EDENDALE NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25307, 10 June 1935, Page 2

EDENDALE NOTES

TOWN BOARD MEETING.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The following Commissioners were present at the monthly meeting of the Edendale Town Board: Commissioners W Irvine (chairman), G. Dempster, K. Wilson, T. Hickey, M. D. Turner, R. K. McDonald and W. W. Chaplin. The Department of Internal Affaiis wrote advising that the boards share of auctioneers’ licenses collected was £3B 10/-. —Received. L. E. Barnett, chairman of the Otago and Southland Division of the British Empire Cancer Campaign, wrote asking the board for a donation towards the King’s Jubilee Fund.—Members were of the opinion that such a worthy cause should be supported, and a donation of £lO was made. . . The Power Boards account brought forth some criticism as to the amount charged for meter rents. The chairman said that the board should take this matter up and see if some reduction could not be procured. After a general discussion it was ihoved that the board enter a protest agains. the high charge of meter rents, and ask that something be done as to a reduction being made on same. , ’ The chairman brought up the question of wandering stock, saying that something drastic would have to be done in the matter, as the board had been too lenient with offenders in the past. Recently he had had complaints made to him, and he had personally looked round the town to see if these could be confirmed. He had found cows being grazed in the town with a boy in charge. The cows had eaten on the footpath and through householders’ fences into their gardens. Commissioner Wilson said that he understood the boy in question had permission from the ranger to graze cows on the street.

The chairman said that he had mentioned the matter to the ranger, who had said nothing about giving such permission.

Commissioners Turner and Dempster said that it seemed to be an unwritten law that cow? could -a grazed on the streets, so long as someone was in charge of them. The chairman was of the opinion that the board had been generous in this matter in the past; but it would have to be stopped. The clerk said that the by-laws read that stock must be driven not slower than three miles an hour when in the town.

It was decided that a notice be inserted in the Press giving a final warning that in future owners of wandering stock would be prosecuted; and the ranger was to prosecute without fear or favour.

The matter of cycling on the footpaths was also mentioned by the chairman, who said that the practice was becoming too common in the town, and would result in someone being badly injured if not stopped. Members agreed with this contention, and it was decided to incorporate a warning with the notice regarding wandering stock. Commissioner Hickey asked if anything further had been done as to the proposed works discussed at. last meeting- i Commissioner Dempster, who is also a member of the local Unemployment Committee stated that he had outlined the board’s proposition at the last meeting of the committee, when it had been viewed very favourably, and every endeavoui* would be made to have the scheme put through. The chairman said three men could be employed at once gorse grubbing at the pit on the usual allocation. For the permanent work, they could use four men in fortnightly relays at the standard rates of pay. Commissioner Dempster said he was afraid that would not go through. The same men would havl to be used right through the job. The chairman said that this would suit the board better; but by fortnightly relays all the men would get a share of the work. Only local residents would be employed. Commissioner Hickey said it would be unfair to the balance of the workers if only four were engaged in the work. The chairman said that the board had some £4OO to its credit and thought they could spend £2OO on concreting. This would cover wages and material,

and they would get only a subsidy on the wages. ~ ~ „„„ Commissioner Hickey said the J 1 } 6 ! 1 would be paid 12/- per day, of which sum the Unemployment Board should be asked to subsidize 5/-. Commissioner Dempster said that tne Unemployment Board would not sanction such a wage, as it would lead to dissatisfaction elsewhere. Commissioner Hickey: That means they want to pull down wages. The chairman remarked that Edendale stood out for standard rates of pay, and if possible they should try to obtain such. Failing that, they should get the next best wage. Commissioner Hickey said that tne Unemployment Board would not say what they considered a standard rate of pay, and concreting was worth 12/- per day. As matters stood if the men were offered 8/- per day they would take it; but it was unfair when they had men in a hole to take a mean advantage of them. Commissioner McDonald was Ot tne opinion that 12/- a day was a bit high and considered it could be done more cheaply by contract work. He was supported in his remarks by Commismissioner Turner. After further discussion of a similar nature it was decided to advise the Unemployment Committee that the board could take four men for 10 weeks for the work in view, and also to state how much money the board was prepared to spend. Further discussion ensued concerning the proposed works, the chairman pointing out that they had the men and money available, and thus there was’ no need to hold up the work. It was decided to do the path to the school first, making it full width. The matter of back streets was then fully discussed, the chairman saying he had inspected these, and considered that 4ft of concrete without any channelling or crossings would give ample service at present. Householders could keep the extra width of the paths in good order themselves. Members agreed to this; but a division took place whether the paths should be 3ft. or 4ft., and on going to the vote it was decided to make them 4ft. It was decided to do the street from Wyndham Road to Hall street first. Commissioner Dempster was appointed acting chairman during the absence of the chairman in Australia. Domain Board. Commissioner Hickey said he had received complaints as to the lengthy stay of certain campers at the scenic reserve. The chairman said the men were rabbiting and did not expect to be there much longer. Everything was in good order. Commissioner Dempster said he had received complaints also. The men should be asked to move on, as there were opossums in the bush as well as rabbits.

It was decided to ask the men to shift camp; and to get the ranger to inspect the fences.