GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23650, 27 October 1938, Page 8

GORE

POSITION OF TAXI STANDS OBJECTION ABOUT ACTION OF COMMITTEE The action of the works committee of the Gore Borough Council in dealing with a petition and making a recommendation to the council without having the petition read caused some councillors to take strong exception at the three-weekly meeting of the council. The works committee’s report stated that a petition had been received from the proprietors of the Gold Band Taxis appealing about the change in the position of their stand and it recommended to the council that no action be taken, any matters requiring attention to be left in the hands of Cr G. C. Hamilton. When this report came before the council Cr T. Sim remarked that the petition had not come before the council. The Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman) explained that the petition had been received since the last meeting of the council and the works committee had dealt with it. . Cr Sim: That is rattier irregular, isn t it? “The works committee has power to consider questions and then make recommendations to the council.” said the Mayor. “It was not the intention of the committee to take any action. It formed its recommendations to save time.” ' , , Cr R. S. Green said the petition had been intended for the council and he considered it should be read to the councillors.

“I think it is a grave matter that an attempt has been made to gloss over the petition,” said Cr H. McQuillan. “It is not playing the game. The taxi proprietors are business men and aS they are not satisfied with their position they deserve consideration.” Tire Mayor said there was no intention in the minds of the members of the works committee to gloss the matter over. The committee had only carried out the procedure which had been adopted during the last few weeks and had dealt with the matter first to save time. It was now making, its recommeridations. If the councillors wished to have the petition read that would be done.

The petition, which was then read, stated that the proprietors of the Gold Band Taxis wished to appeal about the change in the position of their stand. They had been removed from a central stand in Main street to a remote stand in Irk street, whereas their competitors had been removed from a central stand in Main street to a central stand in Mersey street. The new stand of the Red Band Taxis was very close to the Main street intersection, while their stand was 96 feet from Main street They contended that the presence of their stand in Main street did not obstruct the traffic and submitted that in a town the size of Gore with a street as wide as Main street the presence of a taxi stand did not cause congestion. • Cr N. Robson said the real complaint of the Gold Band Taxis was about the position of their telephone box They considered it should be nearer the corner.

Cr Sim remarked that he did not see why the taxi proprietors should have a disadvantage through the position of their telephone box. He suggested that the booth be moved to the corner of Irk and Main streets.

“It appears as though the whole matter has been put on to me,” said Cr G. C. Hamilton. “The works committee considered the matter fully in cooperation with the traffic inspector of the’ Transport Department, who stated that there was danger to life and limb with the taxi stands.obstructing traffic in Main street When the committee was discussing the petition it was suggested that the Transport Department might allow the taxis to be parked on the south side of Irk street facing Main street. I was appointed to approach the inspector, but he was unable to give a decision and we have been waiting word from the department.” Cr Hamilton said that nothing underhand was done. There appeared to be a feeling that there had been. Everything done by the works committee of the council appeared to be regarded as underhand. The committee had not glossed the matter over as suggested. The committee had considered the matter very thoroughly and had made the change in the position of the stands as fairly as possible. The Transport Department was definitely against the stands being in Main street, he added. Cr McQuillan said that he did not desire to cast a slur on the work of the committee. What he had meant was that he considered it was passing over the matter rather quickly. “I think Cr McQuillan was a bit previous in his remarks,” said Cr Hamilton. “I sat back to hear some discussion on the matter and then it came from all sides that we were trying to hide something.” Cr Hamilton added that allegations were made before the works committee was given a chance to explain the position. After further discussion it was de■cided to refer the matter back to the works committee for further consideration.

Those present at the meeting were: The Mayor (Mr A. T. Newman), and Crs E. G. Wallace, J. A. Baldey, R. L. Reid, N. Robson, T. Sim, G. C. Hamilton, R. S. Green, J. C. Ray, A. V. Latty, H. McQuillan and P. R. Mallon. ANGLING SOCIETY At a meeting of the Gore District Angling Society it was decided to hold the first Roche Cup competition on the Waimea stream on November 26. The conditions decided on were: Fishing hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; bare fly or artificial minnow; weigh in to take place at McKenzie’s garage at 6 pm. During the evening a discussion on shags was held, and a report was received that a big number was at present on the Waikaia river and Gow’s creek. After some discussion it was decided to write to the Southland and Otago Acclimatization Societies pointing out that there was a big number of shags in the vicinity, and that the present was an opportune time to destroy them while the nesting season was on. Mr H. W. Pascoe presided at the meeting and there was a big attendance of. members. RETURNED SOLDIERS At the fortnightly meeting of the executive of the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association the secretary reported that the financial membership of the association stood at 385, compared with 381 last meeting night and 370 for the same period last year. In the competition between the West Otago and Mataura sub-associations, West Otago was leading with 67 financial members, compared with Mataura’s 34. Motions of sympathy were carried with the relations of Mr A. McKay, Mr P. Daly in the death of his brother, Mr A. McLeod in the death of his father, and Mr N. Colquhoun in the death of his brother.

Those present at the meeting were: Messrs T. Rusbridge (chairman), W. D. Shelton, F. M. Murray, S. Paterson, E. L. McDowell, R. Jones, J. McQueen, J. McDonald, P. R. Stewart, C. M. Wilson, A. C. Steel, M. Green, E. J. Columh and G. L. Gerken (secretary).