OAMARU ITEMS

Evening Star, Issue 22685, 26 June 1937, Page 20

OAMARU ITEMS

LABOURERS’ UNION Mr Brian O’Donnell, president of the Otago General Labourers and Related Traelds’ Union of Workers, presided at a special meeting of the Oamaru branch, hold for the purpose of declaring the result of the postal ballot. This was brought about under the arrangement wheyeby the Oamaru Local Bodies and General Labourers’ Union cancelled its registration and members linked, up with the more recently constituted, but numerically stronger, body. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr H. Grocott; vice-presi-dent, Mr J. H. Rapson; secretary, Mr E. W. Berwick; committee—Messrs H. Griffiths, L. Kane, R. M'Millan, A. Nicholson, and G. Nisbot. Mr O’Donnell delivered an address to the largo audience of members on the ideals of trade unionism and the advantages that accrued when united support backed up constitutional methods. Opportunity was taken to make a presentation of a rug to Mr J. Ferguson, after which a pleasant social hour was spent. KUROW WATER SUPPLY Reference to certain statements by a correspondent in the papers concerning the Kurow water supply was made by the engineer (Mr G. L. Cuthbertson) at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council yesterday. Mr Cuthbertson said that -when he first reported on the scheme in February, 1932, his estimate of the cost was £2,000, and the size of the reservoir was exactly the same as in the present scheme—so,ooo gallons. The report then read: “In a township like Kurow, owing chiefly to climatic conditions, a much larger quantity of water per head will bo used, and wasted, especially in summer, than would bo the case in a larger centre. This is inevitable and must be allowed for in designing a successful scheme.” The same conditions hold good to-day, and it was only a wise precaution to have a reasonable reserve in case of a fire, say in the evening when the water would be low in the reservoir, before pumping commenced. Unless water was available for ordinary use in gardens, the scheme would not be satisfactory, and the ratepayers would not be getting value for their money. As was pointed out at the recent meeting in Kurow, tho inclusion of the area outside tho township would bring in a considerable revenue which would materially reduce the charges to those in the township. Neither the council nor anyone close connected with it wished to force tho scheme on the Kurow ratepayers and tho issue would bo entirely in their hands when the poll was taken. ' SUPPLY FOR DUNTROON. The desirability of promulgating a scheme for supplying Duntroon residents with water similar to that .proposed at Kurow was advocated at a meeting held at Duntroon. At the meeting of the Waitaki County Council yesterday Cr J. S. Adams stated that the proposed scheme would serve some 25 residents. The scheme would be less than'half the size of the Kurow one. Tho matter was left to Crs Adams and Rutherford and the engineer to investigate. COUNTY RATE TO BE INCREASED ... / At the monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council yesterday it was recommended on the motion of Or E. S. Brewster, to adopt a rate of 19-20 d in the £ for the ensuing year. Last year’s rate was 16-20 d. The rate will thus be increased by 3-20 d. Members felt that although every effort should be made to have the main highway from Pukeuri to Kurow tar sealed, this would require a long-term loan of £20,000. In tho light of recent utterances by the Minister of Public Works this might not be necessary as the Government, it was thought, would eventually take over all highways. The fixing of the rate will be endorsed at next meeting. The clerk (Mr R. K. Gardiner) submitted tho estimates for the current year. The actual receipts for 1936-37 totalled £37,768 16s sd, and the rate levied brought in £15,381 2s Id. Tho estimated receipts for 1937-38 are £2B ; - 594 3s lid, and the rate required is £18,261 11s Id. The estimated expenditure is £46,855 15s, and the estimated revenue, excluding rate £28,594 3s lid. A rate of 19-20 d would produce £18,263 5s 2d, SPEED LIMIT THROUGH TOWNSHIPS In connection with the Waitaki County Council’s decision to secure an arbitrary speed limit of 30 m.p.h. at Kurow, Duntroon, Weston, Enfield, Ngapara, Maheno, Herbert, Pukeuri, Kukanui, Totara, Windsor, the acting Minister of Transport wrote stating that it was found in most instances of small country settlements that an arbitrary speed limit of 30 m.p.h. was undesirable, and that the 30 m.p.h, lestriction was generally deemed necessary only in fairly extensive built-up areas. It was suggested that the council review its proposals. At the monthly meeting of the Automobile Association (North Otago) approval was given to the proposed _3O m.p.h. speed limit at all townships mentioned with the exception of Kakanui, Totara, and Windsor. The correspondence was received, and it was agreed to adopt the proposed speed limit. WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held yesterday, there being present the chairman (Mr J. Rodman), Crs J. S. Adams, D. J. Ross, S. Taylor, J. D Rutherford, E. S. Brewster, R. B. Meek, D. Rodger, and W. E. Aubrey. Treasury notes were received as follow: —Highway subsidies, £1,496 7s 8d; Public Works Department, 14s; New Zealand Railways (heavy traffic license fees), £l4l 2s; auctioneers’ licenses, £l92’ 10s.. , . • . , The chairman and engineer reported on the suggestion for forming the road to Campbell’s Bay. The work would require fairly heavy expenditure, but a,s it was urgently necessary it was decided to adopt tho proposal. It wa_g decided to forward a remit to the Counties’ Conference that, in view of the importance of keeping stock off the main highways, tho Minister of Transport be requested to subsidise the wages of stock rangers out of the main hignways fund. The Chairman reported on an interview with tho Waitaki Power Board, as tho result of which the -board had agreed to increase the discount for tho ensuing year from 10 per cent, to 20 per cent.—Agreed to. Tho North Otago Tree-planting Association requested permission to include an appeal for membership with the next issue of rate demands.—Agreed to. I

It was resolved to notify the Public Works Department (Dunedin) that the council was prepared to contribute towards the cost of improving and metalling 195 chains of road in the Native Block at Moeraki, the total estimated cost being £1,600. The Maheno Cemetery Trust advised that Messrs A. H. Watson, J. D. Watson, C. M. Clark, S. Hunter, and A. Lindsay had been appointed trustees. The Medical Officer of Health (Dunedin) wrote drawing attention to the Camping Ground Regulations, 1936, and advised tho council to consider applying them to tho county.—Agreed to. It was decided to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for authority to borrow £3,000 for the purpose of engineering the Kurow water supply. It was agreed to gravel the road from Teschemakers' to the Convent. Following are the estimates for the Papakaio district water race account for 1937-38:—Revenue; Balance on April 1, £2 7s; rent, £l3; water charge, £639 14s lid; deficiency, £l4 18s Id. Expenditure: Maintenance and renewal of flumings, £670. Accounts totalling £2,828 5s 9d were passed for payment Six building permits, of a total value of £9Ol, were issued. _ After lengthy discussion it was decided to raise all rangers’ salaries by 10 per cent. —Engineer’s Report.— The engineer (Mr G. L. Cuthbertson) reported that tho Public Works Department had completed the overbridges on the Kartigi railway crossing. In company with tho chairman, an inspection had been made of the roads in Kakanui South, and it was found that 30 chains of _ Anderson and Magdala streets required forming and gravelling to give access to several ratepayers’ properties. Tho cost of forming and gravelling tho road round the coast of Campbell’s Bay would be about £2OO. Tar was ordered for sealing the Deborah subway, and tho work would be done as soon as possible. The town belt between Mersey street and Awamoa Control road had been re-formed and gravelled. A short length at the other "end required fofmirig, and tho Cemetery Trust had given permission to cut off a corner of its ground to improve a bad turn into Greta street. In the Papakaio riding tho race inspector reported that a good supply of water was available during the month. Various roads wore patched with the county lorry, Mr Cuthbertson stated that he was preparing the necessary plans and specifications in connection with tho preparation of tho Kurow highway for sealing. The whole of one side of the handrail on the Waikaura bridge was stripped off by the driver of a lorry recently. The damage was repaired and a claim would be made for tho cost. Mr J. J. Mitchell, a surfaceman, was unfortunate in sustaining a broken collarbone when a stone dislodged from tho top of the pit at Ngapara, In the Awamoko riding parts of the Tapui-Tokarahi road had worn right down to the clay, and maintenance gravel was required. The plans of the Otekaike bridge were still in the hands of the Public Works Department. With Cr Adams he inspected the Doctor’s Creek crossing on * the main Kurow highway. When the present box was put across the road there was normally very little water in the creek, but during the last summer there had been a constant flow, and the box was full at ordinary times. It had never been meant to take flood water, and the reason that water lay on the adjacent land after a flood was that the owners had allowed the creek to become completely overgrown. In order to obviate this trouble, therefore, application had been made to the Highways Board for a vote to allow of a concrete culvert being built of sufficient size to take flood water. Completion of the work of gravelling the Longslip-Birch-wood road would have to be held over until after the winter.—Tho report was received. ' COUNTRY FOLK FOREGATHER The Scottish Hall was the scene of a very happy gathering last night, the occasion being the annual social of the North Otago Farmers’ Union and W.D.F.U. The arrangements were in the hands of Mr A. W. Woodward and Mrs W. Robertson, respective secretaries, and their efforts towards making the function so successful are deserving of commendation. Representatives from all t|ie branches in tho district were present, as well as members of the various institutes throughout North Otago. Altogether, this year’s annual combined social was a huge success. From an early hour delegates began arriving, and from then onwards the scene manifested all the jolly good fellowship of an enjoyable social. Dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Rae’s Orchestra, with extras played by Mr Lex Clark in his usual polished style. During the evening items were rendered by Mesdames D. Campbell and 11. Smith (vocal duets), the Misses Allen (vocal duets), Mrs Sheath (recitations). The accompaniments were played by Miss J. Corlett and Mr L. Clark. The lucky spot* waltz was won by Miss Willetts and Mr J. Cooper. At a suitable interval tbe newlyelected president of the W.D.F.U., Mrs A. Durward, extended a warm welcome to the gathering, and expressed her pleasure at the presence of the mayor and mayoress (Mr and Mrs M. F. Cooney). She also introduced the retiring president (Mrs C. Hay), Mr W. Malcolm (president of the Farmers’ Union), and Miss J. B. Wilson (principal of the Waitaki Girls’ High School). Mr Malcolm paid a tribute to the careful organisation of the function, and urged the co-ordination of the two bodies. It was in the interests of the farming community generally to cooperate in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the district, and to this end, the Farmers’ Union had decided to ask the Women’s Division to be represented on the executive of the union by two delegates. In recognition of her work over a long period Mrs Hay was presented with a gift and a bouquet. Mesdames Cooney, Durward, and Meek were also presented with bouquets. The Mayor expressed thanks for the invitation to be present, and hoped that similar gatherings would tend to bring closer into touch the members of the farming community throughout North Otago. Prior to supper the birthday cake was cut with all appropriate ceremony by Mrs Hay, the candles being lit and blown out by Mr W. Malcolm and Mrs Meek respectively. The function concluded at a late liour. Mr R. B. Medk made a capable M.C. MINIATURE RIFLE SHGOTING —Pukeuri Club^— Af the weekly meeting of the Pukeuri Club T. Hooper won the handicap button. The following are the scores:— W. Common 75, F. M‘Lay 75, W. M'Culloch 75, P. M'Gcttigan 74, W. Restall 74, J. Patou 74, A. Anderson 73, D. Williams 73, H. Hughes 70, T. Greer 73, T. Hooper 72, J. Ambler 72, C. Allington 71, G,. Johnston 70, R. Craig 70.