Heathcote Seeks Exemption From Overdraft Charge

Press, Volume C, Issue 29625, 22 September 1961, Page 13

Heathcote Seeks Exemption From Overdraft Charge

The Heathcote County Council will approach its bankers, the National Bank of New Zealand, Ltd., for exemption from the recentlyintroduced overdraft service charge. The charge on the council's overdraft would be £3O.

“This will be another charge on the ratepayer. I think we should join the Christchurch Drainage Board in trying to get it removed,” said the chairman (Mr R A. Young). Showroom Objection

A letter was received from the Canterbury and Westland Retailers’ Association objecting to the proposed incorporation of an electrical showroom and service centre in the council's projected new offices. After some discussion, the council decided not to change its policy. Cr. C. D. le Compte said that as far as he knew there were no electrical retailers in business in the county. Cr. J. C. Holliss thought that the proposed showroom would take trade away from the city retailers, which would not be entirely fair. Cr. J. S. Scott said that, as there was nothing to prevent a private retailer starting up in the county, there should be no objection to the council opening a showroom. Cr. R. F. Shepard said all

profit would be returned, ultimately, to the ratepayers. Most other supply authorities already had showrooms. Mr Young said that the council's business would only be “in a small way.” There was no intention to go into radio or television, for ex-

ample. Most of the councillors agreed, although Cr. Holliss thought that electrical appliances such as those mentioned by the chairman, “would inevitably follow.” The council decided to tell the association that it had “the firm intention to go ahead with preparations for setting up a retail electrical showroom. Cr. Holliss recorded his dissent. Bflildings on Paper Roads No action should be taken against buildings erected with the council’s permission on paper roads and reserves, the council decided. This

was fa response to a letter from the Counties’ Association saying that the last conference of the association had asked councils to “fulfil their obligations in relation to the prevention of the erection of buildings or structures on legal roads and road reserves." and “to extend full co-operation to the Ministry of Works in any efforts to Irave removed buildings or structures already erected” in such places. Traffic Officer

The Transport Department will be asked by the county for the second time to station a traffic officer near the tunnel road workings. “Truckk, loaders, and other heavy machines tear down Bridle Path road at 60 miles an hour, but I’ve never yet seen a Transport Department officer there," said Cr. Scott. “It's too dangerous altogether." Permission Permission was given the Canterbury Ice Skating Subassociation to hold its championships on Sunday, September 24. “provided the times did not interfere with church hours." Grant A grant of £5O Was made to the Canterbury Public Relations Office. Noxious Weeds The county decided to make inquiries of neighbouring authorities as to their lists of noxious weeds, with the object of bringing the lists into line. ■ Presentation

A presentation was made by the chairman on behalf of the council to Mr W. F. Turnbull, who recently retired after 29 years’ service for the county.