Stewart Island THE COUNTY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 23180, 22 April 1937, Page 8

Stewart Island THE COUNTY COUNCIL

FINANCIAL YEAR REVIEWED A very interesting report has been submitted by the treasurer of the Stewart Island County Council for the year ended March 31, 1937. The report states that it is fortunate that a balance of £lBO 5/9 was brought forward from last year otherwise there would have been a debit balance shown instead of a credit. The year ended with a balance of £95 3/6 in the general account and £lO3 7/3 in the athenaeum account which .was most satisfactory considering the heavy expenditure that the county was put to during the year. The main items of expenditure were: Road maintenance, £212 16/6; supervision of relief works, £99 4/—; engineering, £33 17/-; hospital levy, £66 3/-; and county clerk’s salary, £5B. It was pleasing to note that £3BB 18/5 was the amount of rates collected made up as follows: —North riding, £79 16/5; south riding, £95 14/—; middle riding £213 8/-. The Government subsidy was £67 0/4, while £3B 11/3 was collected for licence fees, The free grants from the Government included: Horse Shoe Bay to Brooklands Road, £200; Golden Bay stone wall, £200; Thule road, £100; Leasks to Ringa Ringa road, £100; Miro street, £75; Leonard street, £100; main highway, £150; a total of £925. There was an unexpended balance of £l7O 14/3 carried forward to next year but the unfinished works were nearing completion. The No. 5 scheme was in operation from the end of September to the middle of February,' the off-fishing months. There were 50 men employed on relief works and the total sum spent during the five months amounted to £2130 11/6. In the athenaeum account the year ended with a credit balance of £lO3 7/3. The summer entertainments had been a disappointment because of the infantile paralysis epidemic on the mainland. The total county expenditure for the year exceeded the receipts by £93 16/7, the total income being £3669 6/8 while the expenditure was £3763 3/3. FLAG 500 The social committee of the St, Andrew’s Church of England held thb first flag 500 evening on Tuesday. In conjunction with the cards a bagatelle competition was also started. It is intended that this competition be carried on during the winter season and the one with the highest score at the end of the season will receive a prize. The highest score was 530. The winning table at the flag 500 comprised Mrs E. Hicks, Miss Joan Braxton and Lloyd Young. QUEEN CARNIVAL During the week a well-wisher paid in a sufficient amount to bring the votes for the three princesses equal. This makes the total amount collected in 3d votes in the vicinity of £BO. DANCE Keen rivalry is being shown between the princesses for the forthcoming queen carnival. To help to raise funds Princess Joan Braxton gave a most enjoyable dance. There was a good attendance. The music was supplied by Messrs K. Bradshaw, Cecil Fife, L. Bragg and C. Captain. During the evening a competition was won by Mr Q. Hamilton.

R.S.A. The annual meeting of the Stewart Island branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held recently. Mr J. Sloan presided over a very good attendance. The annual report stated:— “The year just ended has again been a most successful one and the meetings of the executive have been well attended. During the year two of our members left the Island and one arrived. Every returned soldier on the Island is a financial member of the association so that we still hold the proud position of 100 per cent, membership. The subsidy scheme again proved a great help to many of our members. Quite a number of members received a good deal of work reforming the footpath leading from Dundee street and this was made possible by a generous donation from our honorary member, Mr J. A. Sloane. “It is with regret that we have to record the death of one of our honorary members, Mr A. McKellar. The late Mr McKellar was a great help to our association and his sympathy was at all times with the returned men. “During the year Mr A. Wachher was elected an honorary vice president of our association and our thanks are due for his help. With the help of the association we were able to give each man a very fine Christmas parcel. After spending quite a large sm helping some of our members we still have the very satisfactory balance of £l6 16/5 in the bank which reflects great credit on our honorary treasurer, Mr W. Oswald. “Our thanks are due to Miss Brown for flowers and decorating the hall for the Anzac Service and for the very fine wreath she donated. Our thanks are also due to all honorary members, to all those who so kindly helped with the sale of poppies and to the public for their generous support during the year. “A short time ago the executive commenced making arrangements for an excursion of returned soldiers from the mainland to Stewart Island but because of the epidemic of infantile paralysis we were advised to postpone it until some future date. It is hoped that the incoming committee will make arrangements later. “In conclusion I would like to thank all members of the Invercargill executive for their help during the year, especially the secretary Mr J. Filippini who has been very helpful indeed.” A vote of thanks was passed to the Stewart Island County Council for the use of the reading room for meetings; also to Mr A. W. Traill for so kindly carrying out the duties of auditor. It was decided to hold the annual dinner on June 9.

Mr W. Braxton was appointed official representative on the mainland. Before vacating the chair Mr J. Sloan thanked all members of the executive and other members for their co-operation throughout the year. He concluded by saying that he did not seek re-election as he believed that the position of president should be taken in turn by all members. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr J. Sloan; honorary presidents, Messrs J. Hargest and A. Wachner; vice-presidents, Messrs G. M. Turner and J. Heathcoate; secretary, Mr C. Smith; treasurer, Mr W. Oswald; committee, Messrs C. Young, N, Whipp, J. Simmers, R. Traill, J. Campbell ana J. Calder; auditor, Mr A. W. Traill.