HIDING ACCOUNTS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 26

HIDING ACCOUNTS

ABOLITION BY COUNCIL DECISION FOR MURCHISON COUNTY Cr. J. Rait moved at a meeting of the Murchison County Council, in accordance with notice given at the last meeting, “That the council take the necessary steps to abolish the riding accounts in accordance with section 3 of the Counties Act, 1931.” This was seconded by Cr. Morel and carried. It was decided that the dog tax for the Murchison County for 1939 be as follows:—Sheep or cattle-dogs, 2s Cd each; all other dogs, 5s each and that two collectors be appointed if possible, one for the northern and one for the southern area. It was resolved that the 10 per cent, penally be added to all rates unpaid after March 23, 1939. Mr Quinton, Owen Junction, wrote drawing the council’s attention to the danger to motor traffic because of horses being on the roads at night. Mr Quinton was referred to the Public Works Department, as the roads concerned were under the department’s control. It was decided that Mr D. von Sturmer, A.M.1.C.E., and registered surveyor, be appointed County Engineer at a salafy of £4OO a year, rising to £450, dirty to start on February 1. After a full discussion the council resolved that the outside staff be reorganised as follows: —Engineer, Mr D. von Stunner; assistant overseer, Mr H. F. Dermis; No. 13 scheme. Northern area, Mr J. P. Lennane, ganger; Southern area, Mr A. Drummond, ganger; depot staff, drivers, Messrs I. W. Bell and A. J. Zimmerman: labourers, Messrs W. Long and W. Woodcock; grader driver, Mr E. L. Page. •Mr Norris waited on the council about the erection of the bridge at Rifleman's Creek, and he was advised that the engineer would prepare the plans as soon as possible after ho took up duty. . , Mr W. Watson’s resignation as county overseer was accepted as from February 28. and he was granted leave of absence as from December 1 on full pay. In answer to a question about the running cost of vehicles, the assistant overseer reported that both trucks had reached a stage where the costs were heavy because of the mileage and the work they had had. PRESENTATION MADE MR M. E. SPIERS THANKED FUNCTION AT GREYMOUTII The presentation of a cheque for £ll2 10s and an inscribed silver tea set was made to Mr M. E. Spiers, former director of radio station 3ZR, at a well-attended public function at Greymouth on Thursday evening. The gifts were subscribed by radio listeners and the general public in all parts of the West Coast. Mr F. F. Boustridge presided. The gifts, Mr Boustridge said, were a slight appreciation of Mr Spiers’ efforts for listeners on the West Coast over a long period of years, in which Mr Spiers had built the station ana established a service second to none in the Dominion. For listeners at Hokitika, Mr A. H. Lawn also expressed appreciation oi Mr Spiers’ services. His absence from the studio was a loss to the Dominion as well as to the West Coast. For the patients at the vVestlana hospital, Mr E. W. Heenan said that Mr Spiers’ work in putting in sets at the hospital and giving cheerful messages over the air would never be forgotten. Since Mr Spiers had left the elation, listeners were even more appreciative than ever of the value ot the programmes put over by Mr Spiers. It was to be hoped that some attempt would be made to bring the station back to its former style, particularly to allow of nows of the day being available to country listeners. For thousands of listeners on the West Coast, including many school children, Mr Boustridge presented to Mr Spiers the cheque and the tea set, the latter being inscribed. “Presented to Mr and Mrs M. E. Spiers by West Coast listeners as a token of love ana esteem, Christmas 1938.” He was proud that be belonged to the West Coast, Mr Spiers said, ana that he had been able to speak over the air in the language of a West Coaster, and to give the type of programme desired. He paid a tribute to the work of many persons who had helped him in establishing and operating the station and expressed his thanks for the gifts. RIVER VIEW DOMAIN BOARD FIRST MEETING HELD AT MURCHISON The first meeting of the River View Domain Board was held recently. Mr J. Downie presided. The meeting was held in conformity with a notice in the Gazette appointing the Murchison County Council as the board. The Murchison County Council forwarded a grant of £4O. It was decided that application be made for permission to make charges for campers’ motor-cars of 2s a night, or 10s a week. It was resolved that application be made to the Murchison Progress League for a grant towards beautifying the domain.