MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 20 April 1934, Page 3

MOTUEKA

BOROUGH AFFAIRS COUNCIL’S FORTNIGHTLY MEETING (From Our Own Correspondent) At the • fortnightly meeting of the Motueksi Borough Council, held on Tuesday evening, there were present tile Mayor IMr R. J. L. \ork), Councillors H. Trewavas, S. Fry, A. I',. Pry, K. S. Wratt, D. Park and IV. Eginton. The Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union wrote stating that the division wished the use of the institute Hull for four days and four evenings (20th to 23rd August) for the purpose of holding musical competitions; and they asked what concession the council could grant for this period. The Mayor said he understood that the primary intention of the division was to foster musical competitions; and he thought that they should he encouraged in this respect. He complimented the division on their enterprise. It was decided, on the motion of Councillors A. E. Fry and Wratt, that the Women’s Division be granted the use of the hall for a total charge of £3. The Department of Labour wrote regarding tile protection from electrical hazards of men engaged in building work, painting etc. It was decided that the Inspector of Factories be informed that, as the council was handing over the electrical plant at the end of April it would not be necessary for the council to take action on the lines set out. in his letter.

The Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade complained that the pump, which was I'sed by the council, had been returned with hose in a dirty, wet condition. While not objecting to the use of the pump tile brigade considered that it should be left as found. After hearing tile explanation of the Borough foreman the council agred that the lire brigade he informed that the hose, borrowed by tile borough foreman, had been replaced in accordance with the instructions of Fire Lieutenant Simpson. C. Inwood applied for position as caretaker of the Motueka Municipal Aerodrome, when the council would be making an appointment. The clerk was instructed to inform Mr Imvood that tlie council was not considering the appointment of a caretaker for its aerodrome.

The Motueka-R.S.A. requested the council, as in former years to take the necessary steps to close a portion of High street, between Tudor and Greenwood streets, during the holding the Anzac Day service. The use of tire seating accommodation from the Institute Hall was also asked for. It was decided that the request of the R.S.A. be granted. No. 11 District Highways Council wrote asking if tile Council Chambers would be available for a meeting on the 23rd April,

The clerk was asked to inform the district engineer that the Council Chambers would ire available for the Highways’ meeting on the day in question.

The Department of Internal Affairs forwarded copies of the information booklet and inspection card, which were used in connection with the last Five Prevention Week in 1931. The Mayor stated that Councillor A. E. Fry and he had been deputed, several months ago to go into the question of a site suitable for a ear park. The congestion that occurred in High street, particularly on Fridays, was a danger to the public. After a good deal of investigation the subcommittee had decided to recommend to the council a site at the back of the Chambers. The owners of the properties concerned had been approached and an arrangement come to whereby the total cost to the council would not exceed £IOO. There would he one way traffic, cars going in on one side of the Council Chambers and out on tile, other side.

Councillor Wratt asked if the committee had given consideration to the widening of Tudor street for the purpose of a ear park. Councillor A. E. Fiy contended that the site, recommended by the committe, was in a good central position and was the most suitable that could he found. Personally he had gone into the matter of widening Tudor street, with the foreman; but in his opinion it was not such a good proposition as that mentioned by the Mayor. Councillor Trewavns considered that the price of £75 was high when taking into account the fact that the land was at the hack of buildings. On the Mayor explaining where the boundaries of the proposed site were, Councillor Trewavas admitted that he had misunderstood the position, the ground being double the .size that he thought it was. Finally jt was decided, on the motion of Councillor A. E. Frv and the Mayor that the purchase of the leasehold section, at the rear of the Council Chambers, together with the right of way, thereto, at a cost of £75, and also a strip of land, at the back of Mr Hewitson’s property, equal to the area of right-of-way between the Council Chambers and thy building, occupied by Mr Murray, lie acquired at a price of £5, and that such strip be given in exchange for Mr Hcwitson’s existing right-of-way, for the purposes of a ear parking area.

MUNICIPAL AERODROME The Mayor mentioned that Mr (libson, Government engineer, on bis visit to the Municipal Aerodrome, last week had given it a first class report from a point of view of a commercial and training ground. He understood that Mr Oilison would recommend his De-’ partment to approach the Unemployment Board to make the necessary arrangement s for providing labour to undertake the work of putting the Motucka ground in proper order. Air Uihson considered that the job would absorb at least on u hundred men for some time. Councillor A. E. Fry stated that Mr Gibson had remarked that the council could not have done hotter in its selection of a ground for the purpose of an aerodrome.

It was thought by the Mayor that the opening of the aerodrome should he recorded in the minutes. Tt was resolved, Councillors Park and Trewavas, that the record be that the Motucka Municipal Aerodrome was declared oflieiallv opened on 31st March 103-L

The Mayor stated that the headmaster of tlie Motueka School had approached him for terms for use of the Institute Hull for an afternoon school concert. It was decided, on tlq- motion of Councillors Trewavas and Park, that the school lie given free use of the hall, on the afternoon of the breakup for the term holidays. it was agreed that th ( > sub division plan of (he Power House site, in connection with the transfer of the electrical plant to the Waimca Electric Power Board, lie approved.

PENALTY ON RATES The Mayor gave notice to move at the next meeting of the council that tlie resolution imposing the JO per cent, penalty on all rates for 1933-34 unpaid by tlie 23rd March 1934 and passed at the meeting of the council, held (itli Februarv 1931, he rescinded.

In regard to a plan of proposed roading, in connection with tlie sub-division of Mr C. R. Trewavas’ beach property, presm ted to the council for approval, the Mayor poointed on ttliat the surveyor's suggestion was for a road llirough tlie borough's beach reserve. He did not think that a public road, which would have to he about one chain wide, should be permitted through so small a reserve. He would like to meet the situation, but considered it inadvisable to interfere with the Reserve in any way. Councillor Wratt was not in favour of giving up any portion of the Borough Reserve for a public road especially to give access to a private sub-division. Finally it was decided (tlie Mayor and Councillor Park) that tlie plan of the proposed sub-division of Mr 0. E. Trewavas property, adjoining tlie Borough’s Beach Reserve be referred back for amendment.

STAFF OF ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT APPRECIATION OF SERVICES As this would bo tlie last meeting, prior to tlie Waimea Electric Power Board taking over control of tlie plant, the Mayor said, be thought it only just to place oil record the council’s appreciation of tlie services of the members of tlie electrical stall —Messrs C. A. Henderson, A. Senior, A. E. .Morgan and Pearcey. It was extremely bard to part with old servants who had given such good service. The plant had hen sold and the Waimea Electric Power Board would he taking over on tlie Ist May. He believed, however, that the staff of tlie Motueka Electrical Department would be retained for a time.

It was resolved, the Mayor and Councillor Wratt, that the Council place on record its appreciation of the long and efficient services, rendered to the council by tlie members of the electrical staff and that each be notified of tlie council’s resolution. Councillor Wratt said that the Borough had had good men in the department; and it spoke well for them to have successfully carried on without a stand-by plant. He was of the opinion it was due to Mr Henderson’s preliminary work at the Brooklyn stream that the present scheme had ultimately been investigated by others. The Mayor raised the question of (lie Council considering the questions of loans reduction. After explaining liis views on the matter and making certain suggestions, it was decided that tiic chairman of the Works Committee (Councillor A. E. Fry) and the Mayor be a committee to go into the question of conversion of Borough leans; and to bring down a comurehensive report regarding the disposal of the £7,500, to be paid by the Waimea Electric Power Board for the Borough electrical plant. It was decided that meters be read on the 28th and 30th April and on Ist May, and that consumers be charged only for electricity used, without any minimum charge. ’ The matter of adjustment of stock, in connection with the transfer of the electrical plant to the Waimea Electric Power Board, was left to the Electric Light Committee with power to act.

FOREMAN'S REPORT Tim foreman, .r W. Anderson, reported as follows:—“Scarifying of Poole street lias been done and the big stones carted off; it lias also been graded and rolled down. The northern end of Quel'n Victoria' street lias also been scarified and rolled down, and similar work has been done on Greenwood street. The "ruder has worked Wildman's road, Chamberlain street, Old Wharf road, Wlmkarewa street. Blind River road, Parker street, Wilkie street and Pali street and also Hie main highways. The pipe for driving on the foreshore lias just come . to hand'.’