BLUFF COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 19291, 9 July 1924, Page 7

BLUFF COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Bluff Borough Council was held last night, there being present, the Mayor (Mr J. S. A. McDougall) and Councillors J. Walker, D. McKenzie, J. Cameron, W. Hinchey, M. E. Wiig, E. Budd and T. Doyle. The Mayor extended a welcome to the new Councillor, Mr M. E. Wiig, who replied in suitable terms. Councillors W. Dixon and W. H. Johnson were granted leave of absence. REPORTS. The following reports were adopted:— FIRE BRIGADE. The Committee beg to recommend that the Council procure 10 leather helmets, 2 sets of belts and axes and 300 feet of 24in Rob Roy hose; that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to Messrs Johnston Bros, asking them to put the hose couplings in order. ELECTRIC LIGHT. The Committee recommend that a letter be sent to the Southland Frozen Meat Co. pointing out the position of the Council and asking the Company that as the Council are using four times the amount of current used by the Harbour Board the Company should make arrangements to meet the Council in the matter by increasing the power to be generated on the wharf and passing the extra current over the Council’s electric light mains; that the Council pass on to the companies supplied the loss incurred by the Council by transformer line losses; that letter and conditions of contract from Railway Department re electric mains crossing the Railway yards be referred to the Council’s electrical engineers; that communication from E. Plank, re electric connection, be held over in the meantime. CORRESPONDENCE. The Borough solicitor (Mr J. G. Imlay) wrote furnishing information relative to the titles of various portions of land owned by the Borough. He could find no trace of any dealing affecting 60 acres an Bluff Hill, purchased by the Council for a catchment area, and he would recommend that the Council take the earliest opportunity of having a transfer registered establishing their right to the land. In answer to a Councillor, the Mayor said that the land had never been surveyed or a title prepared. The letter was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act. The secretary of the Bluff Marine Band wrote, stating that he had been instructed by the officers and members of the Bluff Marine Band to offer as an endowment to the Council, the following property owned by the band, namely, the bandroom and all furnishings therein, with the exception of all band instruments, uniforms, music and music stands. The endowment to be subject to the following conditions: —(1) That during the lifetime of any Bluff bands they shall have full control of the room, being responsible for all charges, such as rates, insurance, license fees, lighting and clearing charges and general upkeep. (2) That in the event of there not being a band in existence, the room to be for hire, but the tenancy to be no longer than week to week, and the revenue received to be used in keeping the room in good order and condition. (3) A key of the bandroom to be always in the possession of the trustees, so as to allow of inspection and care being given to the property controlled by the trustees. (4) All furnishings to be left in the bandroom and not to be lent out, but may be hired out. (5) The word band to mean an organisation of not less than 12 brass or woodwind instrument players, who shall guarantee to give a concert in public once in every six weeks. In the event of a band being newly formed, ten weeks to be allowed as practice time before having to appear in public. The Mayor said that it was the wish of the band to prevent it being lost to the Bluff. The citizens had subscribed liberally to establish the bandrooms and with the aid of socials, bazaars, etc., the place was now free of debt. The band at present was at a low ebb, and with a view to safeguarding the future, it was desired that the Council should take charge. Or. Hinchey said he thought the Council should take it over, and secure it. A band was a good institution to have in the community. It was decided to accept the offer. Decided to accept Scandrett and Sons’ (Invercargill), offer on behalf of a client to take up £5OO worth of debentures bearing interest at 5| per cent, for a period of seven years, one per cent, brokerage to be allowed. The District Public Trustee wrote stating that the Public Trustee had accepted the position of Commissioner of the Sinking Funds of the Council. The request of the Fire Brigade for ten new uniforms was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee. The secretary of the Bluff Citizens’ Association wrote, stating that a business man had been washing his car in Gore street, and the letter asked that he be requested to discontinue the practice. The Mayor jocularly suggested that the Citizens’ Association should consider the question of providing some place for doing it. Cr. Doyle said it was a most improper practice. Other people had cars, but they did not take them into Gore street to have them washed. On his motion, it was decided to request the business man referred to to discontinue the practice. Licenses for eating houses were granted to Mr J. H. Doyle and Mrs E. Atkinson. Three other applicants are to be notified

that they will be allowed a month in which to bring their premises into conformity with the requirements of the Health Department. The tender of E. Parsons for 50 yards of fine gravel on trucks, railway siding, at 10/- per yard was accepted, arrangements for conditions of delivery to be left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk. A short discussion took place on the question as to whether the loan proposals to be submitted to the ratepayers should be brought before the ratepayers by means of a public meeting, and it was decided to call a public meeting for Saturday, July 26, the Mayor stating that all Councillors had the right to speak on any question. BOROUGH ELECTRICIAN PROPOSED. Cr. Doyle moved that a licensed electrician be appointed to the Borough at £260 per 'annum. In support of his motion, Cr. Doyle said the reticulation of the Borough was far from satisfactory and the charges were very high. In addition, there was no qualified electrician in business in Bluff. The work in connection with the meters, in his opinion, was imposing too much extra duty on the Town Clerk who, he might say, was carrying out his duties in a very able manner, and he considered the only way to get the meters read regularly and efficiently was by the appointment of a licensed electrician. Cr. Hinchey said there was something in what Cr. Doyle had said all the way through. It had been recognised that they would require a fully qualified man when the installation was re-built. He thought all Councillors recognised that. But he could not feel like supporting the appointment straight away, until the construction was made. There were also several points in connection with such an appointment that he would like to see gone into beforehand. They had a consulting engineer with whom he thought they should consult to get a few tips on what they wanted. Cr. Walker suggested that the question be referred to the Electric Light Committee with some recommendation by the Council. The Mayor said he felt like holding the matter over till they knew what the Public Works Department wanted. It was the full intention of the Council to have a qualified man, and it had always been understood that they would want a man. After further discussion, Cr. Doyle said he was quite prepared to have it sent to

the Electric Light Committee for report. A motion to this effect, seconded by Cr Hinchey was carried. ROADS AND ELECTRICAL CHARGES. Cr. Doyle also moved that 150 tons of gravel from Oporo be procured. The roads, he said, were in a deplorable state. Cr. McKenzie said they could not get any gravel from Oporo for some considerable time. After a short discussion, the motion was put, and lost. Cr Doyle also moved that the flat rate for electricity for dwelling houses having no meters be increased from 5/- to 7/6. Cr. Doyle briefly outlined his reasons for the proposed change. Cr. Hinchey said that in view of the forthcoming reconstruction of their supply, it was hardly worth while altering their selling rate now. They were in the position of a boy with a thorn in his foot—it was not worth taking out. —(Laughter). He would, however, like to see the Electric Light Committee go into the whole question of charges and report to the Council. Cr. Doyle remarked that he did not place a great deal of reliance on the Power Board’s estimate of having the power through by August. The Power Board was higgledy-piggledy. Cr. Doyle also remarked that he coiusidered the Power Board a very tricky body. “You’ll have Mr Rodger on your tracks,” remarked a Councillor amidst smiles. “I’m not afraid of Mr Rodger,” retorted Cr. Doyle belligerently. Cr. Walker gave notice of motion that Mr Imlay be appointed Borough solicitor. Accounts amounting to £409 10/5 were passed for payment. SPECIAL MEETING. At a special meeting of the Council held last week the following business was transacted : The Supplementary Ratepayers’ Roll and the Residential Roll as submitted was approved and adopted. Cr. Walker was appointed to sign cheques on behalf of the Council in place of Cr. Nichol (resigned) and Cr. Dixon was appointed to act on Finance Committee. The Mayor’s action re proposed lighting scheme to be installed on the wharf was approved and he was authorised to continue negotiations. It was decided that the Power Board be notified that when the Council’s system is put in order, provision will be made to supply the Harbour Board from the Council's supply. H. Burtenshaw is to be advised that all charges owing against section leased by him would have to be paid in full, the rental to remain as at present. E. G. Bigwood was granted a grazing right over Sections 3 and 4, Block 5, at an annual rental of £1 10/-. A new magazine to be built for the storage of gelignite and detonators was left in the hands of the Mayor. It was resolved that a Committee go to Wairio to inspect the grader offered to the Council by Messrs Hoare and Sons. The action of the Town Clerk in granting permission to the Convent Bazaar Committee to run a shooting gallery at their recent bazaar was approved. For the position of casual labourer nine applications were received and W. Niven was appointed to the position. The Town Clerk was instructed to notify the Health Officer of the unsanitary conditions existing at the huts near the school and at the hut near the Gospel Hall. It was resolved that alternative tenders be invited for the supply and delivery of 50 yards of gravel on the bank or in trucks at railway siding.