BOROUGH COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 May 1939, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING I From Our Own Correspondent] .At, the fortnightly meeting of the Motueka Borough Council, hold last evening, there were present the Mayor (Mr R. .T. L. York), and Councillors S. E. Hulbert, S. B. Canavan, H. Whitwell, T. B. Stevens. T. Hickmott, and VY. Eginton. TRIBUTE TO LATE MR P. G. MOFFATT The Mayor, in referring to the passing of Mr P. G. Moffatt, said that he had been one of Motueka’s leading citizens. At one period he was a member of the Motueka Borough Council, and had held the position of Mayor at the time of the outbreak of the Great War. For a number of years ho had acted as secretary and harbour-master to the Motueka Harbour Board. Mr Moffatt had-been of a most generous nature, and had always stood for progress and the general advancement of the district as a whole. The Mayor stated that the late Mr Moffatt had nominated him as a councillor and during the succeeding years had given him much sound advice. Mr Moffatt possessed a sound knowledge of local body affairs and wa s a man who had been loved by all.

He moved that a letter be forwarded Mrs Moffatt and family expressing the Council’s deep sympathy in their bereavement.

Councillor Hulbert, in seconding the motion, spoke of Mr Moffatt’s kindly interest in the welfare of others. He had been a good conversationalist and one possessed of extensive knowledge in respect to local history of Motueka. The Town Clerk, Mr A. L. Kirk, said that on coming to Motueka he had found Mr Moffatt’s knowledge of ratepayers very helpful, and his sound advice, given voluntarily, had been much appreciated. Mr Moffatt had, he said, gone out of Jus way to help others on many occasions. The motion was carried in silence, members standing as a mark of respect. CORRESPONDENCE • * ,e aimea County Council writing i'i reply to the Council’s letter seeking the co-operation of the County Council in having the Motueiia-Kohatu Main Highway widened, stated that the Councd was of the opinion that it was better, first of all, to concentrate on the request /or improvements to be made to the Appleby P.0.-Jubilee Bridge Main Highway, and then, on completion of the improvements to this road, make every effort to have t.*ie Motueka-Kohatu Main Highway widened. Received. The Managing Secretary, Nelson Hospital Board, in acknowledging the Council s letter relative to the closing of the Motueka Cottage Hospital, stated that the Council’s opinion had been noted and that every endeavour would be made by the Board to re-open the institution at the earliest possible moment. The Secretary, Marlborough Aero Club, advised that a sub-committee had been appointed to meet the Motueka Borough Council to matters in connection with the Motueka Aerodrome. The writer stated that the Club's “Waco'’ machine was having its overhaul, and would be in the air again in about three weeks, when, if satisfactory to the Council; the committee would visit Motueka. Ihe Secretary, Municipal Association of New Zealand forwarded a copy of the recently revised bylaw of the Wellington City Council re taxis and town earners, tor the Council’s information.

-Miss A. Julian wrote applying for the Hire of tlie Institute Hall for one night per week for a Badminton Club it was proposed to form in Motueka. After a discussion it was decided on ihe motion of Councillors Hickmott and V\ hit well that the Badminton Club be offered the use of the Institute Hall at a rental of los per night under certain conditions.

Plans submitted for the widening of 1 udor street were approved by thes Council on the motion of Councillors Canavan and Hickmott.

Discussing the proposed removal of large trees in High street central, which encroach on the line of footpath, Councillor Canavan expressed the opinion that if they only encroach a foot over the line, they should be left standing, as it take a eighty years to grow a tree, but only ten minutes to cut it down. I lie Foreman, in reply to a question, said one of the large trees encroached one foot six inches over the line. Councillor Hickmott supported Councillor Canavan’s views. It was decided that the services of Mr Staig be engaged to give the correct survey line before definite action is taken one wav or the other. LIBRARY MATTERS It was resolved, Councillors Canavan and Eginton, that consideration of the recommendations of the Library Committee respecting alterations to the library, with a view to providing additional shelving accommodation, be deferrred for one month. On‘the motion of Councillor Canavan, the Town Clerk wag instructed to write to the Minister of Education asking for the supply of a greater proportion of modern (popular) light fiction for the Use of the Library under the Country Library Service. Arising out of the Foreman’s report it was resolved, on the motion of the Mayor and Councillor Canavan, that the Foreman proceed with the sealing of the footpath on the western side of High street from Swan Coiner to King Edward street. Councillor Hickmott informed the Council that Mr Ryder had agreed to his fence at the corner of Tudor street being lowered to four feet. It was resolved, Councillors Hickmott and Canavan, that Mr W. A. A. Ryder bs thanked for granting permission for the lowering of his fence. FOREMAN’S REPORT The Foreman, Mr W. G. Anderson, furnished the following report:— ‘Footpath sealing in Whakarewa street has been completed up to Grey street. The western end of the footpath in Pool street up to Atkins street has been filled up to cover with crusher dust. A section of Greenwood street ha-j been completed with one coat of sealing. "The grader lias graded shoulders on the State Highway, Queen Victoria street and Greenlane. "The fence setting back the corner at Mr Cate’s lias been completed. “The cross drain into the main drain

through the Thorp Estate has been completed and the drain in Queen Victoria street cleaned out. “A visit was made to the Reserve on Bth May, the water reading being 7