BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 294, 9 November 1934, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

Tile monthly meeting of the Feilcling Borough Council was held . last night, the Mayor (Mr C. E. Taylor) presiding. Also present were Crs. S. D. Pearce, \V. W. Andrews, A. C. McCorkindale, I>. Fairweather, J. Corpe, G. Darragh and G. Kilvington. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. Fair and Itellow. WATER SUPPLY. Further correspondence was received from the New Zealand Fire Underwriters’ Association in regard to the council’s application for a reduction in the fire insurance classification, stating it had received the report by the borough engineer on the inspection made some time ago and coulct not agree to the points Mr Hay had raised. The association went on to say that the results of the tests made had shown that the council’s application could not be acceded to, although the association was prepared to conduct further tests • if required. At the request of the Mayor, the borough engineer explained the points of his report, and also those raised in the association’s letter, giving it as his opinion that the figures relating to the pressure and flow of water in 'Feilding as set out by the association’s letter were more or less a wild guess. In moving that the letter be receiv-

ed, the Mayor said Mr Hay had gone into the matter very scientifically and Ills figures bore out "his statement that tlie association’s opinions on the borough water supply were mere guesswork. Mr Taylor thought it a pity that the test had been conducted so hurriedly, and hoped that on a future occasion it would be given more time. In the meantime Mr Taylor thought that nothing more could be done, particularly in view of the recent reduction of 12} 2 3er cent, in insurance premiums. BOROUGH ABATTOIR.

During October, 1934, 106 cows, 22 oxen, 23 heifers, 61 ewes, 30S wethers, 15 lambs, 1510 pigs, 1 calf, and 610 bobby calves were dealt with at the municipal abattoir. Fees amounted to £254 13s 5d as compared with £193 17s 7d for the corresponding month of last year, an increase of £6O 15s lid.. The killings in the extended abattoir district for October were: 109 sheep, 229 lambs, 40 pigs. Fees amounted to £l2 4s 7d as compared with £22 6s Id for the corresponding month last year, a decrease of £lO Is 6d.—The reports were adopted. KOWHAI PARK PAVILION.

“That it be a recommendation to the council to grant a sum from the residue of the electric light funds equivalent to a subsidy of £1 for each £1 raised by the association up to a total of £250, under conditions to be fixed bv the council,” was a recommendation placed before the council by the finance committee. The Mayor briefly detailed the steps that were being made by the Cricket Association to raise funds to erect the pavilion, following which tlie council agreed to the committee’s recommendation. RATE PAYMENT URGED.

“The council is at present paying interest on approximately £8000,” said the Mayor in referring to the council’s finances. The present was a time when those ratepayers who could afford to pay their rates could help the council by doing so. The 10 per cent, penalty, of course, did not go on till after Christmas but as at .this period the council’s overdraft interest payment was at its highest, the council would be

grateful to all ratepayers who met their obligations as soon as possible. HIGHWAY PROPOSALS. Matters in connection with the forthcoming visit of the Main Highways Board were discussed, when notice was received that members of the board would meet the council at 1.30 p.m. on Saturday 7, December 1, to go into main highway questions. The Mayor drew attention to the following recommendation of the finance committee: —“That it be a recommendation to the council to appoint representatives to wait on the board with a view to urging that East, South and West Streets be gazetted as secondary highways, also that a 4 per cent, allocaion from the petrol tax be allocated to small boroughs on the basis of mileage of streets.”

“I think we have a good case for these streets, and East Street ill particular,” said the Mayor. He had been informed by the borough engineer that East Street carried a very large volume of foreign traffic during the fat lamb season in particular, and very heavy traffic at ordinary times. Mr Taylor referred to the fact that the adjoining local bodies were very cognisant of the fact that a large volume of their county traffic used these roads and as the chairmen of these counties were on tlie local district council of the Highways Board the Mayor thought the council’s case would be well received. In regard to the application for a 4 per cent, allocation of the petrol tax funds, Mr Taylor considered the cities might well forgo a share of the 8 per cent, they received in order to help the smaller boroughs. The council briefly discussed the points brought forward in the recommendation and agreed that they should go before the hoard. It was also decided to press for representation by the boroughs on the No. 9 Highways District Council.

NOTES. Last month 1382 books were changed at the municipal library by 224 subscribers. Seven building permits valued at £1425 were issued in Feilding in October.

During the three-weeldy period from October 13 to October 27, 174 men were employed in each week on relief works in the borough. One ease of infectious disease (typhoid) was reported to the health

authorities in the borough last month. An outline of the improvements and additions made to the stock of books at the library was given by Cr D. Fairweather to the council, the speaker stating, that after several inspections the library had been found to ho scrupulously - clean and the hooks in very good order. Tlie library committee was aiming at making the library one of the best small libraries in the Dominion.

The council granted the Feilding branch of the S.R.C.A. a donation of £2 2s towards its funds. Commendation of the action of several owners of business preJaises in removing dangerous parapets was made by the Mayor, who stated that it was very satisfactory to see the steps that were being taken. Authority for the purchase of a pump to cost £l2B, to replace the present one installed in Giesen’s Road for sewerage purposes, was given by the council. The engineer reported that the' present pump, which was nine years old, was badly worn and could not be allowed to break down.