Riccarton Records

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18938, 7 December 1929, Page 28 (Supplement)

Riccarton Records

BOROUGH COUNCIL JOTTINGS. The Mayor (Mr H. S. S. Kyle) is also M.P. for Riccarton. Recently his Parliamentary duties in Wellington prevented his attendance at two monthly meetings of the Borough Council. At Monday’s meeting Mr Kyle thanked the councillors, and particularly the Deputy-Mayor (Mr W. Machin) for the manner in which the council’s business had been conducted during his absence. At Monday’s meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor (Mr H. S. S. Kyle) M.P.) reported that the Washing-up Bill at the close of the Parliamentary session contained a clause enabling the Christchurch Drainage Board to refund to the Riccarton Borough Council the amount of drainage rates collected last year on behalf of the Drainage Board in excess of requirements. In thi| connection he made appreciative reference to the sterling work performed in this connection by Councillor Wilding. The special committee set up by the council to consider the sealing of the subsidiary streets in the borough will meet on December 16 and report to the January meeting of the council. “On the very day that we want the water-cart most on our streets it is lent tcj the A. and P. Association,” said Councillor John Wood at Monday’s council meeting. He was speaking on the question raised by a letter from the secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, who had received an account from the council for £2 19s 6d for the use of the council’s plant in watering the showgrounds on the recent show days. He pointed out that in the past there had been an arrangement between the council and the association by which this watering was done free of cost, the association granting the use of water for street watering in return. Councillor Wood said, “I can’t for the life of me see why the council should grant free use of the water-cart to the association. We have only one water-cart, and it is very necessary on show days. What do we get from the A. and P. Association? Only one small section of its property pays rates to the borough. Most of its land is in Waimairi, and if it wants something for nothing let it go to the Waimairi County Council. I move that we press for payment.” In answer to Councillor Wise, the towii clerk said the account was for the services of a man, a tractor and a water-cart for seven hours at 8s 6d an hour. This was the standard charge.—Councillor Wise safd he had .understood that the work was not to be done this year.— The town clerk said no resolution had been passed by the Works Committee, so when the association’s application came in he authorised the service and sent in the account.—Councillor Wise thought the feeling of the committee was fairly evident.—Councillor Machin: The Works Committee should be more definite in its decisions. It ought to know Us own mind.—The motion was carried. When the Wharenui School Committee’s application for rebate or reduction of rent of the Town Hall for the annual school concert came before the council on Monday, Councillor Wise moved that the application be dealt with on the same lines as last year’s.—There was some dissent, whereupon the Mayor said that there was but one public school in the borough, and the concert was for the benefit mainly of borough children.—Councillor Machin: What about the council showing it knows its own mind? It doesn’t follow that what happened last year was right, and we don’t seem to know what was done. I move that we grant the use of the hall free.—The council, apparently waiting for a lead from the chairman of the Finance Committee, and having now received it, passed the resolution instanter. \ The chief postmaster has investigated the complaint of late postal delivery in and about Puriri Street, and finds that the average time of delivery is 12.10 p.m., which, he says, “compares very favourably with other suburban deliveries.” It is reported that a noticeable improvement has recently taken place. The registration fee for dogs in the borough has been fixed at 10s, with the proviso that working dogs may be registered for 2s 6d. GREATER CHRISTCHURCH? An echo of the recent public meeting to discuss the possibility of Riccarton merging into the city was heard at Monday’s Borough Council meeting when Deputy-Mayor W. Machin replied to.certain statements published at the instigation of Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., subsequent to the Riccartop meeting. After traversing these remarks, which he described as unfair, Mr Machin went on to say that on general grounds the attitude he had taken up as a representative of Riccarton was this: These large bodies, such as city councils, were becoming more and more extravagant. They were tackling large items of expenditure for purposes never dreamed of in the past. Fresh departments were being set up, fresh officials and inspectors appointed, and fresh avenues of extravagant expenditure opened up year by year. The Christchurch City Council had been able to do this because of the fortuitous circumstance of an increased valuation which enabled it to lift more money from the pockets of the ratepayers whilst actually reducing the amount of the rate in the £. The lower rate had produced more than the previous year’s higher rate. Now, Riccarton couldn’t look for a revaluation for, say, seven years, and the only thing to do here was for those men who were taking an interest in Riccarton affairs to look after and conserve the finances, knowing far more about local conditions than any City Council was

ever likely to know. If the occasion ever came for a decision on merging in the city—and they couldn’t shut their eyes to this possibility—then the Riccarton representatives must consider how best to get good, proper and efficient government at least cost to the ratepayers. They must make terms to the city. It was obvious that the City Council was anxious to get Riccarton into the city, for the city engineer had attended last Thursday’s meeting and Councillor Sullivan had . presented figures prepared in the City Council office to show the advantages of amalgamation. Looking at the faces of those present at last week’s meeting he had judged that nine out of every ten present were unconvinced of the necessity for joining up with the city. Subsequently he mentioned that in England recently a small borough which was asked to join in with the adjoining city had made terms covering fifteen years ahead, so there was nothing very startling in his suggestion of a guarantee that the City Council should not raise the rates payable by Riccarton for at least ten years. Such an arrangement would prevent extravagance by the City Council as far as Riccarton was concerned. The Mayor pointed out that Riccarton might not get a single representative on the City Council. Councillor Wood: We have nothing to gain by amalgamation. A SEWER, A STOCKING, AND SOME SKIN! A young lady running along Euston Street the other day to catch a tram tripped in one of the “sewer cuts” on the footpath and fell, taking the- skin off her knee and tearing a new coat and a stocking. As a result she claimed £4 6s 6d from the Riccarton Borough Council and her letter (accompanied by the damaged clothing) was put before Monday’s meeting. After a little desultory discussion and some pleasantries Councillor Machin brought the council back to business. “I move,” he said, “that this matter be referred to the Works Committee, and that the committee be asked to ‘pull up its socks.’ But, after all, these drainage contractors are well paid; they don’t forget to charge for their work. These cuts in the footpaths are dangerous, and I think the council and its officials should see that the footpaths are put in order.” Councillor Wood pointed out that each contractor paid 17s 6d to the council to put the path into good order after the connection was made. That relieved the contractor of liability, and the council had to take the blame. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. “WATCH YOUR STEP.” “ That with a view to obtaining better efficiency from the Works Department the Town Clerk interview the foreman regarding some of the staff who appeared to be doing as little as possible.” This was one of the recommendations of the Works Committee to Monday’s meeting of the Riccarton Borough Council.^ Councillor Wise, chairman of the Works Committee, took strong exception to the clause which, he said, cast a upon every member of the staff and implied, too, that the Works Committee was not doing its duty. He noticed that the report was signed by Councillor Wood as chairman of last meeting of the committee in his (Councillor Wise’s) absence, and the clause should be deleted unless Councillor Wood was actually going to report cases of “loafing.” If such a case were proved, then the employee should be instantly dismissed. Councillor Wood: The remark applies to one man only. If I had been chairman of the Works Committee the man would have been dismissed long ago. “I hope that will suit Councillor Wise,” he added. Councillor Wise cdmplained of the “cur-rish” action of a councillor in making this report during his first absence from a Works Committee meeting. The Mayor: The word “cur-rish” is an unparliamentary expression, and it must be withdrawn. Councillor Wood refused to agree to the deletion of the clause, and the report was adopted, Councillor , Wise dissenting. UPPER RICCARTON CRICKET CLUB. Playing two short, Upper Riccarton were defeated by Working Men’s Club at Sydenham Park by an innings and 110 runs. The scores were:—Working Men’s Club 309 (Matthews 103, Anderson 22, Evans 104, M’Laughlin 58); Upper Riccarton 129 (Newnham 50, Raxworthy 60), and 68. (Donnelly 10, G. Clarke 24). For Working Men’s Club M’Laughlin and Crossen and for Upper Riccarton Caukwell and Neunham bowled best. RICCARTON Y.P.C.T.U. The Riccarton branch of the Young People’s Christian Temperance Union held its monthly meeting in the St Ninian’s schoolroom on Saturday evening last. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Superintendant, Miss W. Lovelt-Smith; president, Mr Alex Fairbairn; vice-presidents, Miss Rae Barrel! and Miss M. Caulder; secretary, Miss M. Clements; treasurer, Miss D. Clements; auditor. Miss H. Fuller; Press reporter, Mr G. D. Dallard; librarian, Miss E. Bull; pianist, Miss B. Swanston; supper convenors, Miss M. Swanston and Mr V. Caulder; M.C. for socials, Mr Leo Brighting.