RIVERTON BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 22474, 9 November 1934, Page 12

RIVERTON BOROUGH

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Riverton Borough Cotacil, held on Monday evening, was attended by the Mayor, Dr. N. G. Trotter, Councillors J. A. Martin, R. J. Walker, D. C. Robertson, J. Crawford, and apologies were received for absence from Councillors H. E. Philp and J. A. Walker. Correspondence.

Mr S. A. Helm, South Riverton, wrote asking for permission to cut a number of broadleaf posts on the property at the Back Beach.

In reply to a question the clerk stated that Mr Helm intended to use the timber already on the ground and not to fell any trees. It was resolved to refer the request to the Reserves Committee. Mr W. F. Woodley, Invercargill, wrote informing the council that he had completed the test piece of work in Palmerston street and trusted it would prove satisfactory. He had instructed the surfaceman as regards repairing other parts of the footpaths. In the event of the council not being able to come to some satisfactory arrangement with the tar-sealing contractors over the top-dressing he would be prepared to come again. Mr G. E. Wohlers, Thombury, drew the council’s attention to the fact that nothing had been done to deepen the ditch on his property. He pointed out that men would be available for the work next month. It was stated that the work had not been overlooked, and it was the intention of the board to put unemployed men on when the drainage at Taunamau Creek had been completed. Councillor Martin said an effort should be made to put on, say, four men on the road. Councillor Robertson said a request should be made to the Wallace County Council asking for the services of four men.

It was resolved to leave the matter of securing men in the hands of Councillor Martin and the surfaceman (Mr G. Saunders). Reporting on behalf of the work carried out during the month, the surfaceman stated that he' had been engaged in repairing footpaths, work on the recreation ground, repairs to traffic bridge and general surfacing.— Adopted. On behalf of the Sanitary Committee, Councillor Robertson stated that he and Councillor Philp had made a visit of inspection to Mr H. Witsey’s property in connection with a complaint made by the Health Department over the water there. The section, he said, was low-lying and the water remained there periodically—generally . after heavy rain. An improvement might be effected by drainage, which would take approximately three chains of pipes. The committee, however, had no recommendation to make. —Report adopted. Councillor R. Walker said he had been making enquiries as regards the best material to be used for the street crossings, and he had been advised by a competent authority that concrete had been condemned, as it had not given satisfaction in some places where it had been tried, and some of the local bodies had gone back to the old order. Councillor Robertson favoured the steel plate crossings, which, he believed, were not very expensive. Councillor Crawford asked if it would be necessary to have the manholes in the main sewer attended to before the tar-sealing reached that part of the town.

In reply the clerk stated that the contractors had made the usual inquiries before commencing operations, and had been supplied with all particulars asked for. Councillor Martin stated that now the tar-sealing had been commenced several matters may crop up, and he thought it would be advisable to hold a special meeting of the council in a fortnight’s time when they could fully discuss them.—Agreed to. Councillor Robertson drew attention to the present condition of the roadway and footpath on the traffic bridge, and said some top-dressing work was necessary. Councillor Martin agreed with the previous speaker, and stated that as the council would receive a grant on £3 for £1 basis, he moved that a price for the work be obtained from the contractor. This was agreed to. Councillor Mai tin stated that the fence on the northern approach to the bridge required painting. He pointed out that the work had been sanctioned some time back but had been delayed till further on in the season. Two coats, he maintained, would be necessary as the wood-work was very bare in places. The hauler at the south-end of the bridge had been removed, but a quantity of heavy timber was still there and he asked if the council had received any word when it would be taken away. It was stated that the engineer was expected in Riverton in the course of a day or two, and it was resolved to draw his attention to the remaining timber. The clerk was instructed to call for tenders for painting of the woodwork. Mention was made that part of the small wharf in front of the railway reserve, South Riverton, was still there, and was in a dangerous condition for children. It was resolved to have the structure demolished, the surfaceman to superintend the work.