BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 74, 21 March 1933, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Council’s Monthly Meeting HELD LAST EVENING GENERAL MATTERS DISCUSSED The monthly meeting of the Waipukurau Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. R. McLean)- presiding over the following members: —Crs. I. W. N. Mackie (deputy-Mayor), R.'W. Carpenter, W. A. Chambers, J. McCarthy, and E. J. Turner. The town clerk-overseer (Mr. H. M. Tansley) and the inspector (Mr. J. Gardner) were in attendance. Leave of absence was granted Cr. B. J. McCormick. Tuki Tuki Reserve The Department of Lands and Survey advised that control of the Tuki Tuki River scenic reserve had been vested in the council for a further period of five years.—Received. “ The Smith Family ” The New Zealand Smith Family Joyspreaders (Inc.) wrote, stating that it considered the time had arrived when a conference of the principal relief organisations throughout the Dominion should be called with a view of discussing the whole problem of charitable relief, and, if considered practicable, unifying certain activities so as to obtain greater efficiency cost. The Mayor was asked to attend the conference to be held in Wellington, on Tuesday, March 28. The Mayor remarked that it seemed to him a good project. He asked whether the council thought it advisable to be represented.

“I don't see much danger of overlapping here," said Cr. Chambers. The Mayor: That is so; it occurs more in the cities. On the motion of Cr. Mackie, seconded by the Mayor, it was decided to reply, stating that the council was unable to send a representative, but would be glad of information as to what transpired at the conference. Grant for Cemetery Upkeep The Waipukurau County Council, forwarding a grant of £lO toward the upkeep of the cemetery, expressed appreciation of the work which was being done there by the borough. The letter was received, and it was decided to thank the county for the grant. Insurance Business The South British 1 Insurance Company, Ltd., on behalf of four New Zealand-owned insurance companies (National, Standard, New Zealand and South British), made application for the council’s insurance business to be divided among the five New Zealand-owned companies (including the State), one-fifth share each. “The advantage of supporting locally-owned institutions will no doubt be quite obvious to you. and by doing so you support the various agents in your town," the letter stated.

The Mayor said that at present the insurance was all in the State Office. “I think it would mean a good deal of bother to comply with the request, said Cr. Chambers. “I suggest that the State and the other offices should divide the insurance among themselves if they want to.” “If we were going to make any change we would want some evidence that it would be beneficial to everyone concerned— ■ which is not set out in this letter,” said the Mayor. Cr. Mackie considered that the business should be shared. Cr. McCarthy did not favour making a change in the dying hours of the council. If thought necessary, the matter could be brought up again when the new council had been elected, he said. On his motion, it was decided to take no action at present. Finance On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, accounts amounting to £453 Is 3d were passed for payment. Legal Costs The secretary of the Waipukurau Registered Unemployed and Employed Association wrote, stating that although the unemployed desired, if possible, to pay their way, their income was so meagre that the possibility of their paying off arrears of rates was remote. They recognised that the borough must protect itself as far as outstanding rates were concerned, but requested that, if pos-

sible, the imposition of legal costs should be avoided. Cr. Chambers moved that in such

cases the work of issuing summonses should be done by the town, clerk without entailing legal costs against the unemployed. Cr. Mackie contended that legal work should be done by a lawyer. It was considered possible that the borough solicitor might agree to reduce his fee in such cases, and Cr. Chambers withdrew his motion. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Chambers, it was decided to reply that the council would do its utmost to see that legal costs would: not be imposed in such cases.