GERALDINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 14 October 1926, Page 4

GERALDINE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FIRE AT GERALDINE. ' Al 2 p.m. yesterday morning two shops in Peel Street were destroyed hy fire. One was occupied by Mrs M. Knight (confectioner), and the other by Air Bruce Wilson (painter). The lire brigade were promptly on the scene, and were able to save the adjoining butcher's shop, occupied by Mr A. Malings. A portion of the building was old, having been reconstructed and added to recently. Mrs Knight’s stock was insured for.£lso, and Mr Wilson’s stock for £250. Both are heavy losers, having indent stocks just to hand. The building was owned by Mr ,T, M. Morrison and insured for £375. BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council was held on Tuesdav evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr I. Kennedy), Councillors D. M. Paterson, A. ,T. Bell, M.'Cainpbell, E. 11. Logan, J. W. Davison, and E. White.

Correspondence was received from Mr G. Loach, sen., making an offer of 10/6 for small and 14/6 for large lamp posts. Mr Bell asked if the ' Council could not use up these for gate posts? On the motion of Mr Campbell, Mr-Loach’s offer was accepted. Mr 11. Titheridge wrote asking for half water rates on sections in Cox and'Wilson Strepts, also for a reduction in the unimproved value on the same property. He pointed out that the sections were valued at £7O each, and when he sold one out of the block it was valued at £3O. As all the sections were of the same value he thought he was entitled to a reduction.

After discussion it was decided to refer Mr .Titheridge to the Government Valuation Department, as the Council had no_ authority to alter the rate roll. ’ '

A number of letters were received thanking the Council for invitations to meet the Governor-General. In this connection the Mayor took the opportunity of thanking the ladies’ committee, the' decoration committee, and all the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted to make the welcome to the Governor-General a success. •

Mr 'C. W. McKenzie applied for a permit to build an addition to the store occupied by Broad and McWhinnie. —Granted. Mr 11. Grierson wrote enclosing a copy of a letter he had forwarded to the Geraldine County Council, complaining of the reckless manner, in which cars were driven through the county and the borough, and giving instances where jiedestrians were forced off the road.—Received.. , The Defence Office wrote asking for information re water rates, etc., in connection with the Drill Hall site. —Information to be supplied. The State Accident Insurance Office advised that an accident claim amounting to £4 9s Bd-liad been settled, and paid to one of the Board’s employees.' The London and Lancashire Insurance Co. wrote asking for some of the- 'Council’s-' insurande. —It was stated 'that the Council already had their insurance spread " over four companies, some of which this company had.—Letter received. Anderson, Bicknell and C0..-advis-ed that they had money to invest-In local body debentures. —Not required at present.

The Deputy Chief inspector of Explosives wrote re renewal of Town Hall license. —Application to be renewed and conditions complied with. The Film' Exchanges wrote regarding a renewial of fire policy covering films in transit. —Policy to be renewed.

The Australasian Performing Rights Association, Ltd., enclosed a pamphlet giving notice that they intend to collect fees on all copyright music used in dance halls and idaces of amusemerit.- —In this connection a letter was received from Now Zealand Theatre Proprietors, ashing the Council not to commit themselves until' the legal position was defined. ■ —-Agreed to. The Health Department wrote asking that regulations under the Health Act be adopted by the Council; and that information re other regulations quoted be supplied.—Clerk to prepare draft of regulations for next Council meeting.

CROQUET CLUB. A deputation from the Ladies' Croquet Club, consisting of the president. (Mrs D. Macdonald), and the secretary (Mrs G. Webb), waited on the Council re the formation of new croquet lawns. Mrs Macdonald complained that the Council had undertaken to lay down the.-lawns. They had done a lot of work themselves. The account received from the Council was very high, and they would like to know If the Council could assist them in the matter of meeting their liabilities. The greens were very rough yet, and a good deal more work would have'to be done before they could play on them. Another matter they wished to discuss with the Council was the charge for the caretaker’s services for the upkeep of the green. The Bowling Club paid 1/10 an hour, and the Croquet Club 2/-. The Mayor asked, the clerk to state the position with regard to the formation of the greens, and the caretaker. " • 1

Mr Hayes said that the Club had asked the" Council to do the work, the Club to pay for the men’s labour. The work had been done and time charged. Mr W. A. Sherratt had checked the time- of the men employed, and was satisfied that- the accdunt was correct. With regard to the caretaker, the Council-'-agreed with the Bowlins Club to do a certain amount of work; for affixed - sum of money. The caretaker’s time, was charged up to the Croquet Club at so much an hour.' Mr Coombs's time' was fully occupied, and he had asked to be relieved of tlie 'worlc on the croquet lawn. The club had three greens to keep up now.- The expense' for upkeep of one green was £6, and now three cost them about £lB. Mrs ICnibb supported Mrs Macdonald, and said the club owed the Council £7 on an old account, and £l7 was.also now owing for-the caretaker.

The Mayor said it'was a pity the matter had gone so far before-it was realised that the cost would be more than the club could finance. 1 There! were no funds in the Domain Board available, but their request would be a fair charge on the carnival funds, and there should bo that amount available. If the club could arrange for their own caretaker they might be able to mako a saving. Mrs Macdonald said there would still be a good deal of work to do to put the.greens in proper order. Mr Campbell considered that it would take from twenty to forty loads to fill up and make a job. ' It was decided to ask the club to try out a caretaker of their own. Should it’ not improve matters- the Council would consider getting assistance for Mr Coombs. As' there were no funds available they could *iot assist them financially, ""

THE BAND. The committee of the Geraldine Bands waited on the Council as requested, and explained the position with regard to their finances. All the money earned by the band went to pay off the new instruments, rhe funds raised by the band’s orchestra were the property of the players. They all had their own instruments except one cornet belonging to the band. ■ ~ , , It was decided to pay the band a subsidy of £lO, the amount to be paid: direct to the firm who supplied the instruments. The borough ranger reported having impounded 9 cows and o horses during the month. Tho librarian reported there had been 450 books issued during the month; £2 4s 6d was taken lri subscriptions, and 5/6 in fines- Tir 'A new members joined. Sixty ne books had been purchased and pu{. on the shelves. • The manager of the Town Hall ieporte'd having shown seven evening performances, and a-.number .of lettings. The total receipts tor the month were £S6 17s 9d, expendituie £64 0s 9d, showing a profit ot I< lt was-decided to schedule the letting for cabaret balls at £7, including the use of the two front rooms The overseer’s report, was read and adopted.

' FINANCE. Mr X. W. Davison read the financial statement showing—General receipts £385 lls lOd, payments iL%4 12s 8d dr. balance at bank £B6O las lOd. Domain Board, debit balance £1 7s; Cemetery Board, cr. balance £9 15s.

DOMAIN BOARD. The Geraldine Football Club applied for. permission to . .form. two football grounds, near the tennis and hockey grounds.—Granted. ■ The Geraldine Cricket Club ap plied for the use of the oval lot- the season on the same terms as last year. , _——*.**