RIVERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Western Star, 21 March 1922, Page 2

RIVERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

\*~ • ; The fortnightly meeting of .the, Council, held last evening, was.(attended by his Wonship the' Mayor, (Dr ;' Trotter) and Councillors Jas. Hymers, A. F. Stock, E. Dennis, C. E. John? stone and Miss Hunt.' 'An apology' t , was received for the absence' •of i Or. . Patrick. ■ ' { ,

A. E. Willett, Secretary of ,the .■ Memorial Committee, wrote asking i, ; the Council's permission to erect' the ' -'■ Soldiers-' Memorial • "in front of''Mr, S. Hall's property.—Held over till .',. next meeting, as the. Assistant .Engineer of the Public W?orks Department■• would be inspecting' the bridge' and approaches- in the course of a'fewdays. '■ Mr A. Hamilton, M.P., wrote stat-' ing that he had! made representations 1 to the Minister in regard to increased audit fees. The member also'stated that ihe would support the resolution in regard to'Borough banking (facilities. He was of opinion that the ( banks; are reaping an unfair benefit in this and [similar accounts. "' The Hon-! Downie Stewart, 'Minister:'. ■ of Internal Affairs, wrote stating that the last scale of fees for'auditing!'was ; fixed as'jfar back as I8&8, and yr'&s based on salaries, and expenses existing at that time. Since thenvthere has been a. considerable increase in all expenses, jand it was found that, the work was being carried" out at a considerable loss to the Department. The fees are, not' excessive, and have ■ been increased: morely for the purpose of providing against' loss sustained by the Department in carrying out this work.,

The Assistant Engineerj Public Works . Department, ' wrote-' stating < that he would 'visi.t Riverton.' in the , course of a few days to> , discuss matters in.-connection with the bridge. • The Standard' Ohemjcal , Company, wrote forwarding particulars and cost of chemical closet.—Received; ' , Tlios. Borland, hon. secretary Of i the local Chautauqua Committee,' "' l asked for a rebate of, the 12/- charged for the use of'the Town Hall far meetings.—As the cost was so very small spread over "all the guarantors it was resolved not to grant the request. , j A. F. Webb drew! attention to* the • bad state of_ the Recreation ground) fence,' and asked' that repairs be effected.—Left to Property Ccjot mittee.

The Minister of Internal 'Affairs • forwarded copy of Local Bodies' Fin- ' ancc Act, 1921-22-, which provides th'.at all overdrafts ' v owing on 31st March must be liquidated, either •by way of borrowing by ' way of debenturcs, refunding >by seven annual" payments, or by a special rate.-r The stated that the overdraft cf all Borough Accounts at last meeting wa& £I4OO. This amount could be con* . siderably reduced by the 31st March if debtors would ■ pay in 4 ali outstand- ' ings before that date. •< ■ ■ ' R. Anderson, Invercargill, "wrote stating that he wa» anxious to bavei the' plans for Waldeck passed ini order l to complete titles before 31st March. —Cr. Hyiners said he had visited Waldeck' proportios on Saturday, faxi there was a great deVil of work to' be . done Before the Conncil could talie it over, more especially in regard to drainage.—Decided to ask for a tend of £2OO to ensure that the work would be completed, whan the Council would pass a- resolution for affixing the Borough, seal. - . «' Cr. Hymers reported on proposed ' work in Milton street, - and stated that £5 would be expended in outtingbroom. , > < Cr. Johnstone said a i number of culverts required attention, as thty were absolutely dangerous to pt»des-t trians and horses—Resolved that the surfaceman make a report, the owners to repair culverts not in' ordv>r. ,-- Cr. Dennis said the rubbish depot should be protected by a stone wrdl, ins most of the rubbish and tins we're being washed away by the tides.--• Loft to Harbour Committee to report* The Council then adjourned.