WAIMATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20335, 6 February 1936, Page 3

WAIMATE

BOROUGH COUNCIL AMBULANCE AFFAIRS The Waimate Borough Council met on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr Geo. Dash), Crs. W. G. Paul, S. G. Reid, G. R. Watters, A. Bringans, J. Atwill, J. T. Hay, T. Twomey, R. H. White, S. I. Fitch. Mr David Barnes, M.P., wrote thanking the Council for information on work given to the unemployed, and stated that he would be pleased to discuss the whole aspect of relief work and relief workers at some future date and take advantage of the Council’s valuable experience. The Commissioner of Transport (Mr G. C. Godfrey) forwarded a copy of an Order-in-Council and warrant amending the Heavy Motor-vehicle Regulations, 1932, authorising the Government to deduct one-half per centum of heavy traffic fees in reimbursement of expenses incurred in investigating the proper apportionment. The Mayor: Well, we can’t help it. There it is! The Temuka Borough Council wrote stating that a circular communication had been received from the Public Works Department on the subject of traffic inspection. It was recommended that members of the Group decline to commit themselves on the subject before discussion at a Group meeting before the annual meeting in April. The Town Clerk explained that the matter at issue was the centralising of traffic control in the hands of the Highways Boardd. It was decided to keep the matter in mind and see that the Council was represented at the meeting mentioned. The traffic inspector, Mr W. R. Ashwell, reported that a marked increase of road traffic occurred over the Christmas holidays, the number of cars being considerably in excess of that of former years. Fines levied for over-loaded vehicles totalled £9 3s Id, and for other traffic offences £25 ss. An Alleged Nuisance The inspector of health stated that Mr G. Chang, fruiterer, had many empty fruit cases stacked up at the rear of his premises. As this constituted a grave fire risk and also encouraged flies, he recommended that the Council order the removal of the cases immediately. The Town Clerk stated that he had notified Mr Chang to remove the cases. The inspector further reported examining the fish yard in Queen Street following complaints of offensive odours. There was no serious nuisance, but it was recommended that the occupier and owner be required to carry out specified improvements to the building used for fish cleaning. The Mayor said he was going to suggest that the smoking and curing of fish should be forbidden in the centre of the town. This work could not be done without creating a stench. Cr. Atwill declared that the premises were a disgrace and the owners should be ordered to clean them up. “These fellows get away with too much because they have a few bob. There is too much back scratching. If It was a poor man they would eat him. Let them all toe the line.” The Mayor: I take it that you are in agreement with me that the smoking and curing of fish should not be allowed in the town.

Cr. Atwill (emphatically): It should not! On the point being raised whether the Council had authority to make the prohibition as suggested by the Mayor, it was decided to instruct the Sanitary Committee to look into the by-laws and report to next meeting, no action to be taken in the meantime. The caretaker of the baths reported that during December the average daily attendance was 150, making a total for the month of 4650. The Waimate Amateur Swimming Club wrote stating that the improvements effected by the Council at the baths, particularly the new dressing room accommodation, had been subject to high praise by officials and competitors from other centres. The Town Clerk (Mr B. S. Runciman) stated that the Council had expended about £9O on improvements and additions. The Mayor: It is nice to see that it is appreciated. General The Main Highway Board wrote cancelling the visit of the Board to the southern portion of the South Island In January, owing to an early Parliamentary Session. Replying to the Council’s letter pointing out that the landing ground license for Waimate had now lapsed and could not be renewed in its present condition, the Waimate County Council stated that it was thought that in view of the increasing use of air transport, the question of providing a suitable landing ground for Waimate should be entertained, provided the cost was not exorbitant. It was resolved to co-oper-ate with the Borough Council in investigating possible landing sites and with this in view to obtain a Government engineer’s report. After discussion the Mayor and Crs. Reid. Twomey and Atwill were appointed a sub-committee to confer with the County Council. Cr White asked if it was the intention to proceed with the kerbing in Opie Street. The Mayor replied that the work would be carried out as soon as the tarring programme had been completed. The annual grant of £3O to the Waimate Fire Brigade was passed. AMBULANCE AFFAIRS The piinciple of local bodies subsidising ambulance work was rejected at a meeting of the Waimate Borough Council on Tuesday evening. The meeting concurred in the view of the Mayor (Mr Geo. Dash) that the Ambulance fulfilled part of the functions of the hospital and should therefore be financed out of Hospital Board moneys. The Mayor also questioned the wisdom of leaving the work of the Ambulance Association and of the Plunket Society in the hancs of private individuals and dependent on public generosity.

The matter came under discussion when a letter was read convening a meeting of South Canterbury local bodies in Timaru on Friday to consider the question of financig the Ambulance. The Mayor said that a short time ago the Timaru Ambulance Association applied to th; South Canterbury Hospital Board lor an increased subsidy. The Board, with the balance-sheet of the Association before it, realised that it could run the ambulance as efficiently at half the cost. The Board accordingly informed the Ambulance Association that it could not approach the Minister to give the Association more money than the Board itself would require lor the same work. The Ambulance Association had since decided to appeal to local bodies for a subsidy, and that was the object of the meeting in Timaru. The Mayor went on to say that a Waimate Ambulance official informed him that in his view the Ambulance would be better

conducted in the hands of the Hosnitr authorities who had all the facilities at their disposal. The Mayor suggested that this aspect should be considered by the Council before agreeing to vote funds to the Timaru Ambulance Association. Or. Reid suggested that the matter should be held over and discussed with members of the Waimate Ambulance. The Mayor: They may only ask you to attend the meeting in Timaru. Cr. Paul: We give the Ambulance £2O. What do they give in Timaru? The Mayor said he thought it would be about £5O. Cr. Paul asked if the Hospital Board would buy out the Ambulance Association if control were taken over. The Mayor: The question is, who would get the money? The Ambulance was financed by public money. After further discussion the Mayor said that the point to decide was whether the council was going to do what it had not done previously—pass money to subsidise the Ambulance Association. Cr. Atwill: How much will we have to pay? The Mayor: About £25. Cr. Paul: We pay £2O now. The Mayor said that, expressing a personal opinion, he was opposed to the council’s shouldering a burden which ought to belong to the Hospital Board. The activities of both the Ambulance Society and the Plunket Society should not be in the hands of private individuals and should be beyond amateur money-raising. The Ambulance carried out part of the functions of the hospital and should be financed out of Hospital Board money. Cr. Reid expressed the view that an ambulance brigade was a valuable asset to the town. Was it the idea of the Hospital Board to conduct a free ambulance? The Mayor replied that the Hospital Board would make the same charge as the ambulance at present and collect a similar percentage. After further discussion the Mayor was appointed the council’s representative at the meeting, with instructions to oppose financing the Ambulance by means of local body subsidies. SYMPATHY WITH ROYAL FAMILY At the first meeting of the Waimate Borough Council since the death of his Majesty, King George V., the following resolution was carried, standing, after which the Council adjourned for five minutes: — “That the Waimate Borough Council, remembering with thankfulness the splendid example of the noble life of King George the Fifth apd recalling all the benefits derived from his devotion to duty and his great wisdom during his reign of a quarter of a century, hereby places on record its deep sorrow at the death of our beloved King and its loyal sympathy with his Majesty, King Edward VIII, and her Majesty, Queen Mary, and the members of the Royal Family. In expressing its loyalty to King Edward VIII. on his accession to the throne, this council prays that under the guidance of Divine Providence his reign may be to himself and his people throughout the Empire fraught with great blessings.” DOMAIN BOARD The Waimate Domain Board met on Tuesday evening. Present, Mr G. Dash (chairman), Messrs W. G. Paul, S. G Reid, G. R. Watters, A. Bringans, J. Atwill, J. T. Hay, T. Twomey, R. H. White and S. I. Fitch. The gardener (Mr A. White) reported that soil was being carted in preparation for the autumn sowing of borders and flower beds. The sports area had been mown and was being kept in good order for picnic parties. The motor drive around the park had been cut and general maintenance work carried out.

Mr Atwill stated that Knottingly Park was in very good order and pleasing in appearance. The chairman said that shortly after trees had been transplanted from the park to the native cemetery a prolonged drought was experienced, and it was feared that the trees would not come through. Members would be pleased to learn that only one tree had died. Mr Hay said it was the worst year for transplanting that had been experienced for a considerable time. In reply to the Council’s letter drawing attention to the precarious state cf Dennehy’s Bridge, the County Council wrote advising that the bridge was being pulled down in preparation for its reconstruction. Mr Atwill: The bridge is finished now and is a splendid job. It is narrower than the previous bridge. A member: Have they made it narrower? The chairman: Yes. Previously it was wide enough for motor traffic, which it was not meant to carry. Now it is only a foot bridge. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to the County Council. BOWLING Some interesting matches were played on the Waimate bowling green on Tuesday evening when in the semifinal of the championship pairs, Mitchell and Sinclair 18 defeated Stevens and Lewis 17. With two heads to go Mitchell and Sinclair were 7 down, but on the second last head scored 7. and also won the final head. They will meet Bringans and Betten in the final. Bendall in the semi-final of the championship singles beat Nichol 20-14 on the twentieth head, and mee’s 1,. Betten, who has 2 lives, in the final. Bendall has one life.

Procters, the Premier Opticians, Christchurch, will be making their next professional visit to Waimate, on Thursday and Friday. 2nd and 3rd April when they may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Royal Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing the Royal Hotel Phone 15