MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 15

MATAURA

BOROUGH COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Mataura Borough Council the Mayor (Mr John Buchanan) presided over Councillors J. P. McErlean, R. Hutton, C. H. Hargest, M. Walker, L. McKelvie, J. McAllister, D. Coster and J. H. Clark. A letter was received from the secretary of the Dunedin Health Camp Central Council asking if there was a suitable site in the district for the establishment of a permanent health camp. It was decided to support Gore’s choice of Piano Flat as an ideal situation for the camp. Following is the reply from the town clerk, of Invercargill (Mr W. F. Sturman) in answer to a letter inquiring the history of the Mataura fire bell which was purchased from the Invercargill Fire Brigade about twelve years ago:—“From investigations made, I understand that this bell, which is supposed to have been cast in Dunedin, was purchased about December 1919, as during the Peace Celebrations in In - vercargill, the previous bell was cracked. There do not appear to be any records about the purchase but I am informed of these particulars from men with local knowledge of the position and those who were associated with the brigade at that time.” The letter was received. , Examination of Evidence Smith and Dolamore, solicitors, Gore, wrote about a recent court case, commenting on the fact that the Magistrate dismissed the case. The writer stated it was unfortunate that further opportunity of examining the evidence was not afforded him before the hearing and suggested that in future in cases where the assistance of the borough solicitor is required, that the information be forwarded for examination before issuing and also that a statement of the witnesses be made available as early as is convenient. Cr Clark said he was pleased that the matter had been brought up. The action should never have been brought. The town clerk explained that when first he heard of the matter, the summons had already been served by the traffic inspector. He considered, therefore, that the best thing to do was to get the borough solicitor to assist in the matter.

During a discussion on the matter it was shown that the traffic inspector had no authority to issue a summons without first conferring with the town clerk* Cr Hargest moved that the traffic inspector be advised that should similar cases arise, he was to take no action without first conferring with the town clerk. The motion was carried.

A letter was received from the Department of Lands and Survey, advising that the proposal to dispose of certain Domain Land with the object of obtaining a more suitable area for recreation has been considered. The capital value of the Domain Land in Block XVII is approximately £4BO, while the capital value of the land owned by Mrs I. O. Sinclair, this being the land the board proposes to acquire, is approximately £475. The capital values of the areas so nearly coincide that it is possible an exchange of the areas could be effected when further necessary information was supplied. It was decided that the town clerk, with the assistance of the chairman of the reserves committee, supply the necessary information.

Mr W. P. Thorn, Mataura, wrote offering to hand over to the Borough Council, Sections 12 and 13 Blk VI fo." the sum of £25. The offer was held over for one month, the Mayor and town clerk to interview Mr Thorn in the meantime.

Mr J. Brewster, secretary of the Rest Room Committee, wrote asking if the council would be prepared to erect conveniences if the committee raised another £5O towards the cost of the building, the plans for which would be submitted to the council for approval. Cr McKelvie said that the Rest Room Committee was determined to build or the section in McQueen Avenue. However, the offer to collect a further £5O, also that the plans be approved of by the council, was a consideration and he thought the council should help them a little, if only in the matter of drainage. After considerable discussion the leter was received.

The town clerk’s report stated that of the rates for the current year, the sum of £2403 0/7 had been paid up to August 31, which was the last day for discounts. This amount was £450 more than was collected at this time last year; and was due only to the increase in the rate, as there was approximately the same number of ratepayers. The housing survey was proceeding satisfactorily. The investigator had now completed his work, and a start would be made in preparing the survey map, and the general summary as required by the regulations. MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB The Mataura Miniature Rifle Club held an open night shoot recently. A team from the Wyndham Club journeyed to Mataura, and competed with the local club in a shoot for the United Trading Club’s trophy. This shoot was won by the visitors by the small margin of two points. Wyndham’s win gives Pukerau the trophy with three wins, Mataura having two and Wyndham one. Results were:—

Open Shoot.—G. Cruickshanks 60-8-68; D. Henery 75-1-76; F. Osborne 73-7-79; D. Buchanan 67-12-79; W. Webb 75-0-75; G. W. Cullen 67-11-78; L. Major 71-2-73; A. Hardie 65-12-77; R. Greer 71-4-75; J. Richardson 72-11-79; E. Calder 70-4-74; O. Davis 71-2-73; R. Norton 69-12-79; G. Dixon 76-1-77; E. Ramage 72-2-74; W. Ramage 71-3-74; A. McQuillan 74-4-78; R. Barclay 76-1-77; T. Gaudion 77-0-77; L. Dickie 75-0-75; H. Doherty 65-12-77; A. Gourley 71-6-77; H. Anderson 72-5-77; G. Adam 73-5-78; B. Lloyd 65-9-74. Back Shoots.—G. Cruickshanks 67-8-75; A. Hardie 62-12-74; E. Ramage 77-2-79; J. Richardson 72-11-79; A. McQuillan 71-4-75; B. Lloyd 59-9-68. Teams’ Shoot.—Wyndham: W. Frame 80, J. Mitchell 79, J. A. Munro 76, P. McEwan 75, J. Winter 75, G. Henderson 78, V. Foxton 70, A. Clark 70, E. Mitchell 76, A. Arnott 70. Total, 749. Mataura: A. McQuillan 74, W. Webb 75, E. Ramage 72, R. Barclay 76, L. Dickie 75, G. Dixon 76, D. Henery 75, T. Gaudion 77, G. Adam 75, J. Richardson 72. Total, 747. BAND OF HOPE The Oddfellows’ Hall, Mataura, was well filled recently when members of the Gore United Band of Hope were present and took charge of the proceedings. The Rev. K. A. Bell presided. Following. devotional exercises a fine programme was given.