WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1936, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

(Ou r Own Correspondent). Ballot Box on Wheels: WESTPORT, October 22. The Mayor, Mr J. Kilkenny, at last evening’s meeting of the Borough Council, struck another note of originalitv, when he intimated that it was his intention to submit proposals to the rate-payers, regarding the building of a new Town Hall, for their choice and instead of asking them to go to the Borough Offices to cast their votes he would take the ballot-box to their doors by car. This is quite an innovation. as far as Municipal voting is concerned, and' one that should appea 1 to all. A vote should result that could be accepted as a clear indication of the wishes of the rate-payers. The issue on which the people will be asked to adjudicate is as follows: — (1) The present plan for Town Hall and Municipal Offices, at £lO.OOO. (2) Town Hall and Municipal Offices at £6,000. (3) Combined Municipal Theatre Town Hall and Offices £12.000. (4) Whether or not to purchase Morgan’s section (adjoining present Town Hall), at a cost of £7OO. The Mayor, in outlining his proposals, was of the opinion that a preliminary vote of the kind would obviate the expense of drawing up p] a^ s of a building, which later .bn might not meet with the approbaton of the rate-payers. It was quite evident th: present structure had outlived its usefulness and to keep pace with the growing importance of the town, a more modern building was necessary. The decision would be left entirely in the hands of the rate-payers and. he felt that they would do the right AB Councillors congratulated the Mayor on h : s move and authority was unanimously given to make the necessary arrangements fo«- the taking bthe ballot.

Borough Affairs: The Mayor, Mr J. Kilkenny, was in the chair‘at the usual monthly mee--ing of the Borough Council, held last evening. For the first time for a considerable period, there was a tub muster of Councillors. Jean Batten thanked the Mayor for his telegram of congratulation. Hon. P. C. Webb advised that the case for the men who were put off the Westport-lnangahua H'ghway was being considered. Mr T. Weekes" electrical engineer, was granted annual holidays. Mr E. T. Broker, Manager, Theatre Enterprises, was granted permission to hold pictures on Christmas Daj’, in St. James’ and \ ietoria Theatres. An application from the Westport Athletic and Cycling Club, for the use of Victoria Square on one evening of each week was granted, subject to the caretaker’s convenience. The appointment of Mr J. r,_ McGregor, as Health Inspector, was confirmed. Arising out of a communication from the Minister oi Transport, regarding taxi services, it was decided to grant no more license* until such t me as the Department reviews the position. A budget of applications for light, water and other connections was dealt with. The purchase of poles for portions of the electrig light scheme was held over. The Mayo r was of the opinion that the Grey Valley timber gave every satis faction, and could be purchased from 25s to 30s each. The Australian hardwood poles were inferior while concrete poles were too costly and were not favoured by the P.W.D. Arising out of a communication from Bev. Fathe r Phelan, advising that school property, situate at the corner o’ Derby and Brougham (Streets, was ex empt* from rates, the amount owing was written off. ' lit was agreed' that Mr Reynolds should stand the cost of three-quarter-inch connection to his factory and the charge, after that, to be one pound per calendar month. The Reserves Committee -recommended:— That the application of weekly cm ployees in the electrical department for a 40-hour week be referred to a committee of the Chairmen of the various Committees; that pwing to the increase in costs of coal and wages at the gas works, that the following increases in the charges for gas and coke take effect as from' Ist November. 1936, gas for lighting, gross tharge 8s 4d per 1000 cubic feet, nett charge 6s Bd. gas for heating and booking, gross charge 8s 4d, nett charge 5s lOd. minimum charge 3s 6d’ per calendar month, water heaters 2s 6d per month increase on previous charge; that the question of increasing the price oi coke to be held over for the time being and that the gas manager be re-

ijucsted Io furnish a report on the cost of cartage of coal and coke; that this Council take all the necessary preliminary arrangements for the purpose of making application to the Local Government Loans Board for its sanction to raise a. loan to erect ten houses in Westport, tinder the provisions of the Government Housing Scheme, relating to Local Bodies. Sound Position:

Reporting on the Borough finances, the Town Clerk mentioned last evening, at the monthly meeting of the Borough Council, that the total receipts from' all sources to 30th September, 1936, including credit balance on Ist April, amounted' to £23,291, and the expenditure to £22,428, leaving a ■redit balance on all accounts of £B6o ■is compared with a debit balance of £2,058 on 30th September, 1935. Labour Dhy Sports:

Granted fine weather, and present indications point that way. the Sports .rranged for Labour Day, at Patterson Park, should prove a great attraction. The leading axemen of New Zealand will compete for the splendid prizemoney offered. Special travelling facilities will be available on all routes, and a record attendance is looked forward t°-

Inquest Concluded: The adjourned inquest touching the death of' John iStubbs, which took place suddenly on Monday, was concluded yesterday, before the Coroner, Mr E. R. Pox.

Sergeant C. J. King gave evidence 'hat the Department advised that John Stubbs enlisted in 1916, and was gassed in France in 1918. He was discharged from hospital in July. 1918, and returned to New Zealand in February, 1919. He had never applied for a pension. To the Coroner. Sergeant King said Stubbs was employed or had been cntployed at the abattoir and was lately employed by E,lleys, butchers. The Coroner returned a verdict that death was due firstly to occlusion of the coronary artery and secondly to atheroma. The funeral took place yesterday at Orowaiti Cemetery, when the burial rites were performed by Rev. Larsen. Returned Soldiers, Messrs T. Longstaff. G. .Coe, W. Mann and W. Danskin acted as pall-bearcrs.

County Matters: Councillor R. J. Hawes was in the chair at tho monthly meeting of the Buller County Council, held yesterday. A. J. Harvey and mate, were granted the sum of £lO for work done on the road from' Collingwood on the Buller boundary to Heaphv Hut, and it was also decided to apply to the Government for further assistance for the men. Arising out of a complaint from A. Cooper, regarding lighting at Birchfield, it was decided that Hon. McIntyre be asked to confer with the Minister of Mines regarding the whole question of street, lighting in the County. A large number of applications fo r work's in the various ridings were dealt with. Councillors objected to the appointment of Mr J- G. McGeorge as Health Inspector to the Buller District, under the new scale of increased quotas of salary, and it was decided if the appointment was not made on the old scale, the Council has the right with other local bodies to appoint its own Health Officer. Cr. J. H. Powell, who represented the Buller County Council at the Greym'outh meeting in connection with the centennial celebrations paid a great, tribute to the organ’sing ability of Mr D. ,T. Evans. Hokitika, who took a keen interest in the work. Mr Powel 1 reported that the different, a'istricts would conduct their own celebrations. The Council’s quota of £8 10s for initial expenses was passed for payment. Hon. P. C. Webb advised that the proposal for the establishment of a State limo kiln, and cement works in the district, would be referred to the Bureau of Industry. Cr. Mclntyre complimented M,- Sehadick on the case he had made out to the Minister. Atising out of a letter from' tho Department of Labour regarding tho refusal of some of the Counc’T’s employees to ioin the Labourers’ Union, the Clerk Mr Sehadick, said he reee’ved' n!o complaints from the local Secretary, and ho considered that there should have boon some local indication ns to who were members and who were not. Labour Ball:

No detail, however small, has been neglected to make the Japanese Ball, to be held in the Theatre Royal, on Labour Night, the main indoor attraction of the week-end. Stockton, Millerton, Denniston, and all parts of the Buller will send their quota, t» what should prove an excellent evening’s enjoyment. The hall decorations will shade all previous efforts of the Party and that is saying something. Curtis’ full orchestra] band will supply continuous spirited danee music, and Messrs Spillane and McKeown. M.’s.O., will see that there are no dull moments

Wild. Fig Captured; It is well-known that Mayors of towns are at times called upon to render services which are foreign to the duties of a Chief Magistrate, but to our local Mayor, Mr J, Kilkenny, fell recently the task of providing a pig for a contest to be held in connection with the Labour Day .Sports, on Monday. The party, consisting of A. Lockey, who has had considerable experience in the jungle, J. Lake, R. Carter and the Mayor, entered the wilds of the Marewera, in quest of the anim'al. and after some exciting experiences, returned to Westport triumphantly with their prize, which will oe on deck on Monday, and will be awarded to the winne r of the greasy pig contest

Departmental Officers Criticised; ■Strong exception was taken by Cr. W. R. Simpson and other members of the Buller Cbunty Council yesterday at the lack of consideration given by Government Departmental officers in their reports on the needs of the (Buller district. The discussion was prompted by letters received from the Minister of Mines and the P.W.D. Engineer, Groymouth, re. the Carter’s Beach Domain and the estimates for the Buller Conntv.

Hon. Webb stated that he had' been notified that the Domain question had been held over for later consideration. It was stated by a Councillor that he had heard that the Commissioner of Crown Lands had reported adversely on the proposal. When the Government was creating better times for the worker, its officers,. said Cr. McTntyre, were too shortsighted in this ease to realise the value of Carter’s Beach as a week-end holiday resort.

Cr. Simpson considered that it was the Council’s job to advise on such projects and to dictate the policy most

benefici'al to (he district, not Departmental officers who have no knowledge of local affairs, and, what is more, seemingly don’t want (Jo. It was their duty to (he public as a County Council, to advise the Government and clip the wings of its subordinates. He for one, would just as soon walk out of the Council as let these officers dictate their policy. If was the same with the estimates; the P.W.D’. officers just put their pens through them. The Council was just merely rate collectors and when a big job comes along thev have no say.

Cr. Mclntyre said that the County Councils should have the discretion where to spend moneys allocated to the district. The discussion then lapsed. A Thrilling Fighit: What should prove one of the m'ost thrilling contests witnessed in Westport will be the fight flor the middleweight championship of New Zealand, which will definitely take place in the Theatre Royal on .Saturday night. All Associations in New Zealand have been wrangling for the bout, and in giving the d’stinction to the local body the Now Zealand Council deserve every appreciation. It is an opportunity that does not often come our way, and this fact will, it is certain, be reflected at the box office. Both lads are fighting fit and anxious for the first gong. Shipping: The Kaimal sailed this morning for Lyttelton. The Karepto sailed at 1.30 yesterday for Wellington. The Kiwitea is in port. The Wbitaki leaves Wellington ou Saturday for this port. Chopping Nominations: Herbert Wilson, in the Upright and Handicap Chops, at the Labour Day Sports, will be handicapped on the ground.