RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15512, 12 February 1916, Page 10

RANGIORA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

» The monthly meeting of the Rangiora Borough Council was held last night, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings.), Crs. H. Boyd, C. S» Ay'ers, W. A. Rouse, W. 0. Jameson, W. Blackett, F. B. Lane, and W. McGruer. Leave of absence was granted £o Cr. C. C. Paterson. The Mayor reported that he- had sent a requisition to the Telegraph Department at Christchurch signed by . over sixty people, asking that another telephone wire lie put through from .Rangiora to Ciiristchurch. it was decided to grant the use of the municipal swimming bath free for a patriotic swimming carnival, to be held by the New Zealand Amateur Association, .in conjunction with the North Canterbury Swimming Club on Saturday, March 4th. A letter was received from the Director of - Base Records stating that definite instructions had been issued to officers clearing transports of returned soldiers, ordering them to notify the next-of-kin or tnc Mayors of country districts,of the return of any men to such districts. The Mayor pointed out that this would not end their trouble, as the information would only be that so-and-so had landed in some '.part of the Dominion. and they would still be in the dark ,as to when the men were expected at their . homes, and arrangements for receptions would still be most unsatisfactory. A letter was received from the secretary of the Poor of Groat Britain, Ireland, and Belgium Relief Fund, asking if the Council intended to continue to send its quota to the fund. It' was decided to reply in the affirmative. A complaint was received from Mr 0. _ Redfern. of the existence 'of a nuisance on-the premises adjoining his shop in High street. The Mayor explained that the Council's inspector had visited the premises in question, which were occupied by. Cr. W. House as a fish shop, and had reported there was no ground for complaint. It was decided to reply to that effect. . ' A circular letter was received from the North Canterbury Recruiting Board, asking the Council to assist in carrying out tho recruiting scheme formulated by the Government. It was decided that the Council should join with the Rangiora County Council in support of the movement, and do all in its power to send away sufficient men to. meet the requirements of the Government. The Mayor said that a public meeting would be held on Monday night, and the matter would then be referred to. and at the same time the peoj?le would bo asked to nominate and elect a candidate for the borough for the position of Queen of the North. The reports of the foreman and the gas manager were adopted. The action of the Council, in increasing its grant from £10 to £25 to the Rangiora Brass Band at an informal meeting was confirmed. The treasurer's statement showed receipts on General Account £613 6s lid. Accounts amounting to £173 17s 6d were passed for payment. The Gas Account receipts were £133 9s, and accounts £178 16s 3d were passed for payfljent. The credit balance at the bank was £532 13s 2d, temporary loans £1492. total debit balance £897 13s 2d. After the ordinary business of the Council a letter was read from Messrs Papprill and Conlan. stating that Major B. S. Jordan had heard on good authority that at the last meeting of the Council one of the councillors had said that should Major. Jordan be invited to a reception Privates de Villiers and Butters would not attend. Should such remark be made again he would take legal action. The Mayor pointed out that Major Jordan had been misinformed, and that the words mentioned in the letter had not been used. He said t-ha:t Cr. Rouse had interjected into the discussion on the proposed • reception something to the effect that before asking Major Jordan to attend the men should be consulted, because he believed it was not etiquette for privates to attend the same functions as officers. He said that Cr. Rouse had not intended any slur upon Major- Jordan. Several councillors spoke in corroboration of this, and pointed out that in mentioning an incident that , happened at North Canterbury, Cr. Rouse had intended the meaning to be taken from his words. Cr. F. P. Lane moved that a letter be written to Major Jordan that his informant had misconstrued the meaning of Cr. Rouse's remarks,.and that had any slur been ..eastnoon Major Jordan's name, every member of the Council would have risen in protest." This was carried.