TOWN AFFAIRS

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIV, Issue 21, 17 March 1933, Page 6

TOWN AFFAIRS

LEESTON BOARD MEETS.

There were present at the monthly' meeting of the Leeston Town Board on Tuesday evening Cmrs. W. Johnston (chairman), F. K. Taylor, J. H. Jones, F. B. Clausen, L. C. Vicary and W. B. Bray. The clerk, Mr C. G. Fisher, was also present. The Health Inspector reported that no cases of infectious disease had occurred in the town district during the month. Seven visits had been paid to the township. The Minister of Labour forwarded copy of Gazette notice fixing Saturday as the day for the weekly halfj holiday in Leeston. Arising out of a letter from the Health Inspector regarding water for fire sumps, members discussed the ! possibility of filling the sumps from the overflow of artesian wells and of preventing water from the channels entering the sumps except in case of fire. A sub-committee consisting of Cmrs. Taylor, Jones and Clausen was set up to investigate the position. A letter referring to the Highways Board's proposals for payment of subsidy before the end of the financial year was read.

The clerk said that he had at the beginning of the present financial year prepared his estimate of the cost of maintaining the highway through the township and had duly forwarded it to the Highways Board. Money to the amount of the estimate had been almost all spent before the Board's decision had been received. Then it had cut the estimate down considerably. He had estimated for £49, but the Board had made a subsidy of £38. Possibly there might be some difficulty regarding the amount of subsidy next year.

Cmr. Clausen commented upon the condition of the mam road through the business part of the town. It carried a good deal of heavy traffic and was becoming badly corrugated. Cmr. Vicary agreed that it was very bad. The speed of motor vehicles was a factor in the condition of the road. It was decided to write to the Highways Board's representative in Christchurch, explaining the condition of the road and asking for a report j and estimate of cost of repairs. In reply to Cmr. Clausen, the clerk said that only about four unemployed men were available at present, but there would be more later on. Members considered that there would be plenty of work to be done. The clerk said that the estimates would be ready for next meeting. Grading work is to be done on the extension of Station street past the I Power Board's yards, also on the road opposite the baths. .The question of depositing rubbish in the Board's pit in Manse road was referred to the works committee. The chairman said he would be favourable to having the section cleared of rubbish which could be dumped into the pit. Accounts amounting to £79 6s lld were passed fcr payment, which brought the overdraft up to £285 7s 6d. The clerk said that during the rest of the month he hoped to receive about £200, leaving an overdraft of £85 at the end cf the financial year. Cmr. Vicary reported that as the result of the reduction of interest on local body loans, the Board would benefit to the extent of about £40 per annum in interest charges.