TOWN COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 19655, 4 October 1922, Page 7

TOWN COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. *3 usual fortnightly meeting of the InTown Council was held last evening. The Mayor, Mr J. F. Lillie rap, pretided, and there were also present—Councillors J. Sheehan, S. M. Macalister, R. P. Meek, T. D. Lennie, F. W. Preddy, J. Miller, A. Glass, H. J. F arrant, J. G. Macdonald, A. F. Clark, W. H. Boyes, and A. H. Mackrell. A letter from Mr W. A. Sproat stated that the prize of £2 2/- won byjhe Invercargill North schoolgirls at the Jubilee Sports last September had not come to hand.—The communication was referred to the School Sports Committee, as the body responsible. "I would be obliged if you would advise me, as early as possible, for the inform- , ation of the Minister oi Marine, whether your Board has any line apparatus for lifesaving purposes,” read a Government communication, which was received. The Mayor explained that the Council had not any. The Union Cricket Club applied for permission to put down a clay wicket on the Reserve at the top of Esk street. The application was referred to the Reserves Committee with power to act. Mr W. Jamieson, Awarua, wrote denying the statement that he had received 400 trees from the Council and had not planted them or put up protections for them. He acknowftdged receipt of the Council’s refusal to send him any trees as it was too late in the season, and stated that Mr Edginfon had given him upwards of 300, which he had planted according to instructions, and he invited the Council to see them, count them, and see the protections he had put up round them; also to see where the tide had washed some of them out. He mentioned that the letters he had received concerning the number of trees sent to him and the allegation that he had not planted them were misleading, and concluded with the statement that it was not good policy for the Council to put out letters in which the facts were unfounded and incorrect. The letter was referred to the Reserves Committee. Six tenants of Roslyn Bush Endowment again petitioned the Council for some consideration re the present rental of 14/- and 15/- per acre as they found it difficult- to make ends meet. Prices of farm .requisites had not fallen in accordance with the price of stock and produce. The petition was formally received. Two ratepayers in Oteramikk road, East End Estate, asked for an extension of the town water supply to their sections. They pointed out that while paying about £6O ayear each in rates they had received no benefits from the borough gas, electricity, sewerage, or water service.—The petition was formally received. It was stated that the sewerage service ran along Oteramika road up to the borough boundary, but some portions of the road were outside. Councillor Clark asked for a return of all work done in the blacksmith’s shop during the last three, months. Councillor Preddy gave notice to move: "That the motion passed by the Council at the last meeting referring to street widening at corners be referred to the Works Committee with instructions to do everything possible to have the motion carried into effect.” The head gardener reported that the works set apart, for returned soldiers were almost finished, and as there were 14 men still in employ on the reserves, he asked the committee to consider the advisability of providing other work or transferring say 10 men to the Public Works Department. The amount paid in wages to date was £604 13/1. As soon as each work was completed he would prepare a statement of cost. He had visited Sandy Point along with the officers and men of the Prison Department, and 1600 trees had been planted in shelter of the marram hills at the south-west point. There were three clumps of trees growing very well at this point, 10ft ia height. He reported having received a quantity of oak, beech and chestsnut trees from J. A Sons (donated) and having planted same in park. Also collections of phlox, antirrhinums and asters from T. Daniels, and small quantities of seeds and plants from several residents. The aviary at. No. 2 gardens was broken open and two birds stolen last week; also a good many polyanthus plants had been stolen from No. 2 gardens. This matter was in the hands of the police, and the staff was on the watch to try and prevent this petty pilferi'hg. —Referred to Reserves Committee. Reports from other officers were referred to the respective committees, with the exception of one from the gas manager, which touched a subject discussed at the. meeting.

Specifications of the duties of the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade were submitted, read, and approved. The report of the Finance Committee was adopted with an amendment to clause nine changing “public auction” to “tender.” A slight amendment was also made to clause three of the Public Works Committee. Otherwise all the reports of committees were adopted.