LICENSES UP

Opunake Times, 31 March 1939, Page 3

LICENSES UP

FEES FOR TOWN COWS

DECISION OF COUNCIL

Those residents who depend upon tlie reserves of the town for grazing for cows whose milk

is used for domestic purposes will this year pay a substantially increased license fee, accordjug to a decision of the Opunake Borough Council last night. I°r the year commencing April 1, the fee will lie £3 per cow, and there will be a half-yearly fee ot £l-15/-. The council agreed to the increase on. the suggestion of the Mayor, Air. A. J. Brennan, wh.o considered that such an advance would limit to a large decree the present undesirable practice of “town farming.” Legal opinion on the powers of the council in this respect, and its liabilities, was. forthcoming from counsel to the Municipal Association. Basing his views on findings in relevant cases in English courts, counsel found that the. council was entitled to license cows to graze on the unleneed reserves, roads and streets of the borough, and that it. was under no liability should any licensed cow depasturing in the nea be involved in an accident. The object of the council was o reduce to reasonable propor-

1 ions the dairy herd on the town, and to make the fee heavy enough to discourage town farming while imposing.. no hardship on those who were in definite

need of a cow for domestic supply, said Mr. Brennan, tf it were possible to reduce the numbers to such a level thnt it would be possible io provide night paddock accommodation, this would he an advantage, Tf the number of cows were reduced so that there was plenty of wmte 1 ’ it would probably be. found that, in tbe summer., much of the roadside growth would go to sped and would not* he available for the purpose foi which It was required, stated Cr. G. Leaver.

“We em’t get nt Dm town' farmer, even in a license *e fl "I A 5. as on average cow wiP wroduce -£l2 or Tib in a year,” ehsewed Cr; D. Mount o .

The milk bill of a household requiring a quart a dnv would, be nearly £8 a yf'arr said Mr. Brennan and in tin’s case, a enw would uof be required. It was onlv in cases where the- demand was heavier that a cow would be considered nu economic proposition. With, the increased fee. H would continue to be so few those who did actually require a cow

but farmers might be discouraged. The case of the genuine- 1 farm er. who had grazing for u number of cows, and, by licensin' 1 one or two, was able to rotate them, would also boar examination .In moving: an increase in the license fees, Mr. Breninon said that it wa.v not with the object of inereasin.tr revenue, bn t was intended to stop town farm • ing. “They have been given ovpt’v ehan.ee, even to the making of declarations, but tbe nrnctico is still going On. ’ he said.

License fees for the pur rent vear are. to he paid bv April IT New Drill Hall

Only one tender was. received in respect of the proposed construction of a drill hall and baud room, and after some consideration, it was accepted by the council. The, successful contractwas Mr. R. W. Morris, whose tender was. £BB6-15/-.

“Wei have already undertaken i provide a band room, and in (he present circumstances, it ' s | to provide for the train- j vug of volunteers,’’ said Cr. | Feaver, in moving that the tender be accepted. Tt was recognised that the cost of building was. high, but the amount to be found, by the council was. not large. The plan, which was drawn hy Or. W. E. Gunsoii, chairman oi i the works committee, provided for a building of wood and iron, the front, which is on Domett Street, being of wood. The drill room is 50 feet by 05 feet, andi j the band room 25 feet by 20 feet.. Tn addition, there, is a kitchen., with sink and copper, of IT feet by 10 feet, a music room 10 x 16, and a porch 12 x 10. There is one front door and one side entrance. The building is to he erected on council property, the section being adjacent to that occupied by the council c bombers.

It is intended to finance the project Ivy utilising ini mrance monies available from the* former Town Hall building. Some measure of assistance h;as been offered by Hie Opunnke Federal Band, and it is p rob aMi e that, towards the whole cost o: f buildin'’' and lurnisbiny. the council will find approximated' •€ 250. Water and Drafrraf ;e

Reporting on. discussed by the recent municipal con ferei.Vee, the slayor referred to a proposal which, if givcm' legislative effc/'t, would advance vwithin. the bounds ’ed possibility the establishment of a wafer and drainage) sysfei n in Opunahe. The propoagj ha d been advanced i by Pabiatp.a, wf lore, proposals for |a- new mtieulat ion scheme were ’ under consider;! tion. be said. It ! suggested that l nutiieipal authnrirfies be permift ed to make an annual connect e d load charge ip respect of wate: r supply, as. was now permitted with drainage I schemes, thus i 'elieving them of the resnousfbiTfi fy of making a flat rate lew ox nr borough properties. By this means, he said, payments to' iet annual charges

lor loan indebtedness, and for maintenance of service would hi forthcoming from the consumerIn a brief review of the probable •position in Opunake, it would be seen that such a proposal presented distinct possibilities, as the probable connected charges necessary for the purpose would he low enough to merit general , approval.