QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3901, 11 June 1929, Page 3

QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Queenstown Borough Council was held in the Library on Thursday evening. Present: His "Worship the Mayor (WL H. Overton, Esq.), Crs T. Rutherford, J. Cockburn, I>. 11. Hamilton, F. St. Omer," A. Scheib, T. H. Tallentire, Dr. Anderson and Eobt. Gilkison. Apology for absence was tendered by Cr. A. McCaughan. The minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read and Confirmed, and precis of outward correspondence was read and approved, i Inward Correspondence. .letter was received from .Mr E. Cree Brown, consulting engineer, Dunedin, enclosing documents connected with Mr Hope's contract for pipe ■ laying, etc., for tho Brewery Creek water supply scheme.—The Mayor and Cr Gilkison- were empowered to sign the documents. Letters were received from the chairman of the Local Government Loans Board, Wellington and from the secretary to the Treasury stating that- the Council's applications for Waterworks Extension Loan No. 1 (£2000) and Loan No. 2 (£500) would be placed before the next meeting of the Loans Board.—Received. The Prime Minister acknowledged receipt of the Council's letter, relative to the change of meeting place of the Otago Central Licensing Committee. In the course of a lengthy reply the Minister stated that the change had been made with the idea of carrying out the provisions of the Licensing Act in a fair and reasonable manner. The sole question to be decided was which Magistrate of the two exercising jurisdiction in the Otago Central Licensing district should be appointed as member (and ex-officio chairman) of the Licensing Committee for that district. After Mr Dixon and Mr Cruickshank were consulted Mr Dixon was appointed.—The Minister of Justice wrote on similar lines.—Both letters were received, and it was decided to pursue the matter further. The Under-Secretary, Dept. of ternal Affairs, forwarded a copy of the N.Z. Gaeztte containing a special order abolishing wards in the borough of Queenstown and fixing the number of councillors. Ted. Farrant, leader of the Kit Kat Dance Band, Dunedin, wrote asking if ho could book the Garrison Hall for two nights during the Xmas season. In the event of a Carnival being held the services of the band would \)e available free of charge for one night and the band would also bo prepared to, help in any day function.—Writers to apply again in October. The secretary, Otago and Southland Fire and Accident Underwriters' Association, Dunedin, advised that the Council's application for a reduction in fire insurance rates had been forwarded to Wellington for consideration.—Received. Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., forwarded a letter he had received from the Postmaster-General stating that he had pleasure in advising that he would comply with the request of a deputation which waited on him at Queenstown in February, urging that the mails arriving at Queenstown during the winter via Cromwell be sorted immediately on arrival— Postmaster General to be thanked, also Mr Bodkin. Tho Assistant Under-Secretary, P. W. D., Wellington, wrote stating that his Department had no objection to the 'Council's taking immediate possession of the site selected for the meteorological station in Queenstown provided the Departments of Agriculture, Tourists and Health resorts, and the Director of 'Meteorology approved of the siteResolved that the necessary transfer be executed; also that the rock on the proposed site be removed and that the Works Committee report on the cost of a fence. The Southland League wrote acknowledging the Council's remits to the annual conference of the League with M.P.'s. on May 30; also stating that the request that one of the quarterly meetings of the League be held in Queenstown would be favourably considered. Tfie Mayor and Or. Cockburn reported on their attendance at the conference on May 30. The subjects of vesting the Peninsula in the Council, the pushing on of the formation of the Kingston-Queenstown road, and the change of the Licensing Committee headquarters from Queenstown to Alexandra, were duly discussed and the delegates, were given a favourable hearing.—lt was resjjlvegl. that, tjie Mayor be granted fus travelling expenses connected with his attendance at the Conference, When referred to, Cr. Cockburn said ho did not look for a grant of the kind—lt was further resolved that the sum of £5 be voted to the League as the annual subscription. E. Fletcher Roberts, Dunedin, wrote stating his preparedness to execute survey work for the Council during his proposed visit to Central Otago. —To be advised that the Council has not yet decided about survey referred to. The Commissioner of Transport wroto asking for some statistics relative to heavy traffic fees—To be informed that the Lake County Council is the collecting authority. <, T. H. Tallentire, secretary, Queenstown Fire Brigade, wrote extending an invitation to the Mayor and Councillors to be present at the plain and noster dance in the Garrison Hall on the 31st inst—Received with thanks. F. \V. Furkert, chairman of the Main Highways Board, requested a return showing the plant at present held by the Council for road construction and maintenance. -Returns already forwarded. T. M. Ball, M.H.B. representative on the District Highways Council, wrote asking lor a return o,ft the Borough's loan indebtedness on main highways.—Returns forwarded. J. M. White, secretary Dunedin R. S. A., wrote asking whether there was. any employment in Queenstown which would be suitable for local returned soldiers and whether a subsidy ot £ for £ could be made available from any source. The Association would be prepared to consider proposals having a claim on a proportion of the Poppy Day money raised locally. -Referred to the Progress League." The Council also indicated that it would be prepered to consider

giving a subsidy as was done last year. John Davis, Gorge Road, made application to rent Borough sections at the back of his property. He would give 5s a year for them for grazing purposes.—To be informed that the Council has no power to let the sections. H. Tomkies, launch proprietor, made application to erect a bowser on the lake side of the former acetylene gas plant sections and almost opposite his wharf.—Application adjourned to next meeting. Electric Lighting Report. Cr Anderson, chairman of the Electric Lighting Gornmittee, reported that several of the transmission lines in the 'town had had to be tightened to prevent sag, which was contrary to the P.W.D. regulations.—Two new premises had been connected during the month.—Since last meeting the h.el. dam had fallen to a low level (at one stage to sft 6in below the sill) and it was found necessary to impose restrictions to conserve the supply .—The switch clock controlling the town and Western Terrace street lighting had been overhauled and was now working satisfactorily. The Eastern Terrace clock was now being overhauled—lt would be necessary shortly to stop the h.el. plant for the the best part of a day to allow of a new needle being put in- for the main control valve. Consumers would be notified b-y advt. in the Mail.— The dam had just been cleared of silt and fallen leaves by the engineer and dayman. The report was adopted. —Works Committee's Reporter Scheib, chairman of the Works Committee, reported that the workmen had been employed during the month clearing water channels and cutting briars off the Reserve.—lt was considered inadvisable to cut willows on Rotten Row owing to their being used as anchors to hold the breakwater. It was recommended planting new trees in August.—The committee recommended that the prices of 9 and 18 street name plates, respectively, be obtained. The report was adopted. Nightsoil and Ashes Removal. The special committee appointed to interview Mr H. Braden, the borough nightman and carter, re the new arrangements, etc., connected with his duties, reported that no satisfactory conclusion could be arrived at owing to Mr Braden's wages demands and conditions. In consequence it was recommended that the removal of nightsoil and ashes be done by contract, the contractors to have the right to any work requirod by the Council at a price to be fixed. "'The report was adopted, and it was decided that applications be called for the carrying out of the duties by contract. The Mayor and the chairman of works were appointed to draw up a schedule of duties. Library Committee. Cr Cockburn, chairman of the Library Committee, offered suggestions v regarding the catalogue,- etc., of the books in the Library.—lt was decided to expend £9' in the purchase of new books. Cemetery Committee. £r. St.Omer, chairman of the Cemetery Committee, reported on the overgrown condition of the cemetery. It was recommended that the clearing of noxious weeds be undertaken immediately, and that in the early spring steps be taken to do clearing and tidying.—A man to be employed for a week on cutting noxious weeds. Other Business. Town Undertaker—Cr. Scheib brought up the subject of undertaking. The fact of there being no one in the district to make coffins was becoming quite a serious one. He thought the Council should make a

move of .some kind to meet the situation.—Alter some discussion Cr Anderson was appointed to interview the local carpenters with a view to their doing something to relieve the situation. Morgue.—lt was resolved that an estimate of the cost of erecting a morgue in the town be obtained, also suggestions re a suitable site. Ministerial Visit.—The Mayor, Ore. Gilkison and Anderson were appointed to meet the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, on his arrival in Queenstown the • next evening, and bring under his notice certain matters affecting the borough. Deed of Agreement.—lt was resolved that the common seal of the Council be affixed to the agreement between the Council and J. B. Hamilton regarding carrying the Brewery Creek pipe line through his property. The Estimates.—The estimates of receipts and expenditure presented by the Borough treasurer were approved. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment; District Fund, £193 5s 2d; hydro electric account, £l7B 10s lOd.