Borough Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1328, 5 April 1922, Page 5

Borough Council.

The monthly meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council was held on Monday evening, 3rd April, the Mayor (Mr W. Black) presiding. Present: Crs. G. Campbell, W. Noble, A. Richards, W. Hewitt, H. Munro, S. R. Croft, W. Bringans, A. Ashworth. DEPUTATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs Paget, Robertson and J. E. Thompson waited on the council in regard to the leasing of Lane's old lace and matters pertaining thereto. After a discussion on the matter, the council decided to lease the syphon, pipe line, and old water race to a point west of the dam at a rent to be fixed. Cr Campbell was appointed to view the pipes and place a value thereon in order to arrive at the rental. CORRESPONDENCE.

Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes (Wellington) replying to the council's objection against the increase of audit fees, and stating that as no charge was made for the auditor's travelling expenses the fee was calculated to cover the actual expense and save loss to the Depart-ment.-—Received.

W. A. Bodkin (Alexandra) writing on behalf of Mr Barker and urging on the council to have the borough endowment surveyed without further delay.—Decided to have the sections surveyed forthwith, a surveyor to be procured wherever immediately available.

Alexandra Gaiety Clab per Mr G. Spencer, secretary, asking for the usual privilege of the use of the hall platform for rehearsal purposes, the club being engaged on a programme on behalf of the local Caledonian Society.—Granted. Jas. J. O'Kane (Alexandra) intimating that owing to the increased number of one inch pipes being drawn off the main he was unable to obtain sufficient pressure to drive bis electric lighting plant He asked for permission to shift his pipe line to a place nearer the library, and thus straighten the pipe line.—-Granted, work to be done at applicant's expense. T. Nv Farrell (Alexandra) asking permsssion to trap rabbits on the borough endowment.—Permission given, but not to be exclusive against any others.

Jas. Horn, M.P„ acknowledging receipt of the council's resolutions regarding audit fees and credit balances on Loans accounts—Received. Chief Inspector of Explosives (Wellington) forwarding copies of the inspector's report on his recent visit of inspection in regard to the storage of dangerous goods in the borough.— Received. Rev. G. M- Hunt (Alexandra) renewing application for half-inch water service to his section next Mr O'Neill's property, he having erected a building on the section and die water would be required for domestic purposes. Applicant stated that it would be time enough to make the connection when the new pipe line was in position. Cr Campbell moved " That the application be held :over till next meeting.

In seconding the motion Cr Btingans stated it was desirable to ascertain if the applicant was to be a permanent resident on the section otherwise a very big question was opened up. Other residents, of the district might, acquire land outside the borough, put a hut thereon ■ and then apply for .domestic service although they might not be intending to reside thereon and make a home there. In the dry season the water was at present required for borough residents and the council must be careful how far they went in giving water from the main to applicants outside the borough. Cr Noble stated that he understood it was the applicant's intention of improving the property and he thought the council should give encouragement to enterprise of this nature. Cr Munro was emphatically of the opinion that the council must call a halt to the granting of water to residents outside the borough, as borough citizens on the boundary of the town were without an adequate supply, there being only- a trickle, while residents outside the borough were enjoying a supply under full pressure direct from the large pipe line. This was manifestly unfair to those people who were ratepayers yet had co put up with the annoyance and handicap of an inadequate service.

Cr Aabwortb stated that it whs clearly understood that borough citizina had first salt on the water, and j a service was only given to outsiders on the condition that it was during the pleasure of the council, and when water was scarce it would be cut off Cr Hewitt moved a* an amendment to Cr Campbell's motion—the amendment being "That the whole matter of granting water to residents outside the borough be reviewed at the next meeting of the council."-—Seconded by Cr Richards. On a division, three voted for the amendment (Crs Hewitt, Ktcbards and Noble), and five against (Crs Cimpbell, Bringaus, Ashwortb, Croft . and Muuro), the amendment being lost. The motion was then put and carried, that the application be held over till next meeting. G. H- Hannay (borough dayman) reporting that the Butchers race required cleaning oat from the head to the deep gully this side of Lve Bow's ( garden, ml also iu a few Hit phiues

near the town end. The Chatto Creek race bad beeu cleaned from the old dam up to Mr Ashworth's. The new pipes for the main line are now carted to the bridge and are ready for dipping.—Received. GENERAL BUSINESS.

Cr Bringans spoke as to the practice of young men standing in the wing of the platform of the hall and smoking to the annoyance of ladies sitting on the platform. He suggested that it be a condition of letting the hall that the wing of the platform be kept clear. He moved " That the fire brigade and police be written to asking their cooperation to have the rule enforced governing the matter of keeping the wings clear."—Seconded by Cr Ashworth and carried. Cr Munro asked that the gorse on the roadside near Mr Ashworth's be cut away as it was interfering with passers-bye. FINANCE. Financial statement showed receipts for the past month to be £199, expenditure £258, the overdraft standing at £985 on 31st March. Accounts amounting to £75 were passed for payment. This concluding the business' the council rose with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.