TARADALE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 204, 12 August 1932, Page 4

TARADALE

TOWN BOARD MEETING MAY 5 EARTHQUAKE. APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE. The monthly meeting of the Taradalo Town Board was held last night when there were present Messrs R. D. Kelly (chairman), J. Williamson, P. H. Williams, J. Gilmore, W. H. Howard, F. O Anderson, A. V. Danvers. The Hospital Board advised that the Minister of Health had approved of the board’s maintenance estimate for the current year and that Hie maintenance levy on the Taradale town district was £235 17s Id.

A request was received from the Taradale Tennis Club to place the three asphalt courts in good order for the coming season. The matter was referred to Messrs Anderson and Williams and the town clerk to go into. CLERK-OVERSEER’S REPORT The clerk-overseer, Mr W. G. Jarvis, reported that all the roads in the town district were in good order. In connection with the new town hall the last few finishing touches were being carried out and the surroundings put in order. The kerbing on both sides of the hall had been regraded. The opening functions were a great success and were a credit to all who worked so hard and gave so much valuable time in organising the entertainment. The proceeds would result in a. substantial sum being available for the furnishings and the equipment required. The cleaning, grading and asphalting of the entrance and reading in the cemetery which was undertaken by the board on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association had been completed and was a decided improvement to the appearance of that locality. The work of cleaning the grounds in the river reserve for treeplanting was progressing satisfactorily. The felled timber was being used for firewood by unemployed workers. The trees had been ordered from the Forestry Department and were expected to be on hand in a few days. EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE. In connection with damage to dwellings arising out of the earthquake on May 5, the Napier Earthquake Relief Committee forwarded 35 applications for assistance on which further information was desired. The committee requested that the board’s inspector when making reports should indicate if possible the circumstances of the applicant so that the committee could ascertain if the applicant was a necessitous case or not. The committee pointed out that it was only in cases 'n which it was clear that applicants could not help thornselves that assistance would be considered. Applicants who were in constant employment or who had incomes from property would not be granted assistance, it being apparent that without Government assistance the funds which mat ,be raised locally would not be sufficient to meet all claims. The clerk and the board’s inspector are to review all applications and report '.ccordingly.

In connection with the Antecedent Liability Loan of £1074 which matured on August 1, the clerk reported that the accrued sinking fund amounted to £953 13s. The board decided to make up the deficiency from its general account and repay the loan. By adopting this course instead of allowing the matter to be carried forward for one year the board would save the sum of £lO in interest. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED SOLDIERS. In order to provide work for unemployed returned soldiers several schemes proposing work of a permanent nature were submitted to the Returned Soldiers’ Association, who agreed to make a grant of £2O for labour only for a scheme of park improvement, which will include the laying down of a firstclass cycle track. Messrs Kelly and Howard were appointed to sign the rate-book. The recommendations of the committee regarding the charges for the new hall were adopted. It may be pointed out that the scale is similar to that charged for the old town hall. It was decided to take action in certain cases where mortgagors had defaulted in regard'to their payments due under loans for Workers’ dwellings. The board considered that in view of the large number of advances made the position was very satisfactory a s the number of defaults, considering the economic stress, was much lower than anticipated.