ROSS NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1939, Page 2

ROSS NEWS

BOROUGH MEETING. (Our own correspondent). At the meeting of the Borough Council held on Thursday, there were present His Worship the Mayor (K. O. May, Esq.), Councillors J. Cumming, S. Upjohn, C. Upjohn, P. J. Minehan, and J. Woolhouse. ! The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meeting were reftd and confirmed. Outward correspondence was read and approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. Cr. Minehan reported a contract has been let for the cleaning of the cemetery.—Approved. • „ The Inspector of Electric Lines forwarded his report of annual inspection, and requested several small matters bp given attention. —Received. The Football Club forwarded £1 towards the upkeep of the grounds, and asked for permission to charge at gates during the ensuing season.—Received and request granted.

Mr E. D. Davis asked for authority to graze horses on recreation grounds for a term.—Request refused. The Secretary ; Golf Club, wrote stating every effort would be made to keep dogs off this reserve.—Received;

From Westland Centennial Committee, notifying meeting to be held at Greymouth on 26th inst.—Received.

The Health Inspector forwarded monthly report, showing 8 inspections made and 2 requisitions served.' It- was left in hands of Messrs May and Peebles to ascertain if the old school rooms could be procured for drilling of territorials, instead of using the Totara Hall,, which has just had a new dance floor laid down.

Scheme 13 men now to be employed enlarging Borough reservoir, Cr. C. Upjohn to supervise the work. In addition to impounding wandering stock, Court proceedings are to be taken also in future.

The Government is to be again written to re the building of several Government houses in Ross, as the shortage of houses is still acute. Cr. W. J. Blacklow tendered his resignation as a councillor, as he was leaving the district to enter into business in Oamaru. —Resignation accepted with regret, and referred to the returning officer.

MAYOR'S REPORT. The Mayor (Mr K. O. May), reported on the activities of the Council for the past year, as follows: Works: During the period under review, apart from the usual maintenance, a considerable number of major works have either been completed or put in hand. Some 10 chains of concrete kerbing have .been put , down in Aylmer Street, replacing the wooden kerbing which had outlived its usefulness. It is the Council’s intention, as funds permit, to continue with this work, and it is hoped to complete a definite distance each year, until the streets most in use are channelled. The old wooden bridge near J. Thomson’s residence in Beach Road has been dismantled’ and replaced by a substantial concrete pipe culvert. This is a permanent job, and there will be no recurring expenditure on same. Muddy Creek bridge in lower Moorhouse Street has been rebuilt and widened, and should now have many years of useful life.

Tar Sealing: During the year the Main Highways Board prepared and tar-sealed practically the whole length of the main highway through the town. A splendid surface has been provided, and the abatement of the dust nuisance is a decided improvement. Storm Channel: This channel has had considerable attention, and is now in a better condition than has been the case for many years. The lower portion requires some repairs, and the timber for same is on the job. Arrangements are in traip to replace the storm channel bridge at the top of Moorhouse Street with a more solid structure.

Water-works: Th P Council has not .been unmindful of keeping these in good order, and it is pleasing to report that the tunnels, after expert inspection are reported to be in very fair order. It has long been felt that the present reservoir is inadequate, and a start has been made to' provide additional storage capacity. This work will be pushed ahead as opportunity offers, and it. is hoped, if No. 13 scheme continues, to have four men engaged on the site of the new reservoir within the next- week or two.

T!ie condition of the siphon has caused some concern, and after inspection, it was decided to replace the faulty pipes, rather than construct a new siphon, as was at one time considered. Delivery of these pipes will be made early.

A matter for investigation during the coining year will he the poor pressure in some parts of the town, and at this stage it would appear that some considerable length of water-mains will require to be lifted and cleaned. Reserves: The • main work for the year has been done on Reserve 1463 (approximately 450 acres), where a party of men working under Scheme 13 has been engaged on drainage work. Approximately 200 chains of drains have been cut, old drains cleaned, and Robinson’s Creek, which was responsible for the flooding at the southern end of the reserve, diverted to a new course. The whole area is already responding to the work, and this valuable endowment is greatly improved.* Approximately 150 acres have been reclaimed. It is only fitting that mention should be -made of the excellent service rendered in this connection by the Chairman of. Works—Councillor P."

J. Minehan—who gave the work constant and intelligent supervision. In connection with the same area, some 20 chains of substantial fencing has been erected by the Council and the adjoining land-owner, and a further 40 chains will be constructed early on the Moorhouse Street frontage. Practically all the Council’s reserves are let and bringing in a steady rental. Cemetery; The cemetery has received rather more attention than usual during the year, and in addition to general maintenance, a new shed and tank have been provided, replacing those destroyed b(f fire some months ago. During the current year the Council intends going into the question of improved access, and it is hoped to make lasting improvements to the existing road at a reasonable cost. Recreation Ground: This ground

has been made full use of during the year, and the usual maintenance .has been carried out. Both the players’ and the campers’ sheds have been painted, adding greatly to the appearance of the ground. This ground is being made increased use of by visiting

campers, and at this-stage it might be opportune to consider the provision of some additional facilities in order to foster and increase this traffic. War Memorial: This memorial, owing to its handy and ideal position, is

becoming more and more the focal

point for outside functions, and the surroundings provide almost unlimited scope for oeautification. This is an object which should appeal to all citizens, whether ratepayers or not, and the Council will welcome advice and assistance in its endeavour to further improve the surroundings. Coronation Hall and Library: Some small improvements have been effected during the. year, including storage cupboard for office records, and the rebuilding of the urinal. During the year a substantial number of , new books have been added to the library. The re-cataloguing of all books will De put in hand early and a magazine stand provided in the reading room. Swimming Bath: This season, as well as the preceding one, has not been favourable for swimming, but taking all circumstances into consideration, good use has been made of the baths. The pool itself has been repaired at a cost of £32, and dressing sheds and fences have been painted at a cost of approximately £ls. It is hoped to overhaul the seating accommodation during the present year.

Lighting: Tn e very necessary provision of electric lighting has not been overlooked, and it is regretted that more progress cannot be reported. Following on the report from the Chief Electrical Engineer, P.W.D., Wellington, that in the meantime Ross could not expect to be provided with electricity at any early date, the Council sot up a Committee of Councillors and local residents, whose special knowledge made them useful consultants. Several meetings were held and a scheme worked out and suomitted to an expert consulting engineer. Unfortunately, Ins report on this Diesel scheme, with which the Council was reluctantly compelled to concur, showed the scheme to be uneconomic on account of the high fixed charges, due to the comparatively low probable consumption. Since that date'.' negotiations have been in progress with Westland Power Ltd., and a lot qf data obtained, but here too the Council feels it cannot proceed further duo to the necessarily high fixed annual charges and the relatively small revenue. Further enquiries will be prosecuted and even a restricted service would be an improvement on the existing position, hut failing some feasible alternative, it would appear that it will be necessary to wait for electricity until the Government power is available. Indications are that the Government line would net be extended to Ross unless ther e was some fairly large consumer in the district, but recent reports would go to show that mining activity can be expected at the Mikonui in the comparatively near future, when the extension of the Government power lines should be assured. Totara Hall: This building has proved a steady source of revenue, and the Council felt it was time some of this should be devoted to repairs and improvements. Work on the building has recently been completed, and a transformation effected. The entire floor has been removed and a new dance floor provided. The hall has been repaired and painted inside and out, the entrance lobby has been remodelled, a ticket office provided, and improvements effected to the stage and retiring rooms. Additional work planned, but not yet commenced, includes the erection of a verandah over th* entrance, and improved lighting. To date the repairs and alterations have entailed an expenditure of approximately £2OO.

Building operations: Tt is pleasing to note that the town is gradually assuming a neater and more attractive appearance, due to the erection of more and better dwellings and renovating and painting. New buildings erected during the year cost approximately £4250 against £I2OO in the previous year.

An endeavour was made to induce the Government to build houses in Ross for letting purposes but no success was met with, it apparently being the policy to restrict this work to the larger centres.

The Council then considered the ad-, visability of borrowing from the Advances Department and proceeding with a housing scheme of its own. There were obvious objections to this course and it was felt that it would be unwise for the Council to ;onimit Uu ratepayers to this project. Realising that the shortage of houses was acute the Council then decided to give a lead by setting aside an area on which Government loans could be obtained by intending home-builders, provisions of the Mining Act, which

The first obstacle met with was the militate against the purpose in view as it is impossible to get lenders to accept the town sections title as ~n adequate security

Finally an ideal area of four acres was decided on. being part Reserve 312 adjoining the Coronation Hall. This title is an eligible security for loans for home building purposes. The area has been surveyed and cut up into 10 fine building lots. Two of these have been sold to date and when the shortage of houses is considered it is felt that the balance will be taken up in the near future

Centennial: As your representative I have attended most of the 'meetings of the Provincial Organisation held during the year. The Council considered that within reasonable limits it should assist to its utmost in making some worthwhile contribution (quite apart from its' financial commitments to the West Coast exhibit and the Scholarship Fund), towards marking the occasion in a fitting manner. The Council’s proposals (subsequently endorsed by a public meeting) include tree planting and the erection of a Women’s Rest Room. A sports meeting and ball (in 1940), will be the form of our purely local function It might be pointed out that the Internal Affairs Department makes a contribution towards permanent memorials of £1 for every £3, and it is confidently hoped that, the memorials can be provided without becoming a. burden on the ratepayers. Already donations of trees have been promised and the object in view should be easily obtained by concerted local efffirt

Finances: The financial position is sound and it is not proposed to give any detailed account in this brief report as all information under this heading can be obtained from the balance sheet. I would, however, point out that, in spite of the considerab’e amount of new work carried out during the year, the credit balance at the close of the year’s operations is £250 as against £l2O at the commencement of the term.

Rates: From the commencement of their term, councillors have realised that no progress can be made unless rates are collected promptly and a sustained and energetic effort has been made to collect outstanding rates with a fair measure of success.

Rates outstanding at the Ist. April

i 1938 were £242/14/0, of which.£l6l/6/6 has been collected during the current year. i Rates struck for the current year | were £425/2/1, of which £348/8/8 or ! approximately 80 per cent, was collected, compared with 1937-38, when rates struck were £357/5/8 and collections wen* £226/8/4. or sav 60 per cent. Although an improvement has been effected during the year just ended, collections of only 80 per cent (though j much- better than the previous year’s) cannot be considered satisfactory and efforts will be made to increase this percentage during the current year. Total rates collected were:— 1938-39 ... £509 15 2 . 1937-38 £261 0 2 It will be noted that while only £34/11/10 of “back” rates was collected in 1937-38, the corresponding figure for 1938-39 was £l6l/6/6. The higher rates struck in 1938-39 are accounted for largely by the increaseed hospital levy, and partly by the additional homes erected as well as by the new valuations. Prompt payment of rates means that the Council’s finances benefit from the Government subsidy paid on all rates collected within a given period.. This report would not be complete if mention were not made of the cooperation received during the past (year from Councillors, Town Clerk and staff as well as those residents and Government officials who have assisted from time to time, j K. 0. MAY, , Mayor.