ELTHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 June 1924, Page 3

ELTHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Eltham Borough Council held its monthly meeting on Friday night. Those present were: The Mayor (Mr G. W. Tayler), Crs Andrews, Bridger, Clement,- Carter, King, Nairn, Thomas and Taylor, and Mr W. Waters (Town Clerk) and Mr T. Hodgen (Borough Overseer). A letter was received asking the council to agree to a subdivision of a section, in Bedford street. The Nelson Borough Council wrote asking support for a number of matters to be brought up at the Dominion Municipal Conference, including a proposal to charge for all subdivisional permits.—The council decided not to support the suggetsion to make the charge stated, viz., ss. The Tai'anaki Electric Power Board wrote stating that instructions had been given to prepare the agreement between the council and the board with reference to the contract for street lighting.—The letter was referred to the Finance Committee to watch the interests of the borough. The local abattoir inspector (Mr Rigg) wrote stating that he was inspecting all pigs brought into the borough and exposed for sale. The council were asked to elect three representatives of the borough on the newly-formed Power Board.—Crs King, Bridger, and Thomas were appointed. GASWORKS MANAGER’S SALARY.

Cr Nairn gave notice of motion at the previous council meeting that he would move: That the salary of the gasworks manager be reduced by £SO. In moving the motion Cr Nairn stated that in view of the advent of the electric light in the town, and in view of the council’s decision to instal electric street lamps, with the consequent reduction in the output of gas, that the gas manager should be asked to accept less salary. He was now receiving equivalent to £3OO and free house and lighting. Cr Carter seconded the resolution, and referred to the loss of revenue through the competition with electricity. Cr Clement opposed the motion on the grounds that the committee had previously decided to do without one of the stokers, and this would involve extra work on the gas manager. Cr Bridger also opposed the motion, and in doing so. stated that the output had increased under the present manager by 1,000,000 feet per annum, and even with this increase in output and the decision to do without one of the stokers the manager was asked to do more work and accept less salary. This was a most unfair position. The council were faced with serious competition, but there was no reason why the council should get the “wind up” and start reducing staff and service to the 350 patrons in the gas department. He was satisfied that the council could maintain its present output by energetic and businesslike methods. So far the committee had not carried out any suggestions to popularise the use of gas for cooking and lighting purposes. ■--■ Cr Thomas supported the motion, stating that in his opinion no hardship would be caused by the reduction, as the salary was a satisfactory one even at the reduction. *

Cr Taylor agreed with the reduction, and was in favour of reducing salaries in- other departments also. Cr Andrews opposed the reduction, as he was firmly of the opinion that there was greater need for extra work and attention to the department at this time in face of the opposition. The motion on being put to the meeting was declared carried, the voting being five to three. Cr Bridger, having given previous notice, then moved the motion standing in his name: That the showroom be opened from 2 till 4 p.m. daily, except Thursdays, and that the Town Hall caretaker be asked to attend in the showroom accordingly. The resolution was seconded by Cr Andrews and carried.

Cr Bridger introduced the matter of the Toko railway, and explained the present demands for a completion of this line, stressing its great importance to the whole province, and explained the proposal for united action by the borough councils, county councils, and chambers of commerce throughout Taranaki. He asked the council to appoint a representative on a delegation to Wellington. The Mayor agreed with the suggestion. and stressed the great importance of the early completion of the railway for the whole of Taranaki. On. the motion of Cr Nairn, seconded by the Mayor, Cr Bridger was appointed to represent the council, and Cr Clement was appointed a substitute in the event of the Chamber of Commerce appointing Cr Bridger, president of the chamber, to represent that body. Accounts amounting to £B7B 18s Id were passed for payment. REPORTS. The following reports and recommendations were made by the committees and adopted:

Finance Committee. —That tlie application of the Eltham Chamber of Commerce for a refund of rent paid for -use of Town Hall for concert in aid of Childre i s Park and Plunket Rooms scheme be granted; that the proposal of the Public Trust Office to make all interest payments on loans raised bv the council from the Public Trustee fall on two half-yearly dates be approved. Town Hall and Pictures Committee. —That authority be given for the purchase of a new picture screen as per design submitted at a cost of £2l.

The Works Committee reported: That it has fixed locations for 12 250 c.p. centre-hung electric lamps and for HI 100 c.n. power bracket lamps, also that the Eltham County Council has agreed to pay half the cost of 11 100 c.p. lamps which have been placed on boundary roads; that application of C. E. Rowe for permission to extend billiard saloon at corner of High and King Edward streets, partly in brick and partly in wood and iron, has been granted. Reserves and Cemetery Committee. —That authority be given for the purchase of 1580 eucalypti plants required by the caretaker.