Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7031, 15 December 1932, Page 11

Foxton

SKIPPING From Our Own Correspondent. The M.S. “Huanui" arrived In port at 11 a.m. on Tuesday with a shipment of coal from Greymouth,. consigned to tho Palmorston North City Council. After clearing Greymouth last wcok, tho vessel immediately encountered heavy weather, subsequently running into the series of heavy northerly and wostcrly gales which havo prevailed over the Dominion during tho past week. On Saturday night last and on Sunday the westerly galo in Cook Strait was particularly heavy, and On Sunday the vessel took shelter under tho lea of Ivapiti Island. Tho “Huanui’’ finally arrived off tho bar on Monday morning, but owing to unfavourable conditions was not permitted to enter port, until Tuesday. From Foxton the “Huanui” proceeds to Tarakoho to load a cargo of cement for Palmerston North. Free Pictures At Monday night’s meeting of the Foxton Borough Council, Mr. H. D. Dawson, representing the local branch of tho Unitod Workers’ Movement, waited upon tho council with two requests, viz.: 1. That the council provide a free matinee picture entertainment in the Town Hall on Christmas Eve for tho benefit of the children of local relief workers; 2, that tho council provide, free of cost, the use of a paddock for the grazing of gift stock awaiting killing. In answer to the Mayor, Mr. Dawson said that the organisation to which he belonged, represented the whole of the relief workers of Foxton. He further stated that the organisation known as the Foxton Relief Workers’ Association had rccontly resigned owing to a difference of opinion among members in regard to representation, at a certain conference of relief workers held in Wellington recently. Mr. Dawson assured tho council that tho body he represented was strictly non-political. The Mayor, in reverting to tho requests made, said that tho council could not Consider making tho entertainment open to children of relief workers only, and tho hall would accordingly be open to all local children. In regard to the other request, the council must be assured of the fact that tho old workers’ organisation had actually gone out of existence before the matter could bo considered. The unemployed, however, could rest assured that they had the sincere sympathy of tho council. Finally it was unanimously resolved that the council agree to give tho free use of McGill’s paddocks at tho pleasure of the council provided that free meat is available to any relief worker in need, and that no distinction be made to members or non-members of tho United Workers’ Movement. Municipal Affairs The monthly mooting of the Foxton Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present wore the Mayor (Mr. M. E. Pcrrcau), Crs. Cowley, Raugiheuea, Crowe, Barron, Harvey, J. L. Christie, F. Robinson, John Ross, R. J. Thompson and tho Town Clerk (Mr. W. Trueman). Tho > treasurer (Mr. W. Trueman) submitted a financial statement which showed that during November the sum of £1179 5s 7d was received. The various ledger accounts shown in Credit were:—Rate arrears £B3O 11s 7d, Cemetery £IOO 19s, heavy traffic £69 Os lOd, library £33 12s, reserves £179 9s 10d, unemployment relief £2 5s 3d, Town Hall pictures £63 5s lid, temporary deposits £6OO, worker's dwelling £l3 19s 7d, waterworks £246 13s 6d; a total of £2139 17s 6d. Accounts in debit were: Gasworks £1313 4s, general £2314 7s Bd, Hospital Board £156 19s 7d, Harbour -Board- £47• 19s 9d, interest £IBB7 2s 2d,.Town.Hall.£l2o 18s 7d; a total of £5840.11s 9d. The amount of tho bank,overdraft was £3700 14s 3d. The gasworks manager requested the council to reconsider the new working arrangement 'whereby he had to pay for all gas used in his residence, and asked that the privilege of free gas, which was taken away when the wage reductions were made, be reinstated. The Mayor, in discussing the matter, pointed out that tho council was in distressed circumstances' as far as finaneo was concerned, and if the gas manager’s request were granted, the council would not only be giving preference to one particular employee, but would bo restoring something which had already been taken away. The cuts imposed by the council had not been drastic, and it seemed to him that the request was-the thin edge of a wedge. Cr. Barron thought the request was ridiculous. Tho council had done all possible to help the gas manager, who had been the only one to growl over the reduction. Ho considered the request, wa's “cheeky.” Other councillors thought the request was unreasonable, and it was decided to adopt the gas manager's roport but that, no consideration, be given to his request for free gas. Tho question of imposing the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates for the current year was discussed at some length. Tho Mayor said that considerably over £2OOO was still outstanding on account of this year’s Tates, and the trouble was that many ratepayers were in the habit of waiting until the penalty was added before making any effort to pay. After a.good deal of discussion the Mayor suggested that in view of the approaching holidays, the council could impose the pennlty so that it would become operative as from the middle of January. Crs. Cowley and Thompson thought that tho penalty should be imposed without delay. The council could consider any cases of distress which, as had been suggested, might arise, and Temit the penalty if necessary. Finally it was resolved to imposed the 10 per cent, as from January 7, 1933. Highways Improvements Wanted

A letter wliick was read from the Foxton Harbour Board requested the council to join in urging the controlling authority to immediately complete the tar-sealing of the Himitangi-San-son, Himitangi-Rangiotu, and FoxtonBeach highways. Councillors agreed that the borough was vitally interested in the matter and that it would strengthen the hands of the controlling authority if the council supported the Harbour Board’s request, which was granted. Municipal Association’s Usefulness Questioned

In discussing prospective avenues of oconomy, Cr. Cowley brought up the question of the annual subscription of £6, which was paid to the Municipal Association. He was decidedly of the opinion that the payment should be cut out, a's no benefit from the association’s activities had ever been received by the council. The Mayor did not agree with Cr. Cowley. He considered that the association was a worthy organisation and one from which every local authority received a certain amount of benefit.

Cr. Cowley: “I can’t see it—doubtless it is all right for the cities.” The Mayor pointed out that through this association the council was enabled to get valuable legal advice. Cr. Barron: “Wo got a ruling from the association at one time. It cost the council £4O, and they ‘fell in over it.” He thought the council could do better by giving the work to the local ’solicitor. Cr. Cowley: “When it comes to cutting costs we should cut this out.” The Mayor: “It means that wo are isolating ourselves.” Cr. Cowley: ‘‘During your time of office you cau’t point to one thing which the "Municipal Association has done which has been of benefit to this council.” After a good deal of further discussion, it was resolved not to pay any further Subscriptions to the association. Seasonal Greetings At -the conclusion of the meeting the Mayor took the opportunity of extending seasonal greetings to councillors and the staff. These were reciprocated on behalf of the council by the DeputyMayor, Cr. John Ross. -