BOROUGH OF ELTHAM

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1931, Page 10

BOROUGH OF ELTHAM

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL REPORTS FOR THE MONTH.FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. The September meeting of the Eltham Borough Council was held last night, when a number of reports were submitted. The overseer reported that patching the tarred surface on the Mountain Road and Bridge Stffeet had been carried out. Metal patching had been done on Ladies’ Mile, Conway Road, also on the sides of the tarred surface of Mountain Road. Two piped culverts were lowered on Ladies’ Mile to provide better drainage. Screenings had been spread on numerous paths, including West Street, Preston Street, London Street, Castle Street, Collingwood Street and a portion of Conway Road and Mountain Road. Grading with clay and spreading screenings had been done on Bridger Street and Mill Street. The turf taken off different' paths was being used for backing up the sides of the tarred surface on Mountain Road. Although the river had been in flood several times, careful attention had maintained the usual water supply and pressure. Manholes and sewers had been I inspected, dead-ends flushed and filter beds cleaned. The pumice had been removed from the filter-bed in Castle Street and two pine trees had been cut down to allow more sun on bo the affluent trays. Unemployed relief work was still being carried out in footpath formation, tree-planting in the reserves and beneficial improvements throughout the borough. A few of the men had received work in the separate factories. All the soil required to top-dress the Children’s Park had been carted to the site. One hundred and fifty barberi plants and three lorry loads of punga ferns were procured at the intake reserve and carted to Taumata Park. Guard fences were erected on both sides of the bridge, Conway Road, also at the cuttings, Mountain Road north and Clifford Road. Notices closing certain roads against heavy weights were erected. TAUMATA PARK IMPROVEMENTS The caretaker of Taumata Park reported that further improvements, carried out during the month consisted of harrowing and rolling the football ground prior to the play-off for the senior football championship. Goal posts and small gates were painted, grandstand seats scrubbed, gateways packed with crusher dust, and the racing track and hockey ground cut and rolled. It was found necessary to place 200 yards of 30in wire-netting around the oval fence prior to the play-off, other holes and weak places in the fence also being repaired. Three lorry loads of tree ferns were taken from the water intake reserve and brought to the park to be used in the making of the fernery. Flower beds and seedlings had been attended to, and the usual maintenance work carried out. In the railway reserve the lawns had been cut and flower plots weeded and planted with flower seedlings. In the children’s park the new portion of the park would probably be sown down early in September, and it might be necessary to put in field drain-pipes to take away some of the seepage. The cutting of the four pinus insignis trees on the west side of the stream was recommended as they would probably interfere with growth of shrubs planted along the bank. In the Soldiers’ Memorial Park 2000 macrocarpa trees had been planted. Gorse and fern had been cut and giant feseuc roots dug out. The clearing and cleaning up of the bush portion of the cemetery had been completed. The fern had been cut in the old cemetery, and graves cleaned up. The fern in the plantation on Anderson Road side would be cut, and gum trees attended to. CHECK ON DRIVERS’ LICENSES. The traffic inspector reported, that he had made a check on motor drivers’ licenses for the- purpose of seeing that all licenses had been renewed. He also made a check on carriers regarding their heavy traffic licenses. One information was issued against a Stratford carrier for overloading and for carrying a disc which had expired. Several notices had been issued to owners to have fences repaired and hedges trimmed. During the month 19 drivers’ licenses were issued, making . the total for the year 314. All public halls had been relicensed for the current year. Seven head of stock were impounded. The hearth inspector reported that

three cases of diphtheria had occurred at one home.. One case to his knowledge had given a positive throat swab. He had made six visits to habitations and three to food-sellers’ premises, and had served one requisition. Eight samples of foodstuffs were taken in company with Inspector Lethbridge from four vendors. Attention had been given to alleged unclean premises. There was need for vigilance in respect to premises where persons were unclean. Attention had also been given to ruinous buildings . and either repairs or demolition should be insisted upon. MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote suggesting a fire prevention drive week about the last week in November. The reserves committee recommended that Mr. V. C. Davies, New Plymouth, be asked when visiting the town next week to report on the subject of seeding and planting the native reserve, Taumata Park. It was also recommended that the pine trees in the children’s park referred to by the caretaker be removed. The committee reported that 500 additional inacrocarpa trees will be purchased and planted at the Soldiers’ Memorial Park. An offer by Mr. Bridger to supply, a number of lacebark trees and 100 kowhai trees was accepted with thanks. The works committee reported that the maintenance of Clifford Road would receive immediate attention. The town hall and pictures committee reported that an application from the tennis club for re-consideration of the hall fees charged was declined. The finance committee reported that a road sprayer had been The committee also reported that the application of a ratepayer for a remission of water rates under Section 74, Rating Act, had been declined. The whole subject of water rates had been referred to the Municipal Association for an opinion. Accounts amounting to £llBs' were passed for payment. It was . reported that the revenue for the month was £1420. WORTH £32. PROCEEDS OF “PATCHES.” Notwithstanding the fact that concessions were made to genuine unemployed in that a man and his wife were admitted on the purchase of a Is 6d ticket and unemployed families for 2s 6d, the gross profits from Mr. A. Lord MacPherson’s presentation of “Patches” totalled £32. In view of the low prices charged, Is and Is 6d, the town clerk (Mr. P. Skoglund), who will administer the fund, expressed himself yesterday as being thoroughly satisfied with the result. Mr. Skoglund also stated his great pleasure at the capacity house, which rewarded the efforts of the company. The town hall has been booked for October 22, when an entirely new programme will be submitted, the proceeds to go towards the same fund to alleviate distress. GENERAL ITEMS. The final euchre party of the series arranged by the Eltham Anglican Church was held on Thursday, the social evening 'being in the hands of the Collingwood Street parishioners. The prizewinners were: Miss T. Coleman 1, Mrs. Patterson 2, Mrs. A. Duss, consolation; Mr. F. Belcher 1, Mr. L. Donnelly 2, Mr. G. Lobb, consolation. ELTHAM THEAfTRE. “A DEVIL WITH WOMEN.” Thrills, laughs and love affairs in a tropical setting are the outstanding features of “A Devil With Women,” showing to-night at Eltham. The picture shows a new McLaglen, a more human, and infinitely more likeable character than in anything he has done since “The Black Watch,” and his role is made particularly convincing by reason of its similarity to his own past career. He merely has to “be himself” and ho makes a splendid job of it. The picture is the film version of the famous novel “Dust and Sun,” and is an exciting romantic comedy drama of the tropics, with McLaglen as a devil-may-care, adventurous soldier of fortune, seeking war and women and finding plenty of both. He also encounters plenty of rivalry in his affairs of the healt from a young tourist, a role enacted by Humphrey ■ Bogart, the New York stage star, with Mona Maris as the heroine. Michael Vavitch is the bandit leader and Luana Alvanix is Vavitch’s sweetheart. The cast of “A Devil With Women” also includes such favourites as Mrs. Jiminez, Mona Rico, John St. Polis and Joe De Le Cruz.