Otautau TOWN BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 22969, 15 August 1936, Page 18

Otautau TOWN BOARD

CONVERSION OF FIRE PUMP

The monthly meeting of the Otautau Town Board was attended by Commissioners A. A. Liddel (chairman), ,G. B. Burns, J. Scatter, E. Harrington and J. Campbell. A motion of sympathy with Mrs Liddell, wife of the chairman, in the loss of her father was carried in the customary manner. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr Burns moved that the following rates be struck: A general rate of Id, a special rate of Ad and a hospital and charitable aid rate of id in the £; weekly sanitary service £1 15/- per pan per annum; fortnightly sanitary service, £1 per pan per annum, with a reduction of 2/6 for payment on or before September 30. The motion was seconded by Mr Harrington and carried. It was resolved that property-owners in Lieman street be informed that crossings which were recently condemned and removed would be replaced at the owners’ expense. Mr H. L. Chandler submitted the following report on the fire engine: “I regret that I am unable to offer anything concrete about the conversion of the manual fire pump to motive power. I thought it would be better to secure another pump of a more suitable type and more easily adapted to a motor drive. I found that the price of a new pump of sufficient capacity would be from £BO upwards. The present fire engine vehicle would not be suitable for mounting an engine on, as there was not sufficient room, and I think the best idea would be to have the outfit mounted on a light lorry chassis, which could be bought cheaply. I hope to have something more definite at an early date.” It was resolved to defer the matter till next meeting, pending an estimate for the conversion of the present manual pump to a power unit. Mr J. S. Hunter, secretary of the Department of Labour, advised that the request of the board for a supply of trees could not be met, as all stocks were required by the State Forest Service.

The chairman stated that 2000 trees had been purchased from Invercargill, and it was resolved that the clerk again make application to the Forestry Department for a supply of trees over the year. It was left in the hands of the chairman to obtain further supplies of gravel for the street deviation at the recreation ground. The works committee reported that an inspection of various streets had been made, and recommended that maintenance gravel be put on the following streets: Macandrew, Grey, Alderly, Eton, Chester and King streets; that gravel be supplied for work at Mr Sheridan’s, Rye street, and that Mr Bulman be asked for a price for 250 yards of crushed gravel. The kerbing of the footpath and tar-sealing in the Esplanade were also recommended, and were approved.

RANGER COMPANY The Ranger Company held an evening in the Girl Guide room, when the enrolment of Mavis Smart as a ranger was carried out by Miss D. Mills, captain, and Mrs J. Campbell, lieutenant. Service stars were presented as follows for attendance: Two stars, Rangers M. Brooker, F. Forbes and A. McCulloch; one star, Rangers S. Wesney, M. Bird and A. Searle. Miss Mills asked Mrs Campbell to accept a set of afternoon teaspoons, and referred to the assistance she had given to the movement. Mrs Campbell responded.

METHODIST CHURCH A meeting was held in the Methodist Church to make arrangements for the spring show. Mrs Watson and Mr Tracy King advised that they were willing to act as judges. Prizes were allocated to the different sections and the schedule was revised.

EUCHRE TOURNAMENT There was a good attendance at the euchre tournament in aid of the funds of the dental clinic, Mr Ridley being awarded first prize and Mrs P. Spencer second prize. Miss Coombes won the consolation prize. Twenty players attended the euchre tournament in aid of the funds of the Croquet Club. Miss O’Brien and Mr W. Sheedy were the winners, and Mrs Hall was the winner of the aggregate prize.

SCHOOL BASKETBALL The Western District primary schools’ second annual basketball tournament for the Duncan Cup was held on the school courts at Otautau. Entries were received from Ohai (holders), Nightcaps, Riverton and Otautau. Following are the results: Nightcaps 10 v. Ohai 0; Otautau 5 v. Ohai 0; Otautau 11 v. Riverton 0; Ohai 6 v. Riverton 5; Nightcaps 16 v. Riverton 1; Otautau 3 v. Nightcaps 2. Mr J. Duncan presented the cup to Miss Dorothy Baker, captain of the Otautau team. Mr J. W. Martin, president of the Western District Basketball Association, also congratulated the winners and runners-up, and thanked the Otautau teachers for providing afternoon tea and making the necessary arrangements. The games were refereed by Miss Gazzard and Messrs Martin, Berry and Gazzard.