Pahiatua Borough Council

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 38, 15 February 1939, Page 2

Pahiatua Borough Council

THE MONTHLY MEETING AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN The monthly meeting of the Pahiatua Borough Council was held in the council chambers on Monday evening. The Mayor (Mr. S. K. Siddells) presided, and there were present: Councillors W. T. Brown, W. A. Carthew, G. H. Hodd, S. J. Judd, G. Ancell, W. Hall Watson, J. W. Greaves, T. W. Watts, J. E. Murphy and the Town Clerk. Inward Correspondence. The Treasury forwarded a Gazette notice consenting to the raising of tho footpaths, bridges and borough improvements loan, £3OOO. The State Fire Office -wrote regarding application for £I2OO of the £3OOO loan, advising that the application will be submitted to the next meeting of the board. The Mayor reported receiving copies of remits for the Municipal Conference to be held in Dunedin. Among others being a recommendation that the Government be asked to make provision to compensate members of local bodies for monetary losses incurred in their capacity as local body officers. The Mayor considered it a good idea, and one almost certain to bo passed at the conference. In small communities there was too much possibility of tho missing of business betwoen local body men in business and the council and a number of people wero disinclined to enter public life for this reason, and some form of compensation was desirable. Centennial Memorial. The Mayor reported that at a conference of local body officers at Masterton a proposal had been, discussed to erect a hall and bathing pavilion cn Petone beach, where the early settlers landed, as a centennial memorial for tho Wellington Province. Tho hall itself would represent the story of the early settlers. Tho total to be subscribed was £IO,OOO, to be levied from local bodies on a basis of population. The borough’s contribution would be £ll, and he did not think there would lo any objection to this when the boroug-i had to find £163 for the Exhibition. Town Clock as a Centennial Memorial. With regard to the Pahiatua memorial, the Mayor has asked Mr. Jordan, the Mayor of Masterton, about the idea of a town clock, and he was of the opinion that the local zone would approve of this. After this approval was obtained plans and specifications would have to be submitted to the Central Zone for approval. The Mayor suggested that the clock be four-sided, placed diagonally, on a four-sided column, each side bearing a brass plaque commemorating respectively the Coronation of George VI., tho Centennial, and the borough and county jubilee, thus satisfying all contributors to the fund. He anticipated that £SOO to £BOO, on a £ for £ subsidy, would bo necessary. A sketch plan would be submitted to the next meeting. The question of a iitc could then be discussed. The council gave authority to the Mayor to use his own discretion in voting on remits presented at tho conference.

The Masterton County Council returned heavy traffic fees for the third quarter, the borough’s allotment being £49 17s sd, against a payment of £97 11s 5dL

Mr. J. L. Adams wrote resigning from tho caretakership of the baths, owing to his attendance being required at military camp.—Cr. Carthew paid a warm tribute to Mr. Adams’ running of the baths. The Town Clerk also remarked that he had heard nothing but good of Mr. Adams’ work there. It was decided to call applications for the position of caretaker, and to leave the Mayor and Town Clerk to appoint the best man available.

The Transport Department wrote regarding the proposal to restrict tho uso of motor-cycles and asking the borough’s views on the matter. —Cr. Judd observed that there were not many pests in this part of the district. The Mayor said that motor-cyclists in tho borough had to observe the samft regulations as cars. Tho letter was received.

Councillors Invited to Attend Church The vicar of St. Peter’s (Rev. K. F. Button) wrote thanking the council for the inclusion of the religious service in the programme for National Physical Fitness Week, and inviting the Mayor and Council to attend tho 11 a.m. service on February 19.

Tho Mayor said that a tentative programme had been received from the Government a special meeting to consider the matter, including two church services.

All sports organisations had been written to, fixing church parades to assemble in the Square on Sunday, >jbruary 19. It was not suggested that those of other denominations on the council should attend the Anglican service, but it was to be hoped that each councillor would support his own church on that day. Mr. J. W. Sturton was appointed delegate to tho conference of the Now Zealand Libraries’ Association at Palmerston North on February 14 to 37.

The Waitara Borough Council wrote asking for the borough’s support for their request to the Department of Internal Affairs for a set of model by-laws for local bodies. It was decided to support the application. Accounts amounting to £907 9s lOd were passed for payment.

Cr. Brown asked if it was tho intention of the works committee to tar-seal the footpaths across the Square. The Town Clerk reported that the matter vas being considered. The Mayor outlined the programme for the National Physical Fitness Week, and urged support for tho business men’s gym. to be held at the baths. The audited balance-sheet was adopted. An application from Pringle’s, Ltd.,

for repairs to a front pier, value £2B 12s (builder E. H. Lett) was approved. An application for water and drainage from J. Sandman, for the Housing Construction Department’s houses in Scdcole Street was approved.