SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24723, 27 September 1941, Page 15

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA Borough Council. The monthly meeting was presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. R. Copland). The treasurer reported that the district fund account showed a debit of £1341 12s lOd. The report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £756 5s 6d were passed for payment.—Discussing footpath renovation, the Mayor said the experiment of using “ gravel rice ” as a top-dressing with bitumen on a small stretch in the main street had not proved successful, and it was decided' to revert to the quarry dust and bitumen, which had been found satisfactory.—lt was stated that if the septic tank at the women’s rest house were not attended to the rest house might have to be closed down. The Works Committee was instructed to install a new septic tank immediately.— j Cr Jenkins (chairman of the Reserves Committee) reported that the protective fence along the river bank on the Hasborough road has been smashed by a motorist, who went over the bank. The .Works Committee was instructed to replace the fence at once.—Cr Lattimore suggested that the lawn in front of the baths be fenced off from motor traffic. The matter was left to the Reserves Committee, with power to act.—lt was decided to contribute £5 5s towards the local St. John Ambulance Association. —The Mayor said he understood the River Trust charged a high rent for the riverbank area, while the borough had to pay interest on the protective bank loan. The trust also collected £BOO in rates from the borough, and charged the council royalty on all gravel taken from the river banks. The position seemed to him to be absurd. The Mayor's remarks were endorsed by councillors present.—Four tenders were received for the supply to the borough of a new motor truck, and that of J. G. Decide (Milton) for a three-ton truck at £598. with an allowance of £35 for the old truck, was accepted. Fishing Season.— Prospects for the opening of the trout-fishing season on October 1 in South Otago are said to be good, but anglers are dubious about the chances they will have to enjoy the sport, owing to the petrol restrictions. The restrictions will probably have the effect of confining fishing excursions to the nearby small streams, 'which are reported to be m good order for the opening. *