BLUFF COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18931, 3 May 1923, Page 7

BLUFF COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The first meeting of the newly-elected Bluff Council was held last night. There were present—The Mayor (Mr J. S. A.. McDougall), Councillors James Walker, J. Cameron, D. McKenzie, W. B. Dixon, E. Budd, T. F. Doyle, W. H. Johnston and W. Hinchey. Councillor E. A. Nicholl was not present. After the Councillors had signed the declaration they were welcomed by the Mayor, who expressed the hope that they would carry on on the same lines as formerly. He hoped that the new Councillors would take the same interest in the affairs of the Borough as the older ones had done in the past. Councillor McKenzie had been at the table before and had acquired some experience of Council matters. The new members would also gain some experience during their term of office and he hoped that they would work together amicably for the good of the Council. Councillor Hinchey then extended congratulations to the Mayor on having been again elected to the position of chief citizen after a very strenuous fight. Elections had been in the air of late and some candidates had gone under, but Mr McDougall had come up, which showed that the general public was satisfied with the way in which he had discharged his duties as Mayor in the past. Mr McDougall had devoted a great deal of his time to the work of the Borough and had carried out his duties conscientiously.

Councillor Doyle, in returning thanks to the Mayor for the kind welcome extended to the new Councillors, stated that he hoped that the same cordial feelings would be shown at the end of the term.

Councillor W. H. Johnston stated that he had lived in Bluff practically all his life but had never been on the Council before. He hoped to learn something and be of some use. If he turned out to be useless he hoped that the people would not send him back again. Councillor E. Budd stated that the work was new to him but he would put his best foot forward to assist in promoting the best interests of the Borough and the people generally. Councillor D. McKenzie said he felt that it was a grand thing to see young men taking up public positions. Bluff was behind other places and there was a lot of work to be done. Councillor James Walker said he believed in young men coming forward and seeking office. He had been at the Council table for a long time and realised that he was always learning something. Councillor Cameron congratulated the Mayor upon his re-election to office.

Councillor W. B. Dixon stated that it was pleasing to see new blood at the Council table. There was certainly much room for improvement and it was up to the new Council to see that things were brought more up-to-date. The Mayor thanked the various Councillors for their expressions of congratulation and approval. He would try as in the past to do his best in the interests of the people generally. He might not have pleased everybody but he had tried to do his best and it had been suggested that he had erred on the side of leniency. He would sooner it was that way than the other. The progress of work was largely a question of finance. It was not possible to carry on any faster than at present with only two men to do the work. Councillor Dixon asked permission to move a vote of thanks to the retiring Councillors. He stated that they were very good men and only stress of work prevented some of them from standing again. They had given a lot of time and attention to Council matters and had received very little kudos.

The Mayor seconded the motion. He was sure that the retiring members had done the best they could according to their own ideas. The motion was carried. GENERAL BUSINESS.

The Health Officer reported on inspections carried out during the previous month. The annual inspection of licensed premises resulted in instructions being issued to the owners of two building to have some internal repairs attended to. Several business premises and various dwellings had also been visited and in some cases improvements in drainage, requested.—Report re ceived.

N.Z. Railways’ and Post and Telegraph Departments’ engineers wrote giving permission to extend electric light wires across .heir lines subject to precautions being .aken to avoid accidents.—Received. An account for £73 7s 6d received from Post and Telegraph Department for expense incurred by the Department in insulating telephone wires where they crossed .he Council’s electric light wires was held jver pending the flotation of electric light loan against which it would then become a debit.

W. Morrison, secretary Forestry Department, wrote stating that he had received a sommunication from a member of the Bluff Council regarding his delay in replying to .he town clerk’s inquiry regarding the planting of trees on the water catchment irea. He had received a communication lated March 2 asking for the information .’.nd this was forwarded on March 9. It would appear that his previous letter might have gone astray and he enclosed a copy of the information given to the effect that the Department intended to inspect the land and advise the Council in the matter. —As a further communication from the Southland League mentioned that a tree planting conference had been arranged for at their annual gathering on May 25, it was decided to appoint the Mayor as representative of the Council and await the arrival of the Department’s officer. In answer to the Council’s inquiries for fire brigade hose, various quotations were received and referred to the Fire Board committee with power to act. Mr W. Knowles, secretary Bluff Municipal Fire Brigade, wrote that Mr T. Finnerty had been appointed as a member of the brigade to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr A. Boberg. He also wished to know when the two uniform suits and a cover for the brigade’s tank would be available.—lt was decided to approve of the appointment, provide tank cover, and place order for uniforms immediately.

Mr John Harrison, rubbish removal contractor, wrote stating that he had had an accident at the rubbish tip whereby the Council’s dray had been severely damaged. He would be pleased to purchase the remains of the dray, or what was left of it.— A committee consisting of the Mayor, with Councillors Doyle, Walker and McKenzie was appointed to assess value of dray and endeavour to effect a sale at a satisfactory price.

Mr F. W. McDonald, secretary Bluff Football Club, wrote asking if the Council would assist to provide an additional sports area suitable for football.

The Mayor stated that he did not know of any area except the west end reserve and it was covered with sandhills. Councillor Budd stated that a portion of the reserve referred ’to was large enough and could be made suitable by removing two of the sandhills.

Councillor Doyle stated that the spot mentioned had been reported on as being ideal for the purpose required and he advocated that the Council give the Rugby Union every assistance to make it an asset to the Borough.

Councillor McKenzie and Councillor Cameron stated that the movement would receive their support and Councillor Johnston advocated a sports working bee to get the place put in order.

Councillor Budd stated that the club only wanted permission to go ahead with the work, and it would not cost the Council anything. The Mayor and Councillor Hinchey stated that they did not anticipate any objection or difficulty to be overcome and it was decided that a visit of inspection be made on Saturday afternoon. The Bluff Football Club wa? also granted permission to use the recreation reserve for football matches at which collections could be taken up.—The permission wm

given subject to the interests of kindred associations being safeguarded. Mr J. G. Imlay stated that transfers of sections in connection with Athelney street extensions had been authorised.—Received.

Applications for four motor-car and six drivers’ licenses were received and approved.

Messrs S. Ferguson and J. Hutton made applications for renewal of billiard room licenses which were granted. The secretary Southland Hospital Board wrote stating that the Borough’s contribution for the ensuing year would be £302 Is as against £249 16s last year. The Mayor explained that the increase was occasioned through the extra expenditure incurred by the Waipiata sanatorium. Nothing additional would be required for the Kew hospital until next year. Their rate was now 4Ad in the £, whilst Dunedin’s rate, which had recently been reduced, was now 6d.—Received.

Mr Owen, of Blair, Mason, Lee and Owen, submitted a report of the visit to Wellington by the Mayor and himself to endeavour to arrange with the Public Works Department for concessions in the re-construction of the Borough’s electricity reticulation service. The indications were that the visit had been at least partially successful but no definite statement could be made by the Public Works Department’s engineers until they had conferred with representatives of the Post and Telegraph Department. The Mayor enlarged on the report and on the motion of Councillors Cameron and Walker he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the able manner in which he had carried out the work.

The Mayor stated that it would be necessary to call a special meeting to obtain the year’s estimates and in view of the fact that the combined contract for sanitary and rubbish removal was only £96 more than the previous sanitary service contract, it might be possible to avoid an increase on the present charge of £2 per year.

Councillor McKenzie stated that the rubbish removal service was a step in the right direction, but the present sanitary service could be greatly improved upon. Nothing much could be done until they had more funds available but if they decided to float a loan he would show them how the service could be carried out better and for half the money. He did not blame the present contractors, who had to spend a whole day pulling the deposit up hill and had no water to wash the pans with. He would have more to say about the matter later cn.

The sanitary contractor applied for an additional supply of pans and lids which it was decided to procure.

Councillor Doyle drew attention to water flowing across Barrow and Blackwater streets and it was decided to have the matter attended to.

Councillor Dixon asked that Athelney street extension be opened for pedestrian traffic, and the Mayor was authorised to employ additional labour to have the -obstructing fences removed to new boundaries.

Accounts amounting to £562 9s 4d were referred to the Finance Committee, and .be meeting adjourned.