BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 27 February 1929, Page 7

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The Waimate Borough Council met last evening’, there being present the Mayor (Mr G. Dash), Cfs. W. G. Paul, IV. A. Nelson, R. F. Algie, A. E. Lewis, J. Atwill, A. J. Kirby. Apologies were received from Crs-. Hutt and George. Correspondence.

Mesdam.es Annie Sofia Entrican (Auckland), Adelaide Reed (Barfield) and Alice Catherine McMaster (Christchurch), joint owners of the property in Shearman Street recently occupied by their late mother (Mrs H. Meyer) wrote donating’ to the Borough land connecting Harris and Shearman Streets. It was decided to forward letters of thanks to the three donors. The Invercargill Gas Works Manager advised having for disposal a limited quantity of crude tar, at 6d per gallon on rail Invercargill. The N.Z. Coal Tar Distillation Coy. quoted for various grades of distilled tar. The letters were referred to the Works Committee. The Department of Lands and Sur. vey wrote confirming the sale to the Council of Reserve 781, of 1 acre 2 roods 19 perches, at the upset price of £lOO. Mrs W. Smart, Lower High Street, was granted permission to keep a pig, subject to the satisfaction of the health inspector. Mr Thos. Frickleton, Oamaru, applied for permission to open a pie cart in Waimate. He was a returned /soldier and not able to take on hard work. He had conducted a pie cart in Oamaru in an orderly manner to the satisfaction of the Borough Council.

The matter was referred to the General Committee

Minimum Charge for Electricity

The South Canterbury Electric Power Board wrote, in answer to the Council’s request, that it regretted being unable to reduce the minimum charges for electricity in the Waimate Borough special area. It might appear from the balance sheet presented that large profits had been made in Waimate Borough, but unfortunately it was not the case as full depreciation, now required by the Audit Department, had only been deducted for the period of 1927-28, The credit brought forward on the balance sheet 19'26-27 was not net, therefore. In future, full depreciation would have to be deducted each year which would considerably reduce the net profits. There was also the reticulation and plant which had to be duly maintained, the cost of which increased with the age. Furthermore, the elements were liable at any time to cause extensive damage, which would also have to be met from revenue. There were very few’ consumers in Waimate Borough who did not exceed the minim/um charge of 5/- per month, whilst the rate of new connections increased steadily. A reduction, then, would benefit only a small number. Cr. Paul said the letter did not deal with the point of the Council’s request. The Council asked if the Board could see its way to reduce the minimum with the object of increasing the number of consumers. The Council was not referring to the Board’s profits. The Board gave itself away by saying that the reduction would benefit only a few, so that it was possible for the Board only to Jose very little. Cr. Nelson: They would actually be in poeket over it. Cr. Atwill: Of course they would. Cr. Algie remarked that the Board evidently felt it was not long enough established to take risk. The letter w T as received . Harbour Charges. The Mayor reported that he had received an urgent appeal from the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce to attend a meeting of representatives of local bodies in Timaru on (February 22 to make protest against proposals from Wellington o abolish the flat rate of charges and etablish a lower rate at the four principal ports. The effect of such proposal if put into operation would be to reduce the business done at such ports as that of Timaru and practically put them out of action as profit earners. As the Borough was a contributing body to the Timaru Harbour and would have to bear a portion of such losses as might be made, he had attended, represent-

ing Waimate Borough, and had taken part in the meeting of protest as desired. The Mayor’s action was approved, and thanks accorded him for his attendance at the Conference. Sanitary and Water Committee. The Sanitary and Water Committee reported that in regard to a complaint by a resident that insufficient service was being given her premises by the scavenging contractor, I this matter had been fully investigated by the Committee and the position explained to the complainant. One tender had been received for the labour of laying a water main fiom Goldsmith to Paul Streets, namely from Mr J. Bryce, for the sum of £B2. The Committee recommended that the tender be accepted as from the date of arrival of the material. The Chairman was authorised to employ Mr A. Good to fix the seating and springboard at the baths before the swimming carnival on Thursday, 28th February. The report was adopted. Works Committee. The Works Committee reported having considered the communication from Mr T. Dyer regarding the suggested road from Shearman to Harris Streets, and in regard thereto that there was no ground for any action by the Council. The report was adopted. Electors List.

I The Mayor stated that at the last meeting the Town Clerk had presented the Borough electors list which the Municipal Corporations Act laid 1 down should be made up on or bei fore January 3 and should contain

•the name of every person possessing any of the qualifications entitling 'an elector to a vote. Three Councillors had been appointed to examine (the list and sign it if correct. On

examination, the list was found to be short some three hundred names of people whom the list of electors for the Waitaki Electorate showed to have the right to a vote in the Borough. As the Act prescribed that the ! Council should in March and before ■ the fifteenth complete the list it was suggested to the Council that no print ing be done before that date and ■that the Clerk add to the list the names of all persons entitled to appear thereon, at least so far as is [indicated by a comparison with the roll of electors for Waitaki. i Th report was adopted. General. | On the motion of the Mayor, the following resolution was carried: “That authority be given the Water to use four tram rails in place of two in the boundary bridge at Kelcy’s making it passable for light motor traffic.” I The Mayor said light cars could then use that bridge to get to he [shelter shed, which would be better 'than building another bridge for [motor traffic. j The Mayor said that he had received offers of personal service | from several people, and for the erection of swings and a fireplace near the boundary bridge at Kelcy’s [he needed only the Council's authority. | Authority was granted. j The following motion, emanating from the Mayor, was carried: “That tenders be called for the erection of two such shelter sheds as that recently erected at Knottingley Park, one to be placed in Victoria Park at the Motor Camp and one near the boundary bridge in Kelcy’s Bush.” Accounts. Accounts amounting to £136/19/9 were passed for payment.