QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4670, 14 December 1944, Page 2

QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the council was held on Thursday, 7th Deccmbi r. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Dr Anderson), Crs. H. Sow Hoy, J. B. Hamilton, A. H. Wheatley, W. Scott, D. W. Thompson. An apology was tendered by Or. Aburn. Jas. F. Egan, representavivc of the N.Z. institute for cho Blind, thanked the council for valuable assistance and support accorded in the past and conveyed the season’s greeting to the Mayor and Councillors. —Received. Hon, R. Semple, Minister of Railways, wrote stating that lie was having the matter of a bus .dieiter at Queenstown investigated and would advise he council further.-—Received.

Mr R. Semple, Minister of Works, advised that if the council know of intending worthy applicants for State hj macs and forward particulars to the Corporation for investigation, it may be shown that the demand warrants further consideration and the necessary steps will be taken. The Minister stated that up to the present the Corporation had not received any applications for houses from Queenstown. — The Ratepayers’ Association to be asked to furnish any particulars they may have to the State Advances Corporation.

Mr L. Lee, secretary District High School, wrote in answer to a complaint

re school children leaving bicycles near the library door. The committee could not sec its way to erect a bicycle stand and in view of the big improvements to the grounds it asked the council to give consideration to the matter of erecting a bicycle stand for the use of children as in done in many towns in New Zealand. —Received.

Goo. D. Cochrane, Town Hall Theatre, wrote asking for permission to screen pictures on Christmas night. Pictures were shown in- all the main centres on this night. The writer would be prepared to donate the proceeds to the 1945 Patriotic appeal.—Granted on condition that the picture is a suitable one, that the screening commence at 8.30 p.m. and that the proceeds be devoted to the patriotic fund.

The Standard’ Insurance Co. wrote soliciting the council’s support in taking out a policy of insurance in respect of its liability for personnel injury to members of the general public and or damage to property arising from any negligence of the council during the peace celebrations.—Received. N. Callaghan applied for a permit to operate a side show consisting of chocolates, etc. over the Christmas and New Year holidays.—Permission not granted on account of local attractions.

The Acting Chief Postmaster, Inver cargill, appealed to the council to sup

plement the use of ordinary postage with a special Christmas Health camp gesture by buying health stamps.—ll was decided to purchase £1 worth of stamps. The Inspector of Health furnished a two-monthly report of sanitary inspection carried out in the town. The conditions throughout the borough were satisfactory, A letter was received from Mr M. 0. Henderson, ex-chief electrical engineer, Dunedin, asking for information in regard to the progress made in the switching on of Otago Central power.

The Mayor stated that the Otago Central power was switched on to the

eastern terrace for a quarter of an hour on Tuesday. The sycronisatioa of-the Otago Central and Queenstown units would be effected before the tourist season.

The Municipal Association, Wellington, appealed to the council for suggestions in furtherance of the development of the travel industry. The council was also notified of a confei-

once of all local bodies in Invercargill for the purpose of setting up a Regional Planning Council. —The Mayor was delegated to attend the conference and was asked to support a remit for more accommodation in Queenstown. Alex. Mnnro asked the council lo permit of an entrance to certain sections in Brunswick street in the estate of the late J. J. McNeill. —Letter to lay on table for two months; in the meantime an inspection to be made and Mr Munro to be interviewed. T. H. Tallentirc, secretary St. Peter’s Vestry, wrote asking that maerocarpa trees overhanging the footpath hi Church street be removed back in line with the fence line.—lt was decided to notify property owners by advertisement that all overhanging trees must bo cut back to the lino of street.

G. D. Cochrane wrote complaining of poor reception on his radio set in Hallenstein street. He had had the set checked and it was found in perfect condition. Writer considered that the power supply was at fault. Another complaint concerned the variation of the frequency of the power supply entailing the payment of more than was justifiable. Cr. Thompson said that this matter should be taken up with the postal department. Cr. Scott said other radio users were also complaining of poor reception. He drew attention to the fact that the power lines were detached from the insulators in at least four cases in the town and the wires were lying on the cross arms. This must have some effect on the reception. The engineer’s attention should be drawn to this.

Cr. Thompson stated that there was little variation in his electric light charges in winter and summer months.

Cr. Sew Hoy stressed the necessity of making an inspection for faulty appliances which would probably help better reception. It was decided to refer the matter to the engineer with power to act. W. F. Thompson, contractor to the council, drew the council’s attention to the fact that there was one nightsoil pan in (Queenstown which he had emptied as an obligment. As this was not in his contract he asked the council to do something about it. —It was decided to write to the party concerned and ask him to connect up with the drainage immediately; also to acquaint the health department. The secretary, Ratepayers’ Association wrote drawing attention to the state of corner of Sydney street and Franktou road and also asking that something be done to penstock in One-mile creek to provide against emergency.—Letter received and to state that nothing can be done in Onemile creek until the water reduces.

The Ratepayers’ Association also asked the council to take steps to have buses put on the Kingston road in the tourist season when the Ben Lomond is running to Kingston. —Decided to make representations to the

district traffic manager. W. F. Thompson’s tender for grass cutting in Queenstown, once over, for the sum of £2O was accepted by the special committee set up. »

LIBRARY REPORT it was reported that the hooks were exchanged by the Country Library Service during the month. Concession tickets, the rental section and lines brought in s3/7/10. Or. Sew Hoy, chairman of the committee, reported that the reading room had been renovated ana picture rail put up. lie hoped to have paper reading stands erected by next meeting. The report was adopted.

POWER REPORT The engineer report’d that the hydro j hint was in good running order. T Implant was shut dowji on certain d-.ys to overhaul the high tension hues. The overhauls and Stanley street substation arc now completed. Permits were issued for extensions, one altoiation and one for disconnection of three water heaters in Mountamoei Hotel. —The report was adopted.

WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT The bulldozer had been employed on certain streets, Man street being widened from the camping ground to half way between Hay and Brecon streets. Grading had boon done on upper Hay street and Ballarat street. York street had been widened and a turning

made for ears at Wesney’s commonage road. The dump had been levelled, all at a cost of £4i). Grading is to bo done on Man street. Gravelling had been done on several streets in the town. Plumbing repairs had been carried out. The dayman commenced duly on the 27tli November. The inspection of manholes in the drainage scheme has been commenced. The report was adopted and it was decided that oil be placed on road to camping ground. OTHER MATTERS Crs. Scott and Sew Hoy were empowered to deal with the matter of

water restrictions. It was decided to advertise a clean-up week before Christmas; to cut up a cord of firewood for free distribution to campers; to notify hotelkeepers that ball-cocks must be used in the urinals to prevent

waste of water; to paint the cross

iugs in the main streets for protection of pedestrians; to restore a pole at kit. Cook Tourist Co.'s corner and

renew parking signs, etc. The council received a gift of a large photograph picture of Queenstown showing streets and prominent buildings and houses. The streets and public buildings had been named by Mr H. 1). Walker. It was decided to thank Messrs Bathgate and Walker and have the picture displayed in the Mt. Cook office window.

The council decided to purchase a number of skeleton huts (10ft by 12ft) at £1 each and erect same in the camping ground. An effort will be made to procure mattresses for same. Crs. Thompson and JScott volunteered to help erect same and it was decided to advertise for other voluntary labor.

A price was received for erecting a girder and concrete bridge across the creek on Mcßride’s side of Camp street. It was decided to leave the matter over pending an interview with the building inspector, Cr. Aburn.

Cr. Scott asked the mayor what was

going to happen to the assistant town clerk when the Otago Central Electric Power Board took over the hydro plant in April next. Naturally Mr Robertson would want to know so that ho can make his own arrangements.

In reply, the mayor said that the board would require an office and a collecting agency in Queenstown, but one of their own staff will read the meters. The board will pay £2OO per annum for the office and an assistant. He recommended that the council should provide' the office, keep Mr Robertson on to do the board’s work and make up his salary. He (Mr Robertson) was a useful man in the office and might step into the town clerk’s position some day. The mayor spoke of Mr Robertson’s good offices in other organsatious and also that he had his home in Queenstown. It was resolved to write the Otago Central Power Board offering the office and clerical assistance in the direc-

tion indicated for £2OO per annum

It was decided to attend to the ventilators around the library building_Cr. Scott offered to give the necessary attention. Cr. Scott spoke of procuring a more efficient fire engine, but the council deferred consideration.

It was decided to hold a special meeting on the 21st December. The council approved of carnival programme which, however, was held up pending arrar gements for hire of steamer for excursions.

Accounts amounting to £1099/4/3 were passed for payment.