QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23828, 7 June 1939, Page 20

QUEENSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Queenstown Borough Council was held in the library on Thursday last. There were present the Mayor <Dr W. A. Anderson). Crs A. A. Scheib, S. S. Aburn. W. M. Mclnnes. J. A. Thomson, J. P. Fix and F. T. Gavin. Dr Anderson extended a welcome to Cr Thomson, who was taking his seat at the tabic for the first time. • ' ■ Correspondence The Public Works Department forwarded particulars of a return, required periodically from the council furnishing particulars of electrical installation inspections.—Referred to Lighting Committee. ■* The Minister of Health forwarded a Gazette extract publishing the application of Drainage and Plumbing. Regulations to Queenstown as from May I. Received. . ■•■■■'•

• Miss L. A; White drew the council's attention,to,the fact that the stop-cock on the water supply at her premises had been covered by the tar-sealing of the Frankton road.—Works Committee to supply ■ a fresh dtop-cock on footpath. ' H--'"-- •■ •■■..:""•■• . Tt was decided to "make the usual contribution to the Royal Humane Society.' In reply to various letters from the secretary. of the Southland Progress League it was decided to ask Mr Wesney to act as the council's represenia* five again; to.make the usual contribution of £5; and to press for, at the league's next meeting, thf» 'ormation of the Queenstown-Glenorchy road. Mr J. Edgar wrote asking that more trees be cut at the back of his property.—Received. Pie also asked that the kerbing be removed at the launch landing on the waterfront.—Works Committee to inspect. The borough electrical inspector asked for a new pole to replace a defective one in Hallenstein streetWorks Committee to procure a pole. The i superintendent of. the Queenstown Volunteer ; " Fire Brigade asked that couplings • be procured for the brigade's new hose and that the engine heater be repaired. Couplings to be procured; Cr Gavin to examine heater.

The secretary of the Queenstown District High School Committee asked that kerbing and channelling be done to the school -property in Ballarat street.—To be done if funds permit. A copy of by-laws governing harbours and the nuisance created by motor boats was received from the Marine Department.—rlt was resolved, to ask the department that the police be instructed. to see" that the' regulations were complied with. Committee Reports

On behalf of the Works Committee the> chairman (Cr A.. Scheib) reported that the necessary cleaning at the power house had now been completed. The committee had inspected the conveniences 1 on the waterfront, and ■■ recommended the purchase of four new cisterns.—lt was decided to accept the tender of D. Galbraith for the supplying and installation of four,copper-cis-terns and the necessary piping.—The, committee recommended, at an estimated cost of £ 130, kerbing and chan-, nelling from Betham street to Ballarat street.—Cr Fix criticised the council's action in holding up the piping of the water channel in Melbourne street, a more necessary work ths ; n kerbing and channelling. Though this had been already authorised, nothing had. been done.—Decision was held over until the estimates had been considered, when it was resolved that the work be put in hand when funds permit.-"-.' . •;.,; ;■,;■' '■.. ■■ .

The chairman of the Library Committee (Cr Fix) reported that during the month membership; had increased tp ,86 (last i month 68),' books issued 454 (226>,< visitors' tickets 3, fees and fines 135,7d.~-Adopted. • The chairman of the Lighting Committee (the Mayor) read the engineer's report, which stated that the plant Was in good order, and running well. The load at 5:15 p.m. had been the highest on record.—Adopted. Three new applications for power had been fexanted.~la view of the healthy■ state of. the.hydro-electric account, the . committee recommended that the monthly meter rent now charged should be discontinued. The minimum charge (ss) would, however, remain the same.—This was agreed to, and the report was adopted. The borough inspector (Cr Aburn) reported that an application had been received from Lawrence Bros, for permission':> to build a block of flats In Franktoh road, at an estimated cost of £3Boo.—Permission granted. .:' General ■'■' *■

This year the usual two cords of firewood.will be.given to each school; 30J - cords having been cut and sold, delivery to be commenced immediately. "..'. It was decided to continue cutting, as firewood was still in demand- •':''''' ; ]r.. ~.'■•'■'■..' '.•:":>' ■-■*.;' "-'.'•'■

An "application from Mr J. Morrison for a reduction in rates was declined, but it was decided to forego the in per, cent, penalty now due, The tenancy of the council's house on the waterfront again came under 'review,, and it was tesolved to place the matter in the solicitor's hands The change in the composition of the council, following on; Cr Anderson's succeeding to the mayoralty and, the election of Cr Thomson, made the revision of the committees necessary, and they are* now constituted as follows: Finance—the Mayor,. Crs Scheih. Gavin, and Aburn; Works—-Crs Scheib (chair), Aburn. a"nd Mclnnes; Library —Crs Fix (chair), Mclnnes,. rnd Thom ? son; Lighting—the Mayor, Crs' Gavin. Fix, and ThomsoD; Fire Brigade, Cr Gavin: Brrss Band. Crs Fix and Mclnnes; Aerodrome Control Board, the M{.yor and Cr Scheib; Centennial Memorial Committee—-the. Mayor, Crs Gavin''and Scheib. - . The Mayor reported: oh the < rreetfng of the Centennial Memorial Committee, which had decided to ask local bodies to consider the erection of gates at the Frankton aerodrome.—The council resolved to support this proposal; £?'■> to be made available towards the coat. Sewerage Scheme Mr G. H, Royds, engineer in charge advised acceptance of Messrs Turnbull antf Jones's tender (£370) for a seweraga pump, provided some small necessary alterations.were made.—Received Miss C. W. Geisow asked for an assurance that, when the sewer was laid through her property, that fruit trees be not interfered with, and that the soil be oroperly replaced. Compensation was also suggested.—To be advised that the convenience of property holders was studied, and that no compensation was payable.--The Mayor • mentioned two matters of interest to ratepayers. First, he suggested that while the scheme is being installed, an inspection fee of 5s Should be charged for each connection (to cover, the cost of extra visits of the health inspector), and that the customary connection fee of £5 be waived.—This was agreed to., Th* second matter concerned flnancisl assistance to ratepayers who might and it difficult to meet in one the cost of an Installation. The M&vor stated that the council had power to raise a loan, without taking a poll, of one-tenth the amount of the original sum for this purpose, and circulars explaining this could be printed

and distributed, so that the number of people requiring assistance could be ascertained.— Agreed to, the meter reader to distribute the circulars. The council then passed to consideration of the year's estimates. These provided for an estimated expenditure of £5544, apart from the sewerage loc'n.