BLAKETOWN RATEPAYERS

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 8

BLAKETOWN RATEPAYERS

annual meeting of association.

The President, Mr. F. M cEnan y. presided over the annualL meet ng the Blaketown Preston R ° ad . pavers’ and Citizens Association, Fast evening, at which there was an attendance of sixteen members. The Chairman in his annual _ie port stated:—ln the P asl ' av tW ‘u? months, I am pleased to say, our operations were highly successful. Our representations to various loca bodies have been well received, <- though it is to be regretted that due to war conditions some of the major works suggested have had _ b e curtailed or held over until a later date. Quite a number of minor repairs asked of the Boroug Council are, we understand, to receive attention at an early. date. Following /upon our representations to the Borough Council, a scheme has been formulated for a and pedestrian bridge combined with the proposed railway bridge tne Harbour Board intend erecting oyer the lagoon dock. Unfortunately, due to the shortage of labour ana material's, this has had to oe postponed until a later date. We are thankful to the Council for the long overdue construction of tne Arney Street traffic bridge and repairs’ to the north end of Preston Road. Following a recommendation from the last annual meeting, alterations to the kitchen and an addition of a supper room' to the hall, at a cost of £164 3s 6d were carried out, thus improving the catering facilities at the building. This work was done voluntarily by members of the Committee. Given suitable weather, the painting of the Hall should be completed very shortly thus accomplishing a hugh programme .of works the Association ventured out on some eighteen months ago. Due to the success of the series of weekly dances, the finances of the Association are in a sound condition, the credit balance at the end of the financial year ending January 21 being £l5O 11s '.\l. During the period donations amounted to £2 15s 6d, and the profits from dances, sale of refreshments, and card tournaments amounted to £231 Ils 3d, £l5 Is lOd, and £39 17s respectively, whilst miscellaneous and rents received netted £39 17s. It is considered by the Committee that a Reserve Fund should be created toj cover any contingency likely to arise and this matter will be placed before the annual meeting. We are unfortunate that due to ill-health we have lost the services from our Ladies’ Committee of one of the foundation members, Mrs. Collins, and to her we extend our sincerest thanks for her untiring efforts to benefit the community. We trust that her retirement from public life will give her a .quick return to good health. To the members of the Ladies’ Com mittee we express grateful thanks for the valuable assistance given us and trust that they will continue to carry on the good work. To the press, members of the Borough Council, members of the Harbour Board, and our patrons, for their courtesy and goodwill, we also extend our sincerest thanks. I desire to thank the Committee and members for their assistance in all matters, and for the harmonious wav in which everything functioned this year. The, secretary was granted and honorarium of £lO 10s, and the treasurer and chairman £5 5s each for their services during the past year. The auditor, Mr. Herring, was also granted £2 2s for his. services. It was decided that £lOO he set aside for the purpose of carrying out necessary repairs to the building. ~. It was decided to tender a public social evening to. Mrs. C. Collins, a chairwoman of the Association, for over twenty years, who had recently resigned, and to make her a presentation from the Association. Several speakers referred to the valuable work done for Blaketown by Mrs. Collins. It 'was decided to donate £lO towards the function. A motion of appreciation of the good work done by Mrs. Collins on the Ladies’Committee was also carried.

A vote of appreciation of the work of the Committee was. passed, and similar votes were also passed to the Ladies’ Committee and the press. i It was decided to donate £2 to the Blaketown School Committee Funds

The Chairman reported on steps taken to comply with the Emergency Precautions Scheme. The hall had ben taken as a Casualty Clearing Station. An expenditure of £2O had been authorised for the provision of emergency stocks of water and food, etc. 4 ■ ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. F. ..McEnaney (re-elected); Vice-President, Mr. F. McGirr (re-elected); Secretary, Mr. D. Costello; Treasurer, Mr. S. Moreland (re-elected); Committee: Messrs J. W. Grant, J. Dowdall, G. Shaw, W. Herring. C. Richardson, P. McEnaney, Efford. F. W. Coleman, and J. Brennan. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended January 31, which was adopted showed a balance on hand and in the bank of £l5O Ils 7d. - The main items in the receipts column were as follows: —Dances £593 5s lid; card tournaments £9l 2s 6d; sale of refreshments (dances) £74 9s 10d; rents £32 17s; miscellaneous £9 15s 6d. The expenditure was as follows: Dances £424 2s B<T;' card tournaments £5l 5s 6d; capital expenditure £lB3 8s 3d; miscellaneous £7J--9s The statements of assets and lia-‘ biDities, which was also adopted, showed assets amounting to £168610s 7d, with an excess over liabil ities of £l4Bl 9s 6d.