF THE STREETS. That substantial portions of Juliet Street north, Ariel Street-, central, Orlando. Street north and Pembroke Road east had been regraveiled was reported by the borough foreman, Mr. R. Richards, Six railway crossing signs, two each at Broadway south, Warwick Road and Juliet Street south, were erected, while improvements were effected in Portia Street south (stock route) and the metal portion of the road repaired. Formation work bn Ariel Street north was completed and five chains metalled to connect with Pembroke Road. Crushed shingle was used for. this work. The new road, Ariel Street south, had been extended to Mr. Sanne’s property. In connection with domain maintenance three chains of new fence was erected near the cattle ford to prevent stock wandering in King Edward Park and the hand-rails on the swing bridge repaired. Unemployed relief gangs were at present working on the Hamlet Street formation and several men were engaged cutting firewood at Swansea Road. Bulk supply had been maintained without any interruptions, reported the electrical inspector, Mr. A. E. Pollock. The peak reached for the month was 509 k.w., compared with 482 for the corresponding period last year. Units purchased were 255,500, compared with 240,600 last June, an increase of 14,900. There were 10 new heating points, one lighting point and one hot water point installed during the month. Two singlephase, one three-phase service and three other services .were renewed. The revenue for May was as follows, figures for corresponding month of last year being shown in parentheses: Outstanding at the beginning of the month, £302 (£264); gross revenue, £1547 (£1436); discount, £360 (£314); cash, £1209 (£1117); outstanding at end of month, £279 (£269). Cr. Finnerty said he could not see any reason why the clause in the works committee report relating to the hospital board should be included. He considered the board had done very well to keep its maintenance costs low and consequently the levy as low as they had been kept. “I think £6O a year could be saved in expenses and I want it made clear to the townspeople what the levy is and the fact that it has’ been increased,” the Mayor said. The report was adopted. 1 The Stratford By-Products Company on behalf of Stratford butchers protested against the permission of alleged illicit trading in meat at Stratford and the surrounding districts by a Stratford vendor. The man, it was claimed, had a motor-cycle and side-car in which he carried and delivered milk, meat and vegetables at the same time. The Mayor said the butchers probably had some grounds for complaint if their allegations were true. He suggested the matter be referred to the inspector for a report. The council could not deal with it that night. “I think the councillors are fairly well versed in this case, but we should go into committee to discuss it,” said Cr. Harkness. The Mayor: We can do that when we get the report. The Mayor’s suggestion was adopted, together with Cr. Gordon’s proposal that the abattoir committee also report. The Mahoe School Committee expressed appreciation of the way the inspector (Mr. A. E. Sayers) did his duty in respect to the outbreak of diphtheria at Mahoe. The committee regretted that a misunderstanding had taken place with the County Council and stated that it had taken the matter up with the council. Mr. Sayers had proved to be most energetic, thorough and competent—so much so that the committee considered it was fortunate in having had his help and advice. The Valuer-General advised that an inquiry was being held as to the urgency of a revaluation of the Stratford borough and he would write again when it had been decided whether the work could be undertaken this year or not. “That’s brilliant, isn’t it?” remarked the Mayor as the councillors laughed. “I wrote early in May and I received a reply on July 14 after I had sent a stir-up,” the town clerk said. Mr. L. Simmons, Manaia pictures, sought an option for a period of two

months to lease the Stratford town hall for six months with right of renewal for an extended period at the same rental. He offered £2 for Saturdays and £1 5s for week nights. He would require the hall regularly at least three nights a week for talking pictures and he would require the right to transfer the option to a company to be formed. They were prepared to erect an operating box, “This is practically the same application as we had before,” the town clerk explained. The Mayor: Would these charges be enough? The town clerk: They would if they paid for light in addition. “I don’t think the town hall was ever built as a paying proposition and it is not,” said the Mayor. “If pictures were held in the hall local people would be banned from using it on three nights in the week. However, the income would help towards making the hall pay its way.”

It would be necessary to have at least six months’ rental guaranteed as the alterations to the theatre, if the company did not carry on, would have to be reserved, Cr. Trotter stated. “I don’t think the alterations would disfigure the hall,” said Cr. Nelson. Cr. Harkness. They couldn’t. ~- The Whangamomona Progress League’s resolution urging the metalling of Ohura Road over Moki Saddle and through Tangarakau Gorge was supported. EASTERN RAILWAY CLEAR. SLIP AT TUNNEL REMOVED. The slip brought down at the entrance of the Okahukura tunnel by the heavy rain during the week-end was cleared in£,time to allow the goods train which left Stratford at 5.15 a.m. yesterday for Taumarunui to pass. CONTROL O& THE PARKS. DOMAIN BOARD MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Domain Board was held last night, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presiding. The pine tree's in the park opposite her house had grown to such an extent that they kept out the morning sun, wrote Mrs. G. M. Fredric, Brecon Road, who asked that the trees be removed as was done under similar circumstances in Page Street. The works committee of the board will investigate the position and report. The Stratford Technical High School was granted the use of Victoria Park on August 17 for a Rugby match against Rongotai College, Wellington. FORTY-FIVE YEARS AT ELTHAM. DEATH OF MR. E. J. WHITING. Mr. E. J. Whiting, Eltham, aged 81, who settled in Taranaki 45 years ago, died at Hawera yesterday. Mr. Whiting is survived by Mrs. Whiting, two sons, Mr. A. G. Whiting (Eltham) and Mr. E. J. L. Whiting (Hamilton), and three daughters, Mesdames J. Chamberlain and F. Vincent and Miss B. Whiting, all of Eltham. There are 26 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. London-born, Mr. Whiting was taken by his parents to Tasmania and from there to New Zealand. His father had charge of the building; of the Aramoho railway bridge and Mr. Whiting’s services as a builder were engaged there. In 1888 he acquired the land on which the Jerseydale factory now stands near Eltham., He followed the building trade at Eltham for some years.. Mr. Whiting was a foundation member and past master of St. John’s Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Eltham Brass Band at its inception. ELTHAM TALKIES. MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA. One of the biggest successes of the year’s screen productions in England and America is “The Kid From Spain,” which will be shown at Eltham to-night. It has been produced on the same colossal scale as “Whoopee” and “Palmy Days,”, which were extremely popular in New Zealand, and now the disinterested observer overseas considers that “The Kid From Spain” provides the comedian with his finest opportunity to date. The picture opens with what is, perhaps, one of the most brilliantly directed dance ensembles ever seen on the stage or screen. Set in an elaborate and vast dormitory at a co-educational college, this sequencers fraught with sheer artistry. Crowds of lovely Goldwyn girls are seen rising in the morning, an operation they perform with melodious songs and dances, culminating in some spectacular movements in a huge swimming pool. It is in the dormitory that Eddie Cantor finds himself, having been placed there by his co-students after a hectic evening. Indirectly, this episode leads to his expulsion, alorg with Ricardo, a Mexican friend, and embroiled unwillingly in a bank hold-up. Eddie crosses into Mexico, where he is spotted by a detective, to whom he pretends to be Don Sebastian IL, the great Spanish bull-fighter. Then follow several adventures, involving a kidnapping episode to help Ricardo, a flirtation with a beautiful blonde, and eventually, an unwilling debut into a bull ring to convince the detective of his identity. The ballets are magnificent, and it is claimed for “The Kid From Spain” that it is a “girl picture,” just as much as “Whoopee” was.