BLUFF BOROUGH COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 19656, 5 October 1922, Page 3

BLUFF BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Borough Council held on Tuesday evening was attended by the Mayor (Mr J. S. A. McDougall) and Councillors H. Hinchey, W. B. Dixon, W. Knowles, G. V. Edge, C. P. Horne and E. A. Nichol. Leave of absence was granted Councillor J. Cameron. A letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs intimating that power was given under the Local Bodies Loans Act. to borrow money to relieve unemployment or to pay' off antecedent liabilities was received. The secretary of the Southland Electric Power Board wrote stating that the question of purchasing the Council’s electricity installation was receiving further consideration and the Board’s decision would be forwarded later. The Mayor referred to the conference which had taken place on the matter and the unfavourable remarks reported to have been made by one member of the Power Board after the Council’s deputation had withdrawn. This member was reported to have said something about “the Council trying to foist something which was not much good on to the Board.” Had he been present when the remark was made he would have favoured withdrawing the offer to sell if such was the opinion of the other members of the Board. It was not a question of trying to foist anything at all. The Council’s offer to the Board was a reasonably good business proposition. The letter was received.

Mr Terry, district health inspector, submitted his monthly report of inspection made within the Borough and a list of improvements in household drainage instructed to be carried out. Special reference was made in the report to the unsatisfying condition of an open drain through the Council’s property in Gore street, to which his attention had been directed, and he asked that the matter be attended to. The Mayor reported that he had inspected the drain which ran through swampy ground, and there was a little scum on the surface. Councillor Edge drew attention to the decision at the previous meeting that the objectionable portion of the drain be filled in, as it was not required by the Council. He moved that the matter be attended to as soon as possible. Councillor Nichol stated that the drain had been opened by the Council to provide an outlet for storm water and was necessary to guard against similar overflow’s. Councillor Edge said that Councillor Nichol’s statement did not apply to the southern end of the drain where the nuisance complained of existed. This portion w’as of no service to the Council, and was a menace to public health and a disgrace to the Council The Council expected other

people to keep their premises in a sanitary condition, and failed to set an. example. Councillor Nichol: Will Councillor Edge tell us if he asked the health inspector to report on this drain ? Councillor Edge: Yes, I did, on two occasions. Councillor Nichol: I take strong exception. to Councillor Edge’s action. Councillor Edge: I have been agitating for years to get this matter attended to. Councillor Nichol: If you can’t get what you want done at the Council table you should not go about it in that manner. Councillor Edge: I’ll take a note of that and I will go still further if necessary. The Mayor then asked for a seconder to ‘’Councillor Edge’s motion and none was forthcoming. The inspector’s report, was then received. A request from Mr Rankin to have the drainage system extended to connect with his property Avas referred to the ay or w'ith power to act. A request from Mr R. Stevenson, secretary of the Bluff Cricket Club for permission to lay dovm additional clay pitches for practice and that the Council erect conveniences on the cricket ground, was referred to the West End Committee. Mr F. G. Oates of Greenhills was granted a license to hawk milk in the Borough. Mr H. Hamilton complained about trees on an adjoining property encroaching on right-of-way and it was decided to forward the complaint to the property owners. Mr J. Valentine wrote offering to give a portion of his land to enable Athelney street to bo extended to the Point rojid. On the motion of Councillor Hinchey it was decided to accept the offer and tender Mr Valentine the Council’s thanks, the Mayor to continue negotiations with other property owners in the locality. The Mayor reported that some holes in the Ocean Beach road needed filling in and it was decided to procure a truck or two of gravel for the purpose. The practice of depositing rubbish on the foreshore and in the Harbour Board’s clay pit was referred to, and the co-operation of the Board in stopping the practice is be solicited. The Town Clerk was instructed to again approach the Harbour Board about concluding arrangements for taking over the East End water supply. The foreman’s report was read and received and it was decided to ask him to clean and affect improvement to open drain in Barrow street. Accounts amounting to £321 4s 4d were referred to the finance committee and the meeting adjourned.