BLUFF COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18962, 8 June 1923, Page 7

BLUFF COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Council was held on Tuesday evening, present, the Mayor (Mr J. S. A. McDougall), Councillors T. Doyle, E. Budd, D. McKenzie, Jas. Walker, J. Camercn and E. A. Nichol. Leave of absence was granted Crs. W. Hinchey, W. B. Dixon and W. H. Johnston. A motion of condolence to Councillor J. Cameron, in the death of his brother, Mr E. Cameron, District Traffic Manager of the New Zealand Railways, was moved by the Mayer and carried in the usual manner. Dr McGibbon, District Health Officer, drew attention to health regulations concerning tea-rooms, etc., and solicited the Council’s co-operation in enforcing same. The Mayor was authorised to confer with the Department representatives. Inspector Terry’s monthly report of investigations made in the Borough was received. Mr W. Morrison Conservator of State Forests, wrote stating that Mr Grace, an officer of the Department, would pay a visit to Bluff for the purpose of inspecting the Borough’s water catchment area on Bluff hill, which it was proposed to plant with timber-bearing trees, The Mayor reported that Mr Grace had made the inspection and regarded the area as ideal for tree planting. The trees should be planted in rows running north and south. Mr Grace had promised to send a written report, but so far it had not come to hand. He was of opinion that something should be done, and the matter was held over until the report from the Forestry Department would be received. The secretary, Southland Power Board, wrote intimating that it would be necessary to have the current supplied by the Board to the Bluff Granite Company metered and the Board would be prepared to instal the meter at a rental of 2s 6d per month. On the motion of Crs. Doyle and Budd, it was decided to ask the Board to instal the meter at the present transforming station. Mr H. Newman, secretary Bluff School Committee wrote asking if the Council would assist in the effort being made to have a water flushed sanitary service installed at the school, by arranging connection with the water supply and a sewerage outlet.—On the motion of Crs. Walker and Nichol it was decided to refer the matter to the Central Committee for a report to next meeting. Mr W. Knowles, secretary Bluff Fire Brigade, wrote stating that Chas. Fox had been appointed Lieutenant in place of A. Gibson, resigned.—Appointment approved. The same writer asked that certain fire plugs be more adequately protected and a shifting spanner be procured.—Letter received and contents noted for attention. Mr H. Butterfield Fire Inspector, wrote stating that a large quantity of benzine had been stored on certain business premises, and the practice was a dangerous one in case of .fire in the neighbourhood. On the motion of Councillors McKenzie and Doyle it was decided to instruct that the benzine be removed immediately. Mr J. Harrison, rubbish removal contractor, submitted a timetable of weekly service and acceptance of the Council’s offer to sell dray at £l6.

An order for 300 feet of fire hose was placed with Messrs Swinach and Company of Auckland.

Parkinsons, Limited, were granted permission to instal electric lights and iron ing plug in the residence of Mr A. Parsons.

Plans for alteration to dwelling submitted by Mr R. Johnson, and plans for new dwelling and picture theatre submitted by Cr. Horne were referred to the Building Committee.

C. Murdoch, Borough Pound-keeper, requested an increase of salary from £l5 to £2O per annum..—Cr. Doyle alleged that cows were never off the roads and a dozen could be rounded up almost any night on the Ocean Beach road. He thought that it would be better to have no pound-keeper at all, and moved that the resignation be accepted.—The motion lapsed for want of a seconder, and it was decided on the motion of Crs. Walker and McKenzie to decline the application, for increase in salary. Applications from H. Butterfield, H. Giles and J. Morrison to be connected with the town water supply were granted. Mr A. McKenzie, foreman, and E. Murphy, horse-driver, requested that their rates of pay £lB and £l7 per calendar month, be changed to four weekly payments of the same amounts. —Cr. Budd stated that £l7 per calendar month, amounted to about 13/- a day and that was not a living wage.—Cr. Doyle moved that the request be granted. He was of the opinion that the Council should give its employees sufficient remuneration to allow them to live as respectable citizens. The amount of money involved was nothing in comparison to what had been squandered in other ways. The motion was seconded by Cr Budd, who said that the system of paying calendar month was not a good one. —The motion was carried unanimously. The foreman’s report of work carried out during the month was read and received. The Mayor referred to the bad state cf some of the footpaths, particularly the Point Road, and mentioned that he had received quotations for white gravel which he thought would be suitable for repairing footpaths.—Cr Nichol suggested that they should find out what quantity of gravel would be required and then ask for quotations as there were other firms dealing in gravel who should be given an opportunity of tendering for the supply. Cr. McKenzie opposed the use of gravel as being bad business when they had a good quarry where they could crush plenty of metal fcr the same price. Cr. Walker said that there was no comparison in the value of the two materials. He thought that they should crush metal to put on the streets. He had never seen the front street in a worse state than at present; there were pools of water in the middle of it.

Cr. Doyle said that they must put the roads in erder and the only way to deal with the situation was to raise a loan. Cr. McKenzie said that he could see no other way out. They would soon be up to their necks in mud if something was not done. They should raise a loan as is done in ether places. Something would have to be done with the open drains, too, as they are not sanitary. This work could not be done out of revenue. They wcu’d want better appliances at the quarry, including a drill worked by air compression. At the Granite quarry three men with hammers and drills could only pierce 8 feet cf rock a day, but with the air compressor, one man and a drill dresser could bore 50 feet in a day. On the motion of Crs. Doyle and Walker, it was decided that the various works’ committees inspect their areas of the borough and report to next meeting with the object of estimating the total cost of all necessary work including roads, drains and footpaths for the purpose of floating a loan. The Mayor reported that. Mr H. Burtenshaw had again inquired if the Council would be willing to lease that portion of the public esplanade which had been fenced off. The Mayor explained that it had been kept for a horse paddock, but was seldom used for that purpose. Cr. Walker: “Where do they put the Council’s horse when they turn him cut for a run.” Cr. Budd. “On the rocks in the old quarry.” It was then resolved to call tenders for the grazing right of Reserve for 5 years. The Mayor referred to outstanding rates, rents, etc. He understood that, it had been resolved to have a report cn these matters every three months, and he thought that July was one of the review months. As the list was not ready it could be dealt with at next meeting. Se oral complai-.ts concerning street fgh; being out wue made and Cr. Nichol

drew attention to a dangerous place in Liffey street footpath. Cr. Doyle suggested that negotiations .should be re-opened with the Southland Power Board re the purchase of the Bluff installation.

Cr. McKenzie supported the suggestion on the ground that in his opinion the whole cf the electric affairs of Southland should be run by the Power Board. The Mayor replied that the Power Board had turned the proposal down because they had not the power to buy existing installations.

Cr. Doyle: “It only requires amending legislation and we have a change of membership on the Board now.” Accounts amounting to £579 11/4 were referred to Finance Committee.