HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 July 1936, Page 2

HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

JULY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Horowhenua County Council was held at Levin on Saturday. There were present: Mr. G. A. Monk (chairman), Crs. L. 11. Best, J. R. Whyte, F. J. Ryder, 11. G. Bryant, D. K. Guy, A. J. Gimblett, A. M. Colquhoun and C, PJensen and Messrs E. 11. Hudson (Clerk) and J. T. M. Brewster (Engineer). ARBOR DAY CELEBRATIONS. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, advised that the observance of Arbor Day, this year would take place on Wednesday, August sth, and asked for the Council’s co-opera-tion in seeing that the importance of tree-planting- was given recognition. 1 he Chairman said that in the past it had been the practice for members to attend gatherings in their respective centres and he asked that it bo done this year. On the speaker’s motion the letter was received. COAIMUN ITYPL A N NIN G.

The Town-Planning Institute of New Zealand forwarded a number of copies of the pamphlet “Community Planning’’ and asked that they be distributed among members of the Council. The Institute advised that if any further copies were desired for distribution amongst interested persons they would be forwarded. —Received, GRANTS ABPRECIATED'.

The Wellington Discharged Prisoners’ Aid (Society advised that the Council’s grant of £2 2s had been received and conveyed its thanks for the Council’s practical evidence of its interest in the work being done.—Deceived. The Shannon Borough Council expressed appreciation of the Council’s grant of £5 towards the cost of restoring the Shannon Cemetery Mortuary Chap e 1. —D e c e i v c d.

CENTENNIAL CELEBDATIONS

Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, wrote in reference to the New Zealand Centennial celebrations, the Government’s proposals for which had recently been made known by the Minister for Internal Affairs. lie stated that the next step was the holding of a meeting of representatives of ail interests in the Wellington Province in order to select four delegates to represent them at a Dominion Conference ef all Provincial delegates. It would therefore be held on Monday, August 3rd, at 2.15 p.m. in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hail, Wellington, and Mr. Hislop asked the Council to consult all organisations in this locality and make an arrangement to be represented at the Conference.

The Chairman thought that with a view to saving expense, His Worship the Mayor of Levin, Mr. P. W. Goldsmith, might be asked to represent the Council at the conference, as ho thought all boroughs would be asked to send a delegate. The Council could bare part of the expense. On his motion, seconded by Cr. Ryder, it was decided to adopt the suggestion. HOSPITAL LRVY. The Petone Borough Council wrote in reference to the ever increasing burden that was being placed on. Boroughs and Counties of the Dominion through hospital board levies and stated that the matter had been considered and the following resolution passed: —That the incidence of the costs tf hospital board administration should bo reviewed as an urgent matter, in the direction of relieving ratepayers from part or the whole of the burden arising from such costs, and that the Muni(cipal Association be urged to make representations on the above subject to the Government.” The Petone Borough asked the Council to take the matter up with the member for the district .to urge the Government to give its serious consideration to the question if it was in sympathy with the resolution. The communication was received, the -Chairman stating that he was rather surprised to see such a resolution. as it was only three months since a large conference of local body representatives decided to approach flic Government along the lines indicated. It was only a depulication. 1

KARA STREAM FLOODGATE. The Makerua Drainage Board wrote stating that in accordance vrlt.i the request made by the Council it had passed a resolution absolving the Horowhenua County from any future liability in respect to the maintenance or upkeep of tiie Karn Stream Floodgate in view of its contribution towards effecting repairs.—Received.

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The Commissioner of Traimport acknowledged the C'ouiit-il ’s .letter regarding the classification of Shannou-Alanga-hao main highway and suggested that liie Council consider talcing the necessary steps towards classifying the Tokoniarn Valley section of the highway.—Referred to (he clerk to take up with the Commissioner.

VIPEACE SETT I JAM ENT PAVE MEAT.

-Mr, A. F. Claridge, of Weraroa, wrote asking what action the Council intended taking with regard to the proposed footpath along the Village Settlement Road from Beach to Kimberley Road.

It was decided to reply and advise the writer that pending the obscure position in regard to the future control of arterial highways, the proposed work was held up. ROADSIDE TREES AT AIUIIUNOA.

Air. James Frew, of Aduhunoa West, wrote asking if the Council intended to remove the trees on the roadside adjoining his property. He pointed out that the recent gale blew somo

down and'there was another one with a fairly good lean, which might lie brought down over the road and telephone line at any time, —Deferred to the Works Committee. STD BET LAMP SOUGHT.

The Manakau Progressive Association wrote applying for a street lamp at the corner opposite Mr. F. W. Dobinson’s residence in Manakau Township. —Deferred to the Works Committee, the engineer to take the matter up Avith the Power Board in the meantime to ascertain whether the scheme was feasible.

METALLED SECTION OF MAIN HIGHWAY.

The Wellington Automobile Association drew attention to a metalled portion of the main higlnvay at Waikanao and as there was ahvays a risk of accident Avhen vehicles are passing from a bituminous surface to a gravel surface, it asked for the Council’s permission to erect notices drawing attention to the matter until such time as it Avas sealed.

There Avas no objection to the request and the permission sought was granted.

WAIKANAE DIVED EROSION,

The Native Department advised that there wore only seven Maori workers employed on the river protection work at Waikanac and as this was not a sufficient number the supervisor would be consulting the Council’s engineer with a view to ascertaining whethu* men were available.—Deferred to vho engineer.

FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE.

The Palmerston North District Free Ambulance forwarded a copy of a letter received from the Wellington Free Ambulance in reply to enquiries regarding the working of the free service in that city. The service mentioned that the Auckland Ambulance Service had been presented with two new, fully equipped ambulances in recognition of the splendid work it was doing. The Council was asked for assistance towards helping to establish a similar 'service in this district. The Chairman advised the meeting that a conference had been held recently between the Minister of Health and the Free Service at which the Board’s managing-secretary was present, but he did not know what action the Minister would take. While there was no law compelling the Board to retain its ambulances if the service could ho satisfactorily taken over, it was responsible to see that a first class service was available.

Cr. Jenson said he was sorry the Board and the free association could not agree as lie thought the two wore overlapping at the present time.

I Or. Oimblett stilted that until such time as the Board saw lit to alter its opinion lie would not express his view. The Board must have a very good reason for maintaining its ambulances and he would like to see the better service maintained.

(T. Ryder pointed out that the matter had been before the Board time and time again and the Council had representation on the Board to see that the best thing was done, tie lie Id that the best course was being followed,

The Chairman said that it had never been suggested,.- nor was it to-day, that tin 1 free ambulance commenced activities because the Board’s service was not efficient. It had been done by private enterprise and collectors were working in the district obtaining donations of which they received a percentage. One of the main factors against tlie free service was its unsatisfactory financial position. it had been suggested that the Board should make its | ambulances available free of charge, but the majority of the members wore against that. He personally was opposed to it because of the abuse of the use of the ambulance which would follow, if the suggestion was put into practice. It meant that some persons would ask for the ambulance when they could go to hospital by train or private car.

On the motion of Or. Eyder the communication was received.