GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19673, 15 December 1933, Page 14

GERALDINE

the post office FACILITIES CRITICISED “There has been a good deal of complaint about the Geraldine Post Office,’’ remarked Councillor G. H. Patrick at the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday evening. “The office is crowded out," he continued, “and sometimes there are 20 people waiting attention, and they all have to conduct their business at the one counter. Several people have mentioned the matter to me, and they thought the Borough Council should move in the matter. You don’t w’ant everyone to know your business, nor do you w r ant to know anyone else’s affairs; it was not very nice." Councillor J. Kennedy: How often does that occur—once in a “blue moon!” You tell these fussy people they want a bit of patience. I am at the Post Office as much as anybody, and my opinion is that things are managed very well. The deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Lack): There is an appointed date for registrations, and people leave them too late. Councillor A. J. Bell: Yes. They leave everything till the last day. Councillor Kennedy: You growl about overhead expenditure in taxation, and yet you w’ant the Government to put in separate counters for separate people. It's a ridiculous affair, and some of these fussy people want their heads read. Councillor Patrick: Complaints were made to me, and I was asked to bring the matter before the Council. If we put in an application now we might get It in five years’ time. (Laughter.) The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): Yes. There's always that about it. The subject was then dropped. NORTH END FIRE ALARM BELL. An Inspection of the Are alarm bells recently showed that those at the Fire Station and the south end of Talbot Street were satisfactory, but that at the north end of the town at the Peel Street crossing was practically useless as a near-by wall smothered the sound from the town side. At the meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council on Wednesday evening, consideration was given to two proposals submitted by Captain C. C. Knight, of the Geraldine Volunteer Fire Brigade. Captain Knight suggested that, provided the cost was not too great, and that an assurance could be obtained from the owner of the site selected that the bell would not be required to be shifted for some time to come, the bell be re-erected on the corner section of Wilson and High Streets. As an alternative to shifting the bell he suggested that another pole be erected about four to five feet from the present one, and the bell suspended on an Iron cross arm between the two poles. The deputy-Mayor (Mr Lack): That's your farm, Mr Mayor? The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): Yes, it is my farm. Councillor G. H. Patrick suggested that they should try out the alteration to the present north end bell, and It might not then be necessary to move it. Councillor J. Kennedy remarked that it would hardly be a fair thing to the owner to have the fire bell erected it the corner of his section. It might prove detrimental to private rights. The deputy-Mayor: If a house is erected on the section the fire bell would be rather an unsightly thing. Councillor A. J. Bell: The north end bell as it Is hung at present Is no good. Councillor Patrick: The alarm bell at the south end of the town Is on private property. Councillor Kennedy: Yes, but we have the owner’s permission. The Town Clerk (Mr B. Hayes) intimated that at one time Mr R. Morrison had offered portion of the yard adjoining his premises as a reel station. After discussion it was decided, on the motion of Councillors Patrick and Kennedy, to adopt Captain Knight's alternative suggestion, and that the bell be raised a few feet in an endeavour to improve its audibility. The Brigade was granted permission to hold a practice at the Domain next Monday evening. PLEASANT VALLEY SCHOOL. The following is the pri.e list for the third term:— Form 2.—G. Hammond, J. Brophy (dux medal), J. Comber (dun medal). Form I.—C. Scowen. Standard IV.—A. Temple, R. Sharpe, R. Hammond. Standard lII.—D. Hibbs, John Brophy. Standard lI.—W. Scowen, A. Shields. Standard I.—M. Scowen. Infants.—Jack Sharpe (dux medal), M. Walker, H. Crotty. TENNIS. The following is the draw for competitions conducted by the Tennis Club:—

Women’s handicap competition.—Mrs McKinlay (owe 15-4-6) v. Miss M. Kennedy (scr); Miss B. Bennett (rec. 15) v. Miss Hislop (owe 15); Miss F. Haskins (rec 30-2-6) v. Miss G. Woolhouse (rec 15); Mrs J. D. McMillan (rec 30) v. Miss M. Grant (owe 30); Mrs D. J. Lack (rec 30) v Mrs W. H. Jackson (owe 15-4-6); Miss D. Undrill (rec 30) v. Miss A. Gimson (rec 15); Miss M. Symington (owe 30) v. Miss P. Bennett (owe 15); Miss E Undrill '(rec 30) v. Miss McKeown (rec 15); Mrs E. P. Bennett (owe 30) v. Miss M. S. Kennedy (owe 30); Mrs G. I. Plimmer, a bve; Mrs S. Pocock (rec 30-2-6) v. Miss H. Smith (rec 30-2-6); Miss M. Knibb (rec 15) v. Miss J. Symington (rec 30). mg?kmst a.flfT.(gfl 8w(oh& flfycU.cp— Men’s handicap competition.—C McGregor (owe 30) v. R. Burdon (owe 30); H. W. Williamson (scr) v. A. vV. Jones (rec 15-4-6); K. Woolhouse (rec 30-2-6) v. D. Callanan (owe 30); G Thorp (rec 15-4-6) v. S. Drew (owe 15-4-6); C. Stringer (owe 30) v, J. D McMillan (rec 30); G. R. Noy (scr) v. D. J. Lack (owe 15-4-6*; A. Gimson (rec#ls-4-6> v. J. L Mason (rec 30-2-6>; M Miller (owe 15-4-6: v. S Pocock (rec 30); C C. Knight (rec 15* v. Dr Mail (owe 30); G. Glen (owe 30* v. G. I Plimmer (rec 15-4-6); F. C Chapman (rec 15) v P Spencer (rec 30); l_. C. Simmonds (rec 15) v W. H Jackson (rec 30-2-6). BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Borough Council met on Wednesday. Present.—The Mayor <Mr B R Macdonald), and Councillors J. R Lack, J Kennedy. E. H Logan. G. H Patrick and A. j. Bell. In his statement the Mayor remarked that the unemployed were doing good work in cleaning up the town preparatory to Christmas, but the only trouble was that there was not enough of them. The work reflected great credit on the Borough overseer 'Mr B. Hayes). The state of the town had been remarked on as a credit to the Council. He extended the season's greetings to the Councillors and the staff The balance sheet presented by the chairman of the Finance Committee

(Councillor J. R. Lack) showed that the receipts since last meeting totalled £370 2/2. The debit balance at the bank totalled £l3Ol/6/-, less cash in hand £22 13/-. Accounts for payment amounted to £2Ol 18. which left a tctal deficit of £1479/14'8. At the December meeting last year there was a total deficit of £1585 10/11. The Westport Branch o 1 the New Zealand Labour Party wrote inviting the Council to subscribe towards the cost of a memorial hall at an estimated cost of £2OOO as a tangible means of perpetuating the memory of the late Mr H. E. Holland, M.P.—The Mayor remarked that he doubted if the Council’s finances would permit of a grant being made. The blockage of a fire plug with shingle and stones was reported by the captain of the Fire Brigade, and the Town Clerk intimated that he had notified the police of the matter. Councillor Patrick brought up the matter of re-erecting the concrete wall at Waihi Terrace, which subsided owing to heavy rain recently.—The Works Committee was given authority to proceed with the re-erection of the wall. Correspondence. The secretary of the Timaru Harb:ur Board (Mr F. Metson), who replied to an inquiry by the Council, advised that the Board bad no railway metal in long lengths suitable to the Council’s requirements for a firebell tower.

Mr J. Chapman applied to have his land brought under the provisions of the Rural Rating Land Act.—The application was granted.

The Postmaster, Mr L. S. R. King, was granted permission to instal a septic tank at the back of the Geraldine Post Office premises. Mr Bruce Logan was granted a permit to erect a residence on his property in Cox Street. DOMAIN BOARD The Mayor remarked that the state of the Domain, particularly of the rose garden, had been very favourably commented upon. A ratepayer had suggested to him that one of the unemployed men should assist the curator (Mr H. Coombs) during the busy period If an unemployed man did the mowing of the lawns Mr Coombs could devote more time to more important work. The clerk intimated that Mr Coombs had been notified some time ago that the services of an unemployed man would be allocated for Domain work whenever necessary. RANOERS’ PARTY A most enjoyable end-of-year party was held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the Geraldine Rangers. The hall war* beautifully decorated with lowers, and there was a large attendance of Rangers and friends The evening was spent in games competitions and dancing. Musical items were contributed by Mr G. Knibb ard Miss M Cruickshank and Mr H Hope (Temuka) gave an exhibition of conjuring During the evening. Miss Tripp (president*, presented prizes to the winners of the competitions. NOTES. The Boys' Welfare Committed adv-r----tises that two boys aged 18 and 19 years, require positions on farms.