EASTERN DISTRICTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24526, 7 February 1941, Page 11

EASTERN DISTRICTS

PALMERSTON Borough Council Meeting • The monthly meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening, the Mayor (Mr W. B. Galloway) presiding. Crs. A. Coleman, L. V. Rasmussen, J. Mcßae, G. Ross, Dr T. T. Thomas, J. Forrest, C. R. Coutts, C. G. Warren and G. K. Graham were in attendance. Mr A. McGregor (superintendent) and G. Morrison (captain) of the Fire Brigade waited upon the council asking that consideration be given to the matter of housing the council's lorry adjacent to the fire: station and installing additional fire plugs throughout the town. The Mayor advised that the question of erecting a suitable building would be considered. The matter of installing further fire plugs was referred for consideration by the Water Committee. The Otago Electric Power Board wrote asking that the, usual steps should be taken concering the election of Power Board members in May. It was decided to draw the board's attention to the fact .that-trie County Council booth, at which '.the election for Power Board members was v conducted, closed at 6 p.m., whereas the Borough Council booth for the municipal elections closed at 7 p.m. In consequence, electors voting at the Borough

Council election between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on polling day were debarred from recording their vote for the Power Board. The same position applied to the Hospital Board elections, and the clerk was instructed to point out the position to the local bodies concerned with a view to keeping the booth open until 7. The Otago Electric Power Board wrote regarding street lighting charges, stating that a dusk to dawn service could be obtained at the same charge, providing the council would pay the expense of maintenance.—The clerk was. instructed to make inquiries from other borough councils as to the yearly cost of the. maintenance. ■ '. • The district employment officer (Dunedln) advised that authority had been given for the continued employment of six registered and eligible married, men for a further period to March 29 on vegetable production work, and that a commitment of £3BO had been allocated to the authority. If the council desired to supply produce to the military camps arrangements should be made through the Internal Marketing Department.—The letter was referred to the Vegetable Production Scheme Committee for consideration. The Railways "Department advised that the matter of tar-sealing the approach to the Palmerston railway station would receive consideration at an early date.— Received. .. *,*. The secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board intimated that the Government had made available a film of the history of New Zealand's first 100 years entitled " One Hundred Crowded Years," and that such film would be screened throughout the Dominion for patriotic purposes. He also inquired if the council would grant the free use of the Town Hall on a Sunday evening for the purpose of screening such film.—lt was decided to advise the secretary that the council was agreeable, but would prefer that the film be screened upon any week night except Friday or Saturday. The reports of the traffic inspector and of the foreman were adopted. The chairman of the Works Committee (Cr A. Coleman) submitted a proposal for the housing of the council's lorry, fire brigade equipment.—The proposal was referred back to the committee for estimates as to cost, with instructions to endeavour to arrange suitable garaging for the truck in the meantime. Cr Ross (chairman) drew the council's attention to the continued shortage of water, reporting that the inspectors had been given instructions to inspect all water troughs in the boroueh and see that they were fitted according to ,the by-laws and to see that hose licences were not being abused. Accounts amounting to £203 8s 7d were passed for payment, and a donation of £2 2s was made to the Plunket Society. Further consideration was given to the matter of securing a report on water and drainage from an accredited engineer as instructed by the Board of Health, and the matter was referred to the Finance Committee to see if money was available to obtain such report. It was also decided to submit the name of an engineer to the Board of Health for approval.

Emergency Precautions Scheme At the conclusion of the Borough Council meeting a meeting of controllers under the Emergency Precautions Scheme was held. Captain J. Mcßae. district commander of the Home Guard, being present. The Mayor (Mr W. B. Galloway) submitted a report upon the scheme, stating that there appeared to be considerable misunderstanding, as to the activities of both organisations. He also added that he had been in communication with the Director of National Service in order to have the position clarified, and the director had replied to the following effect:— " The emergency precautions organisation must ensure that its personnel is sufficient to carry out the duties assigned to it, and respecting any key men of the scheme who have enrolled in the Home Guard, the dominion commander of the Guard should be communicated with, asking for their formal discharge." Captain Mcßae intimated that no objection could be taken to this being done, and that the two organisations Would co-operate to ensure that both schemes would function successfully in the district. WAIKOUAITI Home Guard A meeting of the Waikouaiti Committee of the Home Guard was held recently, the chairman (Mr Andrew Fell) presiding. The secretary reported that 20 additional members have been enrolled, making a total of 70 on the roll in the borough. Lieutenant F. B. Adams, area commander, was present and addressed the meeting. Mr F. H. Demus was recommended for appointment as company commander" for the Waikouaiti-Waitati district. Holiday Resort The popularity of Waikouaiti as a holiday resort was again shown this year, the number of campers being much larger than in former years. The weather during the holidays was very suitable for sea bathing, and the beach was well patronised.