BOROUGH COUNCIL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18064, 15 April 1933, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL

WAIROA ECDY MEETS (Herald Correspondent..) The Wairoa Borough Council met on Wednesday night, there being present the Mayor, Mr. H. L. Harker, and Crs. L. E. Galbraith, D. Glengarry, J. O. Scott, W. 11. Flint, and M. J. Gemmell. Crs. Scott and Gemmell reported that, it was not at present necessary to renew poles for electric lines on the river bank, but the Sotara poles, being the most decayed, should get first attention. It was reported that noxious weeds in the borough, especially blackberry, were not being cleared as ordered, aad those on the lines of ditches were greatly hampering the working gangs. —Cr. Gemmell admitted that there was come laxity, but said the inspector had been in the country a good deal of late—The Mayor held that this was no excuse.—Cr. Glcngarrv said the inspector had too much To do and it would take a week to go over the whole borough.—The inspector is to be notified that the clearing must be attended to in seven days in the proximity of drains being cleaned, and the balance in Iddays. The- finance committee’s report dealing with the writing off of certain amounts for various reasons, rentals of reserves, etc., was adopted. Cr. Gemmell brought up the question of carrying out thc-work of extending the storm-water pipe under the bridge approach, as the work would soon be finished. —The work was authorised. The Mayor said he desired to place on record his high appreciation of the progress being made with the new bridge. The Mayor made a statement regarding the arrangements for lightfag, and. the necessary conduit for the purpose and piping for washing down the bridge was also authorised. It win also decided to- get the Post and Telegraph Department to shift tlio telephone slot machine back from tho corner as it was obscuring visibility. The Mayor complimented the engineer and stall on- the rapidity with which they had shifted and re-erect-ed the .large corner pole on the southern bridge approach, with a shutdown of only half an hour. A local painter put in offers for painting the borough cottages, but no tenders had been asked for. Tho Hawke’s Bay Education Board wrote disclaiming liability for any rates other than special rates on land at North Clyde granted by Mr. W. Coker foi school purposes. —A letter in reply wa> read, and the Mayor s action was conMessrs. Williams and Kettle, Limited granted the council free storage for sh tons of chaff in their Marine Parade premises. , ... The resident engineer advised that supplies of benzine for the boat fen} would be continued until further notice. An application by the tennis club foi a rebate of one half-year’s rent causer: some discussion owing to conditions imposed on a former occasion not havnit been carried out. It was decided tc gi-arit the rebate provided certain paint ing and other improvements were car lied out. . , The Royal Humane Society notified tho council, whose Mayor is a vicepresident, that the society had ceased operations in New Zealand for the present ; An application for financial assistance for the Hawke’s Bay Children’s Home was received. The Plunket Society asked for a permit to conduct a “shop” in Marine Parade during May in aid ol the funds.—After discussion it was decided that though the object was a worthy one the council was barred by a motion on the books as regarded the

main street and side streets. The Post and Telegraph Department wrote stating that statutory authority had not been obtained bv Mr. W. Clark for the erection of kerbside petrol pumps in Paul street.—Tile engineer said the pumps were too close to the transformer. The protest was received. The Mayor stated that 20 amended valuations had been made, considerably reducing the council’s basis of revenue.— , Councillors considered that the special valuations inflicted an injury on other | ratepayers. The president of tho W.C.T.U. wrote asking tho council to ban organised sports and swimming on Sundays,—The Mayor said swirnmine in the river was a matter for the Harbor Board.—A 1 councillor: Wo should reply that cleanliness is next to godliness.—Cr. Scott: Sports on reserves would come under tho cognisance of the Borough Council, and it could refuse a permit for Sunday sports.—lt was decided to reply that tho matter was not within the control of the council. Mr. J. J. Millar, secretary of the I Returned Soldiers’ Association, wrote asking for the council’s co-operation in 'lie observance of> Poppy Day as in tho past. After '-omo discussion, on the motion of the Mayor, a committee comprising Crs. Flint.‘ Galbraith and Scott, with the Mayor, was set up to arrange for the Anzae Day celebration. Resolutions were passed for the due sealing of the rate book and the amended by-laws. The date for payment of the electric light was extended where necessary to April 24. Grandstand charges were fixed at 6d all round except for senior matches, when the fee is to be men Is, ladies 6d. A committee consisting of the Mayor and Crs. Flint and Scott was set up to have damaged headstones in the cemetery replaced in certain eases. Several staff renovts were tabled, and Mir, Mayor tallied Hie report of the recent municipal conference at Rotorua, ■ adding that tho Rotorua people and the boron eh treated the Wairoa delegates l very well.

A satisfactory report was presented on the Tawhat'a Valley drainage works, ami Or. Glengarry is to confer with Mr. A. G. Smith on some points.