BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opunake Times, 14 October 1941, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL

| RATES ON RAILWAY HOUSES The question of the payment of rates on Railway houses m Opunake by the Department w-is discussed by members of the Borough. Council at its monthly meeting on Thursday when His Worship the Mayoi% Mr. G. C. Clouston presided. The Town Clerk. Mr. C. N. Thayer, outlined the position in which the Council found itself. Under the agreement between the Municipal Association and the Railway Department, the latter agreed to pav rates on dwellings owned by it which were not occupied by Government officials for the better execution of their duties. The Council had understood this to mean that rates were to ba paid on all dwellings own 3a by the department except those which were occupied by employees of the Railway Department but that Department hud now ■ claimed exemption on two houses ; which were occupied by Government officials employed by other departments.

As the Town Clerk pointed out the position could arise where no rates at all were collected from the 8 railway houses if they were occupied by Government officials, at present two were occupied by employees of the Railways Department and the Department were now claiming exemption on two more. The position'had been put to the Department but no satisfaction was received. He pointed out too, that the valuation put on these houses was extremely reasonable.

Councillors considered that the Department was receiving rent for these houses which were occupied by employees of other Departments and should be prepared to " pay rates on them. Members 'contended that these t.Avo houses welre not occupied by Dei nut mental officials for the better execution of theft duties so that they did not come undeithe exemption clause on which the Department claimed. Or. IST. Reardon stated that it appeared that the Department wns endeavouring to evade its obligations on a contentions clause and he advocated the taking of the matter to the minister concerned. He thought that the Minister was probably unaware of the action being taken bv, the Department Cr. W. Gun son moved that the matter be brought to the notice of the member for the district. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, and that he be asked to bring the matter before the Minister. Cr. Reardon seconded this motion. ,

Before the meeting commenced the mayor asked members to stand in silence as a

mark of respect to the late Mrs. T. P. Burton. Mr. Burton had. been a previous member of -the Board and the mayor paid a tTibuto to the late Mrs. Burton. Advice was received from the New Plymouth boirough inspector that a specimen sample of ants which had been discovered in Opunake and which were thought to be the Australian termite, were native dry wood termites which were not as destructive as the white ant.

A request was (received from the Seaside Society that a pedestrian crossing should be placed at the point where the new access footpath to the beach crossed the Main Beach Poad The Town Clerk pointed out ' that such a crossing bv law had to be lit in a serti n way and members thought that under the present lighting

restrictions it would be im'K/SSible to complyy with those lations ut that point. It was decided to hold the matter over pending the lifting of the restrictions.

The Works Committee reported that the work on the beach track was progressing satisfactorily. An inspection of the nightsoil dump had been made* and it was considered that there was still ample room fotr disposal. A. request from Richards and McKinlev for the repealing of the entrance to their premises had been considered and the Council decided that its staff would do the work if the firm paid the cost.

An. estimated cost of £3/15/each for culvdrts over the intersections in the shopping aren footpaths was calculated by the committee. It considered that six culverts would be necessary. The Council decided that the wdrli should be gone on with to provide a -convenience particularly for mothers with perambulators.

The Reserves Committee were requested t 0 bring' before the Council at its, next meeting plans for the proposed alterations to the Drill Hall and were empowered to call tenders for the work.

There were present at the meeting besides the Mayor, Crs.j 11. Clement, H. Davey. N. Reardon, G. Feaver and W. E. (tuiisoii. An apology was received from Cr. Hughson.