TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18622, 18 July 1930, Page 6

TEMUKA.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Temuka Borough Council was held on Wednesday night. Present—The Mayor (Mr T. E. Gunnion), and Councillors A. E. Smith, A. R. Beck, J. Gourley, R. Jamieson, L. F. Robins, E. J. Chapman, E. B. Cooper, C. Davidson and A. W. Buzan. The Mayor said that since last meeting death had taken a further toll. He referred to the recent deaths of Messrs M. H. McLeod, Proudlock and McCleland and the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward. Of the latter, Mr Gunnion said he doubted if there was a man in the world who had had a more intensive public life, until his health had latterly failed. He added that the Town Clerk had forwarded a telegram expressing the borough’s sympathy, and a wreath. The Council carried silent votes of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased referred to. Correspondence. Correspondence was read as follows: From the Public Trust Office, Timaru, advising that the Public Trustee had accepted the Office of Sinking Fund Commissioner in respect of No. 9 Waterworks Loan, 1928, and suggesting that the annual sinking fund instalment be paid on April 1 of each year. The Town Clerk (Miss I. Meek), said the instalment for this year (£66), had been paid. From the District Inspector of Health forwarding a detailed report on an inspection made of the premises and advising that steps should be taken to prevent occupation of the hut as in its present condition it was unfit for human habitation. A list of alterations that would be necessary, before same was fit for habitation was forwarded. It was decided to notify the owner of the? property that, until the improvements detailed by the inspector were carried out, the property be not used for occupation. « The district engineer. New Zealand Railways, wrote suggesting that should the trees around the grain store be removed, it would leave a dreary unbroken outlook from the railways towards the town, and suggesting that only half the trees be removed. This would reduce the inconvenience to the i company’s grain store, while still leaving the beauty of the foliage. The view from the road of approaching trains, had been improved by cutting down all the lower branches, and this would be further improved if half the trees were cut down.

It was decided to fall in with the wishes of the letter, and to have half of the trees cut down.

From the Waimate Borough Council, asking the Council’s support in a request to the South Canterbury Electric Power Board, that an independent qualified accountant be employed to inspect the accounts of the Board, and prepare balance sheets of the revenue and capital accounts of each district, allocating to each its due proportion of general capital expenditure, and to each its due proportion of overhead expense based upon the percentage to capital raised. The chairman doubted if the Council could do any good. It seemed to be a contest between Mr G. W. Morrison engineer-secretary to the Board, and Mr G. Dash, Mayor of Waimate. The letter was received, as was also a letter from the South Canterbury Electric Power Board forwarding a circular letter giving information of the financial position of the various districts in the Board.

The secretary of the Geraldine County River Board, wrote re river erosion at Cass Street. The letter pointed out that a considerable sum of money had already been spent in that locality, and that the rates collected were quite inadequate to meet the cost. The Board had decided that if Mr G. Hancox, who was directly interested, would have the willows cut and pulled into position under the engineer’s supervision, the Board would anchor them.

Councillor Cooper said that the Geraldine County had not even notified the man concerned. Then again, Mr Hancox was not the only person concerned. The speaker asked if the money collected in rates over a period of twenty years, had been spent for the purpose of its collection. Councillor Gourley questioned if Mr Hancox was responsible in any way. He considered the erection of a wall, recently, a foolish work if the upper reaches were not protected. The Mayor said that if another severe flood was experienced, the damage would be serious. In reply to Councillor Cooper, the Mayor said that the committee set up to interview Mr C. E. Bremner, engineer to the Geraldine County Council, had not yet met. Councillor Buzan did not think the work suggested would cost the Council a great deal and would be easily done, with the assistance of the River Board. Councillor Smith thought the only satisfactory way was to appoint a deputation. He did not favour letterwriting. It was decided that the Mayor and Councillors Cooper, Buzan, Robins and Smith constitute a committee to meet the Council’s representatives on the River Board. The County Clerk, Geraldine County Council, writes stating that it was agreed that the water-race on the main road could be left as it was in the meantime as far as that council was concerned. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to the Geraldine County Council asking that as the Borough Council has no further use for the water-race, the agreement as at present, be cancelled. Mr J. Douglas, Shaw Street, wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the deplorable condition of that street, and asking that something be done. Discussion on the matter was taken in committee, and it was finally agreed that the council meet on the locality the following day. The secretary of the Temuka R.S.A. wrote regarding unemployment, asking that similar amounts to those obtained in 1928 be made available. The Mayor moved that the Unem-. ployment Committee meet a committee from the R.S.A. to discuss the question. No Pie Cart. An application was received from Mr K. Ryan, Timaru, for permission to run a pie cart in the town. He would undertake to personally supervise the pie cart and would become a permanent resident of Temuka. The Mayor said he had instructed the Town Clerk to write and ascertain what was done in Waimate and Ashburton. * The reply from Waimate stated that permission had been refused in that town while Ashburton charged a license of £l. The revised by-laws, however, required a further £5. The Mayor said it was a question as to whether they could keep the man out. He was willing to go on any stand and would not stand in opposition to any local traders. Councillor Smith expressed the opinion that, for all the license fee the Council would receive, it was not a forward step to allow a pie-cart in the town. There were now several shops in Temuka engaged in selling pies. He moved that the request be not granted. The motion was seconded by Councillor Jamieson and carried.

Works Committee. The Works Committee, in their report, made the following recommendations:—That a light coating of shingle be placed on the recently formed footpath fronting the hospital in Cass Street; that the work of kerbing and channelling Cass Street, fronting the hospital be carried out as soon as possible: that the tar sealing on King Street South, receive attention as soon as possible; that the works already authorised to be done in Railway Terrace and Guise Street be carried out as soon as possible: that patching be carried out in various streets where required, and that 50 barrells of tar be ordered from the Smokeless Fuel Company, one truck to be delivered this month, and the other about August 20. The report was adopted. Lighting, Sanitation and Reserves. This committee recommended that the present sanitary officer be appointed permanently to that position. Also that the sum of £6O be transferred to the general account for the purchase of the necessary horse dray and harness. Councillor Robins said that the present officer had been on trial for three months and had given all satisfaction. There were no other applications before the committee when* the decision had been arrived at. The report was adopted. Outside Waterworks. The outside waterworks committee’s report stated that, at a meeting on June 27, and after considerable discussion they had decided to recommend that a minimum charge of £3 be made for an outside water supply, but with the proviso that, under special circumstances, a lesser charge may be made. The Mayor said the plugging that had been done at the waterworks had been successful but still more was required. He thought, as he had said before, that the pipes should have been put down to the level of the reservoir. They must admit, however, that the supply had held well in a very dry season.

In reply to Councillor Gourley, the Mayor said that no complaints had been received regarding a shortage of water. No doubt, however, the position was becoming serious as it was considered that the supply used was excessive.

Councillor Robins said it seemed to him they should have a report before them and do any work necessary, even if it meant a good deal of money to the Council.

The Mayor said that breaks were continually taking place. Councillor Robins said they could not foresee breaks, but he thought they should set aside a sum of money to meet contingencies. Councillor Davidson said as far as he could see they were working in the dark. They were not all engineers, but something would have to be done.

Councillor Smith thought they should have an estimate of cost before lowering the pipes. The Mayor, in reply to a question, said the only difference the lowering of pipes would mean to Winchester would be a presence of discoloured .water. That township would not have its supply cut off. After further discussion it was decided to leave the question in abeyance in the meantime. If anything unforseen happened, then the Council would be called together. The report was adopted.

General. The Mayor said that since last meeting a number of Councillors had visited Rangiora to inspect the system being carried out there in laying the town’s water supply. Councillors Robins and Chapman had kindly given the use of their cars, and the visit had been in the nature of an eye-opener. Plans for the work being done at Rangiora, and for the suggested work at Temuka were laid on the table for Councillors’ inspection. A good deal of discussion took place in regard to the building of the body | for the fire brigade engine. Information was asked for as to whether the Council or the fire brigade would have the final say. The matter was introduced by Councillor Cooper, who gave the opinion that the fire brigade now seemed to have the matter in their own hands. On the motion of Councillor Smith it was decided that the committee from the Council meet the committee from the fire brigade, and be given power to act. Domain Board. The report of the Domain curator (Mr Uden), showing the work done during the month, was adopted. Councillor Chapman said that Mr Uden was about six weeks further advanced with his work than was the case last year. It was decided to call tenders for cutting a further supply of wood in the Domain. The paysheet, amounting to £4l/8/was passed for payment. Cemetery Business. At a previous meeting of the Council it was decided to write to the Department of Internal Affairs inquiring if steps could be taken to build a new house for the sexton, using the present house as security. A reply has been received stating that under the Act such a procedure could not be followed. Counpillor Jamieson stated in the report of the cemetery committee, that repairs could be earned out to the present residence, making it habitable for several years to come. Councillor Gourley moved that repairs be carried out at once, and on the motion of Councillor Robins this was decided upnu, the previous suggestion, to build a new residence, to be held over in the meantime. It was decided that the work be done by day labour. The paysheet, amounting to £l2/8/was passed for payment.

•FRIENDLY FRIDAYS.” In to-night’s card tournament, Druids play Citizens and Hibernians play Oddfellows. The teams are:— Hibernians. —O. Connolly, J. Quinn D. Fitzgerald, W. Tozer, J. Sullivan, J. Farrell, J. Spillane. D. Horgan, F. Burke, M. Healy, T. Brosnahan, M. Brosnahan, J. Brosnahan, T. Leonard. Oddfellows. —R. Thomas, C. Norton, L. Hobbs. A. Young, J. Young, W. Knight, W. Seeler, N. Cooper, C. Taylor, J. Davis, W. Berry, L. Hopkinson, H. Harrison, B. Maclachlan. Citizens. —Robertson, Gourley, Shiels, Fierce, C. Palmer, McKeown, Blackmore, McMillan, Brown, Scrimshaw, Smith. J. Hislop, Sherborne, Reid. Druids.—Fisher. Phillips, Goodman, Denison, South, Moulton, Husband, Kay, Ross, Pierce, Jamieson, Austin, Higinbottom, Frisby. GENERAL NEWS. Seven cows, one horse and 109 lambs were impounded in the Temuka Borough during the past month. The Borough Council have decided to accept a section offered near the new fire brigade station, as a parking place for motor and horse drawn vehicles. The offer, which was made by a local firm occasioned a good deal

of controversy at Wednesday night’s meeting, some councillors contending that the presence of so many cars, at such a busy locality would tend to cause traffic hold-ups, and also make the locality dangerous for traffic to and from the station. l THE OPTICAL SPECIALIST. The Optical Specialist of John R. Procter’s, Ltd. (New Zealand’s leading opticians), Christchurch, will be visiting Temuka on Saturday, 19th, instant, and may be consulted on all defects of eyesight (Glasses) at the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Appointments may now be made by ringing the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary.