QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4330, 7 September 1937, Page 5

QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A monthly meeting of the Queenstown Borough Council was held in the Library on Thursday, September 2. Present: The Mayor (W. H. Overton, Esq.), and Crs. W. A. Anderson, J. W. Miller, A. Scheib, J. P. Fix, F. J. Gavin and G. Chalmers. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. S. Aburn and A. McCaughan. The minutes of previous meeting were confirmed, outward correspondence was approved, and inward received. Inward Correspondence. The Sanitary Inspector, Alexandra, forwarded copy of memorandum from the Inspector of Health, concerning his requisition for repairs' to Eichardt’s Hotel. Temporary repairs had been effected to the roof and guttering and the firm’s architect had made certain recommendations regarding the roof and two balconies. The drainage system had been overhauled. . The Mayor said that a drain from the bar of the hotel to the street gutter which was granted some time ago had not been connected with the drain running into the lake as arranged. This would require to be done. Reference was also made to tha blocking up of the entrance to the lane for an undue length of time pending repairs to drainage system and septic tank. The discussion turned on several irregularities and breaches of the bylaws which were committed by the Mt. Cook Tourist Co. and it was resolved to write the company hnd notify it that action will be taken against it for further breaches. The Transport Department circularised the council regarding the question of road safety. The Government viewed with considerable concern the continued high casualty rate in connection with road accidents. The Council was asked for its opinion regarding the issue of safety propaganda. A form covering questions on the matter was enclosed.—lt was resolved to procure one dozen posters for use in the town. ( Mr S. 0. Wells, sanitary inspector, submitted a report for the period ended Slit July.—Received, -'lhe chairman, Health Stamp Campaign, wrote stating that the Central Council for- the health camps would consider the sites mentioned in conjunct.on with others in the southern district, and should an opportunity present itself some members of the' Central Council would inspect the sites in Lake County.—The Mayor, Crs. Anderson and Miller were appointed to meet the commissioners when they visited Queenstown. The Public Works Department advised that the Main Highways Board nad decided that all State highways through boroughs shall remain under the control of the Borough Council. —Received. The Public Works Department notified that a contract had been let to J. L. Lindsay for the erection of the new gates at the Tourist Domain. The Council was asked if it could arrange for a competent, person to visit the work while' the concrete was being mixed.—Agreed to. J. A. Fodie made application for a drain layer’s license.—Granted subject to approval of Health Inspector. Jas. Powell applied for a transfer or the lease of cemetery paddock to Tiros. Me,Soriley.—Agreed _ to subject to any arrears of rent being paid. ; McNeill and Tripp, Ltd. made application for permission to erect a small store on wheels on the 1 Cain'ping ground during holiday periods. Applicants were prepared to rent a •section on the ground.—Application granted, and 5s per week to be charged for section. H. Braden, borough carter, wrote stating that owing to the high cost) of horse feed and the rise in wages) he asked for a bonus of 2s per day as from the Ist September. Cr. Scheib said he considered that Mr Braden’s request should be granted in view of the general increase in wages and higher cost of horse feed. Or. Chalmers disagreed with Cr. Scheib that there had been any increase in the price of chaff. Cr. Gavin said there was a more regular and more frequent service than used to 'obtain and he considered, in view of increases in the staff’s salaries that the request should be granted. The Mayor said he would concede that more money should bo offered in the summer months!- i Or. Anderson said that the service was much more satisfactory than it had been. It was agreed on the motion of Crs. Scheib and Anderson—That an increase of 10s per week be granted. Thompson Bros., Queenstown, wrote pointing out the advantages of tin Gravelly motor plough and 'mower, and stating that one of these machines would he useful in the borough. Thompson Bros, to bo informed that the Council would like a demonstration of the machine. Lighting Committee's Report. The chairman of the Electric Lighting' Committee reported, inter alia, as follows:—The matter of wireless interference had been discussed with the engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department. It was recommended that the question be held over pending a future conference. The omii ittee recommended that the Council rejoin the Electrical Supply Authorities Engineers’ Association, as

it would be of great assistance when it came to revise the charges for power. The committee had considered a circular from the Waiweri Electric Power Board asking for the Council’s support in an endeavour to have small power authorities exempt from the awards' affecting men in theirl employ. The committee was in agreement with the principle, but not with some of the recommendations, and suggest writing to the Board to this effect. The chairman of the Lighting Committee said that Mr H OLimie had assured him that an effort Avould be made to get the Deisel engine and equipment down from Skippers and installed at an early date. It was recommended, in reference to outstanding lighting accounts, that in two cases summonses be issued, and in another seven cases, the users be given a final warning that if the accounts were not paid within 14 days, the current bo cut off. In view of a recent accident to a lad who came in contact with an electric lead in to the house occupied by Mrs Duff, it was recommended that alteration be made to the inside wiring, which, in the interests of public safety, should be paid for by the Borough Domicil The engineer reported that the plant was working splendidly. There were several places along the pipe line which required clearing of rock and gravel slips. This was necessary to prevent corrosion. The report was adopted. Or. Fix, chairman of the Library Committee, said he had no report to make pending advice from the N.Z. National Library Com'mittee. Works Committee’s Eeport. The Works Committee reported that two conveniences and one shower had .been erected on the Camping ground, and the necessary pits were dug. .Seed had been sown on the One Mile reserve: the ground had been also raked over. Water had been laid on to Mr J. C. Cockburn’s property in Stanley St., and gravel put on the cemetery paths. Trees had been ordered for planting on the One Mile, and a start would shortly b« finade' with tree planting on the Two Mile Flat and Peninsula. The com'mittee had inspected the Catholic section in the cemetery, and recommended that as the survey plan had not been adhered to, that a portion of approximately ten yards from the path be pegged off and when filled that the rest of the section be in accordance with the survey plan. It was recommended that when labour was available, the footpaths be formed in f upper Ballarat St. and Hallenstein Sts. It was recommended that Cr. 1 Miller be authorised to hire a small ; tar-sealing plant in Invercargill, and also to procure material for top dressing the footpaths. The Mayor added that it had been decided to employ four men undo" Government Scheme No. 13 for fulltime workers for 17 weeks. Pour linen would go on for eight weeks and following this four men for nine weeks. These men would be paid £4 per week to which the Council adds Bs s per week. A ballot had been taken of eight men and of these Messrs Morrison, Mitchell, W. Farrant and Deegau were drawn for the first period. They would be put on planting trees and forming Suburb Street, etc. The report was adopted. Other Business. Arbor Day.—lt was decided to agree with the recommendation to hold Arbor Day on the 22nd September, and that the Council vote £4 towards expenses. It was also decided to formally invite the Arthurs Point and Lower Shotover schools to participate in the ceremony. Removal of Trees—lt was decided to remove the trees growing on Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney streets to the One-mile road reserve. Employment of Grader.—At Cr. Gavin’s suggestion it was decided to refer the matter of the grading of certain streets to the Works Committee. Gravelling of Footpath—lt was agreed to gravel the footpath on the Frankton road leading to the new houses erected in Suburb St. Shortage of Houses.—Or Gavin referred to the shortage of residences in Queenstown, and suggested that the Council might communicate with Mr J. A. Lee, who is in charge of the Government Housing scheme, and see if anything could be done with regard to' the erection of houses _in Queen-town. After a short discussion on the matter, it was decided not to take any action in the meantime. Drainage.—Cr. Gavin brought to the Council’s notice the matter of taking some steps in connection with drainage in Queenstown. He said that Hie election of councillors would be taking place next year, and if a poll were to be taken on the matter, they would need to have some data to put before the ratepayers. The councillors were in agreement that some 'move should ho made, and it was decided to write to the Hume Pipe Co. in reference to the matter. Termination of Lease. —It was decided to give notice to Mr J. Edgar that his lease of the Corporation section (formerly gas works reserve), be terminated when the time was up. Post Office Clock—lt was decided to write to Mr Jones, PostmasterGeneral drawing attention to the fact that no provision had apparently been made for a clock for the new Post Office. The necessity for this was stressed by the Mayor and several councillors. It was also decided to ask Mr Jones if it would be possible for him to visit Queenstown and lay the foundation stone of the new Post Office. Approach to Garages.—The matter of providing access to garages to be built in Hobart St. below Hamilton House was referred to the II orks Committee with power to act. Planting Gum Trees. —The Mayor dinted that Mr Do'amore. Conservator of Forests. Invercargill, had drawn his attention to an attack of blight on blue gums in the town. Ho suggested that the Council might procure some more suitable gum seed from the Forert’y Department. The Council decided to do this. Dog Registration—lt was decided iivnt. Cr. Chalmers and the Mayor go through the dog register and ascertain what owners in the town had not registered dogs. Accounts amounting to £199 13s 9d were passed for payment.