OTAUTAU

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 3

OTAUTAU

MONTHLY MEETING OF TOWN BOARD

At the monthly meeting of the Otautau Town Board, the clerk reported that after the accounts presented that night had been paid the board would have a credit balance of £5OO. This, however, would be required before the end of the financial year. The chairman, Mr W. J. Wesney, reported on the results of the conference between members of the board and the Returned Soldiers’ Association about the procedure to be adopted for men enlisting from Otautau and district. He said that arrangements had been made to give each man a suitable send-off and a monetary gift of £2/2/-. A committee, comprising three members of the board, three representatives from the Returned Soldiers’ Association and three women, had been set up and Mesdames A. Harrington, W. R. Ayson and Miss Reay Campbell had been nominated at a meeting of women. It had been left to the board to run a patriotic ball to raise the necessary funds.

It was decided that the chairman and Messrs A. A. Liddell and A. Chisholm represent the board. Mr Liddell mentioned that the board’s remit about drinking in public halls had been placed on the Statute Book. The proposed rules, as drawn up by the sub-committee, governing the swimming pool, were submitted. It was decided that these be handed to the solicitor to frame into a by-law. Mr J. F. Egan; representing the New Zealand Institute for the Blind, wrote stating that arrangements had been made with the proprietors of the Otautau picture theatre to screen a film depicting the operations of blind men, and that a retiring collection would be taken up. It was mentioned that this film would be screened -on Saturday, October 14.

Major H. C. Mackenzie wrote that he had received correspondence from headquarters about the formation of a Territorial Association in Otautau, but because of pressure of work he was unable to meet the board in the meantime, but would advise it later and arrange a date for the meeting. Major G. H. Clifton, N.Z.S.C., advised that although the matter had been radically changed by the outbreak of war Territorial Associations would still have a valuable part to play, not only in maintaining the strength and morale of the local territorial unit but also, if the war was a long one, in assisting with recruiting for, and the general welfare of, the special force. It was hoped that these associations generally would provide a local focus for patriotic efforts, particularly those directed towards the comfort of the men who joined up. It was left in the hands of the chairman to take the necessary steps on receipt of advice from headquarters. Mr Alex Fraser wrote accepting the position of poundkeeper. Mr A. Eaton Hurley, secretary of the Municipal Conference, forwarded a copy of the remit about street frontages, and notified that it was not intended to take any further action on this remit. The opinion was expressed that the conference should be discontinued for the duration of the war, a notice having been received that the annual conference would be held in March.

Mr W. F. Sturman, secretary of the Southland Provincial Centennial Council, wrote thanking the board for its contribution of £5 to the Southland provincial centennial memorial. Mr A. L, Adamson, secretary of the Southland Provincial Court Committee, wrote stating that he had not heard of any grants being cut down for the Southland Court at the exhibition, and the information given at the meeting of the board, as far as he knew, was absolutely incorrect. The Dominion Court, including the Southland section, was almost complete and would be ready for the opening of the exhibition on November 8. As far as contributions from public bodies in Southland were concerned, he had no doubt about their contributions being paid. It was decided to pay the balance of £l2/10/-. , , Mr R. R. Walker, secretary of the Otautau Athletic Society, wrote applying for permission to charge for admission to the snorts on Labour Day, and to prevent the parking of cars in Kendal. Catrine and Hulme streets, west of the railway crossing, and to close Hulme street from immediately above the double gate entrance to the parking area.

It was decided to grant the request. Mr Liddell said the board was under an obligation to put more seats in position on the ground, as the Athletic Society had contributed £lO towards this being done. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Domain Board.

Mr Price, clerk of the Wyndham Town Board, forwarded information dealing with the subsidy received by his board for relief workers. Mr T. K. Fisher, clerk of the Mataura Borough Council, advised that so far his council had not been called upon to subsidize wages for men on relief works. The present Scheme 13 was still going on there and the Government paid a subsidy of 100 per cent, on the wages. Mr G. Cassels, clerk of the Riverton Borough Council, also wrote to the same effect. Miss I. G. Russell, clerk of the Winton Borough Council, wrote that it was almost a year since her council had subsidized the wages of relief workers. For the greater part of that period three men were employed under Scheme 13, but three months ago the number was increased to four.

The clerk reported that he had interviewed the Social Security officer to ascertain if there was any more work for the men. The officer had stated he was anxious for the men to go off, as jobs were waiting for them, and if the relief work was stopped he could place most of them. The clerk said instructions had been given about holidays, and this had been attended to. Mr Liddell asked who had given authority to put sheep on Holt Park. He said it was ridiculous to plant trees and have them destroyed before they were properly protected, and it was time the Doma’n Board had some say in the matter.

The chairman said he had been interviewed about the same thing. A portion of the area had been made a camping ground, and it was the intention in the future to have a crescent of trees from the hill to the double gate near the river. No objection was made to the sheep being there, he said, but what they did object to was that they were put there before the fence was erected to protect the trees. Mr G. L. Laurenson, the Commissioner of Transport, wrote stating that by reason of the Transport Amendment Act 1939, all taxi-cabs were brought under the transport licensing system and the licensing by local authorities was not now required. Similar action had taken place’ in the case of rental cars, but this was done by means of a warrant issued by the Minister of Transport. Those present at the meeting were: Commissioners W. J. Wesney (chairman), G. B. Burns, P. Sheridan, A. A. Liddell, James Campbell and A. Chisholm. EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS The prizes at a euchre tournament in the school were won by Mrs E. Jellyman and Mr H. Hibbs. There was a good attendance at the euchre tournament at the Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms. The winners were: Women, Mrs Ballam 1, Mrs Keith 2; men, Messrs W. Fraser 1 and C. Pink 2. MAGISTRATE’S COURT Judgment for plaintiffs by default was given in the following cases: Charles Goodall v. Alexander Mathieson for £5/8/10, costs £l, and solicitor’s fee 15/6; Hugh Smyth v. F. Daly for £2/1/-, costs 8/-. Messrs G. B. Burns and G. Sinclair, Justices of the Peace, presided.