BOROUGH COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19985, 18 December 1934, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

ORDINARY MEETING HELD COMMITTEE REPORTS The ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr T. W. SatLerthwaite), Councillors P. C. Vinnell, P. B. Hawkey. P. B. Foote, H. J. Mathers. YV. H. Hall, W. G. Tweedy, J. R. Hart, and G. Benstead. The Mayor’s Statement The Mayor said that Sunday was the anniversary of Canterbury, and although the Timaru Borough Council did not itself observe this anniversary yet our thoughts were directed to the work of the early pioneers, most of whom have crossed the Great Divide, and the courage and endurance with which they faced the task of settling a new district. It being the last meeting before Christmas the Mayor thanked members for their co-operation during the year, and said he trusted that at the close of the year, and of their term of office the Council would find that the result of their efforts had been some tangible improvements in the town. The seasonal work was still under way and up to date, and naturally it was too early yet to speak about the financial results, but he trusted 'that the Council would find that it had ended the year in a satisfactory condition. He expressed appreciation of the services of the town clerk (Mr E. Killick) and other officers of the Council. He thanked the newspapers for their fair and just reports and wished all the compliments of the season. Finance Committee. The report of the Finance Committee was as follows: —

Waterworks Loan. —The town clerk brought up the ‘question of the 1 per cent, sinking fund on the waterworks loan and explained that the Council would only need to set asid£ h per cent., and in view of the high exchange rates and Government requirements that all sinking fund should be paid in London with the consequent loss of 25 per cent, on accrued sinking funds, the question arose as to whether the Council should not rescind its resolution setting aside 1 per cent., leaving the original l per cent, in sinking fund and placing the further h per cent, to the reserve fund. —The matter was held over for further consideration. Caroline Bay Hall.—The Rotary Club wrote in regard to the conference it proposed to hold in February and the fees.—Resolved to recommend that whole fees be charged for the evening of the ball and £3/3/- for the use of the hall for the conference. Dog Registration.—The Council was recommended to pass the following resolution : “That in pursuance of Section 8 of ‘The Dogs Registration Act, 1908, it is hereby resolved that the fees for the registration of dogs in the borough of Timaru for the year ended 31st December, 1935, shall be as follows: ‘For each dog (not exceeding three in the case of any individual shepherd, drover or farmer) kept solely for the purpose of herding sheep or cattle, 2/6; for any other purpose 10/-; the time limit for the registration of dogs for the year 1935 to expire on 31st January, 1935. Mr Duncan Cameron is appointed dog tax collector.”

Harbour Rates—The committee considered a request from the Harbour Board that the Council did not frame its estimates until the Board struck its rates for the year.—Resolved that this be agreed to provided the Harbour Board struck its rates during April. A request by the United Ancient Order of Druids for the use of the Bay Hall at a nominal rental of 10/- including light for the distribution of Christmas cheer to its unemployed members, was approved.

Municipal Association Subscription Account for £2o.—Following was the new scale adopted by the conference last year Four cities and two Transport Boards £25; Borough over 10,000, £2O; Borough over 6000 and under 10,000, £10; Borough over 2000 and under 6000, £8; Borough over 1000 and under 2000, £4; Borough under 1000, £3; Town Boards over 1000 £4; Town Boards under 1000, £3. —Resolved that the Council pay under protest and that the executive be asked to consider a less crude grading of the higher classes.

Concession Tickets, Caroline Bay.— The matron of the Hospital wrote asking whether anything could be done in connection with concession tickets for the nurses, who were not able to avail themselves continuously of the ordinary season tickets.—Resolved that concession tickets be not printed but that the season tickets be reduced for the nursing staff from 7/6 to 5/-, provided that at least 30 were taken. Allocation of Petrol Tax.—The committee had no recommendation to make regarding a resolution from the Hawera Borough Council suggesting an amendment to the Motor Spirits Amendment Act the effect of which would be that 8 per cent, of the petrol tax would be divided amongst all boroughs on a population basis instead of amongst only those over 6000 in population.—Resolved that the committee had no recommendation to make.

Waimataitai Baths.—The question of the Council taking control of the baths, which was referred back for further consideration was considered, and it was resolved that the committee has no further recommendation to make. The report was adopted. Works Ccmmittee. The Works Committee reported:— The committee considered the report of the traffic inspector in regard to taxi fares and stands and it was agreed that proposals as approved be submitted to the borough solicitors to draft the necessary amendments to the by-laws. Following a letter from the Ashbury Croquet Club in regard to alterations to the pavilion at the club’s expense, it was recommended that the chairman inspect the pavilion and report to the Council. Hoardings.— Further consideration was given to this matter and it was resolved to recommend that the bylaws be interpreted so as to permit without charge signs relating to the business carried out in the premises whether the same could be held to be an advertisement or not—the Council, however, retaining to itself its present right as regards sky signs and the size of verandah signs, and also that the Council in future prohibit advertising on roofs or buildings.

The report of the borough engineer regarding Christmas holidays for outside staff was considered and it was resolved that the proposal that the outside staff be given the Monday in each week at Christmas and New Year be declined. The recommendation was carried on the casting vote of the chairman (Cr. Hall), Crs. Foster and Vinnell voting for the proposal. A letter was considered from the Timaru South School applying to have the footpath fronting the infant school tar sealed and kerbed and channelled. —Resolved to recommend that the work be undertaken. Waimataitai Baths.—A letter was received from the secretary of the Baths Committee expressing gratific-

ation at the completion of the baths and appreciation of the co-operation and financial assistance rendered by the Council, and the valuable work done by the borough engineer to whom the successful completion was largely due. Diving Board, Marine Parade.—A further letter was considered from Mr Rogers to the effect that the Harbour Board stated that there was 15ft to 17ft of water at low tide, and that If the Council would erect the springboard he and other signatories to a petition would provide an Oregon plank at a cost of £2/10/-. —Recommended for approval. First Aid Outfit.—The following resolution was considered from the Unemployment Committee: “That this committee draws the attention of all local bodies employing more than two men on any one job to the necessity of providing a first aid outfit.”—This was concurred with, the borough engineer to supply the necessary outfits. Caroline Bay.—An application from the Amateur Athletic Association to hold two evening meetings was approved. An application from Mr Treadwell for permission to hire out deck chairs on the Bay during the season, was recommended for approval. An application from Mr Bert Shaw to hold a buck jumping show and erect a tent on a section at the corner of Albert and Hewling Streets, was recommended for approval. Councillor Hall reported that he had interviewed Mr McGuinness regarding a merry-go-round on the Bay after the carnival, the applicant being prepared to pay £2 for a license fee and the necessary insurance, about £5 in all—Recommended that subject to conditions the application be granted. Application from McMillan Bros., to run ponies on the Bay on the same terms, as last year was recommended for approval. An application from Mr E. Jones to have swing boats on the Bay on the same terms as last year, but with a reduction in the licensee fee from £2 to £1 was recommended fo rapproval. It was agreed that permission be given for the alterations to the Ashbury Croquet Club’s pavilion to be carried out. The report was adopted.