GERALDINE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10939, 13 May 1926, Page 2

GERALDINE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Deputy Mdyor, Mr G. R, Sherratt, (in the chair), and Councillors E. H. Logan, D. Paterson, A. J. Bell, W. Davison and E. White. An apology was received from the Mayor, Mr J. Kennedy. CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr E. Aitken wrote asking If the Council Intended,to accept hie offer of a pair of grey ducks for the Park. The offer was refused, Mr Aitken being thanked for offering the gift. It was pointed out that there was no ornamental water in the Park to put the ducks on. The Fire Brigade wrote asking for further equipment which was badly needed. They required 900 feet of hose, new uniforms, drying stands, new ladder, alterations to the engine, electric light installed, widening doors and several other items.

The letter was held over pending the consideration of the estimates. The Health Officer, Dr. Telford, wrote in connection with the drainage at Braeside Nursing Home, that he was surprised, at the 'attitude taken up by the Council in regard to maintaining this drain in a satisfactory condition free from nuisance, as it was by the Council’s act in acquiesing that household drainage entered this drain on the other side of the roadway above the hospital grounds. ,

Cr. Sherratt said this opened up the whole question of drainage. If they undertook this one, they must be prepared to go into every other similar case.

Cr. Paterson moved that the Town Clerk take steps to find out the feeling of the people by taking a poll. This was carried.

The secretary of the Timaru Hospital Board wrote enclosing a copy of the Board’s estimates for 19267. The.amount of annual levy to be collected this year is £17,524 17s 7d, Geraldine’s share of which will, be £l4O 18s 4d. A demand was made for the first instalment of this, amounting .to £35: : 4s 7d.—Received.

Mr F, Gaby, poundkeeper, reported that he had impounded three horses and two cows during the month.—Adopted, , LIBRARY REPORT.

Miss M. Stringer (librarian) reported there had been 405 books issued during i the month; 38 new books had been marked, off and -put into circulation. Four pounds ten shillings and elevenpence was taken. Cr. Paterson asked if the new books from London had been satis-

factory. i The Town Clerk said that the Book Lovers’ Library had sent out monthly books either chosen by them or by order. The matter of choice had been left with the English Library, and they had sent monthly 25 novels and; three of better literature!

The report was adopted. Cr. Logan, on behalf of the Library Committee, asked that arrangements be made for heating the Library by coal; that £lO be voted for new books; that a notice board be procured on which prices for membership should be' posted, 2s per month, 5s for three months, Ss for six months, and 15s for twelve months; the removal of all periodicals and papers with the exception of daily papers to the small room, same, to be used for subscribers only. It was decided that coal be procured for heating, and six. chairs and two curtains be procured. - The report was adopted. FINANCE, REPORT. ; Cr. Sherratt, chairman of the Finance Committee, reported that receipts for the month had been £697 Ss 2d, which included £5(52 13s 2d from the Queen Carnival Committee. Accounts for payment, were £247, cash in bank amounted to £143 10s 7d, and cash in hand £7B 18s. There was a debit in the Domain Board accounts of £l9 6s lid. The report was adopted. ■ DEPUTATION. . A deputation from the Geraldine District Brass Band waited on the Council in regard to the, disposal of the money raised by the Band at the late Queen Carnival. Messrs J. Cairns, J. Fleming and S. McDonald represented the Band, Mr Fleming said they had come

to settle about the new instruments. Mr Cairns said they wanted, the Council to take over the Band and make it a Municipal Band., He said he had some quotes from makers of instruments ranging from £520 to £556.

In answer to Cr. Sherratt, Mr Cairns said they had in hand about £305, including sale of old. instruments. They would make up the deficiency by -concerts, collections, etc. The old instruments were

done. They were by different makers and could not be tuned. They could get good terms. 'Cr. Shei ! ratt said it seemed that the Band wanted the Council to

guarantee the money. Mr McDonald said it was for the Band, not the Council, to say what instruments they required. The representative of one firm was in town that night. It was decided to ask him to attend.

Mr Dixon, representing Messrs Besson, said he understood the Band had been successful in the Carnival. Ills linn was prepared if the Baud put down £IOO, to allow them

=—=l twelve months 'without interest, to pay'"thebalance, The instruments were the very best to be had. Or. Sherratt asked if the balance could be spread over three years if necessary, at 7 per cent. The Geraldine bandmaster (Mr McDonald) was making the Band; into it fin? combination. ; - 1 s[i ■Cr. Sherratt said) the Council Sfi| in sympathy with the Band, and would do all in their power to help them. Mr McDonald said the matter could be soon fixed up. He would guarantee the Council would never have to ask the ratepayers for a penny. A special meeting of the Council will be held to consider the matter. DOMAIN BOARD. The Council sat as a Domain Board, the same -members being present. Mr C. Voss, captain of the Geraldine Hockey; .Qljub, made application for the exclusive use of the Park with authority to charge Is 6d per head for adults and 6d for children admission, for the purpose of playing a match, India v. Geraldine. The match .was being controlled by the Geraldine Club, and the Indians were going to stay at Geraldine for four days.—Granted, charge £1 Is, if finances allow. DEPUTY MAYOR RESIGNS. The Deputy Mayor (Mr G. R. . Sherratt), at the conclusion of the * meeting, handed in his resignation to the Town Clerk consequent on his. leaving the district shortly. He said he w r as sorry to be pulling ou^.