PATEA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 243, 13 October 1937, Page 12

PATEA

PERSONAL inr —. C. Fowler, deputy-Mayor of Northcote, was welcomed at the Patca Borough Council meeting on Monday night by the Mayor and deputyMayor. and Mr Fowler expressed pleasure at being present as a visitor and remarked on the progress of the’ borough since he lived at Patea 23 years ago. Mr J. O. Cunningham, electrical engineer, Patea borough, is attending the electrical engineers’ conference in Wellington. Sympathy was expressed with Mr J. N. Anderson, county engineer, in the loss of his mother, at yesterdays meeting of the Patea County Council. Mesdames E. C. Fowler (Northcote), M. Patterson (Penrose), and C. Watkins (Ellerslie) are guests of Mrs L. P. Clarke, Carlyle. PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL Specifications for the new rest room are again to be offered to individual tradesmen, who will be asked to give individual prices, so that the work can be proceeded with. This decision was made at the meeting of the Patea Borough Council on Monday night, after Cr. Naismith had stressed the necessity for immediate action before the summer season commenced. Erosion at Beach. Asking for support in connection with certain erosions at the beach, a deputation, consisting of Messrs A. Pearce (chairman Harbour Board), W. H. Southcombe, and H. Boagey (chairman Seaside Society). A. Dunkley and H. Peacocke, met the council and asked support in a request to the Government for labour and financial assistance. They also suggested a committee to act in conjunction with the other bodies in approaching the County Council the following day. Mr Boagey stated that the beach was becoming increasingly popular since the improved road had been put down, and the trouble was that where the playing ground and parking area facilities were, the sea had encroached and taken away a tremendous amount. The councils moral support, and finance if possible, were asked.

Mr Dunkley stated that the erosion was serious for the town, the Harbour Board at New Plymouth wanting to close this port down, and in his opinion a heavy flood would do what New Plymouth wanted. Expert advice should be sought on the matter. It was the people’s port, play area, and shipping outlet, and was a source of revenue to the town. If the bodies went in a united front to the Government, labour for the erection of a retaining wall, and probably financial assistance, should be forthcoming, more so than if the Seaside Society attempted it on its own. Mr Peacocke supported the previous speakers, stating that unless something was done the whole frontage would be lost. The beach was an asset as a health resort. Mr Pearce said if the Government would give the labour, the approximate cost of materials for a wall four chains long, would be £250. He could not say what assistance the Harbour Board would give, but it was no use doing an amateur job. He thought it was quite natural for the river to wash out this basin.

The Mayor said the erosion was worse since the old guide pier had been partly demolished. The erosion was very noticeable and the seaside resort was of vital importance to the town. The council was sympathetic in the matter and would assist in every way possible. Something of a concrete nature was required and it would not be sound policy to do the work in the summer months.

In reply to Cr. McKenna, Mr Pearce said that the Harbour Board had not expressed any concern about the matter nor had the harbourmaster reported it being detrimental to the harbour, until approached by the seaside committee.

Cr. McKenna: Really, the Harbour Board, as regards shipping, does not feel any concern. Mr Pearce: No, but the Harbour Board would go a little way with the project. Opinions were expressed that it was time the Marine Department was consulted on the matter. After discussion the council appointed Crs. Haddow and Langslow to act with the other bodies to give moral support, though no financial assistance could be given. General Business. The town clerk reported that he had written pointing out the council s position regarding the expensive up-to-date requirements of the lire brigade, to the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who had requested that the council’s application regarding the formation of a fire district be lapsed pending a decision by Parliament re amalgamations. The Patea Lawn Tennis Club's request for the silver poplar in Surrey Street to be grubbed, was acceded to, but in future tenants are asked to keep their own frontages in order. Claims for wages for officers other than clerks were forwarded by the Taranaki Employers’ Association, the town clerk stating that the reference to part-time employees having been delected, the claims did not affect the council. No action was taken in the matter of a complaint from the Patea Seaside Improvement Society, re wandering cattle at the beach. The proposal from the Commissioner of Transport re taxis’ and carriers’ licences being taken over by the Government, was opposed, the clerk stating that it was the “thin edge of

farmers of the future would benefit by the improved access and better farming conditions, and a portion of the cost should be placed on their shoulders. The chairman considered that the raising of a loan to carry out the work was out of the question. If the ratepayers of the other ridings were not going to benefit by the proposal it could not be expected that they would give their support to the raising of a loan. Cr. Jones said that he had brought forward the question of the Ahu Ahu Road each year. He considered that the council should do a little each year to develop this riding and that the council was not doing its duty now, as it was not raising the money provided in the estimates for the undertaking. Phe matter was held over until the I next meeting of the council. i

the wedge” of the Government taking over the full licensing. Patea carriers were “feeders” to the railways, said the Mayor, and were helping the Government in their work. The carriers had Government mail contracts, ana it was not these services the Government were getting at but the through transports. Those present were the Mayor, Mr F. Ramsbottcm (presided), Crs. F. Naismith, J. Bromiley, R. W. Haddow, F. McKenna, A. H. Langslow. PATEA HOSPITAL BOARD Still fighting to be classed as a training hospital, further efforts are being made by the Patea Hospital Board in this direction. Yesterday, when, alter a deputation -from the friendly societies had waited on the board, it was decided to make further overtures to the Minister of Health, and to again seek co-opera-tion from Mr 11. G. Dickie, M.P. The deputation consisted of Messrs F. Ramsbottom and J. Bromiley (Druids), A. Bennie (Foresters), and T. Floyd (Oddfellows), and an apology was received from Mr W. Downey (Hibernians). Feeling that some protest should be entered by the friendly societies against disallowing nurses to train at Patea, Mr R.amsbottom stated that it was not only detrimental to the matron and sisters, but the public felt that it could not get efficient treatment by having so many novices in attendance. With the help of outside bodies, the Hospital Board should get sympathetic consideration. The other members of the deputation supported the speaker. Replying, the chairman said no one was more concerned than the board itself, wihch had done everything in its power to have the hospital reinstated. Mr Dickie, M.P., had done everything possible. Even if they did write down with the friendly societies’ backing and that of every ratepayer, he did not think it would make any difference. The department said the smaller hospitals could not give th€ necessary training, but Patea had turned out better trained nurses than elsewhere in New Zealand with the highest precentage of marks. “Our job is just about impossible,’ said Mr Gibbs, “and I feel like resigning. What is the good of doing anything at ths hospital in the way ot improvements if we can't get the nurses. It is the officials at the head of the department, not the Government, who are making the thing impossible.” “I don’t know what more we caii do,” said the chairman, when the secretary reported that three trained nurses with maternity certificates if possible, had been advertised for. Miss A. L. Harris, matron, reported that resignations had been received from Staff Nurse Bates and Miss Bevan, V.A.D., to take effect from October 20 and 31, respectively. Miss B. Nicholson commenced duty as V. on September 10, and Miss I. Morrie on September 30. Dr. W. T. Simmons, medical superintendent, reported that theie weie 33 patients in hospital on September 1 I; 3o were admitted during the! month; 29 were dischargc-d; 4 died, | and theie remained at the end of the ' month 12 males and 16 females. I Those present at the meting were Messrs C. R. Honeyfield (presiding), W. 11. Watkins, C. Campbell, W. Back, F. Naismith, A. J. Gibbs, R. J. Wall. H. Middleton. J. Lupton, and the secretary, Mr W. F. Slu-ild*