Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 9

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent. Borough Affairs. Those present at the monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council were the Mayor (Mr M. E. Perreau) in the chair, and Councillors T. Craffey, D. R. Barron, W. H. Read, J. L. Christie. F. Robinson, E. Titcombe, J. R. Middleton and the Town Clerk (Mr W. Trueman). An apology for absence was received from Cr. R. Rangiheuea. The treasurer reported that during February the sum of £1,024 2s lOd was received and banked. The ledger balances at February 28 were as follow:—Accounts in credit: Itate arrears £713 16s, cemetery £l7l 13s Id, heavy traffic £195 8s lOd, Harbour Board £43 os 4d, interest, £1,032 15s 4d, reserves £303 4s 4d. town hall £243 12s Bd, worker’s dwelling £7l 16s Bd, waterworks £477 0s 9d,, making a total of £3,241 13s. Accounts in debit; Gasworks £1,793 14s Id, general £645 9s 2d, Hospital Board £127 17s 3d, library £l2 7s lOd, relief of unemployment iillO 8s 6d, making a total of £2,689 16s lOd. Cr. Christie said he hoped the council would keep the grader going on the eastern end of Union street between 1 he bitumen and the cemetery corner. It was the only thing that would keep it in a reasonable state of repair and prevent it from reverting to its previous shocking condition. The Clerk said that he had written to the Manawatu County Council asking if it would agree to the county grader doing the work, as it was much heavier. So far, however, the county council had not acknowledged the letter. The Mayor agreed to get in touch with the county engineer on the matter, and the report was adopted. The waterworks foreman (Mr W. D. Neville) reported that a considerable amount of work had been carried out on the river bank at the site of the pumphouse where excavation for the proposed storage tank was commenced. The new wells were also coupled up. During the month 1,950,000 gallons of water was pumped, the maximum current used being 38 amps. Cr. Read drew attention to the fact that there was an abnormal amount of cycling done on the Avenue road footpath. It was time the practice was stopped, otherwise a serious accident might result. The Mayor said it had to be remembered that the road was particularly rough and until it was sealed he did not think that the geneial public would object to cyclists using the footpath, provided care was exercised and they did not ride at danger to the public. Cr. Robinson suggested that the newly constructed path from Flutter street to the cemetery be declared a cycle track. There were over 150 ladies’ bicycles in the town and many of the owners visited the cemetery every Supnday. The road was very narrow and rough and as very few people walk to the cemetery he thought that the declaration of the path as a cycle track would be in the best interests of the public. Crs. Barron and Robinson moved a resolution that the police be asked to prosecute all persons found riding on borough footpaths with the exception of that leading from Flutter street to the cemetery, Cr. Barron adding that that he had seen some of the councillors present at the table riding bicycles on footpathsThe Mayor said that in view of the existing by-law he would rather no resolution was moved. Crs. Barron and Robinson eventually withdrew their motion and Cr. Barron moved a further motion to the effect that the attention of the police be drawn to persons riding bicycles on borough footpaths, and this was carried. Government Ho,using Scheme Cr. Chaffey asked if anything had beer, dune in regard to the operation of the Government Housing Scheme in Foxton since the last meeting. The Clerk said that as far as he was concerned nothing had been. done. He had not proceeded further with the borough survey in view of a possible cost to the council of anything from £SO to £IOO. The member for the district (Mr C. L. Hunter) was in attendance at the council’s hist meeting and he definitely told the council that the Government was prepared to give the people loans for building purposes. Since then several Foxton residents had made application for these loans but in every case that had come before his notice, the request had been turned down. It was apparent that the applicant must have securiy other than the section, he concluded. Disappointment was expressed at the position and the fact that tho Goa--ernment wa.i concentrating on the cities and it was considered that on a proportion basis, the country towns were leserving oi attention equally with the morn thickly populated ureas. C*. Robinson said that he would never agree to pledging the ratepayers’ money on a local builiing scheme. Wandering Cows. Cr. Head asked why certain cows were allowed to graze by the hour in Union street. Very often, he said, no one was in charge of these animals and on a recent morning he saw over 20 peacefully grazing on the roadside almost opposite the ranger's house. Cr. Robinson said he did not think the cows Cr. Read referred to were left unattended. The cows in question were driven slowly to their paddocks daily and he did not see any harm in that. “Why,” he said, “Union street presents the cleanest roadside in the borough because it is grazed.” Cr. Barron considered that there should be a roundup of stock left on the roads at sight as they constituted a serious menace. It was decided to look into the complaint. Water Supply. A report on the excellent flow obtained from uie new wells sunk to supplement the local water supply, led Cr. Kubinson to put forward the suggestion of utilising the overflow for flushing Main street guiters. It wouid greatly assist in keeping the town clean, he said, if they could have running water in the water channels instead ox having the water going to waste. The Clerk explained that the overflow from tho wells was about ten feet below the level of Main street.. It wouid therefore be necessary to pump the water up to street level and they were then iuceu with the difficulty that the fail was from the Triangle south. It was decided to investigate the possibility of utilising the waste Avat6r. General A letter was receiveu from the Horowhenua Rugby Union asking the council for the use of Easton Park for the 193) football season at a rental of 10 per cent, of the grass takings. The request was granted provided mat the Union makes no restriction in regard to the use of the grounds by the BasKetbaii Club. Mr W. J. Guinan, Health Oincer, wrote reporting on the unsanitary state of a house belonging to the council and situated on the corner of Whyte and Johnston streets, and asked that same be pulled down. Cr. Robinson said ho had made an inspection of the dwelling and it was past renovation, lie agreed Avitlx .tho Health Ullicer that the bunding should be pulleu down. This course was agreed to. Mr. E. C. Watson, secretary of the Palmerston North Literary and Debating Society, Avrbte pointing out that a cup had been donated for competition amongst debating societies within a radius of fifty miles of Palmerston North and asking for any infoimation regarding any local debating society as it was desired to stimulate interest in the competition. The Mayor said he would like to see such a society start in Foxton. Debating was a splendid thing for any town and did quite a lot of good in the community. The letter was received. The poundkeeper reported that during the month of February six head of stock were impounded and 4/- driving fees were collected. Two head were released to their owners on the road on payment of 2/driving fees. Personal. Mr and Mrs R. Tolley and lamily, of Clyde street, have left Foxton for Wellington, Avhere Mr Tolley is entering into partnership in a motor business. The friends of Mr H. Smith, who recently underwent an operation in the Palmerston North Hospital, will be pleased to learn that he is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. Mr W. R. McKenzie (Postmaster) is at present on annual leave which he is spending in Dunedin. Mr F. C. Brady is acting postmaster during Mr McKenzie’s absence. The friends of Mr D. Halidone, Avho together with Mr R. Morris, was admitted to the Palmerston North Hospital recently suffering from severe injuries received in a motor cycle accident, will be pleased to learn that his condition shows satisfactory improvement, he being now removed from the critical list. There is a very satisfactory improvement in the condition of Mr Morris. Mr It. Riddle, of Auckland, is at present A-isiting his parents, Mr and Mrs W. Riddle, of Avenue road. The friends of Mr Peter Petersen will regret to learn that he is at present an inmata of the Palmerston North Hospital. Mr and Mrsli A. IChbett. of Hamilton, who are touring the North Island, haA-e been the guests of Mr and Mrs H. Osborne, of Main street. K. Fletcher, an employee at New Zealand Woolpaek and Textiles factory, met with a painful accident on Thursday last when his arm became caught in a roll of doth which Avas being wound on to a machine. He. sustained a fracture of tho right forearm. Mr W. Titcombe, of liobinson street, is

at present speildlng a holiday in Wellington. An accident occurred at the intersection' of Johnston and Union streets at 7 p.m. on Saturday. A truck driven by Mr J. Taylor, of Palmerston North, was proceeding in a northerly direction along Johnston street when- it came Into collision. on the intersection Avitlx a motorcycle ridden by Joe Rophia. who was proceeding from town to his home in Union street. The motor-cycle was struck broadside on and considerable damage resulted to both bike and truck. Rophia had a miraculous escape from death. His injuries were not of a serious xxature, and after receiving attention from Dr. S. E. Crawford, lie Avas taken home. Colin, the small son of Mr and Mrs Littleton, of Whlrokino road, fell from a lorry dri\ r en by his father on Monday morning and 1 eceived facial injuries. After receiving medical attention from Dr. S. E. Crawford, the child was admitted to the Palmerston North Hosptal ror owservation. Captain Pollock and six lassie candidates from the Salvation Army Training College In Wellington are to visit Foxton at Easter, for tho purpose of holding special meetings.