THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 7 April 1927, Page 5

THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WORK OF THE TERM. That the present Borough Council has carried out its duties in a manner which should be a source of satisfaction to the ratepayers is shown by the Council’s annual report. The report, which was prepared by the Mayor on behalf of the Council, this week, is as follows:— —Finance.— In two years we have added to the tank credit balance £275. Wc have out of revenue paid £402 off the Water Loan. Wo have paid old debts amounting to 'F230 1 . We have added buildings and plant costing £750. We have given -lie children’ permanent playthings costing £lOO. We have erected road and other signs costing £3O. Wc have, reduced the public debt by the customary £897 15s lOd- We have spent £1470 on tarred surfaces Wc have maintained all the services of the Borough efficiently. Wc have done ail this without increasing the rates.

There arc- thcee who resent eun business-like methods and prefer to cAve rates and charges which -hotild be paid promptly. The differences in our method is that where the average cost for interest on moneys ewed to the Borough was 10s per week we paid for the whole of lastyear only one sum of 3/6 altogether Leaving out the tarring, much <->f which is a permanent asset, we have improved l the position in paid, debts and added values by £2,738. fo: the two years. —Water.— The Water Loan of 20 years agofell due this year and as there had. been only a one per cent sinking fund it was necessary to, renew £7OOO on a terminating basis of thirty-three years. This has been done despite the cost of money at this stage without increasing the annual charge under this head. The supply has held good throughoutthe year, but so greatly has the demand’ increased that it has been found advisable to decline further applications from outside the Borough. On the application of the school authorities we have granted free use of the Baths for instructional classes and have thus facilitated the bringing of swimmers to the point of (success.. ' —Staff.— ' During the year we have lost the services of Miss Wills, Mrs Hoslring anj Messrs Wild and Henlev whose good services were suitably' commented upon. There has been appointed an inspector of motor traffi under whose interest there is much less complaint of traffic bye-law breaches. The working staff is lessened by one man and in place of a permanent hand we- are employing such ex tra labour as is from time to time called for. Horse Owning.— The owner-ship of its own horses by the Council has proved most satisfactory and we have saved the price of one horse iw cash payments besides more *han paying for the other in increas'd capacity. 4

Tarring.—We have continued the policy laid down last year and have' as a result of the two years’ work just about doubled the amount af tarred surfaced streets in the Borough. The experienmt has been made in Belt Street of tarring four :eet of the footpath where thee is no kerbing and this will be watched with interest.

Drainage—One important change has been made under this heading The use of ’’silent flushers” is now possible and this is appre ciated. The Septic Tank has been emptied several times and has been well cleaned and is in excellent -xmdition though the daily attention ‘f calls for through the failure of the siphonic action still continues.

—Reserves.—

The year has been marked by gieat advance under the Reserves C-mimittee. In Victoria. Pr.rk there has been built in conjunction with the sports bodies a oommodi’rs •’ressing navilion and office. In Feddon Square a gas ring kiosk is Ending appreciation. The Rotunda haa been improved by a concrete edging and the Ladies Croquet C'nb given- the enjoyment of the use of the Square for their games. Victoria Park,has been thinned of tr-es -which were delaying growth and shrubs liav been introduced.

Swings have been erected here and at the Town Belt and st ibe Triangle ending Wilkin St Toboggan slides for children are in great use at the Belt and the Park. Genera 1 -Electric light has been applied t ihe Town Clock and to the Band Rotunda in Setldcn

Square. In tfni new leases to lher tennis aijd bowling clubs it has been arranged that these pleasant spots shall be open to all Burgesses who wish to be spectators of the games. The outside of the Chambers has been renovated and Town Clerk's office re-arrangpd to mere suitably receive the public business. The appearance of the town has had attention and will more and moreevoke praises from visitors and residents alike. The planting cam paign and the, opening o€ beauty spots together' with the removal •>! certain eyesores frorti the building area will be steps iu the rigrat direction.

Publicity.—-Under this heading may be mentioned the Fire Bn gedes Dcmciistfatiou so successfully ci.tried out by our Brigade. We exhibited at the Mo-tor Olympia m litnaru a bay of photographs -rhich al’:acted much attention and prai-e The road signs have been added to end many notices of direction: hj the Borough erected. The attention’ given to creating new wa-1 s and the like at Kelcy's Bush is truod publicity and the- continued press propoganda has served us well.

Royal and Vice-Regal.—At the function in connection with the visit c: His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Waimate took its part and wa s represented in tlje official par ty by the Mayor and Mayoress. The visit to Waimate by the Govern rGcneral was the occasion for a patriotic display in conjunction with the County Council which did Waimat e credit.

Health Week —The Health Week clean up was a good innovation and most successful iu ridding the Borough of much that was calculated he a menace to health. Councillors.—Work in the -tounci! has gone ahead well. The cha.ige of committee chairmen has served its purpose and given experience to new men which will be of ?roat value. The conduct of business has been deeorus and reflects credit on all Cbuncillbrs.

These results are gratifying and 1 congratulate you on a meritorious performance. You are leaving the Borough much better than you fbinid it and have accomplished your task without adding to the rat j, S P^ aces the Burgessss vrd'er a double obligation to you. for which I have no doubt thev will Be sincerely grateful.