WAIMATE TOWN HALL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22491, 28 January 1943, Page 3

WAIMATE TOWN HALL

Suggested War Memorial Work For Ex-Soldiers The feasibility of providing work for returning servicemen by the erection of a town hall as a possible war memorial for Waimate was mentioned at a meeting of the Borough Council. The policy of afforestation was also endorsed. The discussion followed the receipt of an inquiry from the Rehabilitation Board for details of suitable works for inclusion in the rehabilitation plan tor men returning from the war. The Mayor (Mr W. F. Boland) said he endorsed the remarks made by Cr. H. B. 3. Johnstone at the County Council meeting regarding afforestation in Waimate district. Many years ago Waimate was the centre of a flourishing milling industry. The contention that afforestation was economically unsound was not borne out by statistics. Timber took time to mature, but they had to look to the future. The afforestation of the foothills would be beneficial in the conservation of rainfall. The Progress League was enthusiastic on the subject, and already had invited farmers to offer land to the Government for afforestation.

Cr. A. G. McHardy inquired as to the prospects of absorbing labour on the streets and general works of the borough. He said that a town hall would be of direct benefit to the town and the country would benefit from the employment of skilled and unskilled labour.

The Mayor said a suitable town hall would cost at least £12,000, which with interest and sinking fund would involve an annual sum of approximately £2OO. “Waimate, however, badly needs a town hall, and the public will have to pay for it sooner or later,” he said. "That problem is somewhat bound up in the question of a war memorial,” said Cr. G. R. Watters. “It may seem rather premature to discuss it now, but if a town hall was decided on as a memorial, it would be an acquisition.” "It would be a practical and useful memorial to our soldiers,” the Mayor agreed. "We should support both as rehabilitation proposals. The public will have the final say regarding the town hall, but it would be better to have the building than something useless.” The Town Clerk (Mr B. S. Runciman) was instructed to compile a list of works of a type which would absorb a fair amount of labour, including afforestation and the town hall proposal in the list. PARKING OF CARS As a sequel to the destruction by motor vehicles of two plate glass windows in Queen Street recently, a report on the parking of cars in the main street was presented to the Borough Council by the Transport Department traffic inspector (Mr D. Mackay), at the request of the Mayor. "I consider that the present method of angle parking in Queen Street is not very satisfactory as cars are parking practically head-on to the kerb,” Mr Mackay’s report stated. "If the angle of parking was altered to approximately 30 degrees it would be much safer and more satisfactory. I would recommend that the parking system be similar to that of the Oamaru borough parking area." The report was adopted.

The Waimate stationmaster, Mr T. F. Leonard, wrote advising that the broom on railway land had been cleared, but broom growing on adjoining property in Gorge Road and on the High School ground would become a menace to railway land nearby if allowed to spread. The Town Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps to have the work carried out, this to be done by the Council at the expense of the owners if necessary.

The Controller of Civil Defence advised that approval of the estimate of £250 for the purchase of a fire pump had been withheld meantime as the Dominion Fire Controller was not j repared to recommend the purchase. The writer suggested that as Waimate had a V 8 engine it might be cheaper and more suitable to fit a frontmounted pump to the existing engine, and added that upon receipt of a report on this aspect further consideration would be given the matter.

"The matter is not definitely decided, but only held over,” commented the Mayor. The Controller also wrote advismg that a number of sirens were now available and 36 had been allocated > the South Island, preference being given to the more vulnerable areas. Particulars of Walmate’s requirements were sought, as well as details as to the facilities available for sounding alarms. Councillors agreed that the existing alarm system, especially with the railway whistle, was reasonably satisfactory, and that it ’was questionable whether a siren would give a more effective coverage. STREET LIGHTING “Word has now been received from the Dominion Lighting Controller that the street lights in yoiir borough may, until further notice, be restored to the conditions that prevailed prior to the Lighting Restrictions Regulations, 1941,” stated a letter from the South Canterbury Controller (Mr J. M. Bishop). "Please advise early if it is the Intention of your Council that the llghtng be restored.” Cr. Watters said he would like to see the lights shine again as soon as possible. A discussion arose concerning ths ownership of the shades. It was contended that as the Council contributed toward the cost of putting up the shades they were Council property. The Town Clerk said the shades were classed as electrical fittings, and were therefore the property of the Power Board. He added that a point which was giving concern to the Power Boaro was the question of deciding the financial responsibility if the shades were again required to be fitted. The Mayor said the Power Board had been very reasonable. They had shortened the shades without cost to the Council and had not been harsh regarding the restrictions. Cr. Walters’ motion regarding the restoration of lighting was carried. The acting-gardener (Mr W. H. Hindi) reported that Victoria Park had been honoured by a visit from his Excellency the Governor-General and Lady Newall, who had expressed their admiration and pleasure. “Great credit is due to the acting i gardener for the manner the park is kept," said the Mayor. "The Hon. W. E. Barnard expressed himself as highly appreciative of the park and considered the amenities available fitting for a town of much larger size.” Mr Boland said that Waimate was to be congratulated on the. showing it made for the Vice-Regal visit and he thanked ; those who had assisted in the arraneej mente. Cr. McHardy moved a vote of than.es | to the Mayor and Mayoress for the I very fine services they had rendered. | A donation of £2/2/- was voted to I the funds for the R.g a children’s i party. i A resolution of sympathy with the -relatives of Private M. Crowe was | passed.