Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7314, 15 November 1933, Page 10

Foxton

..I U NI Cl PAL AFFAIRS From Our Own Correspondent. The monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held on Atonday evening. There were present the Mayor (Mr. AI. E. Perreau), Crs. R. Rangiheuea, Barron, W. Nye, senr., S. J. Harvey, J. B. Christie, F. Robinson, John Ross, R. J. Thompson and the town clerk (Air. W. Trueman). The treasurer (Air. W. Trueman) reported that during October, the sum of £ll2B 4s 2d was received and banked. The state of the various ledger accounts as at October 31 was as follows:—In credit: Rate arrears £BBS 18s 3d, cemetery £B3 9s 4d, heavy traffic £sl 12s lid, library £l4 11s lOd, reserves £172 11s, Town I-lall pictures £214 3s 7d, waterworks £394 3s; total £lßl6 9s lid. In debit: Gasworks £I4OO 14s sd, general £1962 9s lid, Hospital Board £123 19s 7d, interest £1547 2s 4d, unemployment relief £B4 13s 9d, Town Hall £528 15s lOd, workers’ dwelling 4s 3d; total £5648 0s Id. The amount of the accounts in debit exceeded that of those in credit by £3831 10s 2d. The gasworks statement’ submitted showed that the amount of gas manufactured during October was 331,282 cubic feet. The quantity unaccounted for during the month was 29,275 cubic feet which was equal to 8.84 per cent. The waterworks foreman reported that during the month 2,300,000 gallons of water had been pumped at the station. The poumlkeeper reported that five head of stock were impounded and driving fees amounting to 5s were collected. Three head of stock bad been released to their owners on the road and fees amounting to 3s collected. Concerning the Baths. The Foxton Surf Club wrote expressing gratitude for the free passes issued last year to members of the club for training purposes. The letter also requested a continuance of the privilege during the present season. The request was granted. Or. Harvey complained that cleaning operations were being carried out at the baths on Fridays, which was the day allotted to children. He considered the practice was most unfair to tlie children and asked if some other day could not be set aside for the purpose. Tlie town clerk said that owing to the rough nature of the concrete walls, it was necessary to have the baths scrubbed out at least once a week. Experiments were being made in the direction of enamelling the walls, however, and if these proved satisfactory, the trouble might he overcome. The .Mayor pointed out that two free days were allotted to the children each week. At present it took two men seven hours to scrub out tlie baths and it was necessary to have this work carried out whilst the emptying operations were being carried out. The town clerk promised to look into the question of allowing the children to use the baths on some other day instead of on Fridays. In Event of Drowning Accident. Discussing the matter of children in the baths, Cr. Robinson asked whether the council was responsible for the safety of the little ones whilst they were on the premises. He said he was prompted to ask the question in view of the fact that the council now employed a lady as caretaker. While he was in no way opposed to the appointment of a lady as caretaker, he wished to know whether the person at present in charge of the baths was efficient in the matter of safeguarding the lives of tlie children. The Alayor said that question had not

cropped up before and the matter was one which could he looked into. Cr. Barron; “The council should find out the legal position on the subject.” He considered it was not right’ for children to be using the baths unless there was competent supervision. Cr. Robinson: “if I had young children of seven or eight years of age and there was no capable attendant at the hatha in order to safeguard the lives of the kiddies, I should feel very much alarmed.” It was certainly not right for children to be playing round in eight feet of water. It was very dangerous and if the council were responsible for their safety, parents should know of the risk that their children were exposed to. The town clerk considered that there was no liability ns far as tne council was concerned. He was of Ihe opinion that there was a notice hoard at the baths to that effect. Cr. Barron said he. did not remember ever having seen the notice referred to. The Alayor said he did not consider that the council was liable and steps would be taken to see that a notice was put tip to that effect. Sympathy. A motion of sympathy to the relatives of the late Air. H. E. Holland, M.P.i was carried, councillors standing in silence as a mark of respect. It was also deckled to forward a letter to Cr. Crowe, who for some time has been indisposed, and. to wish him a speedy recovery to his usual health. Urban Farm Lands Rating. The Alayor made reference to the recently compiled list of urban farm lands within the borough and expressed disappointment at. the largo number of applications which had been received for relief under the provisions of the recent Act. Continuing, he said that many property owners whose land was situated near the centre of the town and who had previously voted in favour of loan proposals for improvements now feel that they would like to be relieved of a portion of their share of tlie town's burden. Of the 1200 acres of land comprising the borough, applications in respect of 600 acres had been received. He considered that if the Assessment Court granted relief to 20 per cent, of these applicants it would make such a difference to the balance of the ratepayers that the council may as well hand over the affairs of the borough to the Government and be done with it. At the conclusion of the meeting, the council went into committee to consider the list and matters relating thereto. Shipping. The first shipment of sheep to be brought into the district through the port for many years, was expected lo arrive tier the m.v. Foxton last evening. The consignment, which numbers approximately 800, is being shipped to Foxton from D’Urville Island and is to go to the Levin district. After discharging the sheep, tlie Foxton is to load 63 head of cattle for shipment to Lyttelton. The vessel will then return to Foxton with produce from Tiniaru and Lyttelton.