WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 26 May 1922, Page 8

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) Speaking on the subject of raising r £ll,OOO loan from the Westport Coal Company to liquidate the county overdraft, the Ton. Mr Mclntyre said that, in negotiating with the officials at Dum'.Fn, he laid all the cards on the fab ■•. The company did not grant the rec nest right off; they retired to con- ’• der it, ami decided to lend the money, providing the council pledged itself to strike a 4d rate on property holders. On J cussion of the terms and conditions, co ..eillors : greed that the “deal” was a verv good one, and heartily endorsed the M.L.C.’s act ion. Discussing the raising of the rates by 3d in the £ to liquidate the county overdraft, Cr Patterson at the meeting on Wednesday expressed the opinion 'hnt employees’ wages should In* cut down similarly to those* in other coniie--, so ns to help to pay off the overdraft. Cr Mclntyre (M.L.C.) pointed Hat li- bilities were on the increase, ■.-.•ntioning particularly the enormous '.vance in the county s hospital sub- .: dv. Cr Powell, while supporting t hb J d rate which in his opinion, was small vet effective, said expenditure would Lave to bo cut down by adopting the aontr.net system for road work, instead of day labour. Observations in his own riding convinced him of this. Cr Dclevndova was against the increase, lie did not know how some struggling farmers would exist at all. The chair-man-elect opposed any further increase in r- tea. No other councillors raised objection, but by argument were of the opinion that the increase was inevitable. After all and ventilated their views Cr Patterson moved that the rate remain the same as last year .»i per cent. Delovadova seconded. Further discussion followed and Cr Mclntyre moved an amendment that the rate be per cent. Cr Crase seconded. On a show of hands, the amendment was carried. It was stated at the county meeting on Wednesday that the county’s contribution to the hospital was £3300, an increase of £6f>o upon last yeai s amount. The following mon on th ereeommer.dation of the County Engineer, have been appointed to the permanent st aft of the Buller County Council: Messrs F. Gospodnetich, IL Luff, W. Penno, IL Johnson, C. Junker, A. Parsons, M. Coyne, C. Mangos, I). Cadigan, IL Bran ley, and O. Anderson. The placing of the above men on the permanent stall entitles them to contribute to and enjoy the benefits of a superannuation fund. The Buller County Council has deeided to increase the toll on motor It. is proposed to increase the present fee to £2 per seat per year. To bring about this change, it will be necessary to make an alteration in the by-laws. It was mentioned that the alteration to the by-lrws would cost about £2O. The Westport Coal Company has decided to accept the County Council offer to repay overdraft loan in yearly instalment h of £867. Mr A. A. Wilson loft on \\ vdnesdax morning overland for Nelson en route to Wellington . Mr and Mrs Terris Pale, who have been visiting relatives here, left yes terday morning on return to the North Island. The colours of the candidates for the O’Connor Home Popular Girl Competition, are ns follows: Miss Simpson (Licensed Victuallers), red and black; Miss Champion (Kailway), red, white and green; Miss Ahern (shop assist-, ants), black and gold; Miss Ryan (North Beach Surf Club), emerald ami white; Miss Carr (hockey), old gold; Miss Griffiths (Buller Rugby Union), blue and white. I understand, from the secretary that the votes east for eacn candidate will be totalled eseiy 1. I day evening, and the colours of the om in the lead will fly at the top of a flagpole in some conspicuous place in central Palmerston Street —probably Price’s Post Office Hotel. The County Council are purchasing a new* typewriter for clerical work. I h. old machine has been on active service for a period of 12 years.