CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 4

CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

BOROUGH LEVY TOO HIGH The opinion that the assessment of £6O as the Geraldine Borough Council's contribution to the cost of the South Canterbury court at the centennial exhibition at Wellington in 1940 was too high, and that it would be unfair to commit the incoming Council to that amount, was expressed at the monthly meeting of the Council on Wednesday evening. The matter arose when a letter was received from the town clerk, Timaru, advising that the payment of the contribution could be spread over a period of two years. Cr. J. R. Lack said that most of the local bodies in South Canterbury had expressed the opinion that the assessments were too high. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): If we go in with Canterbury we will lose our identity. I see Mr Mackenzie mentioned that point during a discussion at the Geraldine County Council meeting. Cr. Lack: The £4OOO estimated cost of the South Canterbury "bay” seems a lot. The exhibition committee hopes to receive donations, and I suppose any reduction in the local body contributions will depend on the amount of the donations. In any case we cannot expect a very big reduction on £6O. Cr. Z. O. Sherratt: We cannot afford to give away £6O at the present time. What are South Canterbury going to put in their bay? Caroline Bay and Mount Cook, I suppose! Cr. A. J. Bell: It would be better to go in with Canterbury. The Mayor: I do not agree with you. Cr. Bell: Will there be North Otago and South Otago or North Taranaki or South Taranaki bays? The Mayor: I would like to contribute, but I do not see how we can afford it. Cr. Bell: The exhibition is not of as much interest to the ratepayers as the purchase of hose for the fire brigade. The Mayor: Yes, that is an absolute necessity. Cr. Lack: I can quite see the Geraldine County Council's point of view. The Town Clerk (Mr C. L. Kirby) was then Instructed to reply in the terms quoted above.

FOREMAN RESIGNS

APPLICATIONS INVITED At the monthly meeting of the Geraldine Borough Council, Mr G. E. Berry, who has occupied the position of Borough foreman for the last two years, tendered his resignation which

will take effect from March 23. Mr Berry stated that he did so with sincere regret, but felt that, as the opportunity had presented itself for advancement, he would be foolish not to accept it. Mh Berry has accepted an appointment with the Public Works Department. The Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald): I much regret that Mr Berry has tendered his resignation, but at the same time I am afraid we can do nothing but accept it. On the motion of Cr. J. R. Lack the resignation was accepted with regret, and it was agreed that appreciation of Mr Berry's work be recorded in the minutes. It was decided to call applications, closing on April 2, for a working foreman at a salary of £270 a year.