MATAURA

Southland Times, Issue 23768, 16 March 1939, Page 13

MATAURA

BOROUGH COUNCIL FLOODING OF WAIMUMU CHANNEL At the monthly meeting of the Mataura Borough Council there were present:—The Mayor (Mr C. D. McConnell), and Crs J. P. McErlean, D. A. Bell, R. Hutton, A. Bradley, M. Walker, L. McKelvie, J. Swale and J. Ingram. A discussion took place about the recent flooding of the Waimumu channel. Cr McErlean said that as no reply had been received from the county about its liability, it appeared that the Borough Council was being ignored. He asked if something could not be done to expedite matters. Cr Bell: They seem to have shelved the whole matter. A heavy rain at the present time would have serious sonsequences. The county should not be given any further latitude. They should be given a chance to reply and if that is not forthcoming the matter should be taken further. He moved that the town clerk write again to the Waimumu Drainage Board pointing out that no reply to the council’s letter had been received and indicating that unless the County Council was prepared to do something before it was too late, the borough would take further action. The motion was carried. A letter was received from the town clerk, Milton, asking the council’s views on a proposal to form an association of the smaller boroughs of Otago and Southland. The Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Labour, wrote about the subsidy offered i the council for the Mataura borough water supply scheme and advised that, provided the work was put in hand before the end of June, the subsidy offered on the basis of the full wages cost for the employment of registered and eligible men would still be made available to the council. Special provision would be made to meet the labour cost of £l7OO involved. Enclosed was a copy of the conditions under which the subsidy will be made available.

It was decided to write thanking the Minister and the letter was referred to the water and drainage committee. A letter was received from the Public Works Department, Invercargill, advising that the Main Highways Board had now agreed that the Gore-Inver-cargill State highway would be sealed to a width of 24 feet and that the work would be done this season if possible. Referring to the sealing of the borough street passing the Borough Council’s offices and giving access to the freezing works, the letter stated that as this street was on the opposite side of the railway line to the State highway the board could not assist financially, but the writer would be willing to conI fer with the council and give any advice , required about the preparation of proposals. Providing the council met the whole of the cost involved, the I board would have no objection to the I sealing of the street being carried out in conjunction with any other highways sealing contract nearby. The letter was referred to the works committee.

Mr J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, acknowledged receipt of a letter from the council in reference to the issue of model by-laws, pursuant to section 373 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, and stated that the council’s representations in support of the proposal submitted by the Waitara Borough Council had been noted and would receive careful consideration.

Mr L. J. McDonald, secretary of the New Zealand Standards Institute, wrote attaching the draft proposals for a New Zealand standard by-law for residential buildings, flats and apartment houses and inviting comment. The letter was referred to the finance committee for a report. A letter was received from the State Advances Corporation of New Zealand enclosing a special order schedule of proceedings taken to raise the Mataura bridge loan. It was decided to adopt the Government’s formal resolution.

Mr T. Kubala wrote requesting the works committee to inspect with him certain drains so that he could prove his contentions about the council’s liability for flooding on his property. The request was refused. Mr E. G. Wilson, borough engineer, wrote advising that he had taken the levels for kerbing and channelling in Kana street and Oakland street and prepared the necessary sectional drawings. Mr Wilson also recommended the council to procure the services of Mr Fitzpatrick for a few days to start the work as he was conversant with the whole procedure. The letter was referred to the works committee with power to act. The report of the foreman of works stated: —

“The Main street highway has been graded on the flanks and the edges of the sealed surface have been patched. “The grass has been cut in Hope, Bristol and Argyle streets, and the footpaths in Forth street, Main street south, and Main street north have been cleaned and the grass cut. The pedestrian crossing lines have been repainted. The grass and rubbish round the hall have been cleared away, and the spoil carted off the various streets. The concrete stand for the new fire bell tower has been erected, and a footpath crossing installed to a new residence in Burns street. The open ditch in Dacre street has been cleaned out. “The domain grounds have been mowed for cricket matches and also the running tracks. An additional 130 concrete posts were made for the fence at the Tuturau reserve. Good progress is being made with the erection of this fence. The garden plot at the station has been cleaned.” Cr McKelvie was congratulated by the Mayor and councillors on being appointed a Justice of the Peace.