BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 24 May 1922, Page 7

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

LAST NIGHT’S COUNCIL MEETING.

The usual meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr F. Nash) and Crs W. G. Paul, A. McLauchlan, R. C. Clear, F. Bohm, D. A. Fulton, and W. E. Evans.

Samples of dustbins were submitted to the Council for inspection, the Clerk stating that the prices ranged about 6s 6d. _ . It was resolved on the motion of Cr. Evans that' the sanjple lines should be kept at the Council office for the convenience of householders who wanted to purchase bins in order to comply with the Health Department’s regulations, the clerk to accept orders and pass same on to the plumbers concerned Taxi Stand.

Cr. Evans reported on behalf of the sub-committee set up to deal with the question of moving the taxi stand, stating that the matter had been fully considered, and the subcommittee had come to the conclusion that the best place for the stand would be n the centre of the wider portion of Queen St.,'between the Advertiser Office and the motor garage, a space being left for traffic to pass from one side of the road to the other. It tvas also suggested that a telephone should be fixed to a telegraph post n-’arbv, with a gong attached, to enable the taxidrivers to hear any call from the middle of the road. After discussion, it was resolved to agree to the committee’s recommendations. Correspondence. The Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury (Dr T. F. Telford) forwarded extracts from N.Z. Gazette regarding the regulations as to appeals from closing orders under the Health Act, 1920. The letter was received.

The South Canterbury Hospital Board forwarded list setting out the Government valuations arid levies in the Bird’s district. The list shewed that the valuation of the Hospital Board district had been increased from £19,796,868 (1921-22) to £20,865,968. The total levies showed a decrease from £24,675 (192122) to £18,483 for the enduing year. The letter was received.

Arthur D. Riley and Co.. Ltd., wrote regarding complaints made about faulty material in connexion with the syphonic apparatus, and asking if the syphons were now in working order since they had been rejointed. The letter was received.

The Director of the State Forestry ,s f rvi( ; e wrote stating that the lack of building satisties had proved a hindrance to the investigations being ma de by th e Service. A schedule issued by the Government for the purpose was enclosed, and the writer requested the Council to supply a H the information possible. It was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to supply any i n f ormation it was possible to obt a in. the folM° Wn Clerk ’ G e’ e ’ Warded n? ? g e °py df a resolution ed «Jhnt n 6 G ° re B ° rough Couni \ j • a amus ement taxes coleeted m the district b e paid over Town e R° C ?° dy ° f that district or lown Board as the case might be-” id requested the Council to give th ""‘The le C tt nSiderati ° n and re “"' d

Or. Paul remarked that the Chn\t tach B.ro.gh co „„ a “V "”»* IhM if »

-bleb stituted. e Act " as m- " ne’Srf'fo?**'? was left ,o ft.. R ‘"'"af'li leaseholds to deaf/J, Eese "“ Committee Xrnd XTli "" i , '“ p - "■■> !>•« Xed ra " eh

T . T PtWf l r Board Voting, ed the f (”?T d“That the Py of res °lution: •■>l..l»h<o systemm of e-t undemoer atie fourth of ,he rat * Pet,tlorl of onethat all proposals tof ° provide power boadrs be 8 el ectric ratepayers in decided poll of triet;” “ each Proposed dist i. Evans said thnf'vc the people were not J 5 per cent of th e Act, and thev™ for in Proceedings should any they be opposed

to the formation of the power board. Cr. Paul said he thought it should be necessary to secure the sanction of 75 per cent, of the ratepayers. It was resolved on the motion of Crs. Fulton and Paul that support be given to the resolution.

The Clerk stated that between 150 and 160 signatures had been secured for the petition for the power board.

Cr. Paul wanted to know whether the names were representative of the Borough. If so they need not go any further in the matter.

Cr. Evans having perused the names on the petition, remarked that he noticed quite a lot of people who wished to abide by the old system. It was agreed that the Clerk should forward the petition as soon as the signatures were verified. Ambulance Subscripton.

The hon. treasurer of the Waimate branch of the St. John Ambulance Asociation wrote requesting the Council to place the Association on the list of organisations to which a definite annual grant was made. The Mayor said that the Clerk had looked into the matter and found that according to the Local Bodies’ Act, the Council could not make any authorised grant to the association. There was no doubt that the association had done a’ lot of good work in the district. He understood that there was still a considerable sum owing on the ambulance.

It was resolved that the clerk should write to the association sTating that the Council was prepared to put something on estimates, but it was impossible to make an annual grant. Point Bush. —- Messrs Hamilton and Fitch, solicitors; wrote stating that the executors of the will of the late Hamish McLean had appointed Mr Stowell of Timaru to make a valuation of the Point Bush, and if thd Council wished to proceed any further in the matter they would like the Council to nominate a valuer at its next meeting. The letter also stated that it was understood that the executors would accept payment by debentures for a specified term ‘if the Council had power to issue same.

The Mayor stated that members of the Council had inspected the Point Bush and it had been found that if the top corner was excluded, it would leave about 60 acres, which was all they really wanted to purchase. They had been given ton nderstand that the best proposition for the Council would b e to appoint a valuer. Cr. Paul suggested that if the Coun cil could not see its way clear to purchase the whole of the bush, it might be possible to secure one section of it, H e thought the Council should have it valued in two sections accordingly.

Cr. Evans said he did not see why they wanted to have the place valued. There was no dispute about the matter. He moved that the Council should ask the owners what they wanted for the property at a fixed term. Then, h e said, if they were not satisfied the Council could have the place valued afterwards. The motion was seconded- by Cr. Paul and carried. Wages’ Reduction. The Mayor said it would be necessary if the Council so intended, to give the Borough employees notice of the reduction in wages, according to the award.

Cr. Paul wished to know if the estimates had been based upon such reduction.

The Mayor stated that a reduction of £7O had been allowed for. He added that in every branch of trade it seemed that the minimum wage granted by the Arbitration Court was always regarded as a maximum by the employers.

The Clerk said that the present wage was Is lOd per hour or £3 15s per week.

Cr Paul remarked that he thought a “ an would flnd hard to live upon £3 15s per week. He did not know how a man could live on less. The Mayor sa id that the wages were on the lower scale. Cr. McLauchlan considered the wages to be very low for any man. councillors concurred. It was finally agreed that the Coun w eek e of P 44 h eS Sh ° Uld be Paid £4 P er k of 44 hours, on a “wet or dry” basis, from June Ist, subject to revision m six months’ time.

Fire Engine Demonstration. The Mayor said the Conned had been invited to have’a trip in the Fire str£ S f e L m ° tOr t 0 seea Monstration of the aparatus. It was aforlat at Conneil,ors should meet instlnt PUrP ° Se On Wednesda y- 31st

The Mayor sa id it was arranged After U Sh °H d ? eet f ° r SUpper ’ Cr* it he /’ lde ’ 1 s u PPose? queried Ci. Evans (Laughter). Th e following accounts were passa tor payment: General £172 8s Id sewerage disposal £3os'4s 10.