RIVERTON BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 21894, 21 December 1932, Page 12

RIVERTON BOROUGH

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. (From Our Correspondent.) The last meeting of the Riverton Borough Council for the year was held on Monday evening, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr E. B. Patrick), Councillors R. J. Walker, J. A. Martin, A. E. Willett and J. A. Walker. Correspondence. Tile Minister of Finance, Wellington, wrote with regard to the request for exemption from the provisions of the Local Authorities Loan Act. He stated that the necessary conditions existed for exercising the powers contained in section 4 of the act, and as the necessary evidence had been supplied by the council the request would be granted. In explanation the clerk stated that the reply from the Minister referred to £lOO loan in connection with the traffic bridge. The question had come up at last meeting and he had been instructed to reply. It would be seen the Minister had agreed to their proposal.—Action of clerk approved. Mr W. A. Ashley, South Riverton, wrote expressing his appreciation of the work carried out by the council during the year, and when everything was taken into consideration, he thought the council had done remarkably well. The Mayor said it was not often that the council received letters of such a nature, and it was gratifying that one ratepayer at least recognized the difficulties under which they were placed financially, and appreciated the efforts of councillors. He moved that the letter be received with pleasure. Mr W. McKay, on behalf of the Regatta Club, applied for and was granted rhe use of the wharf shed on regatta day. Mr C. Horsham offered 15/- for the right to cut and remove the grass, in the cemetery. He guaranteed to tidy up the area afterwards.—Granted. The Public Trust office wrote again with regard to a property at The Rocks, and it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Mayor and clerk for investigation. The clerk and representatives of the Unemployment Committee were instructed to secure necessary footwear for men employed on the drainage work near Waimatuku. The Mayor stated that the pump for street requirements had arrived, and he asked permission to acquire the necessary equipment. It was contemplated to have a display on Friday afternoon.— Works Committee to purchase what v as required. Cr. Willett, on behalf of the Works Committee, said since last meeting, the work mapped out had been proceeded with and was well in hand. He expected to have everything cleaned up before the holiday season.—Adopted. The Mayor said that as that would be their last meeting for the year he the opportunity of wishing them a pleasant time during the festive season. As regards the year’s work he had been most loyally assisted by councillors, and it had been a pleasure to have been associated with such men who had sacrificed a large amount of their time in attending to civic and town affairs. He paid a high compliment to Mr G. O. Cassels (town clerk) who, he said, undertook the larger proportion of the burden, and had successfully accomplished many undertakings which very few were aware of. He thanked the Press for their fairness in the reports of the meetings. Reviewing their financial position he said the overdraft was higher than it had been for some time, but this was due to the prevailing depression. The rates had not come to hand as in former years, and as certain works were essential for the welfare of the borough, money had to be found in order to carry on. Their revenue was not large, and no heavy expenditure was possible, while the various committees had carried out the works as economically as possible. He hoped, however, that brighter times were ahead, that the dark clouds would soon be removed and the coming year would see a return to prosperity. Cr Willett thanked the Mayor for his expressions. He said the Works Committee had been handicapped through want of money and only the more necessitious undertakings could be attended to. Their overdraft had been mounting up, he said, not to reckless expenditure, but due to the depression. Crs. R. J. Walker, J. A. Walker and Martin also spoke, the latter paying a high compliment to the Mayor for the time and energy given to requirements of men under the control of the Unemployment Committee.