Cromwell Borough Council.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2283, 5 February 1912, Page 5

Cromwell Borough Council.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers cu Thursday evening. Present The Mayor (Mr E. Murrell), Crs Betts, Murray, Bitchie, and Sanders. Cr Scott tendered an apology for his absence. Minutes of fast ordinary arnica special meeting were read and confirmed. Outward correspondence was approved and inward read and dealt "ith as follows: From the secretary, Dunstan District Horticultural Society, asking that the half-holiday be observed on February 15th, the day of the society s annual show, in lieu of Wednesday, 1 Ith. Agreed to. . From Messrs T. Barr and A. Moritz>>oll, in reference to details in connection with the visit of Dunedin citizens to Cromwell.—llceeivcd. From tlic secretary, Municipal Asso•iation. notifying that the Miramar Borough Council had contested a decision in regard to diminishing the width of streets and enclosing the judges inling on the point for the information of the council. The rules provided that the expense ol such lest cases should be borne pro rata by the associated boroughs and this council’s quota lor the recent case was (Is ltd —Passed lor payment. From the secretary. Cromwell Fire Brigade, enclosing suggestions to the council to place a distinguishing mark •it each lire plug, and to have all plugs raised above the level of the street. Cr Murray said it was hardly necessary to move iu the matter as the work was authorised by the council some lime ago, and should he done at once, as it was very necessary and the cost would be small. In regard to broken covers on the plugs, Cr Jlitehie considered the necessary material for repairing these should be procured at once as the council would probably ho liable lor damages if an accident occurred through these defects. On the motion of Cr Bilchie the matter was referred to the Works Committee with power to act at once. Matters in connection with the proposed visit of Dunedin citizens and others were discussed and it was decided that the Mayor and councillors moot the party on arrival on Monday evening. KK POUTS. The Mayor reported that the Firewood creek race had been cleaned out aud repaired and was now in good order.— Received. The Mayor also reported being informed that several horses were wandering in the vicinity of the sand dunes and destroying the trees. Something would have to be done to have these removed. Cr Kite hie, chairman of the water committee, reported in regard to the two applications for half-inch water services. The committee recommended that the application of AY. Gair be held over to enable the committee to make further inquiries, and that D. Betts’ application be granted subject to the reservation that the borough will only provide a supply while the water is coming in the new race. Cr liitchie also reported that the expansion valve had been leaking, but was now repaired. The recommendations of the committee were adopted. The report on wandering stock created a short discussion. Several councillors remarked that the paragraphs iu recent issues of the Auous appeared to have, no effect on owners, and the trouble must bo ended. One councillor slated he had seen twenty draught horses in the back streets at one time while another had seen sixteen on a different occasion. After discussing the best means of redress it was resolved that the clerk write to the dayman (Mr J. Chalmers) and inform him that lie must take the names of owners of all stock found wandering in the streets or on the sand dunes, and lay an information with the police for a prosecution, and that the council’s instructions be given effect to as strictly as possible. Cr Uitehic reported that the llccrcation Ground Committee had applied lor a Hushing of water for the trees iu the recreation ground, a number of which were not commanded by the present service to the ground. Cr Kitchie supported the request as the members of the committee were improving the domain and the Hushing could be granted without affecting the town supply to any great extent. Other councillors favored the request and the chairman of the water committee was empowered to arrange with the recreation committee, Cr Belts asked why the howling and tenuis club had this year been rated and the clubs using the* new recreation ground were not. The bowling club had gone to a great deal of expense Jor which they nothing to show so far. The tennis club was in a fairly good position but the revenue was derived from the members. He thought the council should support the young people in their recreation and encourage them to stay in the town, and he also thought they might be encouraged to take up sections on the flat by granting them a supply of water. He had been told that people in the main street were paying for water which was being used by “ back-blockers.” The valuator replied that the recreation ground was only used b}' tlic Caledonian Society once a year and was being improved in many ways. The tenuis club used the courts every day iu the summer months and had the privilege of the ground and water, and were rated on a valuation of fcS, for which the rates amounted to LT is, Cr Betts said the tennis courts and bowling green had been constructed by private contributions and were an asset to the town as an attraction to visitors. He instanced (but in other towns the borough councils provided recreation grounds. He did not think the clubs should be taxed until they had an income. Several councillors were of opinion the bowling club had nothing to rate so Fa r. The bank book showed a debit balance of £(53-5 17s. Accounts amounting to T5 I ts Hd were passed for payment. The customary vole to the chair closed the meeting,