WAITARA

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16763, 12 June 1920, Page 10

WAITARA

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the AVaitara. Borough Council was held in the Borough Council office. “Present; Councillors A. AV. Ogle, Deputy-Mayor (in the chair). Blair, Rennie’, Bcckbessinger, C. Johnstone, R. Gnbbon, An application made by Air. Jackson for attention -to a road that was partially within tho judisdiction of tho Taranaki County Council and partly within the borough, was considered and a resolution was passed that Mr. Jacksou be informed that it was Impossible to do anything in tho present state cf the weather, but that a communication would be made to the Taranaki County Council requesting that steps be taken to attend to the road as soon as possible. The usual slaughtering license was granted to Messrs. Thos. Borthwiok and Sons. Mr. H. Spurdle waited on the council in regard to a resolution passed at the last meeting of the council requiring that a a fireman should be present at all functions in the various halls. Mr. Spurdle wanted tho council to consider the position of the Clifton Hall, where a number of small functions wore held. It would be a hardship if they had to pay for a fireman .when there wore perhaps only 20 or 30 people present, as was often the case. Councillor Ogle considered that, personally there was a good reason for Air. Spurdlc’s request. A previous council had seen fit .to make these restrictions, and that being so the by-law should apply to one public ball as well as another." It often happened that the theatre, a fireproof building, was as badly attended as i,ho Clifton Hall. Then why should ono require a fireman to be present and the other be exempt. The council’s duty was to protect, not to persecute tho public. Mr. AVatcrn an, the inspector, was asked to give his views on the matter. He said he considered that the duty of firemen was to see that the exit doors were in props.- order; and the proper place for the fireman at many functions should bo behind the stage, and if anything was not. in accordance with the bylaws it was his duty- to tho management. Councilloi , Beckbcssingi-r thought that the inspector should go into the matter with the fire brigade and define their duties. At present the brigade did not appear to know its duties. Councillor Ogle remarked that it happened sometimes, the Peace Celebration, for instance, that the Theatre Royal was packed, and no fireman was present. It appeared to be at tho pictures when the firemen wanted to she.' their supposed authority. Mr. Spurdle said that it would be a farce to have to pay for a fireman to be- present at half the events that take place in Clifton Hall. Councillor Ogle thought tl at it would meet the case to leave it to the discretion of the inspector as to when a fireman should be present. Councillor Rennie moved that the question of tho attendance of fivemen at the theatre and halls bo left to the inspector’s ■discretion to advise the brigade when he considers the presence of firemen necessary. It was further resolved that the fire brigade be informed that the control of public amusements was in the hands of the inspector, from whom they would receive their instructions as to when they should bo in a ttendance, and iis to what were their duties. A resolution was passed endorsing a resolution of the Stratford Borougtr Council in favour of a Saturday halfholiday. . ■{ The clerk stated that Mr. Parr, the Minister of Education, has been to AVaitara and ho had boon shown the ground for the proposed tennis club on tho Camp Reserve. The bon. Minister was quite in sympathy with the scheme and thought that ho (the clerk) should wx-ito to him stating that a clause was inserted in the leases giving tho public the right to use tho courts on payment of a foe for a game. This, it was behoved, Would be satisfactory to the tennis club, a meeting of which body was to be Held to deal with the matter. The ranger reported that tho monM, of May had been a busy one. Ho asked tho council for air increase in liis salary owing to the increase in tho ctst of living. It was resolved that the ranger be allowed the poundage fees 'over 30s per month. The ranger referred to the decision of the magistrate in a case heard on AVodnosday which was dismissed on the ground that the ranger has no right to claim fees if -an animal has not been pounded, and asked tho direction of tho council. .Councilloi- Ogle. _ in speaking or. the electrical engineer’s report, said that cue of the dynamos was in very bad order and was practically beyond repair. From what he. could gather this was brought about in consequence of tl o current being taken direct from the dynamos instead of from tho storage batteries. It was resolved that with the exception of the schools and churches, the water rate on all unratenble property within the borough should be raised' 33 1-3 per cent. Accounts were passed for payment.