WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1941, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] High Tides for May: Thursday, 22 —7.58 a.m.; 8.24 p.m. Friday, 23—8.38 a.m.; 9.2 p.m. Saturday, 24—9.14 a.m.; 9.31 p.m. Sunday, 25—9.45 a.m.; 10.5 p.m. Shipping: WESTPORT, May 21. The Totara is expected from Wellington on Friday to load coal for New Plymouth. The Wingatui is due from Wellington on Friday to load coal for return to the same port. The Korowa'i is expected from Auckland on Saturday to load coal for Auckland and Portland. The Titoki is expected from Picton on Saturday to load coal for Tarakohe. Personals:

Word has been received that J'a'ck and Charlie Bruning, sons of Mr. and Mrs. C. Bruning, Carter’s Junction, have got safely out of Greece. The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre and Mr. J. H. Harkness, returned yesterday from attending the monthlv meeting of the Nelson Education Board. Following an operation in Christchurch Hospital, Pvte. J. S. Connelly, of Westport, is a' patient in the military hospital at Hanmer. Wireless Operator George Rennie, R.N.Z.A.F., who is visiting his home in Granity, leaves on Friday for Auckland.

Mr. Dave McGill, of Christchurch, is paying his customary business visit to Westport.

Ratepayers’ Association: At last night’s meeting of the Westport Ratepayers’ Association, the high incidence of hospital expenditure was well discussed. Mr. A. Fox condemned the affairs of the Hospital Board being taken over by the Government as suggested by some members of the Board. He thought that hospital expense should be the burden of those responsible for it and not pushed on to the shoulders of some one else. A few years a'go, Westport had been glad to see harbour control taken over by the Government and now a Harbour Board was needed. He thought some protest should be made. Mr. C. Howard agreed with Mr. Fox to a point. He was not in favour of hospital control being handed over to the Government as local control gave better service. However the hospital rates were getting out of hand and it was necessary to tackle the matter. For instance there were several alternative taxation systems which would still permit .local control. If the hospitals were nationalised the present 2s in the £ social and national security tax might rise to 5s in the £. One simple alternative suggested by Mr. Howard was the levying of a small tax on all wage earners in the district. This could be levied under the Social Security and the amount raised woud help to swell hospital funds, which would still be administered by the local body concerned. Under this system all wage earners in the district would bear the burden of hospital and no! just 1,200 ratepayers. Thid was not necessarily the best way, said Mr. Howard, but if was one of the alternatives which could be discussed. Mr. J. W. Curtis thought that the Government should contribute more than 6s a bed towards the upkeep of hospitals. He thought that the Government’s contribution should be in proportion. Mr. S. A. Wealleans said it was no good discussing ways and means of remedying the matter till a full investigation of hospital expenditure could be made. Mr. C. C. Friend maintained that the trouble was caused by the debt in perpetuity question. For every loan raised, interest upon interest has to be paid. Mr. Fox then

moved that a protest be made against the handing over of hospital control to the Government. This was passed by 15 votes to 10, but later rescinded in favour of a motion which stated: “This meeting, because of lack of information, is not, in the meantime, in favour of the nationalisation of hospitals as suggested by some Hospital Board members, but is in favour of the incidence of taxation being reviewed.” There ' was a lengthy discussion on the incident, which resulted in the withdrawal of Mr. M. B. Scully and those whom he represented, from an earlier meeting. Mr. Howard apologised for Mr. Scully’s absence as the latter was attending a Progress League meeting. Mr. Howard put the whole position before the meeting. In short, the Association had agreed to Mr. Scully’s speaking on behalf of eight other candidates who held ' the same views as regards borough affairs, but who were not a political party. As soon as Mr. Scully started, interruptions .began and a certain section of the audience took charge. The Chairman had not called the meeting to order and by so doing had been discourteous to the speaker. Because of this, he had no alternative but to withdraw. The Secretary, Mr. H. Sutherland, agreed that Mr. Scully had had the right to speak on behalf of others who held the same views, and that those who objected were out of order. However, Mr. Scully had withdrawn before the argument had been straightened out. In conclusion, it was pointed out that the whole trouble had been the result of a misunderstanding and the matter was closed. At the beginning of the meeting, which was well attended, considerable discussion arose concerning the reading of committee minutes. It was pointed out that these minutes should be read as members of the .Association had a right to know all that went on. It was also pointed out that the Association was advocating less committee work on the Borough Council and that because of this the Association should set an. example. A motion that minutes of all meetings be read at general meetings, was then passed. Mr. Scully’s resignation was received and a motion passed that he be informed that he was a member of the Association and as such, entitled to attend all meetings or stay away, as desired. Mr. W. Brown, a member of the committee, stated that he was not a ratepayer, but acting by proxy for his father, who was. He wanted to know whether he was entitled to attend meetings. A motion that Mr. Brown be allowed the privilege of a full member, till such time as the question of proxy attendance had 'been discussed, was passed. It was pointed out that a sitting Borough Councillor was on the committee of the

Association. This could not be permitted, as he would be sitting in judgment of himself. The Secretary stated that Mr. J. Fairbairn, the member in question, had refrained from attending the meeting because of this question arising. He was quite willing to abide by any decision made by the Association. A motion was then passed that no Councillor be allowed to sit on the executive committee of the Association. Mr. J. W. Curtis was elected to fill Mr Fairbairn’s place. A motion that husband and wife be admitted on one subscription, and that they be only allowed one vote, was carried. Mr. S. A. Wealleans was appointed auditor* to the Association. A motion that the Borough Council be asked to paint the bases of unlighted telegraph poles white, was passed. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr. T. Mathewson.

Fire at Hotel Buller: The fire siren disturbed citizens of Westport at 12.30 this morning, when a call was received from the Hotel Buller. The Brigade, under Supt. J. Daily, was on the scene of the outbreak in a short space of time and soon had leads of hose in action. The fire appeared to have originated in or near the hot water system, and had a good hold in the .lining of the walls when the Brigade arrived. The hotel dining room was damaged by smoke and water, as were two of the bedrooms on the first floor. Due to the efficiency of the Brigade, the fire, which could have become serious, was soon under control. Soldiers’ Parcels:

The Mayor acknowledges £9 18s for 33 soldiers’ parcels from the Air Force Patriotic Carnival Committee. This makes 186 parcels sent forward. The Buller quota is 240 parcels.