Waipukurau Borough

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 289, 21 November 1928, Page 7

Waipukurau Borough

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING ROUTINE BUSINESS The monthly meeting of the Waipukurau Borough Council was held on Monday night, His Worship ’the Mayor (Mr R. McLean) presiding over Councillors W. Hall, D. B. Kent, J. H. Hindman, W. Johnstone, and Messrs John Gardner (Overseer) and H. M. Tansley (Town Clerk). Leave of absence was granted Crs John Warren and E. J. Turner. Howard Estate Board. , The District Public Trustee, Napier, wrote acknowledging the Council’s letter advising the withdrawal of the name of Mr E. A. Goodger from nomination to the position of representative on the Howard Estate Advisory Board. The Mayor said that as the matter had been left in his hands, he had interviewed Mr Goodger. Owing to the fact that the majority of local bodies were supporting the nomination of Mr Absolum, it was deemed advisable to withdraw the nomination of Mr Goodger.

Conference of Delegates.

The Municipal Association of New wrote advising that the next -annual conference of delegates would be held at Wanganui in March, 192 9. Remits for inclusion in the order 'paper would have to be submitted for consideration by the executive not later than December 1 next. The Mayor said that he did not know of anything the Council wished to bring forward, and the letter was received.

Superannuation Scheme.

The National Provident Fund office forwarded particulars with regard to a scheme for superannuation for employees of local bodies. It was explained by the Mayor that the scope of the fund had been enlarged to take in local body employees. He did not know if it would appeal to the Council’s employees, but it seemed to be quite a good scheme. The amount contributed by the employee was subsidised by the local body, and also by the Government. The Mayor said that he had always felt that local body employees should have some scheme. In the opinion of Cr. Johnstone the local body employees were in a less secure position than were Civil servants.

Cr Hindman said that the scheme was sound, and any employee not availing himself of it “didn’t know what was good for him.”

After some discussion it was resolved on the motion of Cr Johnstone, seconded by Cr Kent, to refer the matter to the Town Clerk, with authority to interview the employees and bring down a report for the next meeting.

Footpaths Loan, of £4OOO.

The Australian Mutual Provident Society advised that the footpaths loan of £4OOO was now in order for completion, and the debentures were to hand. The Society forwarded its cheque for £2OOO, being payment on account of the loan. It was understood that the final payment of £2OOO would be made six months hence, and the adjustment in interest on debentures would be made when the loan was fully paid. The Mayor said the information was very satisfactory, and the Council could now go ahead with the improvement to the footpaths.

Cleaning of Drain.

A letter was received from Mr G. A. Ellison, drawing attention to the present state of the open drain crossing Holyrood Terrace from the point near Mr R. McLean’s property and the writer’s (adjoining). It was pointed out by Mr Ellison that he had already cleaned the drain several times, but it was now so choked up that the job wanted doing thoroughly. The Council’s attention to the matter would be appreciated. The Mayor said that the drain pipes were broken by traffic passing over them. The street was really not suitable for vehicular traffic in its present state. It would, no doubt, be necessary in time to come to put the' street through, but it would be a fairly expensive matter. On the motion, of Cr Hall it was resolved to have the drain repaired. Bituminous Materials. The Main Highways Board forwarded a copy of directions for selecting and shipping samples of tar and bituminous materials which were to be tested in the laboratory for conformity with approved specifications. —Referred to overseer. Increase in Subsidies. The No. 5 District Highways Council wrote advising that under

recent legislation the rates of subsidy on maintenance of main highways, both primary and secondary, and the erection of new bridges, had been increased to £2 for £1 as from April 1, 1928. An issue of the additional authority required and the adjustment of payment of subsidies would be arranged. The Mayor remarked that none of the councillors “had anything to growl about in that letter.” —Received.