PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 3

PATEA

BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING. The Mayor, Mr. Ramsbottom, presided at a special meeting of the Patea Borough Council on Monday. Councillors K. Haddow, D. Roots, A. H. Langslow, F. INaismith and A. T. Christensen were also present. The main business was to deal with the Patea Freezing Company’s request with regard to house-building. Cr. Naismitn on behalf of the Freezing Company asked if they could waive tne stipulation regarding building one house on each £1 section. The company wanted to build four houses on live sections, as it would obviate excavation costs, part of the sections being hilly. If this could be done they were prepared to go ahead immediately with the building and placed the houses in the most suitable places. The houses would be to the value of £6OO. Cr. Christensen said there was a resolution on the books with certain conditions about the £1 sections, and houses to the value of £350, he thought that as they were building houses to more value they should grant the request. It was decided that the company be allowed to build four houses on the five sections provided they were of the value stated. The Mayor referred to the local Boxing Association holding tournaments in the Domain training shed. The association had received a letter from the town clerk stating that they would be liable to a £2O fine if they did not obtain a licence. The Act regarding the local Domain had been perused and they did not think a licence was necessary. The Boxing Association had had many set-backs and difficulties, the provincial championships were at hand, also the end of the season. When one realised that Patea had a boy trained in that shed and sent to the Olympic games they should not quibble over such a small matter. The Boxing Association did not make anything out of the tournaments, and now they were asked to pay a licence for the Domain shed. It would mean they would have to take up a collection to pay it. Some years ago skating had been held in the Domain shed and they were not asked to pay a licence. When the Boxing Association put the notices out for the approaching tournament, the town clerk had gone Xo the secretary and had told him that police aid would be called if the tournament were held. The Mayor thought the matter should never have come up like that. The council was there to decide whether they were going to foster the sport of boxing or kill it. Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Domain Board, stated that the board had been adverse to letting the shed but had no legitimate reason for stopping the Boxing Association using it. His interpretation of the “Act” was that any land vested in the King was immune from borough bylaws. The Boxing Association were quite willing to pay if it were proved that they were liable but they did object to the talk of lines and police. He thought it was not a matter between the Boxing Association and the council but between the Domain Board and the council. Cr. Haddow, as lessee of the theatre, said he would not exercise his vote, but would- like to make an explanation as his name was being bandied about the town as being the instigator of the discussion. He gave that statement an emphatic denial. The town clerk read the opinion of the Municipal Association on the Act, whereby it was evident that a licence was required. The town clerk said if anything happened in the unlicensed hall, the council would find they were liable. It was only when public were charged admission to the Domain shed that they were liable for a licence. Cr. Naismith said he had been very pleased to hear Cr. Haddow make his statement. He would like to suggest that the town clerk keep in touch .with the Mayor over local matters of this nature. It left an opening for the town clerk to be a little hard. Councillors wanted him to be in harmony with the public. Cr. Christensen was of the opinion that all sports bodies should be treated alike. A resolution was passed that the matter be referred to the Domain Board. Cr. Naismith moved that correspondence of the nature of this should be put before the Mayor before going out. The Mayor also brought up the matter of a statement made by the clerk at a meeting between the Kakaramea Dairy Company directors and a committee from the council, that the company could expect no reduction from the council in power rates. The town clerk explained that the directors had asked the question “Was the council prepared to reduce their rates?” and he had replied “No” as he knew they were unable to make a reduction. SCOUTS AND CUBS BIRTHDAY. A happy party celebrated the fourth birthday of the Patea Boy Scouts and Cubs on Monday. The tables were decorated with wattle, spring flowers and red streamers and set with a delectable party tea. Sweets were set for each Scout and Cub. At the head of the room the Scouts’ Union Jack was placed and the Cubs totem pole. The Scouts’ cake was • made by Mrs. F. Ramsbottom and the Cubs’ cake by Mrs. G. Williams.

Mr. Ramsbottom presented Scout Davidson with a book for being the only Scout left since the commencement. Scout Davidson was one who visited the Melbourne Jamboree, and he congratulated him on keeping with the Scouts and hoped he would continue until one day he was head of the Patea Scouts. Scout Nelson was presented with a book on behalf of Mrs. Pauling for being the best allround first-year Scout. Cubs Geoff. Honeyfield and Basil Roots were presented with books for being the best all-round cubs during the year. Scout Mays lit the candles on the cake. Scout Les. Pracy blew them out, and Mrs. Ramsbottom cut it. The Cub cake was lit by Jim Imlach, blown out by Peter Hunger, and cut by Sixer Trevor Herbert.

Commissioner Horner delivered an address on Scouting. He asked the parents to interest themselves in the Scouts and Cubs. Scouting was on a sound basis and they were an asset to the town. The Scoutmaster, Mr. Pauling, needed assistance in thiy most interesting work. Scouts were trained to be useful citizens. Doing something for someone else was the golden rule.

Scoutmaster Pauling thanked the parents for coming along and taking interest in the movement, at present their help was urgently required. Miss Williams, Cub-mistress, thanked the committee for their help. Captain Prescott wished them a continuance of prosperity and many happy returns. Mr. Mays, as a parent, said he was quite coniident that the parents were at the back of the movement. Little Beverley Pauling sang “When I Grow Up.” The Commissioner presented badges i as follows: Scouts. Tenderfoots: Brian Nelson, Dexter Mays, Ray Hill, Robert Minton, Jack Wills, Clarence Featonby, George Lund, Tom Rochford, Stanley Hill. Second Class Badge: Brian Nelson, Dexter Mays, Ray Hill, Trevor Partridge, Gordon Hermon and John Neal. L. and S. Pracy received Pathfinders and Engineering badges. . Cyclist Badges: Walter Hermon, Brian Nelson, Dexter Mays, Ray Hill. Cooks Badges: Colin McKenna and S. Pracy. Gardener Badge: Brian Nelson. Woodwork Badge: Brian Nelson and Colin McKenna. Service Stars: D. Mays, B. Nelson, B. Davidson, R. Hill, R. Minton, J. Wills, C. Featonby, T. Rochford, J. Neil, S. Hill, G. Lund. L. Pracy, S. Pracy, R. Hill, G. Hermon, T. Partridge, J. Close, C. McKenna. Scoutmaster Pauling received his sixth year service star. Cubs. Tenderpads: David Brooke-Taylor Paul Jones, Harry Beauchamp, lan Hill, Harry Austin, Arnold Old. Service Stars. Basil Roots, Geof. Honeyfield, Len Mays, Don Glenny, Jim Imlach, Peter Hunger, Arnold Old, lan Hill. A 10 years’ service star was presented to Cubmistress Williams by the Commissioner. Cubmistress G. Kelly received a fourth-year service star. Apologies were received from Miss A. Kuhfuss, Miss J. Spurdie, Mrs. Kelly, Miss O. Edwards, Mrs. Patchett, Rev. Burnett, Messrs. Prescott, J. A. Haswell, and D. Roots.

PATEA HARBOUR BOARD. I Mr. A. T. Christensen presided at ( 1 the monthly meeting oi the Patea I Harbour Board on Tuesday, Messrs. | W. Back, G. Meuli, S. Chisholm, A. 'Pearce, W. H. Southcombe, and W. H.! Watkins were also present. The board acceded to the returned Soldiers’ request for help in the protection of soldiers’ graves on the harbour board property. The harbourmaster was authorised to view a 30-foot launch quoted by Pearce and Company, of Wanganui, | and authorised to purchase if suitable. The Patea Borough Council advised the cost of installing electricity in the residence occupied by J. W. Watson accross the river, and it was left to i the chairman to interview Mr. Wat-1 son and make arrangements. The harbourmaster, Capt. W. E. Barnes, reported that the bar was unworkable on 12 days in July and that a strong fresh from the 18th. to 21st. silted the berths and the channel round the viaduct badly. Dredging was improving the conditions. Shipping was small as it was the off season. There were eight arrivals and 10 departures. The job at the end of the eastern wall and the rubble wall work would soon be finished. A double gang was dwelling on the western wall. Gales had done further damage to the guide pier, the outer portion of which was in a bad state. This was a serious matter for if it became too weak to stand the current the river 1 would cut through behind it. and exports 1873 (1408). Value of exports 116,780 (82,440), figures in parenthesis for previous year. At the conclusion of the meeting Imports for June were 403 (402) the members of the board, viewed the guide pier and walls. PATEA BOY SCOUTS Mr. R. Ramsbottom presided at the monthly meeting of the Patea Boy Scouts committee on Tuesday. Mesdames F. Ramsbottom, F. Spooner, H. Davidson, Misses M. Hamerton, E. Williams (Cub-mistress), G. Kelly (Cub-mistress), E. F. Hemingway and F. Williams (secretary) were also present. | Miss Williams asked if application could be made to the Domain Board [for the use of the shed for parades as it was more suitable for practis-

1 ing jungle dances and games. ! A letter of thanks is to be sent Mr. | Haddow for his rebate for the use of the supper room for the birthday. 1 The committee all expressed pleasure at the success of the birthday on Monday, and at the visit of Commissioner Horner. It was decided to send Commissioner Horner a letter of appreciation and to ask him to visit the local troop at an early date. Miss Williams was granted six months 'leave of absence. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNUAL MEETING Rev. H. B. Burnett presided at the annual congregational meeting of the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday. Apologies were received from Mr. and Mrs. H. Pauling, and Mr. H. Sutherland. The balance-sheet showed assets over liabilities £BO5 2s 6d. Rev. Burnett congratulated members on the splendid response to calls made on them. Mr. K. Carmichael thanked Mr. Burnett for the very solid work he had put in in this district, losing no opportunity of furthering the work of the church, and expressed the appreciation of the session and congregation for the work done during the past year, and for Mrs. Burnett’s help. Thanks were accorded the bank guarantors, the building committee, Mr. J. A. Haswell for acting as secretary and the ladies. Reports on the year’s activities were presented by leaders of various branches of the church.