WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 14

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL

The usual meeting of the Waihemo County Council was held in the County Chambers, Palmerston, on Saturday, the chairman (Mr J. S. Miller) presiding over the following council i ors; —Messrs G. Ross, A. Murray, W. Ritchie, H. O’Neill, J. O’Connell, G. Clark, W. Freeland, and A. S. Cambridge. Before proceeding to the business of the meeting, the Chairman moved that an expression of sympathy be accorded Mr R. Matheson, a former chairman, in the loss of his wife. —The motion was carried, the members standing in silence. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The County Inspector reported that during the months of August and September general surface work had been carried out where required in the Bushey Riding. Ditches, outlets and inlets of culverts, and water-tables cleaned cut from the town boundary to Bushey Bridge. This work, which had been done most satisfactorily, was carried out with plough, grader, and scoop. This road was in fair order, except that the centre of the road was high. The road from Muddy Creek to the hill near Sheat’s required maintenance gravel, and he suggested that the side cf the road be ploughed and the centre built up, and a coat of gravel placed on it. The report was adopted, and the inspector’s recommendations approved. PALMERSTON MATERNITY HOSPITAL. The Secretary of the Otago Hospital Board wrote referring to previous correspondence that at the meeting of tho board on August 25 it was resolved not to proceed with the establishment of a maternity hospital at Palmerston, but as approved by the Directorgeneral, a district nurse, with general and maternity training, would be appointed for that district. The Chairman expressed the opinion that it was a farce to appoint a nurse for a district like Palmerston. Cr Cambridge said that some protest should be made, and that there was no doubt tln;t the- majority of the people wanted a maternity hospital, which was an urgent necessity. The chairman of the Hospital B-oard had informed him that it was the first time the residents of Palmerston had made a demand of the board. The opinion of both local doctors and the majority of the public was in favour of tho maternity hospital. Cr O’Neill said that the matter would not have been dropped had it not been for the Palmerston Borough Council, which voted against it almost unanimously. The council had got the impression that it would have fo bear the whole cost of the/ hospital, and, if this had not occurred the matter would have been gone on with. Cr Cambridge expressed the opinion that the Hospital Board had seized on the opportunity of tin’s meeting as an excuse to put off tho matter. Cr O’Neill moved, Cr Cambridge seconding, that the matter be referred back to the Hospital Board for its reconsideration, and pointing out that a nurse would be useless in a. district like Palmerston, and that a maternity hospital was an absolute necessity.

Cr Cambridge moved, Cr O’Connell seconding, that the council’s representative on the board (Mr It. Templeton) be asked to report on the attitude he took up with regard to the matter at the Hospital Board’s meeting. —Both motions were carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE. The County Engineer, M'aniototo County Council, wrote in reply to the council’s letter with regard to repairs to the Horsebum bridge, stating that he did not agree with the council that £65 was too much for labour, as the out-of-the-way position of the bridge must be taken into consideration. As no one would quote for timber ho offered 2000 ft at 255, as his council had that quantity in stock. A later letter from the Maniototo Council asked if the work could be put in hand which would mean a cost of about £-15 for each county.—Received, the matter to be left in the bands of the member for the riding and the inspector. Mr G. M Hi union! wrote requesting the council to form tlie road to his property at Goodwood as it had never been formed and j was impassable for wheeled traffic in its ! present state. —Received, the matter to be I left to Cr Cambridge and the inspector, ancl I to report at the next meeting. The Secretary of the New Zealand Coun- ! ties’ Association wrote informing the coun- ! oil that ihis year’s conference would proj bably be held on September 28, and requestj in.g the council to appoint a delegate.—lt | was decided' to ask the president of the Counj ties’ Association to act on behalf of the ; council. 1 The Secretary of the Hospital Board wrote requesting the council, in view cf the Department of Public Health intimating to boards that it was unnecessary except as a temporary measure for boards to have a hank overdraft, to make regular monthly payments of levies in order that the Otago Hospital Board may keep down its overdrait and thus avoid increasing its estimated expenditure by payment of interest on overdraft. —After some discussion it was decided to’ make a payment of £SOO, and that the matter of 1 lie extra levy be referred to the* council’s solicitor for his opinion. The Chairman of the Eketahuna County Council wrote bringing under the notice of the council that bis council was in the unenviable position oi being seme £750 to the bad on account of soldier settlers foiling to pay rates, and staling that it was practically j impossible to collect rates from assisted soldier settlers should they not wish to pay. He solicited tho support of the council. — The council decided to give its support. GENERAL. The. Medical Officer of Health wrote asking lire council that in view of past and possible future epidemics it consider tho matter. —Received. The Secretary of the Dunback School Committee wrote thanking tlie council for its donation to its War Memorial Fund. —Received. The Manager of the Palmerston branch of the Bank of New Zealand wrote advising tho council that its action in endeavouring to keep down the overdraft was much appie. c i a te d.—Re c e i v e d. Cr Cambridge moved, Cr Clark seconding, that- the council revert to monthly meetings during the summer. —The motion was lost by five votes to three. Accounts for the month of August amounting to £261 15s 61, and for the month of September totalling £683 13s 6d, were passed for payment.