HE MIRRO! STRATFORD, ONT., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1927 Vol. 5 MELTING POT (By Observer) It must be gratifying to Stratford ratepayers, especially those directly interested to learn that some $97,000 of debentures covering local improve- ments mature and will be retired this year, but is there cause for general satisfaction at this event unless it has been accompanied by a just and reas- onable limit to debentures _is- 'sued? A good showing on one side of the ____ @ivic ledger is no index to the actual - result obtained until the other side is revealed. Stratford taxes are generally con- sidered heavier than the majority of ; _ Fatepayers can afford and now when a 'the record of the past yearcomes up for discussion serious consideration should be given to exact conditions. Why not publish a complete state- ment showing amount of debentures Fie issued and retired yearly on account pores of the general and local improvement : trates for the past, say fifteen years, leaving out issues for Public Utilities as these are provided for from rey- enue, and do not affect the general rate? A bald statement that large issues of debentures have been retired is no eredit to present council, as the onus or otherwise rests entirely on those _ responsible for the original issue as - provision was then made for the col- lection of taxes sufficient to cover them at maturity and each succeed- ing council has merely collected the " amount. 'If this city is to ever get a reduced taxation it must be started at the is- suing end of the debenture business. 'There are times when large issues of - debentures are necessary, especially when the population is increasing ma- terially, but debenture issues should be regulated by circumstances as to - increase or decrease in population to- "gether with the ability of the general public to pay in comparison to their earning power. It is up to our repre- sentatives to enlighten the public on these matters when asking for furth- er endorsation. new _ TW. B ROTHWELL | VOCAL - PIANO : STUDIO } | 48 WATERLOO STREET OPP. ¥.W.C.As PHONE 1858J BY THE PHI On Wednesday of this week the Station Post Office which for 30 years served the public in Stratford, closed its doors. Some time ago it ceased to be a post office in the full sense of the word, becoming a sub office where no mail was received or despatched but money orders were sold and registered mail and insur- ance handied. The need of the of- fice as a regular post office practi- cally ceased when the carrier sys- tem of private mail delivery was started. There was and is however a need for a sub office in the South end of the city. In larger cities there are many sub offices and this city could support one or two. Usually these offices are operated as part of another business as the pay is on a percentage basis. So far there is no word of any appointment of a sub office to replace the one that has just been closed and in which Ex- Mayor J. C. Monteith served the pub- lic as postmaster for 15 years. cs * a The directors of the Agricultural Society have been able to show a bal- ance of $400 on the year's business and have hope of swelling this amount | by a substantial sum of rain insurance | from the government some of these) days. The directors have not taken Pertinent Patter LISTINE very kindly to some criticism that has come their way, feeling that it was not 'merited. It is perhaps hard to work and try to make an affair a success and then get criticized but it was ever thus and the man in the public eye must be prepared to take a bit of criticism. There would not be much difficulty in finding plenty to criticize about the fair for there are many glaring needs. Certainly 'the grounds need improving and the entrance, but also there is a very ob- vious need for a little initiative in the way of a building campaign to improve the accommodations for the exhibitors. It has about reached the point when it is necessary to branch out or go back as the present plant wil] not take care of much in the way of expansion. * * = The Memorial Baptist church has voted to join the new convention of "recular" Baptist churches, formed by Rev. Dr. Shields in Toronto, follow- ing his expulsion from the old con- vention. This is a schism that is to be regretted and will be regretted by all supporters of the Protestant churches no matter what denomina- tion they may belong to for it is just another of those arguments that are (Continued on page 5) i the newest designs ond. ag ie ranging from $25.00 Diamond diamonds rings--each set with a perfect You are invited to inspect these famous "Key, Quality" rings. Prices are very moderate-- PEQUEGNAT'S Perfect -- Rings E announce a spe- cial showing of in "Forget-Me-Not" to $125.00. --~ Local Interest IMPORTANT APPEALS AGAINST ASSESSMENT ARE HEARD The Court of Revision this week has been dealing with a number of appeals against the assessment the most of which were small matters of adjust- ment. There were two appeals, how- ever, that were of more than ordinary importance. They were the appeals of the Canadian General Electric Com- pany against the assessment of their two plants in the city. Some reduc- tion was made in one plant but none in the other and the citizens general- ly will.support the board in its action refusing to cut the assessment. These two fine large properties are being held idle here and up to the present at least the C. G. E. has held them at a very high price so that the pros- pects of selling and getting live indus- tries here has been very slim. If the city cuts the assessment so that the taxes are very low there will be little chance of getting them to con- sider selling for a reasonable figure. PITCHING HORSE SHOES REVIVED THIS YEAR "Ringers" and other expressions of the ancient art of pitching horseshoes are being revived this year in Strat- ford for the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Luck Twirlers is going strong. Not the weakest group of the lot was the one which held regular seances behind Dempsey's greenhouse - on Cambria street. This group com- posed largely of residents of that dis- trict, had inspiration for snappy work for they had a real prize to shoot at, a pair of fine English pipes, donated by Alex Faill There were many hot battles and when the dust was cleared away the handsome smoke producers were safely in the clutches of Joe Slater and Jim Anthony. The club is now considering entering their champions in the city tournament as real material for iron slinging champs. AUCTION SALE OF CONTENTS OF EMPIRE HOTEL ON SATURDAY, NO- \EMBER 5TH at 9.30 A.M. SHARP AT HOTEL, 164 DOWNIE ST. STRATFORD Consisting of contents of 25 rooms and being leather parlor chairs, daven- port, oak desk, tables, leather couch, rugs, linoleum, dining room tables and chairs, new iron beds with springs and : bedroom pillows, stands, bedding, mattresses, dressers, tables and chairs, _| curtains, *toiletwear, kitchen cupboard and tables, dishes, kitchen utensils and other articles. Most of these goods are nearly new. Sale sharp at 9.30 in | morning. ler. Jones, auctioneer, Terms cash. J. Clark, own- - "eeghgrtermenes =a