LAWRENCE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 10

LAWRENCE NOTES

{Fhom Ouh Cokeespondekt] . At a committee meeting of the Lawrence Amateur Swimming Club the following business was_ transacted;—Mr A. J, Wallis was appointed honorary caretaker of the swimming pool. Messrs Jackman, Templet, Stevens, and John Christophers were appointed the Selection Committee. Correspondence was received - from the Otago Centre approving Saturday, March 9, as the date of the annual carnival, and also approving February 12 and 17 for “ Learn-to-swim Week.” The _ centre is also arranging to provide an instructor for this period. LAWRENCE BOROUGH COUNCIL; . The monthly meeting of the Lawrence Borough Council was presided over by the mayor (Mr R. F. Batchelor). A ratepayer who stated he was on. sustenance wrote asking the council if it would be possible to work out some of his rates.—The letter whs received and consideration given, but no immediate action was taken, particularly in view of the danger of creating a precedent. The chairman, Otago Provincial Patriotic Council (Tuapeka County branch), Mr John Bennetts, wrote inviting the council to be represented-at a meeting to be held at Roxburgh op February 7. A further notice in this respect was received from the secretary of the Otago body. He asked for support of the local branch. The local branches of the R.S.A. were arranging the effort in co-operation with other bodies. The council decided to leave the fixing of the date to the 11.5. A. The arranging of representation at the meeting at Roxburgh was left to the mayor and Cr Forbes. Advice was also received from the National Patriotic Funds Board of two dates, one at the end of February and the other the end of • April, for the for sick and wounded soldiers.—Received. In connection with the proposed memorial and shelter on the new fiaast Pass road linking Otago and Westland by road, the clerk of the ,Vincent County Council wrote appealing for funds.—Received. It was decided to reply regretting that the borough had no funds at its disposal for the purpose. For the Works Committee Cr Pitt reported that since last meeting the four local men on scheme 13 had been taken off by the department and, with one- exception, were employed elsea man be employed on contract in the cemetery. The question of clearing broom, etc., in the streets required attention.. His committee suggested that ratepayers now be advised that they were responsible for their half of the street. He recommended the selling of six drums of bitumen which tho council was unlikely to require to Messrs Fulton and Hogan, who had offered to buy it at the present enhanced values.—Accepted. The Finance Committee (Cr Martin) recommended in respect of the council’s various insurance policies, now expiring at various dates, that these should all be handled by one company to expire at March 31 of each year, and thal quotations be receivable from each of tho five companies represented in the town and the Finance Committee be ■ empowered to decide.—Agreed. On the committee’s, recommendation it was decided that outstanding rates for 1937-38_ should be handed to the borough solicitor for collection. Accounts totalling £373 18s were passed for payment. After discussion in committee it was decided that the question of the legal responsibility of the council in respeci of costs incurred in arranging leases

should be referred to the Municipal Association for an opinion. .. The Clerk reported that the valuation roll had scarcely been altered, except for a reduction of £4. There had been no buildings erected on rateable property.) (The ..roll was approved. The question of responsibility ana ownership of pipes laid by private owners across the streets from the water mains was raised by Cr Pitt and debated at some length without ultimate decision.