Edendale TOWN BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 18

Edendale TOWN BOARD

Monthly Meeting

At the monthly meeting ot the Edendale Town Board Mr William Irvine presided over the following members. Crs G. P. Dempster, M. D. Turner W. W. Chaplin and T. Hickey. An apology for absence was received from Cr KK. MacDonald. . The board’s ranger, R. Blair, m his monthly report stated that he was taking Court proceedings in one case ot wandering stock and two of cyclists riding on the footpaths, the report was received. That, in spite of repeated requests to the Southland County Council to have the main streets of Edendale tar-sealed, the matter had been consistently shelved, was a statement made by the chairman in opening a discussion on Edendale’s streets. Recently, he said, the dust nuisance had been almost unbearable, and, as they could get no satisfaction from either the county council or the highways board he su g“ gested that they should solicit the aid of the Automobile Association, Southland. The member for Mataura, Mr David McDougall, had already promised his support in the matter and when the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. M. J. Savage, visited the district, the board would have an opportunity of a personal interview. It was a disgrace that the streets of Edendale were not tarsealed, while a portion of the Rakauhauka road, near Wallaceiown, had been bituminized. Several other minor matters could also be introduced at the same time. It was resolved after a short discussion, that the matter be dealt with on the lines of the chairman’s remarks. Regarding complaints about several trees on the Railway Department s property which it was claimed made a dangerous crossing for north-bound motorists it was decided that a letter requesting the removal of the trees be sent to the Minister of Railways, through Mr McDougall. No satisfaction had been gained from requests to the Railway Department, it was stated. Regarding the wages to be paid the board’s day employees under the new legislation, the clerk (Mr L. W. Norton) said he had had no reply from the Department of Labour to which he had written. Under the 1931 award, the rate of pay was 12/- a day. It was decided that no increase be made until advice had been received from the inspector. Arrangements for having the streets cleaned up and for collecting the dogtax were completed. Cr Turner mentioned complaints that bees were being stored in a building in the town to the personal inconvenience of passers-by. The clerk was instructed to write the owners, asking their assistance in preventing the nuisance. In his monthly report the hall caretaker (G. Frame) stated that another water tank was required and that the hall piano needed a thorough overhaul. It was decided to attend to the matters. Loan Poll Sanctioned. The Loans Board wrote advising that permission had been granted the Edendale Town Board to hold a poll of ratepayers to decide whether or not the board would borrow £3OO from the Loans Board for the purpose of taking over the existing mortgage on the hall. The loan would be known as the “Town Hall Loan, 1936.” The chairman said that Mr D. McDougall, M.P., had suggested shelving the matter until the Ministerial party visited the district in the near future. Mr McDougall had also expressed the opinion that a local body could borrow up to £5OO without taking a poll. That they would get little satisfaction from the Ministerial party was the opinion expressed by Cr Hickey. Months had been occupied in bringing negotiations up to their present point and unless they went ahead with the poll of ratepayers it would be a long time before they reached finality. These remarks were supported by Crs Turner and Dempster. Finally, it was resolved, on the motion of Crs Hickey and Turner, that the necessary arrangements for the poll Ise undertaken immediately. The chairman said he would discuss the proposal with the ratepayers at a special meeting. PERSONALS. Mrs J. A. McDonald, of Ota Creek, has returned from an extended holiday visit to Melbourne and Sydney. Mrs S. Rose, of Dunedin, is at present spending a holiday with her mother, Mrs M. O’Neill, Edendale. Mr and Mrs A. W. Holden, of Mossburn, paid a short visit to Edendale during the week.