Rent-free Houses Rate-free?: Mines Department Claim

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1950, Page 7

Rent-free Houses Rate-free?: Mines Department Claim

[SEECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day.—A strong protest at the claim that the Mines jDepartnrent was not limbic ioi iates on houses occupied rent-free by salaried officers, was voiced at yesterday’s meeting of the Inangahua County Council “Can’t we turn ofi the water? asked Cr J. E. Etheridge, after the reading of the department s letter, claiming its authority lor exemption from a circular from the Treasury. “This is just a subterfuge,” said Cr ?. J. O’Regan, pointing out that every department could adopt a similar policy. The rent actually was incorporated in the salary paid, he said. “Making such a distinction can operate only to the detriment of local bodies,” he added. “If this thing is carried on extensively it would almost cripple us,’ Cr O’Regan continued, asking since when had the Treasury received the power to make law. Circulars were only issued fo? guidance, he said. The council, acting on Cr O’Regan’s proposals, decided to refer the matter to the Counties’ Association solicitor for a legal opinion, and, at the same time, to enter an emphatic protest to the Mines Department.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOSPITAL FITTINGS [SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day.—A “budget of complaints” in regard to the engineering work carried out in the new boiler house and the nurses’ home at the Inangahua Hospital, was discussed by the Hospital Board last evening. The architect, Mi - W. H. Trengrove, reported that he had advised the subcontractor of 10 defects in the boiler house and four in the nurses’ home, and he forwarded a reply claiming that many of the defects were due to inadequate attention and abuse. Board members expressed dissatisfaction with the reply, and approved of a move to have an independent engineer inspect the allegedly faulty equipment. LOAN FOR _ COUNCIL’S BUILDING PROPOSALS [SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day—A decision to build a new house for its foreman, together with an implement shed for the council’s machinery, was reached by the Inangahua County Council yesterday. To finance this project and the purchase of a house for the new engineer, the council approved the raising of a loan of about £4OOO. It was reported that the grader loa.n would expire next month, the truck loan in 1952. and an £B4OO loan in 1956. „ ~ The new engineer, Mr Fraser, it was reported, had taken ill and had entered hospital at Auckland. He would now arrive at Reefton on October 12 instead- of September 15 as originally planned. Reef ton Water Leakages House Inspection [SPECIAL REPORTER] REEFTON, This Day—Authority for a house-to-house inspection to be made in Reefton in an effort to trace the extensive leakage from the town’s water supply systems was given by the Inangahua County Council at its meeting yesterday. The foreman, Mr C. Jensen, given these powers after he had told the council he believed nearly every house in Reefton had a leaking tap. “One place I was at had a pipe running away full bore, and I don t know for how long,” said Mr Jensen. ANTE-NATAL - CLINIC REEFTON, This Day.—A decision to urge the provision this year oi an ante-natal clinic at the Inangahua Hospital, was reached by the Hospital board last evening. The importance of the clinic, which it was stated would cost about £2OOO, was stressed and it was agreed that the assistance of Mr J. B. Kent M.P., be sought.

Buller Rugby Team Several new names appear in the Buller Rugby representative team to play Canterbury at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, tomorrow. The team is as follows:—Full-back: F. Neighbours. Three-quarters: A. O’Connor, A. Kerr, S. Fraser. Five-eighths: A. Forsythe, K. Worthington. Halt-back: G. Smallholme. Front row forwards: W. Mumm (captain), J. Duncan, R. Doncliffe. Second row: M. Ryan, W. Cunnif'fe, J. Stuart, G. Kearns. Third row: G. Anderson. Emergencies: K. Crackett, T. Lewis, W. Hawes (forwards); R. Bennett, F. Barry and N. Borlase (backs).