WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1937, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent).

County Matters

WESTPORT, April 22.

Or. R. J. Hawes presided at rhe monthly meeting of the County Couu. c)l, held yesterday. ■ Hon. P. C. Webb wrote regarding matters of importance to the district, and advised that it was deemed tio immediately acquire a further block of pakihi land for development purposes, which would give employment to an extra 25 men at standard rates.

(Bowater and Bryan Ltd', were granted permission to construct: a tramway across road.

An application was granted for 'a buildijng site under the usual conditions to C. H. Simkin.

It was decidea to carry out drainage work between Johnsons’ and Ray's property a't. Karamea, providing the Council be indemnified against any further liability. Mr R. J. Hawes was appointed to represent the Council on the Cemetery Board.

The Women’s Rest Room and Plum ket Society were voted grants of £25 and £5 iespectively. It wa s decided to review an applieatoon from the Royal Humane Society for a grant when the estimates are being considered. The sum of £2O was granted to 'he K.ng George V Memorial Fund. The Engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate as to cost of a water supply at Hector. Mr Schadick, inferring to the issue of licenses to motor vehicle drivers, said that the work was formerly done by local bodies and the transfer would mean a loss of about £2O a year to the Council. He understood, however, that the money would be applied to providing of traffic inspectors. It was agreed t 0 secure a further supply of noxious weed killer for farm, ers who required it. Mr W. R. Simpson, referring t 0 the protection works at Karamea,. said the scheme was proceeding satisfactorily, and the Engineer and his men were doing good work. The Chaiiman, Councillor Phillips and the Engineer were authorised to confer with resident- of Brougham’ Street, and others outside 'he Borough boundary, regarding provision of >• water supply. Bulkir Rugfby Union: Mr F. Keating piesided at a special, ly-convened meeting of the Buller Rugby Union, held last evening. During the absence of Mr Craddock, at Wellington, Mr J. Gonley was ap. pointed secretary. The Rover (Granity) Club was grant, ed permission to <‘old a seven-a. .<■. tournament on May 12th. It was agreed to also call nominations for a similar tournament, to be held in Westport on the. same day. These are t 0 be limited to one team from, each town club for each! grade—senior, junior and third. If. was decided to ask all players competing to par. ade in the piocession to be held that day. The matter of the similarity of colours of the Tiroroa Club and other teams was discussed; and it was decid. ed to ask the former to wear black jerseys in their games against Westport and Stockton Clubg during fixtures this season The Rugby Union is to supply jerseys, and rhe Tiroioa Club is to replace any damaged beyond repair during games. Council Finances: The Engineer-Clerk (Mr C. F. Sc.h. edick) reported as follows to the Bui. ler County Council, in connection with hat body’s finances:—The accounts have not been finally balanceu, and the exact position will be set out for the annual meeting in May, when a full statement of all receipts and expenditure will be presented in conjunction with, the estimates for the coming year. However, the receipts to the 31/3/37, amounted to £84,464, while the expert, diture reached the total of £85,075, being £5Ol in excess of the receipts. The outstanding revenue for the year is approximately £4,000. The Council has kept within the legal limit, as prescribed by Section 9 of the Local Bodies Finance Act, 1921-22 Assistance to Farmers:

Mr H. J. Anthony, District Employ, meiif, Officer at Westport, supplied the following:— A few weeks ago a public announce, ment was made in connection with the Department’s scheme to assist: farmers to obtain labour. The Department has offered to place youths with farmers who will undertake to teach such youths to milk and learn other relevant branches °f farm work. The conditions are as laid down in the Agricultural Workers’ Act, 1936. ami for the Department to subsidise the farmers at an approved rate varying from 10> jto 15s per week tor eight weeks of The training period. For instance, youth 20 years of age placed by the Department under the scheme would (receive a weekly cash wage payable by the farmer of £ I 17s 6<l, plus free board and lodging or tin allowance in lieu thereof. The Department wou’ri reimburse the faimer with a sub idy of 15s per week for eight consecutive weeks of the training period. The scheme permitted the engaging iof only those youths who are at least 18 years of age and under 21.

However, in the Buller district there are tt number of youths 16 and 17 years of age seeking employment. I am pleased to be able to state thatspecial consideration has been given ,tb their ease and the Department has agreed that in this district these 'youths aged 16 and 17 may be gran'ed assistance under the scheme. As the ■weekly cash wage payable to these youths i s lower than for those ranging from 18 tio 20 years, the weekly subsidy payable will range from 5s per v/eek to 7s 6d;

If, is hoped that as a result of this widening of the scope of the sehem both farmers and youths seeking employment will take advantage of the facilities offereti. I should therefore be grateful if you would kindly give prominence to this matter in the columns of your paper and ask that those farmers seeking assistance or youths ' seeking employment communicate with this office immediately.

Shipping: Th-' Te Arolia airivcd from Welling, ton this morning. There were no shipping movements to-day.