ST. KILDA COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20498, 28 August 1928, Page 6

ST. KILDA COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

The fortnightly meeting of the St. Hilda Borough Council was held last evening, there being present the Mayor (Mr R. W. Hall), Crs Leary, Roy, M‘Curdy. Gillam. Conn, Stratton, Beattie, and Longworth. The Mosgiel Borough Council wrote that the ever-increasing taxation had _ forced upon local authorities to provide for Hospital Board levies and management. The Borough Council appealed to the St. Hilda Council for assistance in passing the following resolutions: —That the Government should devise some new method of raising this rate; that every contributing body should have more direct representation on the particular Hospital Board for which the rate was to be levied.

The Mayor said this question had been a burning one, and the. matter of representation of hospital boards had been before councils. So far no scheme had been outlined by which taxation could be reduced. The Hospital Board considered that it was doing all it could to reduce expenditure. The only way reduction could be brought about was by a greater contribution by the Government, or by some system of taxation on land held by various householders.

Cr Conn expressed the opinion that it was a matter that should be considered by the Municipal Conference. Cr Longworth said municipal bodies thought that the levy was fairly high but they got value for their money, why not go in for a nationalised hospital and settle it? If they asked the Government for more they might as well say “ take the hospitals over, and he did not think that was very wise. Why not put in a candidate for the board?

Cr Leary said the only solution was that the money should come out of the Consolidated Fund.

It was decided to receive the letter, and say the council was in sympathy with the movement.

The Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, writing in connection with jubilee celebrations, stated that any future contemplated expenditure for such parposes should first be considered by the Government.—Received. The secretary of the “ Summer Tima Appreciation,” Wellington, forwarded a copy of the Bill, and pointed out that it had been necessary to ask Parliament to assist those districts which desired to adopt it by passing the legislation proposed in rhe Bill. The power need not be exercised by the local authority unless it desired to do so. The support of the council was solicited. —The Mayor said there was no question as to the council’s sincerity in the matter. It was quite in accord with any legislation that would result in certain hours being worked. It was for the council to affirm that a letter be forwarded to the member or officer in charge agreeing to offer no oppositon to the Bill. — was agreed to. Messrs Callan and Gallaway forwarded a plan of subdivision of part Of lots 43 and 51. township of St. Clair extension. No. 2, for consent. —The council consented to the plan. The water consumption for the last two weeks was reported to have been 3,876.000 gallons, costing £96 18s. For the previous fortnight the consumption had been 3,774,000 gallons and the cost £94 7«. Cr Leary said the Finance Committee recommended the formation of a sinking fund to meet certain loans. "It was considered that to create a sinking fund now would be better for them. The committee recommended a 2 per cent, sinking fund, which he thought they could manage.

Cr Long worth considered 2 ner cert, rather too high for a sinking fund, and expressed the -opinion that it would be better to leave it over till next financial year, commencing April 1. 1929. The Mayor said it had been considered by some that not less than 1 per cent, was sufficient to commence with. This was a voluntary effort on their part. The question of a 2 or 1 per cent, sinking fund having been further considered, Cr Longworth moved that it be not less than 1 per cent. The motion was defeated, and it was decided to accept the recommendation of | the Finance Committee that a 2 per cent, sinking fund be created.