TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18807, 20 February 1931, Page 11

TEMUKA.

WET HOSE. At Wednesday night’s meeting of the Temuka Borough Council, Councillor E. B. Cooper referred to the question of hose at the fire brigade station being put away when still wet. Councillor Cooper said he had mentioned the matter at last Council meeting, and had been taken up by Lieutenant Ives, per medium of the 1 papers. The speaker said he had I taken the Mayor to the building, and 1 shown him 350 feet of hose, in the box, still wet. At the Denmark Street ! Station also, the hose had been i allowed to dry on the reel, and that | gave the lie to Lieutenant Ives. The | hose cost 2/4 per foot, and Councillor ' Cooper did not think it was being i treated in a correct manner. “I’m 1 prepared, to move,” Councillor Cooper added, “that the Council ask the Brigade, in future, when applications are invited for the position of caretaker, that names be submitted to the Council.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor J. Gourley, who said that if the brigade or the caretaker did not look after the hose, then the Council should take steps to do so. The Mayor said they should not be too hard. They were all volunteers. However, the hose had been put away wet. Councillor A. W. Buzan said he understood there was not enough hose for an emergency, if the present length was left out to dry. Councillor R. Jamieson: “There’s too many stations. That’s the trouble.” Councillor Buzan said there was enough hose in the town for two or three emergencies if it was only in the one place. Councillor Copper’s motion was carried. GENERAL NEWS. At a special meeting of the Temuka Tennis and Croquet Club Committee, on Wednesday afternoon, it was agreed to donate £3 3s to the Hawke’s Bay earthquake fund. It was also decided to hold a special tournament next Wednesday afternoon, open to all tennis and croquet players of the district. Prizes were offered by several | players, and an entry fee of one ; shilling was fixed, the total proceeds j to go to the Earthquake Fund.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Temuka Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening. Present, the Mayor, Councillors A. W. Buzan, E. B. Cooper, C. Davidson, E. J. Chapman, L. F. Robins, R. Jamieson, J. Gourley, A. R. Beek and A. E. Smith. A vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives of the following: Mrs Clark, Miss Agnes Brown, Mr Frank Saunders and Mr John Fitzgerald, senior J.P. for Temuka, all of whom had passed away since last meeting. The Council approved of the action of the Mayor and Councillors, with whom he conferred, in sending a donation of £SO to the earthquake fund. Councillor Gourley questioned the procedure, saying that he was of opinion that a meeting should have been called. The first intimation he had received was when he had seen the grant set out in the papers. Seeing the money sent belonged to the ratepayers, and the Council was there to guard ratepayers’ interests he thought all the Councillors should have been consulted, while only a few were. He did not object to the amount; he would have liked to have seen twice as much granted, but considered some of the Councillors, himself included, had been slighted. The Mayor said he was sorry if Councillor Gourley considered he had been slighted. There had been no such intention. The donation had been made as quickly as possible, and the Mayor hoped they had kept faith with the ratepayers.

The Mayor then referred to unempjayment work in the borough. Under No. 5 scheme no cost was falling on the Council. He remarked that the outside public had not taken any subsidised labour, nor had the Council. He said that under the present scheme money had been provided for six weeks.

Councillor Buzan outlined the business done at an unemployment meeting in Timaru, which he and Councillor Chapman attended. The idea of the meeting was to form a central bureau in Timaru, and that the bureau in Timaru distribute the money to the local conimittes. It was hoped, by the scheme, that surplus : men in the various centres would be ■ given work. He considered it would be a wise move to join up with the scheme. It was now evident that Timaru was finding it difficult to find work for its unemployed, as only about 25 men had been found work. Temuka had done much better than that, and had placed over fifty men. It was agreed that Temuka link up with the scheme. Councillor Buzan said that when there were surplus men, the delegates from centres would make a combined effort to allocate work. Discussion took place as to the inopportune hours and dates on which the meetings were held in Timaru. Last time, it was stated, the meeting had been held on a Friday afternoon, and now one had been fixed for the following morning (Thursday), which day was the half-holiday in Tpmuka. A Councillor remarked that Timaru Was not studying Temuka in this respect. The Mayor was appointed to represent the Council at the meeting. Mr Gunnion made mention of a recent meeting in Timaru, at which a member of the Unemployment Board (Mr Hutcheson), had been present. In reply to a question, Mr Hutcheson had stated that it was possible that drainage work could be done under a scheme of unemployment. It now appeared as if the Council might be able to go on with the East Side drainage scheme. After considerable discussion, Councillor Robins moved that Mr Hytch-* eson be invited to Temuka to discuss the question. Corresponclence. A telegram was read from the Mayor of Napier, thanking the Council for its expression of sympathy in the recent earthquake, and for the donation of £SO. —Received. A letter was received from the Controller and Auditor Genral, advising that, in view of the fact that the funds of the waterworks maintenance account had been used to complete the works for which the loan was raised, his Department was prepared to consider the payment of interest out of the loan money as being adjusted. The Town Clerk (Miss I. Meek) said she had replied to the letter, but had heard nothing further. The secretary to the Municipal Association advised that, in view of the present national emergency and in particular the disastrous earth-

quake in the Hawkes Bay district, his executive was of opinion that no good purpose would be served by holding the conference this year. It had therefore been decided that the next conference will take place in Rotorua in 1932. The Mayor remarked that he thought a wise thing had been done. The Temuka Milling Company made application for a building permit, estimated cost £2QO, —Granted, Application for Bowser. The manager, C.F.C.A., Temuka, made application for authority to install a kerbside petrol pump adjacent to their present one in Railway Terrace. Councillor Smith said that it was possible that the question of bowser fees would be discussed at the end of the present financial year. In view of this he moved that the application be held over until March 31st. Councillor Gourley seconded the motion. Councillor Jamieson said he was going to oppose any increase in the fees.' Bowsers were put there for the benefit of the public. “Why not make a charge on a man that sells a pair of boots? Its all tommy rot,” he added. Councillor Davidson said he would move that the fees for next year be £5 per bowser. Councillor Gourley seconded the motion. He did not agree with Councillor Chapman. The bowsers were set in the footpaths, and their signs were also given prominence. Councillor Cooper considered that the Council would lose revenue if the fees were increased, Councillor Robins said he would not support the motion. Cars were there to stay, and had to be supplied with petrol. He thought it better to supply cars from the streets rather than have them crossing the footpaths. Councillor Buzan said that, as an interested party, he would not vote. He knew what he would do, however, if the motion was carried. The motion was lost, only mover and seconder voting in favour. The question arose as to the position in regard to the bov/sers at Lister’s Garage, which were on private property. Councillor Gourley said he was not in favour of encouraging the erection of bowsers on private property. If Councillor Robins was consistent, after making his remarks about driving over footpaths, he should bd against the practice. Councillor Gourley moved that a similar charge to those of other bowsers, £2, be made, Councillor Buzan considered it ridiculous to charge a man who put a bowser, or anything else, on his own property. Tfiat was a way of driving business from the town. Councillor Gourley said they seemed to be wasting time. He would wij)hhis motion. The C.F.C.A’s application was * granted.

General. It was decided that the Council make an official visit to Waimate on March sth, on the day of the District High School’s picnic. It was decided to obtain two quotations for the insurance of the fire brigaded engine, and furniture and fittings. After lengthy discussion, it was depided that, in view of circumstances throughout the Dominion, the Domain Street Day be not held this year, but that an advertisement be inserted in the papers inviting donations from those residents who desired to give assistance. The pay sheet of the Domain Board, amounting to £34 19s lOd was passed for payment. The pay sheet of the Arowhenua Cemetery Trustees, amounting to £l2, was passed for payment. Reference was made to the manner in which the unemployed were doing cleaning work in the Domain, and satisfaction was expressed with the improved appearance given to the, Domain, by such work. It was decided to install telephones at the Town Clerk’s and at the sexton’s houses. BOWLING. By defeating E. J. Chapman yesterday by 21 points to 18, R. H. Taylor claimed the right to represent the Temuka Club in the South Cam terbury champion of champions singles at Timaru on Saturday. In the South Canterbury pairs, played at Timaru yesterday afternoon, Temuka’s representatives, L. Hunt and T. Edwards (s), proved the winners. The pair went through the afternoon’s play without a defeat;. In a four-rink game played against Geraldine, at Temuka yesterday, the home team won by 87 points to 70.

FLOWERS AT FIRE STATION. During discussion on fire brigade matters at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Temuka Borough Council, when it was decided that an effort be made to have concrete put down, at the station, Councillor E. B. Cooper inquired if a space could be left, near the walls, for planting flowers. At this remark the Mayor smiled, and Councillor Cooper remarked: “You’re laughing, your Worship. There are likely to be changes at the brigade, and I think the comer could be made very attractive.” Councillor L. F. Robins agreed that the corner could be made look very attractive, with a lawn, and flowers. “Every brigade has a cat and a garden,” he added. • The Mayor: “The weeds were only cleared away yesterday. The suggestion of flowers, when the weeds have jut been got rid of, make me smile, Councillor Cooper.” He agreed the corner could be made attractive. NO FEE FOR MINIATURE GOLF. At its meeting on Wednesday night the Temuka Borough Council decided that no charge be made the proprietors of the miniature golf course in Temuka. The Mayor referred to the presence of the course, and asked if it was the intention of the Council to charge a fee. Councillor R. Jamieson: “Can we? The course is on private property.” The Mayor: “Everything for pleasure has to pay a fee, by law.” Councillor Jamieson: “What about private tennis courts?” The Mayor said the people concerned had donated money to the Swimming Club, and to charity. Councillor C. Davidson' said that if the course was for the people’s own gain then they should pay a license. The Mayor said there was nothing in the by-laws to enforce payment. Councillor Robins: “The license for amusement;* refers to places where there is seating accommodation. There is none there.” Councillor Bmlth moved that no charge be made, and the motion, seconded by Councillor Robins, was carried. HOT WEATHER.

Yesterday was one of the hottest days experienced in Temuka this summer, the sun shining with exceptional brilliance from a cloudless sky. In the afternoon, will* aU shops closed, the town presented a deserted appearance, many residents having taken advantage of the weather to enioy a run in the country. W.C.T.U. GARDEN PARTY. Neither the setting (the beautiful grounds of the residence of Mr and Mrs E. Biackniore, “St. Leonards”), nor the weather, could have been improved on for the annual garden party of the Temuka W.C.T.U., held yesterday afternoon. The sun shape brilliantly, while the grounds prow/i all that could be desired, a wide expanse of neatly trimmed lawn being banked by stately, shady trees, clusters of shrubs; and a profusion of flowers. T?ho attendance was very satisfactory, and as a result the funds of the branch should benefit considerably. The party was officially opened by the president (Mrs W. Hewson).. whu thanked Mr and Mrs Blackmore for the use of the grounds, and extended a welcome to all. Later, Mrs M. E. Tilbrook gave a short address on the works of the W.C.T.U., and appealed for more members, stating that the motto of the institution was “For God, Home and Humanity.” During the afternoon j/snty of variety was offered. Besides the stalls, interest was keenly displayed in a number of musical items, given on the lawn. A gramophone also was the means of providing an air of enjoyment. Those contributing to the musical programme were:—Piano solo, Miss M. Ellis; solo, Miss Effle Bryan; duet Ensign and Mrs S. Smith; solo. Miss L. Radford. Three little Maori girls gave a number of enjoyable items. Miss Ellis played the accompaniments. Mrs Hewson and Mrs T. E. Gunnion (Mayoress), judged a bed-making coin petition. Prizes were awarded as follows:—Miss S. Mills (neatest, 21 mins) 1, Miss Hutchison (fastest, 2 mins) 2. Those in charge of stalls were:— Work, Mrs M. E. Tilbrook, Mrs J. Buck, Mrs R. Smart; cake and produce, Mrs R. D. Gibb; sweet. (Y.P-)i Misses Buck, B. Reid, and Hewson; ice cream, Bert Blackmore, Miss R. Davis. Tables for afternoon tea were set out under a large tree on the lawn and the lady helpers attended to the wants of all. PERSONAL. The Rev. A. Blakemore is attending the Methodist Conference in Dunedin.