BALCLUTHA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26245, 31 August 1946, Page 4

BALCLUTHA

BOROUGH COUNCIL Advice that it had been decided to constitute the Clutha Catchment District on the boundaries envisaged in the original proposals submitted to the local bodies concerned was received at the monthly meeting of the Balclutha Borough Council on Wednesday night from the chairman of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Mr T. L. Beck. Mr Beck added that the setting up of the Clutha Catchment District would be proceeded with at the earliest opportunity, and that a further meeting of the local bodies concerned would Be arranged shortly. '" The question of coverage of the balance of Otago has been deferred in the meantime until arrangements have been completed for other areas,” the letter added.—The letter was received. The meeting was attended by the mayor (Mr J. T. Walter) and Crs. A. I. Miller. L. J. Edwards, H. M. Bower, R. Chalmers, I. Jenkins, D. Lattimore, J. Wood and R. Mcßride. Mr P. E. Shand, secretary of the Balclutha Businessmen’s Association, wrote asking what methods were employed to collect itinerant traders’ licences—The clerk (Mr N. J. ’ Fryer) stated that he had been unable to obtain the names of itinerant traders who, it was alleged, had been operating in the town without paying the fees due. The Businessmen’s Association wrote forwarding for consideration a suggestion that the borough sewerage scheme be financed on the “ per pan ” service basis, instead of by special rating.—lt was considered that no good purpose could be served by discussing the proposal before the plans for the sewerage scheme had been examined by the Health and Public Works Departments, and the letter was received An invitation to attend a civic service in the Balclutha Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, September 22, was received from the Rev. J; N. Whittington and was accepted.

Mr G. O. L. Dempster, Medical Officer of Health, Dunedin, wrote outlining measures which jcould be taken to protect the borough water supply against pollution from the new motor camp which the council proposes to establish on a section adjoining the waterworks. —The Reserves Committee was authorised to discuss the matter further with the Health Department inspector at Balclutha.

At its July meeting, the council asked the Finance Committee to report on the Inaugurating of a bus service to and from Rosebank and North Balclutha during rush hours.—The chairman of the Finance Committee, Cr Miller, reported that it was not considered that the proposition would be an economic one, and that it was not desired to interfere with the legitimate business of the taxis operating in the town; * The’ matter had been discussed with the taxi proprietors, but nothing definite had been done by them so far—lt was decided, to take no. further action in the matter.

The Works Committee and ther borough staff were congratulated on the tidy state of the streets.

It was decided that George street. North Balclutha, should be renamed Springfield street. LOWER CLUTHA RIVER TRUST

Ways and means of alleviating flooding following heavy rain and during high tides were discussed with a deputation from Paretai by members of the Lower Clutha River 'Trust on Thursday evening. Messrs P. C. Sargeant and W. L. Hopkins stated that the lower part of the Paretai district had suffered fairly serious flooding recently after a week's ram and at a time when heavy seas and high tides had prevented the opening of the Puerua River lock. It was a long-stand-ing complaint and some relief was sought In a general discussion Messrs Sargeant and Hopkins agreed with the view expressed by the chairman of the trust, Mr J. G. Weir, that the installation of a pump would provide the only satisfactory solution. The chairman added that the same trouble was experienced at Inchclutha and at Kaitangata, where pumps were also necessary. He warned members of the deputation that the instaUation of a pump would be costly, and that the law of assessment invariably laid down the principle that those who obtained the most benefit should contribute a correspondingly high percentage of the finance involved. He advised the members of the deputation to call a meeting of the ratepayers of Paretai for the purpose of formulating a plan and discussing the financial aspect Without agreement by the ratepayers, he stated, the trust could do little to help. but as soon as a plan had been agreed upon the trust would install and administer a suitable pump. Members of the deputation, before withdrawing, agreed to call a meeting as suggested by the chairman. The chairman, Mr W. Telford and the engineer (Mr A. J. McD. Miller) were appointed to meet the Paretai settlers when required, and the engineer was instructed to prepare estimates of the cost of installing and maintaining a suitable pump at the Puerua lock, , Soil Erosion Problems Mr C. Langbein, district engineer Public Works Department, wrote advising that a mobile film unit would visit Balclutha in October for the purpose of showing several films dealing with soil erosion and methods of conservation.— The secretary, engineer and Mr Jenkins were delegated to arrange a suitable date. A request wis received from Messrs Osborne, Stevens and Stevens, of Dunein, on behalf of several clients, for detailed information regarding an item on the rate demand described as " Special late previously levied by the Bruce County Council for drainage, etc.”—The letter was held over until the return of the secretary, who is at present indisposed. A claim for the cost of renewing a crossing to his property at Paretai was received from Mr W. L. Hopkins.—lt was decided to inform the writer that it was the Trust’s policy In such cases to supply the labour only, the property owner to be responsible for materials and transport It was decided to accede to a request from Mr D. Finch, of Kaitangata, that willows washed away from his property by the 1945 flood be replaced, the cost Of the work to be shared equally by the Trust and the applicant. The latter would be responsible for fencing. FOOTBALLERS’ BALL On Wednesday evening the members of the Clutha Football Club held their annual ball in the Britannia treatre'. Opportunity was taken to present the banner and Stewart-memorial shield to the Clutha senior team, winners of the main competition this season The banner was presented by Mr N. H. Gallagher, on behalf of the South Otago Sub-union, and the Stewart memorial shield by Mr Stewart, of Moneymore, to Mr C. Willocks, captain of the Clutha senior team The president of the South Otago Subunion, Mr A. J McD. Miller, stated that the Stewart memorial shield had been given in memory .of So"th o*ago fo.it callers who had made the supreme sacrifice in the recent war. Music for the dancing was' supplied by Ray Brown’s orchestra. Gore. MINIATURE RIFLE SHOOTING The following were the scores at the weekly shoot of the Greenfield club on Tuesday evening:—J, B. Allan 77, B. Craig 77. J. Craig 74, D. Stirling 72. S Sinclair 71, G. Miller 70. L. King 70. E. Cross 70. J. Miller 67. D. Cross 66. J. H. Allan 65, R. Hay 64, J Begg 60. W. Caldwell 58. R. Blaikie 56, K Keenan 50. ROTARY There was a fair attendance at the weekly meting of the Rotary Club of Balclutha on Wednesday evening, when Mi D. Miller presided. The speaker for the evening, Mr J. D. Fraser, of Balclutha gave an interesting account of his experiences as a prisoner of war in Greece and Germany. EUCHRE PARTY The weekly euchre party organised by the Railway Social Committee was held on Thursday night, and there was a large attendance. First prizes were awarded to Mrs W. Cross and Mr T. E H King seconds to Mrs Darling and Mr I McNoe thr monthly aggregate prizes to Mrs A Blaii and Mr W. Cross, while the consolation prizes went to Mrs Johnston and Mr L. Jory.