OPAL MATTERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 March 1938, Page 8

OPAL MATTERS.

LEVIN BOROUGH. ■ MEETING OF COUNCIL. ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held last Boning, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. f. W. Goldsmith) presiding. There were present : Crs. F. E. Parker, C. S. Kecdwell, G. G. France, D. P. Todd, H. Walker, D. S. Mackenzie, H. E. Bowen and F. E. Trim; also, Messrs. H. L. Jenkins (town clerk), P, S. Crisp (assistknt) and E. Lycette (overseer). Leave of absence was granted to Cr. J. Harvey.

Grazing of Domain. Sitting as the Levin Park Domain Board, the council received two tenders for the lease of the domain for a period of three years from April Ist lext. The amounts offered were £3O and £22 per annum. Or. Parker said he was of the ipinion that the highest tender should oe accepted for twelve months only, as the previous annual rental was £sl 4s 6d. His Worship also commented on the decreased rental offered. It was decided to recommend the Minister to offer the lease to the highest tenderer (Mr. N. W. Ryder) for a period of twelve months. Use of Domain.

The council received an application

from the Horowhenua Rugby Union for the use of the Levin Park Domain for the 1938 football season who offered, ten per cent, of the gross gate takings as rental. —Granted.

Appointment of Assessor. The Deputy Valuer-General wrote asking that the council take steps to have an assessor appointed in the manner prescribed by the regulations under the Valuation of Land Act, 1925, for the Assessment Court.

The council decided that the clerk take the necessary steps towards calling for nominations for the position. Meeting With Valuer. The District Valuer (Mr. H. N. Mackie) advised that Monday, March 28th, at 8 p.m., would be convenient for him to meet the council in connec-, tion with the general ■ revaluation of the borough. The letter was received, His Worship expressing the hope that councillors would endeavour to be present. Statutory Half-holiday.

The Department of Labour forwarded a copy of an extract from the Gazette, wdierein the Minister had appointed Saturday as the statutory halfholiday for shops in Levin. —Received.

Hospital Finances. The Palmerston North Hospital Board forwarded an abridged copy of its statement of accounts for the year ended March -31st, 1937, duly audited.— Received and laid on the table. An Invitation.

Captain Morley, of the Salvation Army, extended an invitation to councillors to attend a lecture to be given by Major Rive in the Salvation Army Hall on Easter Saturday at 8 p.m.— Accepted with thanks. Billiard. Saloon Licence.

Mr. fm. J. Boyer made application for a billiard saloon licence in respect of premises now under the course of erection in Oxford Street.—Granted, subject to the police certificate being favourable.

Office Accommodation, A letter from the Horowhenua County Council advised that the alternative office accommodation offered by the council would not satisfactorily meet its requirements, and asked if the council could see its way clear to make the present gas showroom available at a rental to be determined. Cr. Parker said the council could not make the gas showroom available, as it was a necessary adjunct to popularising the use of gas and advertising the appliances which could be acquired. The gasworks had successfully fought for its existence in Levin and it would be detrimental to remove the showroom from the street frontage. Crs. Trim and Bowen endorsed the previous speaker’s remarks, and said they were opposed to shifting the showroom.

Cr. Parker moved that a reply be sent expressing regret that the council could not accede to the request for n tenure of the gas showroom as an additional office. It was seconded by Cr. Trim and carried. Some general diicuision followed on likely ways of solving the difficulty and further consideration will be given to means of overcoming it. Drivers’ Licences. A circular letter from the Commissioner of Transport conveyed the information that it was not proposed by the Government to make any change this year in the system hitherto in force for the issue of motor drivers’ licences.—Received with approval. Parking Area.

Mr. P, F. Watts advised that Mr. W. JT. Port's shop had been made his depot and asked for an allotment of space in the street outside for parking one bus on Friday and Saturday nights. — Referred to the streets committee. Removal of Tree. Further consideration was given to the application of the management of the Regent Theatre for the removal of the plane tree in front of the theatre entrance.

On the motion of Cr. Todd, seconded by Cr. France, it was decided to advise that the council could not accede to the request. Now Bowling Green. The finance committee reported having considered the question of leasing two sections in Bristol Street, and recommended that the Central Bowling i

Club be advised of the following alternative propositions : (a) A lease of the land to be offered by public tender under the usual conditions for a term of 21 with perpetual rights of renewal for successive 21 years’ terms, rentals to be fixed by arbitration, at an upset rental of £5 per annum for the two sections; or (b) A tenancy at will at a rental of £2 per annum, free of rates for five years. On His Worship’s motion, seconded by Cr. Bowen, the report was adopted. Slaughtering Contract.

The abattoir committee reported having met Mr. F. 0. Malcolm with reference to the renewal of his slaughtering contract for a further term of twelve months from April Ist next. Mr. Malcolm advised that, owing to increased costs, particularly wages, he could not carry on at the old prices, which had been in force for the past three years. The committee recommended that, for the extended period of the contract, Mr. Malcolm be granted an increase of 3d per head on cattle and Id per head on sheep and lambs. The committee also reported having considered the question of the additional cost entailed in Sunday killing, amd asked that the finance committee, in conjunction with the abattoir committee, go into the matter. After a brief discussion both recommendations were adopted. Loan of Library Books.

The library committee advised having met to consider the application of the Levin District High School for tha loan of 200 books from the children’s section of the Public Library and recommended that it be granted, with a proviso that the books be returned by the first week of December. Further, that the headmaster’s attention be drawn to the small return of £1 5s 6d last year, which was thought to be inadequate for the number of books loaned.

The recommendations were adopted on the motion of Cr. Bowen, seconded by Cr. Mackenzie.

Next Meeting. It was decided, on account of public holidays, to hold the next meeting of the council on Monday, April 11th, at 8 p.m.

Overseer’s Report. The overseer (Mr. E. Lycette) gave the following report on the work carried out during the month of February :

General Maintenance : We have carried out footpath repairs in Oxford Street, Trafalgar Street and Mako Mako Road. The breaks and worn road edges have been repaired in Cambridge Street South, from the boundary to Bath Street, five chains in Reeve Street and several breaks in Queenwood Road. Three new culverts have been made and fifty-two concrete slabs. Municipal Buildings : The old conveniences have been taken down and the septic tank cleaned out. The concrete step has been taken out and a ramp put in its place. The yard and path at the back of the library have been cleaned up, graded and concreted. The plumbers have made several small repairs to the water gutters over the Regent Hall. The new conveniences are now in use. Several odd jobs connected with them were carried out by the staff.

Noxious Weeds and Overgrowin; Hedges : Several notices have been is sued regarding Californian thistles. ! have approached several occupiers oi properties where they have hedges oi trees growing out too far over the foot path to have them cut OacK. There art still quite a number of hedges whicii require cutting back. It Avould certainly be of great assistance to me in my work, and much more convenient to pedestrians who use the footpaths, especially at night, if occupiers of properties would cut back their hedges or trees when they are spreading over the footpaths. Abattoirs .- The drainage trenches and pit have been cleaned out and several minor repairs made. Coaling: Sixty-four tons of coal have been carted to the gasworks during the month. On the motion of the chairman of th© streets committee (Cr. Walker), seconded by Cr. France, the report was

it is before the public, as they are constantly being improved, particularly as regards water heaters and fires, which is a load that should be developed. “At present we have about 105 tons of coal in stock.”

The chairman of the lighting commit- I tee (Cr. Parker) moved that the report j be received and that the manager’s' request for the additional showroom

space be granted. It was seconded by Cr. Trim and carried. Abattoir Killings. The abattoir manager (Mr. H. 11. Townsend) advised that the following stock were slaughtered during the month, comparative figures being given also :

Of this number 13 cattle, 1 sheep and 3 pigs were 'wholly condemned and 13 cattle, 1 sheep and 13 pigs were partially condemned. The fees for the month were : —1933, £290 17s lid; 1937, £1(34 11s sd; 193(3, £1(33 2s; 1935, £lB7 9s 9d. On the motion of Cr. Keedwell (chairman of the abattoir committee), seconded by Cr. Walker, the report was received.

Waterworks Report. ■The waterworks overseer (Mr. G. R. ■flliams) submitted the following re■ft for the month of February ; ■ good general order, a good pressure maintained. The tunnel has been ■shed out. The iron valve fittings in■uled in the tanks five years ago have out; these have been removed brass fittings ordered to replace Two services have been put in general maintenance carried out leaks and repairs. Scenic Reserve : The reof surplus growth on the road is nearly completed, all rubbeing removed or burned. Tracks good order and the bridge nas repaired; the trees planted along boundary are doing well.

IVJai*i/Ui.x , X4IU Uliauift uu lilt? UltJtJUlllg It and beef rail have been annealled I re-greased. lardens : The gardens have received I usual maintenance and are in Id order. Levin Domain ; The water-race has in cleaned out from the lake up. Tasnian ngaios planted on the southern mdary are doing exceptionally well; h the exception of a few that died, tawsonianas planted in clumps through the golf links are also making good growth. On the motion of Or. Keedwell, seconded by Cr, France, the report was received.

1938 1937 1936 1935 Cattle 498 210 274 220 Fetters . . — 1 79 253 Sheep and Lambs 1099 559 610 444 Pins .... 310 349 166 169 Calves 117 73 67 46