MEETINGS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 October 1933, Page 12

MEETINGS

KUMARA BOROUGH COUNCIL. A meeting of the Kumara. Borough Council was held on Friday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr TI. Hamer), Crs. Keating, Reedy, McDonald, Murphy and McEnaney. R. C. Alld'ridge wrote regarding the flooding of his property—Chairman of Public Works to report.

The Cricket Club wrote regarding playing of lootball on the Recreation Ground during the cricket season, but it. was reported that there would be no further play. Mrs Passmore waited ou the Council to protest against the Council’s policy of issuing summonses for wandering stock. She said that it was not always possible to remain with the stock while they were being driven home, and she thought, the consequences were rather drastic. She requested the Council to consider a plan of pounding and imposing fines in order to avoid the necessity of having to go to Hokitika. The Mayor said the Inspector was only carrying out his instructions. The position would be reviewed by the Council and, if possible, any element of hardship would be removed. He agreed it would be better if the wandering stock question could be controlled locally. He suggested that a system of fines be instituted for breaches of the by-laws, with an alternative of a summons if the fines were not paid. Cr. Murphy said that he would like the minute of June 9 referring to wandering stock, read. The Town Clerk read the minute asked for: “That the Town Clerk be instructed to summons every owner of wandering stock if same, were found wandering after due warning had been given to the owner of the stock by the Town Clerk.” Cr. Murphy said he was sued twice, but had received no warning first. Others were also sued, but had first received warning.

Cr. Reedy agreed that Cr. Murphy should have received a warning along with the others.

The Mayor said that undoubtedly Cr. Murphy had a grievance. It was unfortunate that he had not been warned as the other offenders had been. The Town Clerk said that as Cr. Murphy was present when the resolution was passed, he thought that was sufficient warning.

Cr. Murphy said he was entitled to the same consideration as any other ratepayer. He was a councillor, but was also a ratepayer and a citizen. It was quite unfair. He had received his summons without warning two months after it was alleged that the stock had wandered. He considered the Inspector should' be compelled to pay the fines himself. The Mayor said that the Council ccqld not agree to that procedure. Cr. Peever said that undoubtedly the Town Clerk had not in that case carried out his instructions. It was regrettable that Cr. Murphy had not received the same consideration as the. others. He would not, however, support the suggestion that the Inspector should pay the fines. The Inspector had made a mistake; they were all liable to make mistakes. He considered that the Council should express its regret that in the particuiar case the Inspector had not carried out his instructions, and accept his explanation that no discrimination was intended. .

Cr. Murphy said that expressions of regret were no’ good when it was a case of injustice. The Town Clerk was paid to do his work and not to victimise people. It was quite unfair that he should have to pay for the Town Clerk’s mistakes, and he should receive the same consideration as any other. At the previous meeting, he had been insulted by the Town Clerk. He had a perfect right to ask any question and to receive a civil answer. He protested against this apparent victimisation. Cr. Peever moved' that the Council express its regret to Cr. Murphy for the unfortunate omission of the Inspector to give him warning as instructed. This was seconded by Cr. Reedy. Cr. Murphy moved, as an amendment. that, as it was clearly a case of victimisation, the Inspector pay for his ow]n mistake. The amendment was not seconded, and the motion was carried. Cr. Keating asked the Inspector about wandering sheep. They had cleaned out the schoolground, and were generally about the roads at the top of the town. The Inspector said' that he had not seen a sheep on the roads for weeks. He had been out early, but the only sheep on theroad were in charge of a shepherd. Cr. Reedy suggested finalising the matter. If it was possible to save the expense of the Court fees by fixing fines locally he would favour the idea. Cr. Keating agreed and suggested that a fine of 2/6 per head of cattle and 6d per head of sheep be imposed. Cr. Peever said the desire of the Council was not to prosecute people. Their job was to try and keep stock off the roads. If this could be achieved by a system of fines he would support the suggestion. Cr. Keating moved and Cr. Peever seconded, that the Inspector fine the owners of wandering stock 2/G pel head for cattle and 6d per head for sheep, with the alternative of a siimmcns if fines were not paid.—Carried. Cr. J. McFarlane wrote regarding payment of his service as traffic inspector over the past seven years. He had expected payment, but so far had received nothing.

Cr. Reedy said that other councillors had carried out and were canning out duties in various ways, but had received no payment. Cr. McDonald said that he considered that something should be paid for the work done.

Cr. Peever said' that it would not be legal to pay Cr. MacFarlane for services rendered during the time he was a councillor. The Municipal Act laid it down that no councillor should be capable of holding any such office unless without remuneration. If he acted as traffic inspector during the two years he was not in office as a councillor, then he was entitled to and could be recompensed for the work done.

Cr. Keating moved that a sum of £lO be credited to Cr. McFarlane for work done as traffic inspector during the two years he was out of office, and that he be informed that it was not legal to make any payment for services rendered during his term of office as councillor.—Seconded by Cr. Reedy and carried. The Labour Department wrote that relief workers under the No. 5 Scheme were not permitted to work time ahead.

’file Railways Department wrote, regretting that, owing to the ismall volume of business, the Kumara Rail-

way Station could not be connected with the Kumara telephone exchange. The Mayor moved that the Town Clerk follow up the matter of the acroniome site again as no reply had been received from the Defence Department. The Mayor referred to the matter of getting the main highway through Otira to Christchurch, and considered that every support should be given to the project. Cr. Murphy moved that the Mayor attend any meeting, called and to take any councillor available with him.—■ Carried. Cr. Reedy drew attention to the sluicing away of the road near the Hospital. The Mayor moved that the Chairman of Public Works report on the matter. Cr. Peever said that the matter was urgent, if any part of the road was to remain. He moved, as an amendment, that the responsible person be instructed to cease work forthwith,

pending an inspection by the Public Works Committee.—Seconded by Cr. McEnaney and carried. Cr. Reedy moved that the matter, of unpaid rates be left over until next meeting. Cr. Peever asked the date of the Borough by-laws. The Town Clerk said that he had no complete copy, but some extracts were dated May 28, 1887. Cr. Peever gave notice of motion! that the Council go into the matter of the Borough by-laws, with a view to revision. ; The Mayor referred to the matter; of the Memorial Hall, and hoped that! the report asked for would be forthcoming soon. ! Cr. Murphy suggested that the election of three Council representatives' be -proceeded with. The Mayor said that that, perhaps, could stand over for the time being. r fhey would see whether any report came down by the , next meeting. i