TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 3

TAIHAPE

BOROUGH AFFAIRS At the monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council on Friday even’ng the town clerk (Mr E. J. Price) submitted the following report on the wiring department:— To the 31st October, 1931, the reve nueof this department’s accounts hrs fallen by £460 12s sd. £432 12s 3d is the total revenue this year compared with £893 4s 8d last year. The expenditure has also fallen from £796 17s 3d to £505 13s 9d. A trading account of this department for the seven months of the year which has < tpsed. shows a gross profit of £B4 2s Id. The profit an I loss account for the same period reveals a net loss of £23 17s lOd. At the present time costing records are being kept in this department, but though no doubt useful in some respects, I consider that the expense in obtaining sam • is not justified. The actual expense involve i is the salary of the junior clerk, which is £65 per annum. Prior to the institution Oi the present system, all stores were under the direct contr 1 of the electrical engineer. In view of tho falling off of work in the wiring department, J recommend tnat this department be reorganised by relieving Mr Sparks of his position as costing clerk in charge of all electrical stores, and placing all electrical stores and stocks, other than those in the showroom, under the control of Mr Knight. I suggest that the showroom stores be controlled -rom tho office. To relieve Mr Knight in some direction, I suggest that tho keeping of records of meters be done by Mr Sparks. This work is an absolutely neces. ary one as there are over 1000 meters on the system and details regarding testing data, repairs, etc., must bo kept, and is of the utmost importance. I also suggest that Mr Sparks bo appointed meter reader, to be responsible for the correct reading of all meters in the borough. At the present time, this work is being done by the electrical engineer’s staff. Tho total time occupied on this work is approximately • ine days per month and the cost £B5 per annum. It often happens that throi gh the staff having to be taken off their ordinary duties to do meter reading that routine work is disorganised, and in some cases overtime has to be paid to get essential work done. The preparation of meter books, and sundry other duties, which are at present being done by him, would make Mr Sparks’ time fully occupied. I have conferred with tlie electrical engineer on the suggested re-organisation as detailed above, and we are both of opinion that its adoption would not in any way decrease efficiency. On the other h tt nd a monetary saving would be effected, and with regard to meter reading I am satisfied that increased efficiency would result. The report was adopted.

BOWLING NOTES Matches played on the local bowling greent recently have resulted as follows Championship rinks: C. Cherry, Neagle, W. McDonald, Winchcombe 18 v. Burton, Loader, Bowie, Marsh 17. Seccombe, Easton, Batchelor, AlcMeekin 26 v. Ryan, McLennan, Read, Williams 16. Championship pairs: J. Cherry and Loader 26 v. Dymock and Arms! >ng 20; Seccombe and McMeekin 19 v. Easton and Read 8. Handicap singles: Loader 21 v. McLennan 20; W. McDonald 28 v. E. McDonnell 15; Peacock 29 v. McMeekin 24. Championship singles: J. Cherry 25 v. F. Gledhill 12; McLennan 20 v. Eaton 14; Easton 21 v. Coutts 12. ’ GENERAL NEWS At the monthly meeting of the Taihape Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, the stationmaster (Mr J. D. C. Davis) was asked to make arrangements for late trains on Christmas eve on the same lines as last year. In regard to its request for a reduction in the insurance tariff at present in operation in TaiTape, the Taihape Chamber of Commerce, has received a letter from the Underwriters’ Associations stating that tho matter will receive due consideration. PRESENTATION TO RAILWAYMAN Mr. T. J. F. Henderson, a railway guard stationed at Taihape for the past three years, has been transferred to Whangamomoua (near Stratford), and left yesterday with Mrs. Henderson and family to take up his new duties. On Monday evening the local railway staff farewelled Mr. Henderson and presented him with a solid leather suitcase as a small token of the very high esteem in which he was held. The presentation was made by the stationmaster (Mr. J. D. C. Davis) who paid a high tribute to the departing railway officer’s popularity and many fine qualities, and wished him every success in his new sphere. Mr. E. J. Quinn, on behalf of the staff, endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker. Mr. P. Austin expressed the shunting staff’s regret at the impending departure of such a capable officer as Mr. Henderson. Mr. B. Marchioni spoke in a similar strain, on behalf of the local branch of the A.S.R.S., of which Mr. Henderson was secretary. Mr. Henderson feelingly responded. RAILWAY TIME-TABLE Strong opposition to the proposed alteration in the Alain Trunk railway time-table, which, if brought into effect, means that the. south-bound express will reach Taihape at 1.44 a.m. instead of 6.15 a.m., as at present, was voiced by the Taihape Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, and it was! decided to protest to the Railway Board against the change that has been mooted. The chairman (Mr. W. H. Maclean) remarked that the Auckland papers had anp’anded the suggested alteration.! The change would, no doubt, benefit ; Vncklnnd. but it was no good to Tai- ; ’inne. added the speaker, who went on : ‘o state that as far as Taihape and 'djacont towns were concerned, the usefulness of the service would be greatly minimised if the new timetable came into operation. Mr. Davis (stationmaster): At pres-

ent the “limited” and the ordinary express leave Auckland within half an hour of each, other. They are too close together. It will probably be either a case of changing the time-table as suggested or taking off one of the trains—probably the limited. Tho. chairman: Tho proposed change, if brought into effect, will promote motor transport. Air. AlacCallum: It is playing into the hands of the motor transport companies. After further discussion it was de aided, on the motion ol’ Air. Maclean to protest to the Railway Board, ano also to solicit the support of adjacent towns in regard to the matter. ’ PERSONAL At its monthly meeting on Alonday evening the Taihape Chamber of Com merce passed a resolution of sympathy with Air. W. 11. Nicholls, president of tho chamber, in his present illnes at Wellington, and hoped for his speedy recovery.