RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 245, 17 October 1932, Page 3

RAETIHI

BOROUGH COUNCIL At the monthly meeting of the Raetihi Borough Council on Wednesday night there were present: The ATayor (Mr Walter Harris)), and Crs. T. S. Fagg. Tom Shout, C. A. C. AlcDonald. L. J. Vile. W. IT. Sandford, A. E. Willoughby, R. Ciochetto, the electrical engineer, Mr W. Journeaux, the. borough foreman, ATr E. C. Davis, and the, town clerk. Air W. Bowick. Cr. G. IL Parkes wrote resigning from the council owing to his removal from the district. It was decided to reply to the lotal Unemployment Committee that, it was regretted that the, council had no funds o make a donation for the purchase of to make a donation for the purchase of gardens. AT. Stanish complained that fish wore being sold at wholesale rates to unemployed and others and he asked tho council to protect his interests. It was agreed that the council could do nothing in the matter. The Ractihi Unemployment. Committee wrote asking that the council supply some wood under the No. 5 over-thc-fen’ee scheme.—On the motion of Cr. Shout tho matter was referred to the Works Committee with power to act. The ATunicipal Corporations Association notified that the next conference would be held at Rotorua on March 2. 1933 and asked that remits bo sent in before the end of November. The Bank of Now Zealand advised that the rate of interest on the overdraft had been reduced to 6 per cent. The health inspector reported on his visits to the borough. There were no infectious cases during tho month, and everything was very satisfactory. The Hospital Board notified that the levy might have to be increased as tho result of tho dispute in connection with the valuation of the Wanganui County Council. The proceeds of the picture given on a recent Sunday night, in aid of relief funds, were given by tho Advancement League as £3 10s, and £1 10s had been added to it. The money had been distributed by the league to necessitous cases. The Wanganui Hospital Board forwarded the report of the welfare officer on her recent visit to the borough. Everything was quite satisfactory. The Red Cross Society wrote asking permission to make a canvass of the borough for funds. It was decided to advise the society that the time was inopportune for making such an appeal. A number of applications for supply of water under a flat rate instead of a meter were granted. It was agreed that, all garages where cars are washed down must have a meter.

The agreement and conditions under which a married fireman should occupy the brigade quarters were considered. The brigade reported that the majority of the men were in favour of a married couple being in the quarters and on the recommendation of the Firebrigade Committee of tho council the agreement was approved. It was pointed out that there would always be someone on tho brigade promises. On the recommendation of the Fire Brigade Committee it was agreed to build a concrete ramp at the entrance to the fire station. The ranger reported that he had impounded 18 head of cattle and three horses. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee it was resolved that the town clerk commence his annual leave on October 17. The committee was not in favour of the proposed transfer of Air 11. Jenkins’ properties from the borough to the county and had no recommendation to make with regard to the letter received from the Timaru Central Relief Committee.

Accounts amounting to £666 10s 2d were passed for payment. Tho report of the treasurer on the financial position as at September 30 was adopted. The report of the Works Committee was adopted. It stated that the services of ATr A. H. Davis be dispensed with temporarily; that ATr A. G. Dobson bo appointed an authorised waterfitter, under tho provisions of the Borough Water Supply By-law; that the necessary pipes be procured to complete culvert work re R. Wilson property — Hukuroa Road. On tho recommendation of the Electricity Committee it was agreed that a street light bo installed in Pitt Street, between Duncan and Ward Streets, and that the request, of the Ohakunc Borough Council re July account for electricity, be granted. The question of t.hc authority of tho borough foreman in connection with relief labour was mentioned. The schedule of duties showed that h e had the control, including the dismissal, of casual labour. * r. Shout considered that every case

should be dealt with by the council or the Works Committee and he proposed a motion to that effect but it failed to find a seconder except one uro forma and he withdrew it. COUNCIL CHAMBERS On Wednesday evening at the meeting of the Borough Council the ATayor, Mr Walter Harris, referred to the fact that the alterations to the building were not completed. Some months ago the council agreed to make some alterations to the premises. For years the offices were found to be very inconvenient but the lack of finance prevented any improvement. It was agreed to take advantage of the relief work and the board promptly authorised the pulling down of a residence at the power house and erecting it and making suitable alterations at the Borough Council offices. The electrical engineer, Air Journeaux, prepared plans and has supervised the work. The meeting room has been greatly enlarged and now serves as the home of the public library. Proper seats have been made in groups of three. Scats have been built in against, the wall for the accommodation of the public, including depurations, etc. A special feature is the fine large’ table. It is 16 feet long, sft. 3in. wide and the surface consists of 24-inch boards beautifully polished. Electrre heating system lias beeu built in around the sides and under the table. Neat desks have been provided for councillors.

To celebrate the occasion the ATayor invited the council, staff, and the press to supper. He explained that tho Afayoress and himself felt they could not let the occasion pass without some recognition. In returning thanks, tho deputyMayor, Cr. W. 11. Sandford, said the council was to be congratulated on the rc-shuffle of the premises. The increased' conveniences for the Fire Brigade was one thing to bo. thankful for and he was sure the brigade would appreciate it. The occupancy of the, quarters by a married fireman would increase the efficiency of tho brigade. There was more chance of somebody being alert, at all times in case of an alarm being given. All the councillors spoke and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Mayor and Mayoress for their hospitality. Reference was made to tho improved office accommodation for the, staff. The junior members now had a fine, comfortable room and the town clerk, eleutrical engineer, and borough foreman had a separate office. The electrical engineer was warmly congratulated on tho way the work had been done. Cr. Shout referred to the table. Ho considered it was a beauty and did not think it could be beaten. Superintendent Langdon spoke on behalf of tho Fire Brigade. It was an experiment to have a married man on the premises. Tho members of the bri gade thanked the engineer for his assistance and tho council for its hearty co ope rat ion. MUSICAL LAMINATION 'l'he annual examination in Conner tion with the Ractihi centre of the Trinit v College of Music was conducted by Dr. Thomas on Thursday. Ten pupils were presented and all passed, five of them with honours. The grades and names are as follow: Initial: R. Ogden (honours). First Stops: Elsie Elmore. Preparatory: Lulu Tuat’mi; Derek Fleino (honours). Pre paratory Elocutionary: Betty llarshall (honours'). Junior: Harold Jon' / (’honour.' . I Termediate Au-.f v Rogers ■Horopito'); MoHv Christie (Ohakun ■>; Eileen McCarthy (hon-

ours). Senior: Veronica Rogers (Horopito). In the evening, Dr. Thomas interested a gathering in McNair’s Hall, explaining the works and life of Schubert. The Alayor, Air W. Harris, presided and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the doctor for his very interesting address and his enjoyable items. The Chamber of Commerce entertained Dr. Thomas and the officers of the local ventre of the Trinity College to supper in the, Druids’ Hall. Between thirty and forty gentlemen were present, the chairman of the chamber, Mr D. P. Scarfe, presiding, and there were also present the Mayor. Mr Walter Harris, tho chairman of the Waimarino County Council, ATr C. H. Ball, the president, of the local branch of the Trinity College, Mr L. A. Eastman, and the secretary, Air Ogden. A number of toasts were duly honoured and items given by Afessrs Quayle, Bowick, L. Baird, F. Payne, Urwin and others. At the request of the chairman, tho visitor spoke on the result of his ob servations travelling round the world a<» to the causes, suggested methods of dealing and other aspects of tho prevailing depression. Rcferonvo was made to the co-opera-tion of the chamber with other local bodies and the representatives of tho Trinity College Centre thanked the chamber for its hospitality and assistance in helping to entertain Dr. Thomas. On Wednesday, Dr. Thomas conducted a school examination at Ohakuno when sovcvl pupils from tho Convent sat for the examination. At Ohakune, Dr. Thomas was the guest of Mr and Mrs Lightband and at Ractihi he staved with the Mavor, Mr Walter Harris.' ARBOR DAY Wednesday was observed as Arbor Dav at tho Ractihi School, when two memorial oaks and 160 other trees were planted in the grounds. The chairman of the School Committee. Mi E. C. Davis, spoke of tho necessity of planting trees. The head master, Mr Robertshaw, also spoke. Reference was made to the splendid example set to tho children bv the late chairman of the School Committee, the late Mr J. A. Lynn. As a memorial, two oaks were planted and a moment’s silence was observed. Two essays on the value of tree planting. etc., were read by the writers P. Nation and Al. Ward, both of whom had secured priz.es for their work. Certificates won in the competition arranged by thp Wanganui-Ala nnwatu Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club Association were presented bv the chairman to George Wade 1. M. Walde grave 2. and F. Oliver 3.