Edendale TOWN BOARD MEETS

Southland Times, Issue 22969, 15 August 1936, Page 4

Edendale TOWN BOARD MEETS

RATE STRUCK The ordinary monthly meeting of the Edendale Town Board was held in the board room. There were present— Commissioners W. Irvine (chairman), R. Wilson, T. Hickey, R. K. MacDonald, M. D. Turner, and W. W. Chaplin. The Town Inspector, R. Blair, reported that the footpath in Hunter and Turner streets had been completed. Four cows had been impounded. In accordance with notice given at the last meeting, Cr Hickey formally moved that the rate for the year be one shilling in the £ on the annual valuation. —Carried. The State Fire Insurance Company wrote regarding insuring men on the board’s unemployed works.—To be informed that the men were already covered. R. W. Connor, district health inspector, reported that the town was in good order, and that he was attending to the case of insanitary conditions reported to him by the last meeting of the board. Tenders accepted included that of J. Cushnie for supplying gravel at 4/- per yard, and that of A. Monagan for carting spoil off the streets at £1 per day or 2/3 per load. Cr Hickey said that after that week there would be no work fox- the unemployed in the town unless their application for unemployed assistance in laying down a basketball court was sanctioned.

On the suggestion of the chairman it was decided that a night letter telegram be sent to Mr D. McDougall, M.P. for Mataura, explaining that in the interests of the local registered unemployed men it was imperative that immediate permission be secured to proceed witfl the work It was decided that the day man’s wages be 14/- per day. The chairman said the time had come when the board should employ a full-time man on salary. The wages paid out annually to the day man, the hall caretaker and various part-time employees, he felt sure, would be sufficient to keep one permanent man. It would be necessary, however, to secure the co-operation of the various sports bodies which contributed towards the maintenance of the recreation grounds. In reply to a question, it was stated by the Town Clerk (Mr L. W. Norton) that under the present system approximately £lBO was paid out as wages to part-time employees by the board, whereas one good man could execute all the duties entailed. Reserve Trust. The chairman reported that an inspection of the scenic reserve had revealed that about 300 new posts were required fox- the boundary posts. As the adjoining property owner was liable for half that cost they would not be able to secure unemployed labour in the work. It was decided to hold the matterover meantime. The Department of Internal Affairs advised that the Trust’s action in leasing the grazing rights of the recreation reserve for a period of more than one year was not in order. The only person who had the authority to do that was the Governor-General. The clerk said the grazing rights had been leased for five years, but according to the communication it was necessary to call fresh tenders each year. He had replied stating that the grazing was suitable to the tenants only over a long term, as they had topdressed the area and were also able to keep it in good order. Members expressed surprise that the Government had control of the area, and the clerk was instructed to find out the board’s position in the matter. OBITUARY The death occurred recently at Edendale of Mi- Alexander R. Lawrence, one of the town’s most respected residents, at the age of 70 years. He was born and bred in the Taieri district, and married Miss Helen Leonard, a daughter of Mr Charles Leonard (now also of Edendale) and the late Mrs Leonard. Not long afterwards he went to Edendale and secured a block of land in the district in 1901, which was three years before the Edendale Land Company ceased to exist. The late MxLawrence knew farming and its methods, and being a hard worker and a good manager he prospered quickly, with the result that in 1918 he was able to retire to a new home in Edendale, where he resided until his death. He leaves a widow and family of two daughters to mourn their loss—Mrs H. Compton of Edendale, and Mrs A. Stevens of Balfour. The funeral, which took place at the Edendale cemetery, was attended by a large cortege of mourners.

PERSONAL Mx- and Mrs William McDonald, of Edendale, are at present on a holiday visit to Christchurch. Mx- J. L. Hoskins, of Edendale, is a visitor to Christchurch for the Grand National meeting this week. Mx- Tamblyn, who has been on the Edendale school staff fox- the past 15 months, has received notice of his transfer to a school about 40 miles north of Auckland. Mx- and Mrs Tamblyn will leave fox- their new position in the school term holidays. Visitors to Christchurch this week included Mr and Mrs G. Dickson, of Edendale. FLAG 500 The members of the Edendale Basketball Club held a flag 500 evening in the Public Hall, when some 45 players were present. An enjoyable evening was spent, the first prizes being won by Mr and Mrs Tamblyn and Mrs H. S. Raines and the consolation prizes by Mrs C. Hall, Mrs G. H. Smith and Mr Carter. The prizes were donated by Mrs G. Frame, Mrs Anderson and Miss L. Cochrane. Aftex- the prizes had been presented the members of the Basketball Club handed round supper.