WEST HARBOUR AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 22718, 4 August 1937, Page 16

WEST HARBOUR AFFAIRS

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING a The monthly meeting of the West Harbour Borough Council was held last night. The mayor (Mr A. Smith) occupied the chair and others present were Crs T. F. Rodger, J. M'Kay, J. L. Page, J. Coutts, P. H. Davis, F. Throp, T. Monk, J. Robb, and F. W. Venn. “ AN INSULTING LETTER.” “ Holier Park never looked better than it did last year, and it was kept in first-class condition,” said Cr Rodger. “ This is an insulting letter.” The letter was from the secretary of the Ravensbourne Cricket Club, stating that the club was willing to pay a higher rent if the council would see that Holier Park was kept in better condition. During the past few years the grass had been as high as 12in, and never less than 4in, except for some SO square yards in the centre. It resembled a hay paddock. The Mayor moved that the ground should be given to the flub free or rent provided it was willing to keep H in decent order. „' ' . ■ “ These cricketers want all their fun at the expense of others,” said Cr Page. “ This cricket club seems to be very, TC “ y We cannot ‘ spoon feed ’ the cricketers,” said Cr Rodger. “ The club has not paid last year’s rent, and I do, not know what they mean by. paying a higher rent. The ground belongs to all; it is a pleasure ground, for the whole district. Holler Park never looked better than it did last year, and it was kept in first-class condition. This is an insulting letter.” , The mayor’s motion was then put to the meeting, the voting resulting 5-5. Or Monk moved— ‘ That the clerk write to the cricket club offering to try and procure a motor from Dunedin to cut the grass each week, and that the club pay the cost.” . Cr Jlobb seconded the motion, which was carried. GENERAL. The sanitary inspector (Mr A. E. Barrett) wrote drawing attention to the unsanitary method of drainage from the Ravensbourne Post Office. — The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) advised that Arbour Day would be observed, on August 11. and requested the council’s cooperation.—Trees planted last year were generally progressing well, reported the clerk (Mr W. Connor), while other trees had been pulled up and used as cricket stumps by small, boys.—Cr Venn moved that this year trees be planted on (Black Jack’s Point, ,Although they could not be of immediate benefit, their value as a wind break would be realised in’ several years.— The motion was carried. : Receipts for the month totalled £896 la 3d, and the expenditure £1,054 8s 3d. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £328 18s 9d. ■ , An application from the Badminton Club for a reduction in the rent of the St. Leonards Hall was granted. 'The Secretary of the Otago Clerical Workers’ Industrial Union wrote reminding the council that the terms of the clerical workers’ award must' be complied with in respect of town-dierks and their wages.—Cr Venn said that tho letter really referred to the council’s assistant officer, who was being underpaid. The secretary'of the union (Mr R. Herbert) had advised him ■to apply for an under-rate worker’s permit. The council’s- town clerk had 'either to' join the union or be paid An increased wage. He was not a member of tho union at the present time. — On Cr Venn’s motion, the matter was referred to the Finance Committee. - INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The inspector’s report stated that the following work had been done in the borqugh during the month: —The water table in Shannon street was repaired and water tables cleaned. . The water tables on the Main road were cleaned in various places. - Screenings were spread in a lot of places, and metal ■was also spread-on the road lines. The drain at Burkes should be finished this month. The drain from the school to the Post- Office had- been laid, and should be of great benefit to all. The following work required- to be done; — The entrance to the “ Holler Park ” is to be made and the concrete wall in the ditch erected. .Manuka street is to be' continued, - and the water tube at Mitchell’s is to bo lifted. The Fire Brigade shed remained to' be altered. The- drains at - Ascog road and Burkes are to -be laid and the concrete wall at St. Leonards erected. The-Main road requires attention in several places as soon as possible.