Pahiatua Borough Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 34, 11 February 1936, Page 2

Pahiatua Borough Council

•V-A * *' * *' ' ■ MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of .the Pahiatua Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. D. Wilson), Crs. W. H. Murch, J. E. Murphy, J. E. Sturton, F. Britland, S. K. Siddells, W. T. Brown, A. D. Donald, T. ,W« Watts and W. A. Carthew. The Controller and Auditor-General forwarded the balance-sheet of the Pahiatua Domain Board, duly audited and certified correct, for the year ending March 31, 1935. One building permit for £355 was approved. Accounts amounting to £371 8s were passed for payment. A letter was received with reference to tho Wellington district, builders’, contractors’ and general labourers’ award, setting out the conditions under which the council may employ labourers. The Mayor pointed out that at the present time the overseer and teamster were on a weekly salary, but that Mr. J. H. Wilson, the gardener and sexton, was employed on day labour and would theroforo come within the award.

It was moved by the Mayor and seconded by Cr. Carthew “That a recommendation bo forwarded to the cemetery committee recommending that Mr. J. 11. Wilson be employed by tho council at a weekly wage of £1 10s to work as a general labourer and gardener and sexton and that his services may be called upon at any time by .the council. ’ ’ —Carried.

The town clerk reported that application had been made to the ValuerGeneral for the special subsidy provided by section 20 of the Finance Act, 1935, on rates levied for the current financial year by tho council on lands used exclusively or principally for agricultural, horticultural or pastoral purposes. The amount of such subsidy claimed was £2l Os Gd.

Application had also been made to the Valuer-General for a special subsidy, if any, on all urban farm lands in the borough which are not included in the urban farm lands roll.—Received. On tho motion of Cr. Siddells, seconded by Cr. Sturton, it was decided that the sum of £25 be offered the trustees of the Balfour estate for one-eighth of an acre of land in Tiramea road required by the council for water ' supply purposes, and in the event of the offer not being accepted, tho council to take the necessary steps to secure the land under the provisions of the Public Works Act.

Applications are to be called for the appointment of an office junior at the salary of 12s 6d per week. Councillors realised that such an arrangement would give the town clerk more time to attend to administration matter’s. Cr. Siddells asked what action was being taken with regard to trees which had blown down in the recent gale in the recreation grounds. Cr. Watts said he knew of someone who was prepared to clear the tress at no cost to the Council. Cr. Brown thought that the heart of the timber should be used in providing posts for a new fence at the swimming baths. It was decided that the recreation committee should make the necessary arrangements to cleat away the trees, the heart of tho timber to be used for the purpose stated. Jubilee Year. The town clerk mentioned that, as the first town board was formed in 1886 and the first borough council iu 1892, ho would like to point out to the council that they should now decide when the jubilee celebrations should be held. After debating the point as to whether the borough’s tenure commenced when it took office or dated back to the town board’s occupation, the Mayor was instructed to get an opinion on the matter at the Mayoral conference to be held in Napier shortly. The town clerk was instructed to communicate with other boroughs on the question of public risk insurance and to report to the next meeting of the council. The matter was brought up in connection with the council’s liability in the event of an accident at the swimming baths.