AFFAIRS OF THE BOROUGH

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 12

AFFAIRS OF THE BOROUGH

Monthly Council Meeting NOXIOUS WEEDS ON VACANT SECTIONS The monthly meeting of the Woodville Borough Council was held on Thursday evening, when the Mayor, Mr. R. R. Johnston, presided. Also present were Crs. J. T. Horne, J. Sullivan, E. J. Harding, A. OJsson, A. H. Hustwick and the town clerk, Mr. D. Keay. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. H. Galbraith and C. Forbes. The Internal Affairs Department wrote asking the council to appoint its representatives on the Woodville Fire Board. On the motion of Crs. Olsson and Harding, the Mayor and Cr. Galbraith were appointed. Mr. A. E. Johnston, of Palmerston North, wrote complaining about the spread of blackberry in Ross Street sections adjacent to those owned by him. In reply to a question, the clerk stated that the infested sections belonged to an absentee owner and the rates on them were in arrears. Cr. Hustwick: We have taken sections over before and sold them. The clerk answered that there was at times a difficulty in untangling mortgagees’ and owners’ interests. He cited an instance of another section on which the mortgagee was paying the rates and the owner disclaimed the lot. Cr. Hustwick: If we seize the section we shall find an owner soon enough. The matter was left to the town clerk. Mr. F. W. Kappely wrote asking permission to dig a drain for flood waters in Normanby (Street. His request was referred to the works committee on the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Horne. Report on Rubbish Tip Complaint. The sanitary inspector, Mr. S. G. Reed, referring to the complaint recently made regarding an offensive smell from the rubbish tip, said that on inspection he had found no putrescible matter uncovered and no offensive smell noticeable. He also drew the council’s attention to the fact that a new tip would be soon necessary. This matter was referred to the reserves committee for a report. On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Sullivan the usual donation of £2 10s to the Plunket Society was approved. The Commissioner of Transport ap ; pealed for support to a safety campaign for motor-cyclists and also outlined certain new regulations regarding this traffic. An assurance of all support practicable was given by the Mayor. The same department wrote drawing the council’s attention to a police report regarding a race day accident in McLean Street, suggesting excessive loose metal as the cause of the car’s striking an electric line pole. The letter was received.

The treasurer of the Woodville Tennis Club wrote seeking relief from the amount of rent payable each year to the council. The write pointed out that the charges for other sports clubs using the recreation ground were not so great and that owing to a decline in membership the club was unable to meet its obligations. It was stated that £147 rent had been paid in the past ten years but official figures showed the amount to be £73 10s, the balance being repayment of a loan. The Mayor moved that the letter be considered by the finance committee when framing the forthcoming estimates and Cr. Olsson seconding this was carried. In reply to questions from councillors it was stated that the annual rentals of £l2 and £lB were outstanding. Library Recommendations. The public library committee forwarded resolutions passed at the annual meeting. The Mayor thought these matters could be left to the council’s library committee to deal with when the estimates were being prepared. This was seconded by Cr. Horne and carried. The resolution to appeal to the Government Library Service for an increased quota of books was received, no action being taken. The reserves committee reported that one row of bluegums in Bowen Street was being cut down to eliminate hay damage complained about by Mr. N. P. Fraser. The works and finance committee recommended the construction of a length of footpath in Grey Street on the west side and also suggested the service of notice on owners to trim hedges and trees on corners where motorists’ visibility was handicapped. The report was adopted. Borough Waterworks. In reply to Cr. Horne it was stated that Mr. J. R. Hughes, Palmerston North city engineer, had made a long report on the borough pipeline and this the works and finance committee was considering. Cr. Harding asked whether the council was going to use the “badger” to clean the pipeline, the present time being opportune. The Mayor replied that the matter was covered by the special report under consideration and a recommendation should bo before the council at its next meeting.