RUSSELL TOWN BOARD

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1932, Page 2

RUSSELL TOWN BOARD

.MONTHLY MEETING

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Bussell Town Bonn! held its monthly meet ill” on December 12. Present: Messrs Bissel; (chair), Ajiliersoii, NcuniMim, Graham find Somverville.

Several visitors were also present, Messrs Hooper, Ellis and l.andauer, representing the Ratepayers ’ Association, Mr IT. A. Bailey, oi‘ Ohacnwai, who came to speak to the board with regard to local development plans, and Mr E. Hanghey, who had a personal interest in part of the proceedings.

During the reading of that minute which concerned the proposed installation by a private concern of a plant wherewith to light the town, considerable discussion arose. A special meeting had been held on December 0, at which Mr Clow had put forward the proposition and the board had agreed to purchase power for 14 street, lights of .Ml candle-power each. He estimated the cost to the board of the whole transaction at £do per annum. The hours of use were to average from six p.m. to midnight. In the discussion, Mr Graham suggested that the board should have power entitling them to take over the concern if the scheme proved successful.

It was resolved that power lie purchased for U lights at »d per unit. A letter from Mrs Bullcn and Mrs Baker, requesting that a footpath he constructed to their houses from Chapel Street to enable people to walk dryshod after wot weather, was read, and the board decided that this work lie put in hand as soon as possible.

A letter from the Ratepayers’ Association, requesting the Town Board to reconsider its previous attitude, nas read and discussed.

Another letter on the same subject, written by Dr. Duncan Cook, medical officer of health, was read in conjunction. Dr. Cook mentioned that Mr Hughes’ services could be placed at the board ’s disposal in an advisory ca-

pacity., The town clerk referred to the hall conveniences, and the £-0 which had at the last meeting been earmarked as the nucleus of a fund to meet the cost of erecting conveniences at a later date, when move funds were available.

Mr Anderson, speaking in reference to the Ratepayers’ Association letter, said that the board did not cater for the convenience of campers on the private sections along the front. If they were to be allowed to camp there, the owners must deal with the matter.

With, reference to the letter from Dr. Cook, Mr Anderson stated that he would like the letter replied to. Where, he asked, did Dr. Cook get his information. He mentioned that there were the conveniences in the town for men; one in the Domain, another at the Avharf and the third in the hall. There was one for women in the hall. The board, he added, had not enough money to spend in erecting more. He suggested that Dr. Cook bo told of the present plans the board had made to deal with this question. The Chairman: “The conveniences are better than ever before. The board is not in a position to build the proper type required, that is to say, conveniences with a septic tank system.

Mr Anderson: “It is very doubtful if a septic tank system is advisable in any ease.” He then spoke of the misuse to which the hall conveniences were put by visitors. “1. will fight putting up any convenience for people camped on private property,” he added. “The ratepayers should not be called on to pay for such campers.” Mr Neumann stated that ho agreed with Mr Anderson that people should not be camped on private ground. But still, he added, conveniences were needed in the town, and he therefore suggested that as the medical officer of health had sanctioned the pan and powder system, something of this cheaper style should be considered. “We want people to come here,” he said, “and we should be prepared to spend a little money on this.” The chairman and Mr Anderson both agreed that when a public convenience was erected it should be on a Town Board plot, “but,” added the chairman, “we cannot afford it. However, we might spend a little on some makeshift arrangement for the time being, though not as much as £‘JO. ’’

Mr Anderson proposed, and it was seconded by the chairman, “That the conveniences we have at present, will have to be sufficient in the. meantime until more funds are available,”

Mr Xenma nn recorded Ids vole ansinst this proposal, which was voted mi and carried.

Air Neumann proposed ns an amendment, that i’iiO he. spout in erecting oon vonienees in a suitable position. “We shall have sufficient- funds by March 31, and we can divert, the money from the expenditure on roads,” he stated.

The amendment lapsed for want ol i seconder.

A letter from Mr V. W. Lindaner requested that a slope be made from the road on to the entrances of a certain section on York street, “so as to allow a ear to enter.” It was resolved that this work be carried out.

A letter from Mr H. M. Itushworth, M.P., stated that he had been in communication with Mr Arlidge direct, and also with the Minister of Fisheries, who had called for a report on the netting controversy raised by Mr Arlidge at the last meeting of

11 1 c* Town ‘Bo,‘ml. .Mr Rusli I'ortli stalod tinit lie would communicate again with tlic board wlion bo had further information. Mr 11. A. Bayley then arrived, and the matter of the small farms plan, with paticular reference to the Waitata property of Mr Mandeuo .larkson, was discussed (a subsequent interview with Mr Bayley is'reported elsewhere in this issue). Mr Bayley asked if Mr darksoii still wanted as much for his land. If so, he said, the whole affair would fall through, as the price was quite impossible. ‘‘We do not buy in any case,’’ he said. “We lease, and as there is plenty of land available we do not pay high prices.” The next move was with Mr Jackson.

The transfer of a small section of property —to wit, the footpath behind the Duke of Marlborough Hotel —to the Crown was read, approved and signed. A letter from the ’Unemployment Board, Wellington, was read, stating that the funds allocated represented the maximum allowable, and that Bussell was in a better position in this respect than many other places. Only bare subsistence was allowed for-

A letter was read stating that unemployed relief work was to cease during the two weeks ending December 31 and January 7, Those men who would normally be working during those weeks would receive the pay they would have been entitled to earn, and this would be payable on December 24. Only those who had been working on relief on December 10 were eligible for this benefit.

It was also stated that after December 31, no farmer, whether the land title be in his wife’s name or bis own, should be eligible for relief under Scheme d. Belief may, however, be considered under Scheme 4A.

The matter ot‘ clearing ol; the drain through the Croquet Club grounds was raised by Mr Somerville. However, the board decided it could not see its way to tackling this work, as it considered the private owners were responsible.

Mr Neumann referred to the holes in Florence Avenue, which had not been attended to as yet, thereby drawing from the chairman the retort that the Matairi footway by the ramp tvas also not yet in order, and that Mr Neumann was in charge of this work.

Mr Neumann replied that this was so, because the matter had since been brought up for re-discussion, and he had not ordered the timber, as he was under the impression this had been done by the town clerk, who stated lie could not order until ho had received details of requirements.

Mr Graham then stated that tin* Florence Avenue repairs would be effected next time gravel was taken from the beach there.

The next point raised was Mr Neumann’s inquiry concerning a foreman employed by the board. “He was put on to work for the board for a time, but not, I take it, for ever. What is going to be done about it.’,” he inquired. The chairman stated that there was nobody else suitable on the unemployed gang to take charge of the work. Mr Anderson proposed that the man be kept on according to the previous minute.

Mr Somerville seconded Mr Anderson’s proposal, which was carried, Mr Neumann’s contrary vide being recorded.

Air Neumann then proposed t hat applications lie called for the job of foreman —open to all —slating experience and wage's desired for full or part. time.

Mr Anderson staled that it would cost- about CSu per annum to employ a man outside of Ihe gang.

.Messrs Anderson, Graham and Somerville voted against the proposal, which was therefore defeated.

A letter from Mr Hooper, calling attention to the drain below his property was then discussed. Air Hooper stated that he was unable to drain his own property, as .stagnant water lay in tln? culvert and drain immediately below it. He considered tbe board was responsible for keeping the culvert clear. Air Graham .and Atr Neumann considered that the property owners should be compelled to *lean their drains and the board should clear the culvert. Mr Anderson made a proposal to this effect, subject to a viewing of the drain in question first, ami this was seconded by Mr Somerville and carried.

Mr Bisset was appointed supervisor for the month.