GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23346, 2 November 1937, Page 4

GORE

BOROUGH COUNCIL LAST EVENING’S MEETING At the fortnightly meeting of the Gore Borough Council last evening the Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman), presided over Councillors J. A. Baldey, J. A. Wright, W. K. Hamilton, R. L. Reid, N. Robson, T. Sim, A. McLachlan, G. C. Hamilton, J. A. S. Aitken, R. S. Green and J. C. Ray. A report was received from the Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade on the fire plugs in the town. The report stated that an inspection of the plugs had been made and that several required attention. A list of these plugs was given. The matter was referred to the foreman of works. The telegraph engineer, Invercargill, wrote forwarding a set of plans showing the recent extension of the departmental cable system in Elizabeth street, Gore, and alterations in the cabling system in Mersey and Gorton streets. A letter from the secretary of the Gore High School Board of Governors (Mr F. Young) stated that the board was seeking permission to erect a shooting gallery at the High Schpol for the use of the pupils in their cadet training. It was proposed to erect the gallery at the far end of the school grounds, pointing about up the river, which gave a clear space of 2000 yards beyond the target. The plans had been drawn up in accordance with the regulations of the Defence Department. The range would be 25 yards long and the rifles used would fire .22 cartridges. All shooting would be under strict military discipline and there would be no likelihood of any danger occurring. “It is not necessary to point out that part of the education of every boy should include training and the ability to handle a rifle properly and in inculcating a sufficient respect for fire arms to make him handle them with care,” the letter concluded. The Mayor said the matter had been before the council some, years ago and it had been turned down. He had seen a copy of the plans of the range and it seemed quite safe. The plans were to be approved of by the Defence Department. Cr W. K. Hamilton said it had not been the council that had turned the matter down previously, but the residents in the vicinity. Cr R. S. Green: If the Defence Department is to approve of the plans, everything should be all right. It was decided to grant the request, subject to the approval of the defence authorities. Caretaker at Domain “I think Councillor McLachlan and Councillor Robson are talking rot when they suggest putting on a caretaker at the East Gore Domain,” said Councillor J. C. Ray, at last evening’s meeting of the Gore Borough Council. Cr A. McLachlan brought up the matter of the East Gore Domain camping ground and said that the sanitary conditions were very poor there. He suggested that a caretaker be employed, or that the motor association might take it over and run it. He knew of other places in New Zealand where this was done. The Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) remarked that the camping ground was being used more now, and it might be worth while trying. Cr N. Robson said the East Gore Domain was in a bad state. He was in sympathy with Cr. McLachlan’s suggestions. Cr McLachlan said that there was also the matter of putting a light in the domain to be attended to. Cr J. C. Ray: I think Crs McLachlan and Robson are talking rot. Are the ratepayers not paying enough rates as it is without paying any more? I think Cr McLachlan must have a friend over there.

Cr G. C. Hamilton: Do you object to putting a light in the domain? Cr Ray: No. But I would object to employing a caretaker there. Cr J. A. S. Aitken said one would never expect to see a caretaker at the domain, because he would not have anything to do. He would like to see the place cleaned up a little, however. Any of the borough employees could go over and collect the fees each morning. He also thought that the campers could be let into the domain, instead of compelling them to camp under the trees.

After further discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the works committee for a report. POST AND TELEGRAPH REUNION The annual reunion of the Gore subsection of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association was held in the Gore Soldiers’ Club rooms when Mr T. J. Simpson presided over a good attendance. The chairman welcomed the visitors and said that it was unfortunate that the members of the Invercargill Association were unable to be present. Mr A. H. Smith proposed the toast of the “Post and Telegraph Department,” and said that the department was the largest and the most important in the civil service. He paid a tribute to its efficiency and to the progress it had made in recent years by the inauguration of the air mail services. In reply Mr A. V. Baker said that they aimed to give good service. The service had been speeded up on the telephone exchange and better attention was now given in every department. There were times when every facility could not be provided, but this was generally the result of the maximum business being handled. The toast of the “Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association” was proposed by Mr W. McKay, who said that it had been stated that the department was the strongest public service body in the Dominion. The Post and Telegraph Department had a staff of approximately 9000, while the Railways Department had 15,000 employees. No doubt it had been meant that the Post and Telegraph Department was strong in efficiency. The toast was responded to by Mr D. D. Robson, who referred to the friendly co-operation of the Railways Department. Other toasts honoured were: “Kindred Societies” (Mr A. B. Littlejohn—Mr F. H. Hinsley); “The Visitors” (Mr E. J. Columb—Messrs J. Adams, B. Parker, D. O’Brien and A. H. Smith); and several other toasts. During the evening items were given by Messrs F. H. Hinsley, C. B. Penman, G. D. Robson, A. B. Littlejohn, T. J. Simpson and J. Mattingly. THE WEATHER The weather was very dry at Gore and the surrounding districts during the month of October. The total rainfall for the month was .93in compared with 3.35 in for October last year. There were 216 hours of sunshine during the month, compared with 168 hours for the same month last year, and 178

hours in 1935. The dry spell was broken at the week-end when heavy warm rain fell, .25in being recorded.