RIVERTON

Southland Times, Issue 23502, 7 May 1938, Page 11

RIVERTON

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING At the final meeting of the Riverton Borough Council before the municipal elections there were present: The Mayor (Dr N. G. Trotter) and Crs J. A. Martin, H. E. Philp, J. Crawford, T. Dyke, J. A. B. Walker and T. Hogg. The engineer of the district highways council wrote stating that specificatidns were being prepared for the widening of the Bay road from the bridge head to Brook street on the Riverton Rocks main highway. Concerning the application of the council to borrow its quota for the work from the main highway, the board’s chairman suggested that, as the work would not be completed during the present year, the council might find one half of its contribution this year, and the remaining half in April 1939. It was resolved to renew the council’s application for favourable consideration. Information was received from Mr Barnes, an engineer, concerning the proposed water supply for the Riverton borough. The Local Government Loans Board wrote stating that Mr Barnes had supplied amended plans and specifications to that office ana these had been referred to the boards technical advisers for investigation and report. The Controller of Civil Aviation (Group-Captain T. M. Wilkes) wrote stating that the licence for a l an d" ing ground on Riverton beach would be renewed for another three months. STATE OF SECTION Referring to the disastrous fire in the shopping area in February, Cr Walker drew attention to what he described the “disgraceful state of the section on which the fire occurred. ’ The council should compel the owner to fence off the section, he said. The town clerk stated that unless the section was dangerous the council had no power to force the owner to erect a fence. It was decided that the owners of sections be requested to clear up the properties as soon as possible. Cr Walker drew attention to the noises made by motor-cyclists. Steps, he said, should be taken to abate the nuisance. It was decided to draw the attention of the police and borough inspector to the matter. Cr Philp said motor-cyclists rode up and down the street at all hours of the night, and very often interfered with the church services on Sundays. Cr Walker raised the question of the number of cars being parked near the Aparima Hotel. It was stated that many cars were parked on the footpaths in the vicinity. It was decided to draw the traffic inspector’s attention to the matter. Cr Philp moved that letters be forwarded to convent teachers and public school teachers asking them to instruct children to walk on the footpath across the bridge instead of using that portion used for motor traffic. The motion was carried. Cr Walker moved: “That, it be a recommendation to the incoming coun~. cil to keep in view the Government s proposals for the construction of local swimming baths and playing areas for children.” The motion was carried. Accounts amounting ; ,to £ll6 12/1 were passed for payment. MAYOR’S REVIEW OF WORK

The Mayor said he had had the satisfaction of being returned unopposed, and would shortly complete a quarter of a century as Mayor. He considered one of the councillors should have come forward to fill the chair. He trusted the present council would be.again elected. “We could only carry out the work ; of the council with the rates collected,” he continued. “The work of bituminizing Palmerston street has been carried out and steps are being taken to continue the work past the hospital. I thank the councillors for. their help and co-operation in carrying out thd work of the borough. The councillors have certainly done their best for the welfare of the borough.” He also thanked the town clerk for his services extending over many years. The town was fortunate in having his ser-. vices.

Cr Martin congratulated the Mayor on being returned unopposed. He (Cr Martin) had been on the council for 12 years, and during his term he was convinced that councillors had done their best for the welfare of the town. The total revenue of the borough was £2380, the expenditure being made up as follows:—£1030 on roads and street maintenance; £6OO in sinking funds and interest on loans; £l5O on hospital and charitable aid; £250 for public health and sanitation purposes; £BO for street lighting. This left £270 for adminstration, licensing committee expenses and incidental and other expenses. Cr Philp said he desired to congratulate the Mayor on being returned unopposed. The council had been a happy family, and had done its best for the ratepayers. Riverton was a beautiful town, he added, and more should be done to improve it. A carnival should be held every year for this purpose. He hoped the incoming council would enlarge the borough by taking in the outside suburbs of New Windsor, portion of the native reserve and, possibly, the Rocks township. In congratulating the Mayor on his re-election, Cr Walker said he regretted that the bituminizing of a further length of Palmerston street had not been completed. Crs Hogg, Dyke and Crawford also congratulated Dr Trotter on being returned as Mayor. Cr Hogg said he had decided not to seek re-election, but would probably offer his services at some future date.