LICENSING OF COWS

Opunake Times, 24 February 1939, Page 3

LICENSING OF COWS

POSITION OF COUNCIL

LIKELY INCREASE IN FEE

While further consideration of the matter has been postponed until the position of the council is ascertained, it is proha hie that (here will he an increase in fees payable in respect of cows licensed to graze on borough reserves in the; coining financial vear. The question was introduced for discussion at a meeting of the council last evening, when His Worship the Mayor, Mr. A. I. Brennan, presided. Members present were Councillors W. E. dunson. IT. Booker, T). Mnurie, IT. (I. Davey. C Fcaver and L. I! Devs Forges.

Three separate proposals were discussed by members, all of these providing for increases. The first suggestion was a lieenso tee of £2 per eow as against PI -hi- at present. Cr. Feaver. in moving to this effect, stating that he considered the increase rmite sufficient. **Ts the suggested increase to provide extra revenue or io ledace the number of licensed cows to a norma!, number?” asked the Mavor. In bis opinion, the real problem was how to reduce the number of cows whose supplv "•ns pot for domestic purposes but which was forwarded to the dairy factories. There had been numerous wild rumours in circulation. but the desire or t]ic council was to eliminate as far as possible the “farming” of the town.

The proposed increase would Vivo 7tn effect on tTio number of t nwu formers, stated Cr. Alourie-

“Tf we could, avp would let tV 1 owners have grazing for 25/n vear for a srenuiue house cow, tint there is so much farming’ go

ipg on in the town that something must he done to check it.” At uresent, the council offered a very cheap grazing proposition to the toAvn farmers, one which was at least as good as AVonld he found even in the country, said MV. Brennan. It was not the wish. <o the council that coaa's should allowed grazing rights in aider that owners might supply *lairies. The growth of the traffic problem also made the position more serious.

After tAVo further proposals. «>ne that the fee be at the rate of 1/- per week, and another that the annual charge be £3, had keen discussed, an amendment to the effect that, professional opinion as to the legal position of the. ••mined be consulted before further action Avaa taken, avus adopted

Reporting verbally on the meeting between tlie works committee and the Opunake Federal Band, O, Gunson reported that the hand had viewed favourably the council’s proposals to erect, •in the property adjoining the borouffh office, a combined bandroom and drill shed. Tenders would shortly be invited for the work.

Revaluation of the borough area would not be undertaken this year by the Valuation Bennrtment, according l to advice from that, office. Preparations would be made for Hie commencement of the work before the 1040-41 financial year. Various delays had required the postponement for six months of the proposed meeting to discuss the formation of a South Tarsuv’ki airport board, the TTaAvera Ac-o Hub advised. The issue bv tbe Bepartmcut of Internal Affairs of a model sot of by-laws, modernised to meet present conditions, for use I," small municipal bodies, Avas suggested bA r the Waitura Bor onob noimeil Avbieh renimHed Bn- nn -ermratiou. of the '•*mneil in approaehing the department. Envlher particulars Avill be sought bv the council before tbe matter is pursued. To meet the cost of traffic supervision in the borough area, the conned decided tq offer to the Transport Bepartment 10 per cent of driving license fees collected <1 nnng the coming financial vear

Information collected hv the Town fleik in respeet of the distribution of heavy traffic license fees among local bodies of Taranaki was referred to the works committee, which is to investigate the possibility of a new basts of proportion between the Fjgmont County Council and the borough council.

No litfeetions diseases were reported in lire borough during the Dust mouth. stated the health inspector. -Mr. 11. Milne. Static impounded during the month earn prised one bull and two tows, reported the ranger Mr (' Cameron. To February 2d, dou' tux hud been coll ■RC. ted in respect of 59 dogs. The treasurer reported a debit bun I' balance in the district fund account of £275-17/1, subject to various refunds due. and accounts to he approved totalled

.£<ll7-16/4. In the harbour nc- • ■ouut, there was u credit r f £1421-17/7, and immediate bah ilitles were £d2-6/2. -dt-Icp that the sum of £7H was held for domain improvements was forwarded bv the combined snorts clubs of Opunake. which, in asking that the council -secure estimates of the work and meet representatives of the club, suggested that (lie work be commenced after the conclusion of Hie football season. If the amount raised was found to be insufficient. the clubs were prepared to make another special effort. H. had been a fine gesture on the part of the sports ‘dubs f o undertake the raising of funds for the purpose of improving the

spurts ground, »aid Mr livenuun, whose views were supported by members. The mutters introduced to the notice of tho council were referred to the re serves committee, together with CJr. Feaver.