MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 10

MOTUEKA

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL APPROVED The fortnightly meeting of the Motueka Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (M r R. J. L. York), and Councillors S. E. Hulbert, S. B Canavan, H. VVhitwell, T. B. Stevens, T. Hiekmott, and W. Eginton. EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES The secretary, Department of Labour, Employment Division, advised in a circular letter, (1) that the Government had given further consideration to the question of Scheme No. 13 employment, and that approval had now been obtained to extend approvals under Authority 1937/ IbO in the meantime ; (2) that it had been decided, where the anniversary of any province was observed generally, as a publi ■ holiday, to regard this day as a paiql holiday for all relief workers employed under schemes 5 and 15; (3) that com. plaints had been received from time to time that some of the men employed on Scheme No. 13 full time subsidised works had failed to render a reasonable return of work for the wages they received or whose services had proved unsatisfactory for various oilier reasons, such as wilful disobedience of instructions, arriving on the job late and leaving early, absence from the job without permission or playing cards and other games during work hours. It was stated in the letter that the position had been considered by the Hon. the Minister of Labour and that

a statement dealing with the matter had recently appeared in the press. In amplification of this it was desired that instructions, as set out in the letter, should h-.» brought into operation forthwith. LOAN FOR HOUSING The State Advances Corporation of New Zealand, writing in reference to the Council s application for a housing loan of £IO,OOO, advised that the Board had approved of a loan of £9OOO with interest at the rale of 3 per cent, per annum, oa a table repayment basis over a period of 25 years, to be secured on a special rate over the whole Borough, subject to the Council obtaining the neces saiy authorities under the provisions of the Local Government Loans Board Act, 1926, and the Local Bodies Loans Act. 1926. and subject to the erection of the dwellings in accordance with the plans and specifications, as amended and ap. proved by the Ministry of Housing. The loan moneys, the writer stated, may be paid over in one sum or be advanced by ' progress payments as the Council may de- | side, the date of which would be fixed by I arrangement between the Council and the 1 corporation, but this arrangement would require to be completed within six months. CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL In introducing the subject of a Centennial Memorial for Motueka, the Mayor i outlined the discussions that had taken

place at the public meeting held recently in connection with this matter, and stated that a recommendation had been passed for the consideration of the Council. Councillor Canavan said he would like to 6ee a double row of kowhais planted along Vosper and Saxon streets, as a part of the scheme, and that this area be named Centennial Avenue. It would serve as a fitting memorial to the early settlers, and also afford the Borough Council the opportunity of facing up to its duty to the district. The Mayor agreed that kowhais were very suitable trees for an avenue, but gaid ho would object to large and uneven varieties of trees being planted in the streets of the ‘Borough. He moved that the recommendation to the Council that trees be planted along Eeaion street, from High street to the Domain, and beautification of the Domain be carried out, and that the name of the latter be altered to Centennial Bark, be approved. In addition, the Mayor moved that oruainented trees be planted along Vosper and Saxon streets aud along the connection road when formed. lie explained that it. did not necessarily mean that the work would have to be carried out by 1940; but he did consider that the Council should have some definite plan that could be put into effect as circumstances permitted. Councillor Canavan seconded the proposition, which, he said, was a good one. Councillor Stevens said he had gained the impression at the public meeting that the beautifying of Vosper and Saxon streets was a work to be held over until the 1942 Centennial. Both Councillor VVhitwell and Councillor Stevens did not favour the planting of trees in the streets under discussion, until the streets had been properly formed. as there was a danger of the trees being damaged. The Mayor pointed out that Motueka was one of the oldest places in New Zealand, and, as a community, the people should do something to celebrate the centenary. He felt sure that many residents in the district, in their old age, went to other places to retire just because Motueka could not offer amenities as other towns could in the way of parks, etc. He was sorry to say it, but there was a degree of apathy in Motueka in regard to this matter. Councillor Eginton stated that, while he had every respect for the early settlers, aud believed in their memory being commemorated, be questioned if the Council was in a position to bear an expenditure of more than, say, 41700 until after 1941. He had no definite knowledge of costs, hut thought the work of forming up Vosper and Saxon streets into one road would involve an expenditure of £3OO to £4OO. lie did think, however, that all the beautifying, as suggested by the Mayor, could be financed by 1942. The idea was a good one and probably Vosper and Saxon streets were the most suitable in the Borough for the purpose of an avenue. REVALUATION OF BOROUGH In moving that application be made to the Valuation Department for a revaluation of the Borough, the Mayor stated that it was ten years ago since this had been done, and during that period many sub-divisions had taken place. Councillor Canavan said be would like to see the farm lands in the Borough rateJ on an equal basis with similar lands in tlie County The Mayor said that this was possible,

but, thought the other ratepayers would consider that they were being overburdened. Councillor Hiekmott asked il any arrangements had been made for the driving of a three inch pipe in Thorp street. The foreman, in reply, stated that everything was ready to carry out the work which would be undertaken at the beginning of next week. FOREMAN'S REPORT The foreman (Mr W. G. Anderson) reported as follows : Footpaths: Sea mud has been carted for filling and the making up of footpaths i*i Pali street; the filling has been coin pleted up to Grey street corner. This is now ready for sealing. A beginning has been made with the sealing of the Poole street footpath. Grader: The grader has been engagei grading the shoulders of the bitumen of the State Highway. Motueka-Kohatu highway, Wharf road, High street south, main highway, side street, Queen Victoria, Whakarewa, Pah, Atkins, Fearon, Thorp, Grenwood streets and the Old Wharf road, have been graded and cut The crusher has worked crushing rnetal for the footpath sealing. Scotch thistles have been cut in the Domain and also at the aerodrome. A warrant of fitness has been obtain ed for the truck V 8 and the Chevrolet. Water testing . A V notch has been set iri for the purpose of measuring the How anil quantity of water obtainable from the water reserve, the first measurement having been taken on Saturday, the 21st January.