BRUNNER BOROUGH

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 2

BRUNNER BOROUGH

AMALGAMATION WITH COUNTY DISCUSSED.

The Brunner Borough Council at its meeting last Saturday had before it. a resolution, of which notice had previously been given by the Mayor (Mr. J. Smeaton), that the Council ask for <a conference with the Grey, County Council for. the purpose of discussing the amalgamation of the two bodies.

The Mayor presided and also present were Crs. Gutberlet, Harper, Myers, Morgan and Eder. The Mayor, in moving the resolution, said that it was the Government’s policy to amalgamate small local bodies with larger ones. There would lie more efficiency- and lower rates, the combined rates with Grey County being 23d including the Hospital and general rate, while the Borough rates were 2d in the £ general rate, with a hospital rate of ltd. Regarding the supervision of the works, renewals in particular, would be much more effective than at present. Then there was the fact that valuations in County areas were nearly always lower than those of local bodies under the name of boroughs. Regarding social amenities, there might be some residents who would think that they would not have them if they were under the County. He pointed out that Reefton, in Inangahua County, with a larger population than Brunner, had a pressure water scheme, bowling greens, tennis courts, swimming baths, etc., and was the first town in New Zealand to have the benefit of electric light. There was no seconder for the resolution, and Cr. T. Harper, the only councillor who spoke opposed it, saying that he had fought it tooth and nail previously". Referring to the Mayor’s statement regarding electric light at Reefton, he pointed out that it was a company which had put it in.

The report of the overseer was received as satisfactory. The Valuation Department wrote enclosing some thirty alterations in valuations and ownerships.—Received and approved. The Railways Department wrote regarding rail-car bookings stating that the matter was being investigated. ■ i

An application from a former railway employee to be employed on Scheme 13 was agreed to subject to the approval of the National Service Department. The State Advances Corporation wrote enclosing the final receipt for payment of the bridge loan. Applications from Stillwater and Taylorville Hall Committees for permission to hold long-night dances were granted. A letter was received from the Transport Department regarding derelict. motors. The Taylorville Bowling Club wrote asking for the use of the Borough lorry to cart ashes on Saturdays and Sundays. <. The request was declined and it was decied that the Borough lorry in future should cart only ashes for Borough works, the manager of Wallsend mine to be informed of the position. ;

Complaints made regarding the disgraceful state of the school road at Dobson were referred to the Road Overseer.

The resignation of Cr. J. Meyers, who is leaving the district, was accepted with regret. The vacancy will be filled at the next meeting in accordance with the regulations governing such extraordinary vacancies. The question of the drain at the Government cottages at Dobson was left to the Mayor and Civ Eder who will discuss the matter with the Health Inspector and the Superintendent of State mines. The Mayor intimated that at the next meeting he would tender his resignation. He has been Mayor since 1927 and was a Councillor from 1925 to 1927. He had notified the Deputy-Mayor two months ago of his intention of resigning. Accounts amounting to £BO 9s Hd wer e passed for payment, and wages payments amounting to £152 10s Bi> were ratified,