WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 8 April 1927, Page 3

WAIMATE.

[(From Our Own Correspondent.) MUNICIPAL PROGRESS. The following report drafted by the Mayor gives an indication of some of , the work accomplished during the term of the present Borough Council: — Finance. —In two years we have added to the bank credit balance £275. Yv'e have out of revenue .paid £-102 oil' the Water loan. We have paid old debts amounting to £230. We have added buildings and plant costing £750. We have given the children permanent playthings costing £IOO. We have erected 1 road and other signs costing £SO. We have reduced the public debt by the customary £897 15s lOd. We have spent £l4iU on tarred surfaces. Wc have maintained all the services of the Borough efficiently. Wo have done all this without increasing the rates. There aro those who resent our busi-ness-like methods and prefer to owe rates and charges which should bo paid promptly. The difference in our method is that where ihc average cost for interest on moneys owed to the Borough was 10s per week, we paid for the whole of last year only one sum of os 6d altogether. Leaving out the tarring, much of which is a permanent asset, we have improved the position in paid debts and added values by £2, <3B for the two years. Water. —The water loan of 20 years ago fell due this year, and as "there had been only a one per cent, sinking fund, it was necessary to renew £7OOO on a terminating basis of thirty-three years. This has been done, despite the cost of money at this stage, without increasing the annua! charge under this head. The supply has held good throughout the year, but so greatly lias the demand increased that it has been found advisable to decline further applications from outside the borough. On the application of the .school; authorities wo have granted free use of the baths for instructional classes, and have thus facilitated the bringing of swimmers to the point of success. Staff.—During the year we have lost the services of Miss Wills, Mrs Hoskins, and Messrs Wild and Healey, whose good services were suitably commented upon. There has been ap- * pointed an inspector of motor traffic under whose interest there is much less complaint of traffic by-law breaches. The working staff is lessened by one man, and in place of a permanent hand we aro employing -such extra labour as is from time to time called for. Horse-Ownnig.—The ownership of its own horses by the Council has proved most satisfactory, and we have saved the price of one horse in cash payments besides more tba-i paying for the other in increased capacity. Tarring.—lVe have continued the policy laid down last year, and have as a result of the two years work just about doubled the amount of tarred surfaced streets in the Borough. The experiment has been mad© in Belt Street of tarring four feet of the footpath, where there is no kerbing, and this will, be watched with interest. Reserves.—The year has been marked by great advance under the Reserves Committee. In Victoria Park there has been built, in conjunction with the sports bodies, a commodious dressing pavilion and office. In Scddon Square, a gas-ring kiosk is finding appreciation. The rotunda lias been improved l by a concrete edging, and the Ladies’ Croquet Club given the enjoyment of the use ot the Square for their games. Victoria Park has been thinned

of trees which were delaying growth, and shrubs have been introduced. Swings have been erected hero, and at Town.' Belt and at the Triangle lg Wilkin Street. Toboggan slides hildren are in great use at the belt the Park. General. —Electric light lias been applied to the town clock and to the band rotunda in Scddo'n Squate. In lie new leases to the tennis and bowling clubs, it lia.s been arranged that these pleasant spots shall be open to all burgesses who wish to be spectators of the games. The outside of the Chambers has been renovated, and tiie clerk’s office rearranged td more suitably receive public business. The appearance of the town has had attention, and will more and more evoke praise from visitors and. residents alike.

The planting campaign and the opening of beauty spots, together with the removal of certain eyesores from the building area, will be steps in the right direction.

Publicity.—Under this heading may be mentioned the hire Brigades demonstration so successfully carried out bv our Brigade. We' exhibited at the Motor Olympia in Timaru a bav of photographs which attracted much

attention and praise. The road signs have been added to, and many notices of direction in the Borough erected. The attention given to creating new walks and the like at Kelcy’s Bush is good publicity, and the “Press has served us well.

Royal and Vice-Regal.—At the function-in connection with the visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Waimate took its part, and wa3 represented an the official party by the Mayor and Mayoress. Xho visit to Waimate by the Governor-General was the occasion.for a patriotic display in Conjunction with tho County Council which did Waimate credit.

Health Week.—The Health Week clean-up was a good innovation, and most successful in ridding the Borough of much that was calculated to be a menace to health.

Councillors. —'Work in the Council has gone ahead well. The change of committee chairmen has served its purpose, and given experience to new men which will be of great value. Tim conduct of business has been decorus

and reflects credit on all Councillors. These results are gratifying concludes the Mayor, and I congratulate

you on a meritorious performance. You are leaving the Borough much better than you found it, and have accomplished.your task without adding to the rates, and this places tho burgesses under a double obligation to you for which I have no doubt they will be eincerely grateful.

HOSPITAL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Waimate Hospital Committee was held on Wednesday evening. Present—Messrs W. Geddes (chairman), R. H. White F. Pollock, J. T. Hay, J. I. Hayman, and G. Dash;

The steward reported that the matter of showers had been inquired into, and it was ascertained that there would be a lot of difficulty in installing them in some cases. A report would be furnished later.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT.

The chairman reported that receipts for the past month were £296 9s 9d, and accounts to be presented for pay-, ment totalled £707 2s 2d.

The return of patients showed that there were under treatment at date of last return 40. 69 were admitted during the month, the total being 109. Of these 64 were discharged, leaving 45 remaining. The collective clays stay was 1238. . J

A letter was received from the South Canterbury Hospital Board, stating that. the Board was not prepared to subsidise maternity fees, and advising that a resolution had been passed as£ ing the Waimate Committee to consider the ’ matter of a maternity ward at the hospital, and submit proposals to the Board.

Hr. Shacldeton said that the hospital was already overcrowded, and that a maternity ward, would necessitate a new building. The hospital no u

perienced maternity nurse, and an addition to the staff would require more accommodation at the nurses’ home. In reply to a question from Mr Dash, Dr. Shackleton said that the total fees fc<r_ a maternity case at present in .Waimate were approximately £l-1 14s. A committee comprising Messrs Dash and Geddes was appointed to report to the Board.

J. Moore and Son’s tender for funerals was accepted. Hr. Shaekleton, medical superintendent, reported that work had progressed satisfactorily. The hospital had been busy during tho early part of tho month, hut had quietened down towards the end. Sister McLeod had returned from sick leave. It was proposed to procure a probationer in place of Nurse Hurst, who was on sick leave. Nurses Berry and Turner had completed their three months’ probation, and it was proposed to place them on the staff. The matron had inquired about additions to. the nurses’ home, and she felt that in June she. would have trouble in finding accommoxlation for nurses. Mr Bash said that the matter was in the hands of the Health Department, hut it would not be done bv June.

-The report was adopted. Tho House Committee reported that some repairs were necessary to tho farm fences, and the committee recommended that this work be done The tarring and sanding of the roads is now being done. The report was adopted. Tho Finance Coimnittee’s Yearly statement showed that tho estimates for wear 1926-27 were £6BOO, and the cash payments £6878 5s 6d. Capital expenditure, estimated at •<''6oo amounted to £346 17s 6d. Patients’ fees and miscellaneous receipts, es+iroafrd to vrodnee £IBOO, totalled £l/90 18s 7d. Receipts from produce totalled £492 12s.

The report was favourably commented upon, and adopted. Accounts amounting to £707 2s °d were passed for payment.