WYNDHAM TOWN BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20770, 10 May 1929, Page 5

WYNDHAM TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Correspondent.) ' The monthly meeting of the Wyndham Town Board was held on Monday evening. The chairman, Mr George Hunter, presided over the following: Commissioners Henderson, Hunter, William Richardson, William H. Johnstone, Archibald Lindsay, Robert G. Carson, Andrew Crosbie and Daniel Bogue (Town Clerk). Correspondence. Mrs M. K. Kerse, Wyndham, forwarded a complaint against the nightsoil contractor. Commissioner Richardson said the wise thing to do was to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman to see the contractor and acquaint him with the complaint. The. Medical Officer of Health, Dunedin, wrote in regard to the adopting of plumbing and drainage regulations, and asking for a reply to his letter of several months wherein he recommended the adopting of the drainage and plumbing regulations for the area under the board's jurisdiction as local authority. Commissioner Johnstone said if the board adopted the regulations there would be no end of trouble. They had no water system in Wyndham and had no requirements as far as the regulations were concerned. Commissioner Hunter said they did not know when the time might arrive that the regulations would be a protection. Commissioner Hunter moved that the regulations be adopted, subject to modification in regard to the employing of registered plumbers. Commissioner Crosbie seconded the motion. Commissioner Richardson suggested leaving the matter over until the next meeting. Commissioner Crosbie: Why? The matter had been before the board at every meeting for months. Why not deal with it and get finished with it. The trouble is that members do not worry to find out a'bout the regulations, consequently the matter is shelved each meeting. It was finally decided to hold the matter over until next meeting. The Southland Hospital Board wrote enclosing statements of estimates and actual maintenance payments for the year ending March 31. The board’s apportionment of the levies was £lO9, payable in quarterly instalments.: —Received. The assistant engineer, Public Works Department, wrote in connection with the asphalting and top-dressing of the footpath leading to the mail room at the Post Office Wyndham. The letter stated that the work had been carried out by the board's workmen as arranged, but the repair strip at the outer edge of the footpaths was much higher than the footpath, and prevented the water from getting away. The old part of the footpath required to be chipped and finished off with asphalt toppings to the height of the new side pieces, and finished off with a coat of tar and sand. When the work was completed the board's account would be passed for payment. —It was resolved that the matter be left in the hands of the works committee to look into. The New Zealand Railways wrote in connection with the erecting of advance signs at level crossings.—Left to the works committee to look into. General.

The clerk tabled a list of twenty-six names of unemployed, which had been forwarded on to the Labour Department for. registration. The engineer’s report in connection with drainage levels and tar sealing levels was held over until a special meeting of the board. An application from Mr C. E. Davey for permission tn erect a right of way on the newly procured Plunket and Rest Room section was granted. Commissioner Richardson asked if the board intended gravelling the front of the hall which was at present being levelled. The Mataura road work required going on with as soon as possible. The chairman replied that the front of the hall would be gravelled, the Works Committee having decided to go ahead with the work. Commissioner Carson drew attention to the large quantity of broom at the south

end of the Hall street—lt was decided that the inspector’s attention be drawn to the matter. Commissioner Carson introduced the mat. ter of an overhanging tree at the back of the bank grounds. On a wet night anyone passing under the tree on the footpath practically got soaked with the drips falling. It required cutting back badly.—A motion to that effect was carried. It was resolved that tenders be called for the supplying of up to 500 yards of gravel for Ferry Road, in front of the hall and maintenance work. The chairman introduced the matter of getting gravel from the gravel reserve. He did not consider that anyone was entitled to help themselves to the gravel. A notice should be erected at the pit to the effect that anyone removing gravel without authority would be treated as trespassers. It was finally decided that no gravel be given to outsiders without the permission of the board. A discussion took place in regard to the calling of tenders for the contract of nightsoil and hall caretaker, and it was finally decided that the matter be left in the hands of the Works Committee to go into the schedule of duties, and call tenders immediately. The introducing of the calling of tenders for these positions commenced a discussion on the advisability of procuring a horse for cleaning the street, the chairman remarking that horse and dray work was costing the board too much. Commissioner Johnstone suggested supplying the surfaceman with a horse and then the work could be carried out by him. The matter was eventually dropped. Commissioner Hunter asked if the surplus hall seats had been disposed of. He knew of a buyer waiting information in regard to them. Commissioner Crosbie said if there were extra seats, he did not know where they were. At the recent St. Andrew concert there was a big shortage of seats. If there were surplus seats they should be put out, as it seemed a pity to have seats and not have them out when they were there and required. On this particular occasion a ladder had to be utilized as a seat. ‘ It was decided that the caretaker's attention be drawn to the matter.

The matter of gravelling in front of the railway houses at the memorial was left inthe hands of the Works Committee to look into.

It was decided that when the new electric lights were being erected that one be installed in front of Mr Tangney’s shop so as to throw light over to the athenaeum. Reserve. The board then sat as members of the Recreation Reserve. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. IT. Baird, J. C. Hannan and M. Tangney, waited on the board to confer 'with them in regard to the schedule of duties for the caretaker. The Tennis Club’s duties were discussed first, and it was stated that if the list submitted was satisfactory the club was prepared to subscribe £5 towards the caretaker’s salary. After some discussion the chairman said that, speaking as head of the board, he considered the work under consideration was outside of the caretaker’s duties. The subsidy was a very small one the club was paying towards the caretaker’s salary and he did not think the subsidy warranted the expense of procuring material for the work under discussion. It was finally decided that the list of duties as set out be approved. The Golf Club’s requests were next dealt with, a subsidy of £4O being offered for the work. The list of duties were finally accepted. The Hockey Club submitted a list of duties and offered a subsidy of £5, the schedule being accepted as satisfactory. The Wyndham Racing Club’s duties were set and in detail and the Bowling Club’s requests were also submitted. After a short discussion the deputation withdrew, Mr Baird prior to doing so thank-

ing the board for their courtesy, and mentioning that they were well satisfied with the caretaker’s work at the present time. The chairman assured them that the trust would at all times endeavour to retain the confidence of the sports bodies. The caretaker, who was present, introduced the matter of receiving holidays, and was advised that the board would consider the matter and advise him of their decision. The Wyndham Football Club wrote applying for permission to use the pavilion for the ensuing season. —Granted on usual conditions. Commissioner Johnstone asked if the Football Union bad been allowed six days to charge on, and was advised by the chairman that they had been granted six days on which to charge. Commissioner Johnstone: Well I reckon they should not be allowed to charge at- all. Only third grade matches are being plaj’ed here, and are not worth a “bob.” It was resolved that a list of the clubs various duties be handed to the caretaker, and that a copy be hung up in each of the pavilions. It was also agreed that the caretaker keep a dairy of the time he spent on the different clubs.