WYNDHAM TOWN BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20950, 6 December 1929, Page 15

WYNDHAM TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The monthly meeting of the Wyndham Town Board was held on Tuesday evening, the chairman, Mr George Hunter, presiding over the following: Commissioners William H. Johnstone, A. Lindsay, Andrew Crosbie, Robert Carson, William Richardson and D. Bogue (Town Clerk). Commissioner Lindsay asked if anything had been done by the Works Committee in regard to getting the footpath from Henderson’s corner down past the Masonic Hall attended fo, The chairman said that the Works Committee had not looked into the matter as yet but they had that day inspected the domain and had instructed the caretaker to get on to cutting the gorse. Now that the weather was taking up Ferry street would receive attention, and probably at the same time the footpath as mentioned by Commissioner Lindsay could be dealt with. The surfaceman had made application for a handcart for the purpose of carting out tar, pipes and weed killer, which would save the board a good deal as regards cartage. He had received a quotation from Messrs Kerr and Co. for the construction of the cart at about six pounds, and the Works Committee had authorized him to procure one. It would be exceptiontionally handy while repair work was being carried out in Ferry street and Balaclava street.

The chairman said that some time ago the Coalfix Co. had offered to send a man out to give a demonstration in regard to the laying of coalfix tar, and it was thought that it would be a good idea to accept the offer and get a man out to give the surfaceman an idea how the material was laid. Commissioner Lindsay moved that a man be invited out at the earliest possible date and the surfaceman be advised the day he would arrive. This was seconded by Commissioner Richardson and carried. Correspondence. The Transport Department, Wellington, wrote advising that as it was nearly eighteen months since the motor vehicle regulations dealing generally with the control of motor traffic on roads were brought into force, it had resolved that a meeting of local bodies be held to discuss any amendments. The Returning Officer, Gore, wrote advising the resignation of Mr R. S. Lange as member for the Southland Electric Power Board for Mataura, Gore, Tapanui and Wyndham. A meeting was being convened on Friday, December 13, for the purpose of nominating some qualified person to take the vacancy. On the motion of Commissioners Crosbie and Lindsay the chairman was appointed to represent the Wyndham Town Board at the meeting.

The Southland Employers’ Association wrote acknowledging receipt of cheque for expenses. The letter mentioned that the claims of the union had been strongly contested and although the wages question had to be referred to the court, the writers were able to secure conditions that protected the local bodies concerned. The Southland Electric Power Board wrote advising that a resolution had been decided upon adding an additional ten per cent, to all rates for the year April 1, 1929, to March 31, 1930, unpaid at the expiration of six months and fourteen days from the ■demand thereof, provided, however, that where the local authority of any constituent district collecting rates on behalf of the board appointed or had appointed some date later than the end of the said period of six months and fourteen days for adding the additional charge, the same would not be added until the date so appointed. The Post and Telegraph Department wrote replying to the board’s letter regardin'* the shifting of the pole at the junction of Raglan street. The letter advised that the shifting of these poles involved three other poles being removed to provide a proper curve to the line. The work would be done if the Wyndham Board guaranteed the cost of £3B odd. The Southland Electric Power Board wrote concerning the shifting of proles in Raglan street. The letter mentioned that the question whether once a pole was properly placed in position by a board the board was responsible for any further costs in altering the position of that pole was one which was the subject of a test case in conjunction with Counties Association in Wellington early in the New Year. The board felt that the correct position for it to take up in the matter meantime was that the Wyndham Board should pay for the removal of the poles mentioned in the correspondence on the understanding that if the test, case proved that the Power Board was responsible for any such costs then the amount paid by the Wyndham Board would be refunded by the Power Board. The clerk replied to this letter advising that the board would hold the Power Board responsible for any accidents occurring due to the poles. A reply to the clerk’s letter was to the effect that several northern boards had been advised by legal opinion that boards were not responsible for the removal of the poles in the circumstances mentioned. For this reason a test case would probably be made to definitely fix the matter of responsibility and in the meantime they were unable to accept the board’s letter holding them responsible. It was finally decided to hold the matter up pending a decision in the test case. inspector’s Report.

The inspector reported that he and the Town Clerk had inspected the light at Wilson’s corner. They had inserted a bigger bulb without any result. Apparently there was a leakage or the light was too distant from the transformer. The trees on the old courthouse section had been cut back making a great improvement. General. Commissioner Crosbie asked if the outstanding rates had been paid. It was finally decided on the motion of Commissioners Carson and Johnstone that the matter be left in the hands of the Finance Committee to deal with, with authority to take proceedings for the recovery of same. When the accounts were presented Commissioner Lindsay said he noticed that the caretaker’s account for wages was on the "hot” side, sixteen shillings a day. This view was supported by Commissioner Carson. Commissioner Johnstone asked if the accounts were correct, but apparently no member was in a position to say so, althought the clerk advised that he had gone through them very carefully and they seem ed to be in order. Commissioner Johnstone said he thought that the Finance Committee always went through them. Commissioner Crosbie: I have been through them but how is the Finance Committee in a position to say if material was procured if it is not initialled by the board’s servants. I have contended for long enough that these accounts should be certified correct by the people who buy the stuff, then the Finance Committee would know that the items on the various accounts are correct and could pass them accordingly. The chairman: There are not very many and they seem to be in order. Commissioners Carson and Richardson finally moved that the accounts be passed for payment subject to them being initialled by the board’s servants who procured the goods. The Town Clerk was appointed valuator for the ensuing period while the matter of dog tax collector was held over until next meeting. Commissioner Carson said there were several works to be dealt with by the Works Committee, but it was difficult to get them together. They would have to appoint a day and go right round, "Diere was asphalting authorized to be carried out, but it had never been commenced and it was time it was done. Reserve Trust. The members then sat as members of the Recreation Reserve Trust. An application was received from the Wyndham and District Caledonian Society for the use of the grounds for its annual sports.—Granted. The chairman said that at the last meeting it had been decided by the Caledonian Society to donate £2 to the trust towards

the upkeep of the ground. The Works Committee had that day inspetced the area and had decided to have the grounds put in order for the society’s meeting. The donation would help to pay for the cutting of the grass which would cost roughly about 16/-. The society had also appointed a subcommittee to meet the Trust in regard to the laying out of the grounds. The chairman reported that a portion of the grounds had been let to the circus at a rental of £3 and that the grounds had been left clean. Commissioner Richardson said there was a lot of broom in the avenue by the cricket pavilion and he thought it should be attended to. The chairman said the caretaker had drawn attention to the fact that day and had suggested planting trees to kill out the gorse. Domain. The members then sat as members of the Domain Board. The only matter for discussion was the fencing of a Town Board section at the domain leased by Commissioner Johnstone.. After a long discussion it was decided that the piaco ba injected.