PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Patea Mail, 14 May 1941, Page 2

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING The ordinary monthly meeting of the t'alea Borough Council was held on -Monday, His "Worship the Mayor, Mr, B. F. Hemingway presiding. Crs. Ramsbottom, Fuller-Saudys, Naismith, Bromley, Langslow and McKenna wore also present. 00 HR HSPON FENCE Correspondence was read as under: — 1. From the Department of Internal Affairs, stating that the Council’s application for validating legislation re sale of land for housing was receiving further consideration. Received. 2. From the Automobile Association (South Taranaki), stating that it would be pleased to do what it could in the matter of pedestrian signs at the bridge. Received. On the motion of Or. McKenna, seconded by Or. Fuller-Samlys, it was decided to write again to the association and ask that the signs be erected.

3. From the Patea Chamber of Commerce, stating that it was of tlio opinion that a public convenience should be erected at some suitable place in the town.

It was decided on the motion of (T. Naismith,' seconded by Cr. FullerSamlys that the matter be referred to the incoming Council to take action.

4. From the International Haiwester Co. of N.Z. Ltd., stating that it was possible to convert the tractor into a one-man operated grader and promising to forward an approximate cost at tin .early date. Received.

5. From Mr. C. J, Gardiner, forwarding his resignation as nightwaichnian, to take effect from the iOth inst. The resignation was accepted Avith regret, and it was decided to iiwite applications for a successor. ■The Paten Pictures Avrotc stating that they were in receipt of the council’s JetteF and noted that there Avas to be no “contravention” of the council’s building by-laws Avith regard to the proposed new theatre, the sketch plans of which had been approved by (lie Licensing Authority.

In reply to Cr. McKenna, the Town Clerk staled that the Chief Inspector of Films had written to Hie council stating that he Avas not prepared to approve of composite material being used in the erection of a new theatre in the the toAvn.

It was decided on the motion of Cr. McKenna, seconded by Cr. Naismith, that ti |C -council reply to the i’atea Picture that according to an official e-.m----munication from the Chief ru.v.iecrer of Films, lie had not approved of the plan? of the proposed new theatre. His Worship, in a«con!an *o will-, a not ice of mot ion moA'C.d; “That a brief summary of the facts in connection with the lease of the Town Hall be laid before the Prime Minister, and that he be asked to facilitate the connc.ii’s request to hold the exhibitor’s license so that the ratepayers may obtain the full benefit from the hall to which they are entitled.”

In moving the resolution His Worship said that both the Prime Minister and the Acting Prime Minister were fair minded men and subscribed to :he 'doctrine that the rights of the people were to lie studied before the rights of the individual. The Cinematograph Act, His Worship said, was oxprearty passed to protect the rights of municipalities as well as the rights of picture proprietors. For instance, if a municipality like Pa tea .had a theatre in which it was showing pictures it would no(, allow another person to show pictures in the town unless the population warranted it.

At the suggestion of Or. Laugsbw His Worship agreed to the name of the

Minister of Industries and Commerce being added to that of the Prime M.nister in the resolution, which was seconded by Or. Bromley and carried unanimously.

Cr. Naismith moved the incoming council be recommended to 1 jtko ever} step to have the vacant aoclioi s in «,;o main street utilised t V) r housing pu.-poser. He said that he wmld lite to stale his view that all those unoccupied sections in 'Egmoiit Street tud other sections, notably the Education Board sections, be built on bein'e He sections in back streets and otner tortious of the town.

Hi 5 Worship said the Education

Bead had not an inch of land in the

town except that portion utilised for .school purposes. The other education reserves wore under the control of the Vanin aid Land Board, and the board had nothing to do with them whatsoever. (Jr. Lansglow said he had definite assurances from the Housing Department that they would not consider tho acquisition of any private sections so long as reserves were available.

Cr. McKenna said the Housing De parlment was turning reserves which were a liability into a valuable asset to the council. There was no harm in passing (he resolution whatever and he ■.onld second it.

Tho resolution was then put and carried, Cr. Langslow remarking that if they had waited for the department to negotiate for private sections, not one single house would have been built. Ci 1 . Langslow said he would like to ask Cr. Eamsbottorn if ho had hoard it stated that the State houses were oraclically slums.

Ci'. Eamisbottom -said he had not heard of such a statement.

Cr. Langslow: “Hot at the Chamber of Commerce mccting? ,, Cr. Eamsbottorn: “Not to m Y m ‘° l " lection. You can sec the minutes if yon like.”

Cr, Langslow said four people had told him the matter had been discussed at tho Chamber of Commerce mooting.

The Town Clerk said at a Hawera

meeting it was reported that the State houses had been referred to as slams.

The Engineer reported that Mr. Chisnal of the hydro stall’ had been called up for overseas service, and the assistant, Mr. Harris, had been accepted for service with the Air Force. Ho did not know if these men would bo called into camp before September or not.

It was decided that the matter be dealt with when the occasion arises. It was also decided that the water main over the bridge be lifted and utilised for an additional main to the new State houses in Kent Street.

It was decided that the supplier of the tractor be asked to fit, an additional oil filter for trial purposes. Cr. Langslow reported that the County Council had offered tiro use of a. roller part at a nominal rental of £1 per annum.

It was decided on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. McKenna, that the offer be accepted, and that the hearty thanks of the council be tendered Fa conn tv for it.

The Fire Brigade Committee’s re port, as set out on page 4 of this issue was read and adopted. It was decided that the overhaul of fire pings take place monthly. Tiro streets report (on page 4) was read and adopted, His Worship remarking that the report was an historic one, as it was the first: time that it had been reported . that the streets in the borough had been graded by the council’s grader. VALEDICTORY This being the last meeting of the present council His Worship said he would like to thank the .members of the council, the Town Clerk, the Engineer and the borough staff, fat the assistance they had rendered him during his throe years of ollice. The council, he stated, had every reason to be proud of its Avork during its term. They had more streets tar scaled Ilian ever before, and in addition now had the necessary plant for carrying out further improvements which should make all the difference to the appearance of the town, a Hung Avhich for years had been desirable. In addition to (lie plant he had mentioned they had a most valuable asset in the swimming bath and paddling pool at the beach, which during the past year had been the mciuist of leaching over 100 children to swim, and had given pleasure to thousands and would bo the means of giving pleasure to thousands in the future besides teaching the children to s',vim. The council’s thanks were largely due to Cr. Langslow who had succeeded in inducing the Housing Department to build a number of houses, which had been badly needed. His Worship again thanked the Town Clerk, the Engineer and Hie council’s staff for their assistance at all times. Cr. Naismith thanked His Worship for his kind remarks concerning councillors and himself. -..Like His Wor-.-ihip’hc was anxious for a spell from council work. Cr. Naismith also thanked the councillors and the staff for assistance rendered him during his term as Streets Supervisor.

Cr. Bromley said Cr. Naismith had expessed his views entirely, therefore he would not add anything to them. His three yeans at the council table had been'an education to him. He hoped that during the next three years Ci’. Langslow would light as hard for houses and streets as he had done in the past. Cr. Eamsbottom said he had to congratulate His Worship on a successful term of office. 'They had all had their little say at the Council table from time to time, and had all remained friends. A large amount of revenue had gone into the purchase of a grader, tractor, street truck, and the electric light department's truck, and these amounts would not be recurring. In the near future they would probably be able to give relief from rates. The town bad progressed more than favourably when its assets were taken into consideration.

Cr. McKenna said ho had not much to add to the remarks of His Worship and the Councillors who had ispoken. lie thought they could congratulate themselves on the successful term of office in spite of serious difficulties and the war. He was very sorry His Worship had not seen tit to seek reelection and was sorry also Unit Cfs. Bromley and Naismith were retiring. Cr. Fuller-Bandys said he could add nothing to what had already been said. He, like Cr. McKenna, was sorry the retiring Councillors were not seeking o-elccliou. He had thoroughly enjoyed his three yours at the Council table. He would like to thank the stair for assistance rendered him, and hoped the incoming Council would receive the same consideration.

Cr. Langslow said he could endorse nil Hmi the previous speakers had said. 'They all came on to the Council with a view to pushing the town ahead, and he fel t that they had succeeded. They had, in fact, done a job with which the ratepayers should be more than satisfied. ‘They had seen vast changes in the town during tho past three years, and ho hoped tho improvements would be .continued, Tim Town Clerk and Borough Engineer thanked His Worship and Coimeiliors for their kind remarks and stated th’at they had only done their duty. Thev wished His Worship and the retiring Councillors every happiness in (heir retirement.

There being no further business the Council rose.