BLUFF NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24152, 14 June 1940, Page 2

BLUFF NEWS

BOROUGH COUNCIL STRIKES_RATES SCHEDULE OF WORKS DISCUSSED The following rates for the ensuing 12 months were struck at the meeting of the Bluff Borough Council:— General rate, 9Jd in the £1 on unimproved value. Special consolidated and loans conversion rate, 3|d in the £1 on unimproved value. (An increase of id in the £l.) Hospital Board rate, BJd in the £1 on annual value.

Sanitary rate, £l/12/6 per annum. Refuse removal, 6/- per annum. (An increase of 1/-.)

Sewerage charge, 16/- a flush service per annum. The Mayor (Mr J*. Cameron) presided over the following: Crs A. E. Budd, C. G. Pilcher, L. Newman, J. Ballantyne, O. F. Metzger and G. Muir. The town clerk (Mr H. A. Ferguson) and the foreman of works (Mr W. Mathieson) were also present. The report of the special committee appointed to discuss the financial report and recommend economies that could be effected was discussed in committee.

The schedule of works for the incoming year was discussed and provisional estimates adopted. It was agreed that a footpath in Slaney street between McDougall and Theodore streets be substituted for the proposed patl in Barrow street between Boyne and Liffey streets. The completion of the work of forming the recreation reserve in the west end is included in the schedule and the Mayor mentioned that a Government liaison officer had waited on him during the week to ascertain if there was any work on which the council could employ relief workers. In his opinion the completion of the west end reserve was very necessary. although it would have been better had it not been begun. It would be necessary to find employment for watersiders when there were no ships in port as their work was most essential in handling the produce of the country. Cr Pilcher said he was of the opinion that stricter supervision should be maintained over the men when the job was recommenced.

In reply to a letter from the Southland Progress League it was decided that as no contribution to the league’s funds was being mad< no representative be appointed. A petition from the residents of Walker street that improvements to the road be effected was referred to the Works Committee.

An invitation from St. John Ambulance to the Mayor and councillors and their wives to attend a demonstration in the new rooms on June 19 was accepted. Following the representation by the Government meat inspector to various councillors that the Ocean Beach freezing works be used as an abattoir for the local butchers, it was decided to write to the freezing works and the butchers for their comment on the proposal. The Ladies’ Croquet Club is to be advised that the council has not the necessary labour this year to carry out the improvements on the green. Cr Pilcher commented on the dangerous practice of residents of the west end walking on the road in Blackwater street instead of on the footpath. OBITUARY CAPTAIN C. W. BRADSHAW After a brief illness Captain Charles William Bradshaw died at his residence at Bluff. Born at Greymouth 73 years ago, Captain Bradshaw spent most of his life at Bluff. His father owned and sailed the ketches Good Templar and Alert, which traded in and out of the port of Invercargill in the early days. As a boy he was employed by his father on these vessels in the coastal trade.

Captain Bradshaw worked on the historic ship the Edwin Fox when she was used by the Southland Frozen Meat Co. as a freezer at Bluff. He was an expert whaler and his services were immediately sought to control operations when any whales were sighted in the straits.

Later Captain Bradshaw was employed as an oysterman and waterside worker, but many years of his life were spent as an employee of the Bluff Harbour Board, mostly in dredging work. He succeeded the late Captain Harbord as sailing master and ladderman in the dredge Murihiku in 1937. Captain Bradshaw married Miss Ellen Harwood, of Hampden. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs Rolland O’Regan, of Wellington, and Miss Kiti Bradshaw, of Bluff, and four sons, Charles, George Peter Mutu, Norman Joseph and Francis Octavius, all of Bluff.

RED CROSS DONATION At a special meeting of the Bluff Regatta Society it was decided to make a donation of £BO to the Red Cross funds. PRESENTATIONS Before his departure for camp, Mr F. L. Giles was met by his fellow workers and his employer, Mr C. G. Pilcher, and presented with a wellfilled money belt. Mr Pilcher congratulated Mr Giles on the step he had taken and wished him the best of luck. Mr Giles was also the recipient of a tobacco pouch from Mrs Pilcher and family. Before retiring from the works staff of the Bluff Harbour Board because of ill-health, Mr Charles Roff was met by members of the staff and presented with a well-filled inscribed wallet. Mr D. E. S. Mason, engineer to the board, in making the presentation, stated they were all very sorry that illhealth was the cause of the board losing the services of a very efficient officer. It was the wish of everyone that their guest’s health would soon improve. Other speakers included Messrs N. W. Newman and E. Bigwood. Mr Roff replied. GOLF The following is the draw for the men’s stroke qualifying round (Captain’s Trophy), to be played tomorrow on the Bluff links. The best 16 will qualify for match play D. E. S. Mason v. A. R. Ross, A. M. Ferguson v. W. L. Doyle, G. D. Bruce v. N. C. Stewart, J. Tait v. J. Beaton, C. McKillop v. J. Mitchell, A. M. Wilson v. H. A. Ferguson, C. Parsons v. L. Edwards, W. F. Cameron v. W. G. Fisher, E. McZenzie v. R. Pearce, J. H. Doyle v. partner to be arranged later. The draw for the women’s sealedhole competition is. as follows:—Miss Fletcher and Mrs Bragg, Mrs Waitiri and Mrs Newman, Mrs Bruce and Miss Casey, Miss Newman and Miss Edwards.