RAETIHI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 245, 15 October 1937, Page 12

RAETIHI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING • The usual monthly meeting was (presided over by the Mayor (Dr. W. J. Feltham) and the following were also present: Councillors J. H. Stanley, R. Ciochetto, T. Shout, W. H. Sandford, A. M. Laing, A. Dobson, C. F. Goodman, the town clerk (Mr. C. M. Turner) and the works foreman ' (Mr. C. Davis). Prior to the commencement of the business of the meeting the Mayor made reference to the passing away of the late Mrs. P. G. Smith. Mr. Smith had been the first chairman of the original Town Board and with Mrs. Smith had done much for the district and had been hold in the highest esteem. His Worship moved a vote of 'condolence to the relatives of the late | Mrs. Smith and this was carried in (silence. ! Correspondence j A letter was received from the • Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savlage) thanking the council for its co* [operation in connection with the King iGeorge the Fifth National Memorial Fund. —Received. The Director of Housing Construction advised that the Government l.ad decided to extend its housing seheme to Raetihi and that the Lands Department was at present investigating property in the borough with a view to selecting suitable sites.—Received.

In connection with the Borough Council’s suggestion that the provisions of the Public Works Act should be invoked in connection with the bush area along the Makotaku Stream, the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation (Hon. F. Langstone) wrote notifying that he had decided to allow the company concerned further time in which to state whether they would be prepared to negotiate for the disposal of an area for scenic purposes and if so, on what basis. He stated that his department was again writing to the secretary of the company on the matter.—Received.

The Inspector of Films notified the council that an inspection of the exits of the Theatre Royal would be made in the near future when an inspector would be visiting the district.—Received.

The sanitary inspector (Mr. W. H. Rpy in his monthly report notified that he had undertaken a total of 35 visits and had served four requisitions. The annual survey of the water supply and watershed area had been undertaken during the month. The Municipal Association of New Zealand informed the council that the annual conference of the association would be held at New Plymouth on Tuesday, March 1, 1938, and asked for remits for consideration at the |conference—The matter of remits was deferred to next meeting. In connection with the inspection of meat slaughtered for human consumption in the borough of Raetihi, the Director of Live Stock Division wrote stating that meat from ordinary slaughterhouses could be subjected to inspections at intervals and without a very considerable increase in the staff of inspectors. It would not l)e possible to arrange for all such meat to be examined either in the slaughterhouse or in the shop. He would be glad to arrange for the meat from local slaughterhouses to be inspected as frequently as circumstances permitted, but could not undertake constant daily inspection. In connection with the matter of establishing district slaughterhouses the question required the support of other local bodies interested before the imatter could satisfactorily be placed before the Government for its conIsideration. In the meantime, he hoped that with frequent inspections the I posit ion would be relieved. Practically all councillors voiced ‘their disapproval of the arrangement. They did not think that inspectors were frequent enought and up to the present had no evidence that inspections were being made. After a prolonged discussion it was finally decided that the department be written to requesting that a report be sent to the council each time an inspection was made.

The Director of Housing Construction notified in connection with the housing scheme that the Department of Housing Construction would pay fees where a service was rendered but building permits would not be taken out. Plumbing ana drainage 'fees at a rate to be determined wouid be met by the Government and drainiage plans would be submitted. It was Idc-sired that all service connections in I the roads and also repairs to road services and footpaths should be done by the council to its satisfaction. Water rate charges would be met by the Government when the houses we’e occupied and tenants would be responsible for hose connection chargee and fees.

The Minister of Finance had imie a statement to the effect that rates on all properties would be paid when and while houses were occupied.—lt was agreed to submit the local inspectijn and service fees for the consideration of the department. The borough ranger reported impounding two head of stock which had been returned to owners. Committee The following recommendations of the Works Committee were ap- | proved:— That concrete pipes be purchased 'for continuation of culvert in Islingiton Street. That the council’s house in King Street be removed and that material be purchased for repapering. The the ranger's report be adopted. The following recommendations of the Finance Committee were adopted:— That the Fire Brigade be permitted to sell their old vice and use the proceeds towards renovations of their quarters, provided the sale price is submitted to the town clerk. That the quote of the British General Electric Company be accepted for the supply of a siren for the Fire Brigade at a cost of £63 plus sales tax, nett, f.o.b. Wellington. That under the provisions of Section 79 of the Rating Act, 1925, pt. sec. 10, block 1, owned by Miwa E. Abbott, be put for sale by public auction. That the town clerk be granted annual leave from October IS to 31, 1937. That payment of accounts totalling £1974 16s lid be approved. General The tip truck was reported to be in need of an overhaul after being on