GORE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 19256, 21 June 1921, Page 6

GORE BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Gore Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers at Gore last night, there being present:—The Mayor (Mr D. MacDougall) and Councillors Brownlie, Bright, Gillies, Hamilton, Ba’dy, Bennett, Lyttle, Bagrie, Dunn and Fleming. CORRESPONDENCE. Letter from the Prime Minister’s secretary, Wellington, stating that early attention would be given to the Council’s resolution striking a special rate of £l2OO for lighting purposes. —Received. Letter from the Commissioner of Taxes stating that declarations of Income Tax on debenture interest were free from stamp duty.—Received.

The Ama’gamated Society of Engineers wrote that they would not visit Gore and discuss the electric lighting award with the Council.—Received. v The Department of Agriculture wrote stating that they would, from June 1, pay the whole of the salary of the Borough Abattoirs manager.—Received and to be complied with from July 1. A letter was received from the Mayor stating that he wished to withdraw the three notices of motion given at last meeting of the Council. —Received.

Acknowledgment was made by the District Engineer, Invercargill, of the Council s letter re Midway Street Crossing.—Received. Mr A. G. Henderson, of'Stratford, wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the fact that one of the electric lights in front of his house had been removed and requested that the same be replaced.—Referred to the Electrical Engineer. A letter from the Secretary of the Southland League was received stating that copies of the annual report and balance sheet would be forwarded during the incoming week. The secretary of the League also stated, in response to the request of the Council’s letter, the purposes and claims of the League. He mentioned the promotion of the development and advancement of the interests of Southland. Its object was to secure the co-operation of town and country. He enclosed a summary of the report and balance sheet mentioned above—Received and held over.

The Southland Hospital Board wrote stating that the .temporary loan with the Borough could not be repaid before December 31, 1921 and that the interest on the same had been increased to 5$ per cent as from June 1, 1921. —Received. Letter from the Prime Minister’s Office stating that the Council’s application to pay interest on its overdraft at the Bank at the rate of 7 per cent, was being considered.—Received. Letter from State Advances Office stating that the result of the poll to raise £14,000 for drainage and water supply works had been gazetted.—Received. The Resident Engineer, Invercargill, wrote asking whether attention was being given to the small drains under the bank at the Gore protection works and if provision had been made to direct the drainage to the public sewer. —Received and writer to be informed that a number of drains are not yet completed. The Mataura Borough Council wrote offering the sum of £155 for 63 electric light poles and line within the Mataura boundary.—Offer accepted. The enginers of the Post and Telegraph Department, Invercargill, wrote stating that they intend to extend the telephone line in Ardwick street from Ashton street to the main road, and requested the Council to have the trees cut back on the fence line in the reserve in this street. —Received and work to be carried out. , A letter was received from Messrs Smith & Dolamore, solicitors, who are acting for the Council in the case of a claim for compensation by Richard Hocking, asking for the appointment of an assessor to- act for the Council at the Assessment Court.—Mr Faitt was appointed assessor for Borough Council.

The Southland County Council wrote acknowledging the receipt of the account for £2287 4/7 in connection with the Gore flood protection works, and stating also that the Southland County Council at present recognised no liability for payment of an amount towards the cost of the extension of the bridge for the purpose of flood protection.—The letter received and copy of agreement to be procured. Application was made by Mr T. Ambrose for a few loads of gravel at his gate. He drew the attention of the Council to the bad state of the footpaths and water tables in his part of the borough.—Received and referred to Works Committee for report. Advice from Treasury that the sum of £4 5/- had been placed to the Council’s credit for fines, stamps, etc., collected at the Gore Magistrate’s Court.—Received. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs stating that Mr V. Scott, officer in charge of the War Graves Commission, would visit Gore during the week.—Received, and letter referred to Town Clerk and Borough gardener. Application was received from Mr H. M. Share, a borough employee, for an increase of wages from 10/- per day.—Referred to electrical engineer for report.

Letter from the Public Trustee to the effect that an increase had been made from April 1, 1920, in the rate of interest with the Council’s account, and stating also that no bonus would be granted the Council this year.—Received. Letter from Gore Fire Brigade concurring in the Council’s proposal to construct a water main through the reserve between Ardwick and Fairfield street for the use of the brigade for practising.—Received. Letter from Mr E. C. Wilson, accepting the position of borough engineer in terms of his application.—Received and held over t-o June 27.

Messrs Poppelwell and Gillies, solicitors, on behalf of Mr David McDougall, Mayor, wrote objecting to the closing of Woolwich street by the Council. The Mayor vacated the chair and Cr. Brownlie (deputy Mayor) presided. After considerable discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the Borough solicitor and also to obtain the opinion of the Public Works Department. The following applications for electric light were granted in order of priority:—P. C. Gray for extra lights; Elizabeth Melvin. Main street; Eliza Galletly, railway esplanade; E. Burgess, Broughton street; Ng. Gnue, Medway street; C. G. Green, Joseph street; G. Kelley, Irving street; A. J. Gibbs, Broughton street; James Brownlie sen., Wigan street; A. G. Henderson, Stratford street; Jno. Wingham, Green street; J. Cleveland, Joseph street; William Shore, Devon street; Robert Ross, Mary street; Bank of Australasia, Main street; Murray, Roberts & Co., Gorton street. ABATTOIRS REPORT, During the month of May, 86 cattle, 582 sheep, 54 lambs, 1 calf, and 12 pigs were killed in the abattoirs. One sheep was condemned. POUNDKEEPER’S REPORT. 7433 sheep and 78 cattle passed through the saleyards during the month of May. Collections: Saleyards, £2O 13/8; dog tax, £l2 10/-; sanitary pans, £ll 9/-; poundage, 7/6; total £45 0/2. Four horses and 5 cows were impounded during the month. REPORT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. Mr Scott, electrical engineer, reported that it would cost £BOO to patch up the present street lighting system and at a cost of £2OOO a new and better system could be installed. The Mayor was of the opinion that the £2OOO should be raised by increasing the rates. After discussion the matter was held over until June 27. WORKS COMMITTEE. The following were the recommendations of the W’orks Committee: That Mr Boyd, of Ouse street, be charged a rental of IQ/per annum, .payable in advance during Council’s pleasure, further that the streets occupied by R. and F. Wallis be charged for at the same rental as paid for adjacent lands rented by them during Council’s pleasure.—Adopted.

That the fences in East Gore Domain be recalled properly, gorse chipped and trees

trimmed to a height of 8 feet fve© the ground, also that the conditions for yearly lease of domains be altered sb that cattle and sheep may be grazed. As it is a public domain the cattle must be of a quiet nature and anyone putting in wild animals will be liable for any accident arising.— Adopted. That one acre of turnips in reserve next saleyards be marked off and sold either by public auction or by tender. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The following were the recommendations of the W’orks Committee:— That accounts paid, unpaid and transfers amounting to £lB3B 5/5 be passed for payment.—Adopted. Rfe loan of £20,000 —That letter from Public Trustee with account for printing and preparation of documents be received, Town Clerk to obtain statement of whole expenditure of £15,477. —Adopted. Re £6OOO debentures falling due October 1, 1921—That Town Clerk prepare letter and put financial position before member for the district. Re Estimates—Left for Council to state how revenue is to be made up.—Held over till next meeting.