MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 180, 2 August 1932, Page 12

MARTON

BOROUGH COUNCIL The council met on Monday evening, there being present: Mr. F. Purnell (Mayor) and Crs. G. B. Gregory, ’l’. Barton, A. A. Mclndoe, W. B. Langston, J. D. Gorrie, and K. A. Williams. A circular letter was read from the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, solicit ing the co-operation of the council in obtaining orders for goods supplied from the workshops of the Institute.— Received. The town clerk, Wanganui, wrote forwarding a copy of the minutes of a conference of representatives of the local authorities comprised in Heavy Traffic District No. 9, held at Wanganui on June 29, last and asking if the council approves the decision arrived a*;.—Received. Mr. A. Stuart, M.P., wrote relative to the Crown refusing to accept liability far the payment of rates exclusive of special rates. —Mr. Stuart was thanked fox his letter and it was agreed to wait for the result of the test case proceeding at Auckland. L. J. White wrote asking the council to make certain repairs to the house and outbuildings on the Lower Waterworks Reserve.—lt was decided to build the necessary conveniences. Messrs Duncan and Davies, New Plymouth, wrote advising of the delivery of 100 carefully selected kowhai trees and recommending that a little trimming bo done after the trees are firmly established.—Received. The Commissioner of Unemployment, wrote in reply to the council’s letter explaining the delay in connection with the delivery of trees and advising that the council’s application for 2,000 trees had been approved and the State Forest Service would supply the most suitable species available.—Received. State Forest Service wrote advising that 2.000 trees had been consigned to Marten with particulars of species supplied.—The Mayor stated that the trees had been planted and that 1500 more had been applied for. F. R. H. Brice and Co. wrote relative to arrears of rent due by a charitable ai 1 tenant, suggesting that the council should take up the matter with the Hospital Board with a view to having assistance granted.—To be advised that the council had written to the Wanganui Hospital Board. The secretary of the Wanganui Education board wrote disclaiming liability for payment of rates. —Held over until next meeting. A circular letter was received from the Commissioner of Transport, re heavy traffic fees payable on farmers’ lorries used solely for the transport of farm produce.—The Rangitikei County Council is to be asked to supply lists of farmers’ lorries registered. The treasurer reported that the receipts for the month were £997 9s Id, including sales £*279 11s, gas consumers £137 Ils lOd, water fees and connections £lOl 6s 3d, coke, tar, etc., £32 2s 9d, and Town Hall £B7 13s 6d. Overseer’s Report. Mr. W. R. Brant reported that during the past three weeks the general maintenance work has been attended to. Two water leaks in mains have been repaired. Gorse has been grubbed out at the old waterworks reserve. Excavation and filling has been done at the Marton Park. 80 kowhai trees have been planted on Crofton Road and 23 on the gasworks property. 100 treeguards have been made. Reservoir, Upper Tutaenui, 389 c. yds. of spoil has been tipped on the embankment, making a total of 1799 c. yds. Gorso has been grubbed and burnt and 2,200 trees planted. All water mains have been flushed out. Kensington Road Bridge: Two stringers on this bridge have rotted, also the whole of the decking. I would like the Works Committee to make an inspection. This bridge may stand for month or may go at any time. The approximate cost of putting in two new stringers, redocking and asphalting would be £l5O. The reservoir is holding 22ft 9in. of water and the embankments are satisfactory.

With reference to a letter received from the borough inspector re the Transport Licensing Act, Cr. Williams moved the following resolution, which was carried: “That where in borough and town districts, railway stations and the main centre of the town which it serves are situated one mile or more apart by the main route and taxis provide a feeder service to the railway for the passenger traffic, the Marton Borough Council considers that in the public interests such taxis should not bo classed as a ‘passenger service vehicle” requiring them to be licensed under the Transport Licensing Act, 1931, and that the said Act should be amended by giving the Governor-Gen-eral, by Order-in-Council, power to exempt areas and certain classes of passenger carrying vehicles from the necessity of being licensed under the said Act.” Votes of thanks were accorded to the J. C. Williamson Corporation Co. for their free matinee and for gifts to the unemployed; to Nurse Woolmcr for her great assistance in connection wit,h distribution of food and goods; to Mr. Frank Deighton for droving the “free sheep”; to Mr. A. Phillips for killing the sheep and to the Marton Jockey Club for grazing. The Works Committee were authorised to inspect and report on the Kensington Road bridge, also in connection with the installation of a light on tlx* Lyon Street corner. The overseer reported that in company with Mr. McCann, Inspector of New Zealand Railways, he had made an inspection of the railway crossing on the Wellington Road. It had been decided to improve the approaches.