MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 10 August 1928, Page 7

MOTUEKA

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING The monthly meeting of the Motucka Borough Council was-attended>by the | Mayor (Mr J. A. Wallace). and;Gounflillors B. S. Wratt, S. P. Clay, A. Can-; lon,. J. C. Boyes, H. Smith and M. Staples. FINANCE Accounts amounting to £558 19s 2d (general account £316 15s 4d, electric light account £242 3s 10cJ) were passed for payment, leaving a bank overdraft of £1945 4s 6d. Other accounts were R.S.A. relief, expended to date'in connection with relief work for returned soldiers, £lO 8s 6d; electric, loan account, fixed deposit £l5O, current, account £35 'l9s Bd, total £lB5 19s 8d; cemetery account at P. 0.5.8. £2O 10s lOd; domain account at P. 0.S.B. £2B 17s. ENGINEER'S REPORT The electrical engineer (Mr J. G. Heath) reported for the month p'f July as follows: "On the sth hist., the plant was late in starting up, owing to ignition trouble. This has been remedied and further serious trouble with the ignition is not anticipated. "A car colliding with a pole in South High street on the 28th made it necessary to replace the pole and regulate a section of the line.' The plant was late in starting for the ironing load on Tuesday, 31st, owing to work being done on the H.T. lines. "I would recommend the Council to stop the morning run at an early, date.' On the 7th August the sun rises at 7.6 'aim! .•" , • . \ ,;.'.• • "The shift engineer was indisposed from' ; the 18th to the 25th owing toram attack of influenza and'could hot attend' to his duties." FOREMAN'S REPORT The foreman (Mr R. Alexander) reported that patching had been done on main highways—King Edward, Queen Victoria and College streets —and on Chamberlain, Whakarewa,' Hursthouse, Thorp, Greenwood, Tudor streets and Old Beach, Douglas and Starnes roads. The corners at Tudor, Thorp and Greenwood streets have been attended to. On High street; the ditch, from- Poole street to Institute Hall, has been cleaned out; and the footpath on High street near the power house cleared. At the Domain the paling fence by the gate has been repaired; and at the cemetery footpaths have had attention. Fir trees have been planted on cemetery reserve. Lupins, etc., at the foreshore reserve are being burned.

DOMAIN

The question of grazing on the Domain came forward for consideration. On the motion of Councillors Wratt and Boyes it was resolved that the Domain be leased for grazing for a term of ten months, under the usual conditions, re removal of stock, and also that tenders (to close on 16th August) bo called for grazing same. The Mayor recorded his vote against the motion.

Councillor Smith expressed the hope that the Council would keep in mind the planting of • the Domain with native trees, leaving one open patch as a children's recreation ground. This procedure, he contended, would do away, with the vexatious question of grazing and at the same time be a step in the right direction of beautifying the Domain. The Mayor supported Councillor Smith, and suggested that rthe northeastern side be retained as a playground for children.

Councillor Staples advocated the planting of bulbs along the frontage to Fearon street. For this year the season was too far advanced to put the idea into practice. Councillor Wratt favoured the planting of a shelter belt of native trees, along the -western side of the Domain between the old ditch and the boundary* , . , ; ' It was agreed that the Domain Committee give this suggestion consideration, with power to act.

FINANCE COMMITTEE . Arising out of the minutes, it was decided, on the motion of the Mayor and Councillor Staples, that Mr R. P.. Hudson, M.P., be •written'.and informed of the'difficulty the Council was experiencing regarding true value of. borough properties, in the delay of a fe-valuation. CORRESPONDENCE , Mr*R. P. Hudson, M.P., forwarded a copy of the Municipal Corporations' Amendment. It was decided to thank Mr Hudson for enclosure. Several letters, from oil companies, re installation of a bowser at power house, were considered. The offer of the Vacuum Oil Coy. was accepted. The chairman' of the Power Board Committee forwarded a petition for the proposed Power Board, revaluation figures of which had been amended. The Council was requested to arrange, for canvassing at an early date. Mr J. G. Heath (electrical engineer) was regarded as the most suitable person for this work; and was asked to undertake the canvass of the borough. J. R. Clai'k asked permission to construct a concrete'outlet with a culvert at the entrance to his property in Poole street.—The application was granted, the work to be under supervision of the foreman.

'The Municipal Association of New Zealand notified that Mr T. F, Martin had resigned'' his position of secretary and legal adviser to the Association, and that until another had been appointed enquiries would not receive the' same prompt attention as in the past. W. E. A. Gibus telegraphed as follows: "Biea'se advise Council's intentions, as Public Works Department have promised to investigate whole question ■legislation of roads Motueka Borough, essential interests be protected."—Mr Gibbs is owner of sections 6 and 7, part section 156, Motueka original, situated at northern end of High street. Discussion on this matter was deferred until next meeting. . ■ The Motueka R.S.A?. forwarded cheque for £2O for relief work, in connection with, the employment of returned soldiers by the Council. A copy of a resolution, 'passed at the last meeting, was enclosed—" That this Returned Soldiers' Executive Committee ask the Motueka Borough Council to favourably consider any application from a returned soldier or veteran of South Africa, respecting the positions recently advertised by the Council." It was decided that the cheque be accepted ; and the R.S.A. informed "that, in the event of the total amount (£2O subsidised £2 for £1) £6O, not being expended, the balance would be refunded in a like proportion. J. T. Carter notified that the logs, deposited at Poplar corner, had not been removed, according to instructions. The foreman was requested to report to the Works' Committee re logs, the Works'

Committee bejng given-power to act. Easton and Nicholson notified that the Motueka Borough Council's Library Bill had been lodged, per Mr Hudson, in Parliament; and ,they had Mr Hudson's note to the effect that he would expedite the passing of same. It was pointed out in the letter that no delay had been occasioned except for the purpose of saving expenses; and the Bill had been lodged within the time provided by the Standing Orders'. The question of making a grant.to the Motueka Plunket Society was considered. It was unanimously agreed that a sum of £35 be granted the Society, payable in four quarterly payments.

OTHER MATTERS It was resolved, on the motion of the Mayor and Councillor Staples, that Mr R. Alexander, foreman, be officially notified of the Council's intention to appoint a new foreman. The Mayor spoke in eulogistic terms of the continuous and valuable services rendered by Mr Alexander to> the borough, as foreman, over a long period of years. He had carried out his duties faithfully and with satisfaction. It was regrettable that the Council was compelled, by the progress of the times, to obtain the services of a foreman qualified in leyels and highways construction. ' ,

Each councillor, in turn, endorsed the Mayor's rgmarks and briefly commented ori the earnest endeavours of Mr Alexander to give of his best. Mr Alexander was assured that he would be given every consideration re employment and would be regarded first on the list. Councillor Boyes drew attention to the fact that people were damaging, pine trees on the foreshore near the bathing enclosure, by cutting off limbs and knocking down cones. It was resolved that a notice board be erected, notifying the public that anyone cutting • trees or removing cones would be prosecuted. Arising out of the Engineer's report, the matter of discontinuing the morning lun was left for the Electric Light'Committee to arrange; and also for the ordering of a shipment of coal for the Power House.

The traffic inspector (Mr J. T. Brough) informed the Council that it had been ascertained that steel standards and symbols, for traffic guidance, could be procured more cheaply than wooden ones; and that, when an estimate of the requirements of the local bodies concerned had been compiled a definite price would, be forthcoming from the firm undertaking the work.