MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 11

MATAURA

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING A number of matters of interest to the borough was discussed at the monthly meeting of the Mataura Borough Council. The Mayor (Mr C. D. McConnell) presided. There were present: Crs J. P. McErlean, D. A. Bell, R. Hutton, A. Bradley, M. Walker, L. McKelvie, J. McAllister, J. Swale and J. Ingram. A letter was received from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) discussing the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, and stating that provision was being made to declare any area a district for the purpose of the Act, and that committees would be formed consisting of such members as the Minister appointed. The work of the committees would be to _ survey the national recreation facilities of the Dominion. The cooperation of the council was asked. It was decided to advise the Minister that the council was willing to cooperate. The district engineer of the New Zealand Railways Department wrote about the council’s request to lease the railway reserve for beautifying purposes. The following conditions were set out in the letter: Term, to be year to year at a peppercorn rental; that the existing boundary fence be shifted on to the lease boundary adjoining the main line, to the satisfaction of the engineer and at the council’s cost;that no shrubs, the full-grown height of which exceeded 3ft 6in, be planted on the area; that the view at Bridge street crossing be maintained to the engineer’s satisfaction; that the department’s advertising hoarding be not interfered with or obstructed; and that the land be held under a deed for which a fee of £1 1/- be payable.

After much discussion it was decided that the council meet the district engineer before making any definite decision.

A letter from the Department of Internal Affairs advised that regulations had now been issued under the Dogs’ Registrations Act 1937, prescribing the preparation known as arceoline hydrobromide as the approved remedy to be used in the treatment of dogs for the prevention of hydatid disease. The town clerk stated that a quantity of the drug had arrived in tablet form. - c The letter was received.

The Southland Electric Power Supply (Gore) advised that the shifting of a pole on the corner of Albion and River streets would cost the council £4 15/-. The matter was referred to the Works Committee with power to 'act. A letter from the New Zealand Standards Institute about the standardization of local body by-laws stated that a programme of work had been undertaken. The by-laws would ultimately cover the whole range of local body activity. This, however, would take several years to complete, as all the by-laws were being prepared by representative councils on the basis of mutual co-operation and consent. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. The Mataura Athletic Society wrote requesting the use of the domain for

a sports meeting on January 7 and asking for permission to close the gates and make a charge for admission. The request was granted.