BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 258, 15 January 1941, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Mr Barry said he had reassured Major Abel, who however had asked that publicity be given to the enquiry in order that people might learn of the organisations existence, and might make application in the case of hardship for recompense of loss.

Cr Shapley said the gesture was appreciated and he would like the Minister of Supply to make available iron for making up new tanks to replace those lost at Taneatua.

CITY FATHERS DELIBERATE!

OPENING THE NEW YEAR

All councillors other than Cj| Canning attended the first meeting of the Borough Council for the New Year, which took place on Monday evening. Though thei volume of business was not , great there were a number of items which the Burgesses will follow with interest, particularly with reference to certain vexed questions of local administration on which the Munici-jj pal Association wrote by way of elucidation. The question of whether closing the Strand to traffic on New Year's Eve was justified Avas brought light by virtue of the petition from all AA'ho desired such action to be taken in order to assist the Carnival. Councillors agreed hoAvever that the event fully Avarranted the council's decision and that those car owners who had been, approached, had moved vehicles; Avithout any pretest or Jifficulty. Loan Paid Off. A polite note from the Government Life Insurance Office informed the council that the final pay--ment in connection AA'itli the loan for £5390 had been paid, expressed thanks for the good relations betAveen the tAVO bodies during the process of repayment. The tOAA r n clerk stated that the loan AA 7 as extended slightly by conAversion. The Mayor: "That's one paid off anyhow." Health Inspector's Salary. FolloAving the council's representations to the Health Department relative to the allocation of the proportionate leA'ies on local bodies in this area to meet the Health Offi-* cer's salary, the Department notified that a neAv basis had been fixed as under 6%d for Boroughs and 4d per head for Counties. The Whakatane contribution was therefore £55 per annum. Comparative figures from other centres in this group Avcre giA'en as under: Whakatane County £1S0; Opotiki £80 Opotiki Borough £40. The reco\ r ery of approximately 53 per cent of the Inspector's costs Avill be met by the increased contributions. Cemetery Administration. In answer to the Council's enquiry it was learnt from the Audit Department that County Councils had the liberty to contribute upAvards of £30 per annum for each of several cemeteries.

The Mayor said the enquiry had been made in connection with the upkeep of the Borough cemetery, which w y as used to a great extent by residents of the County, which body had not in the past seen its way clear to assist with the cost. He admitted that he had mis-read the regulation covering expenditure in this respect. State Highways Control. The Main Highways Board \yrote notifying that in future the whole of the Board's powers in respect to the Paeroa-Whakatane and Whaka-tane-Gisborne State Highways would be delegated to the Borough Council. The Mayor said he - understood that the council would have complete control with regard to the carrying out of work on the Main Highways mentioned. New Driver's Award. A copy of the new driver's award was received. Details showed that a 5 per cent increase had been authorised on the old rates, and that drivers of one horse were now entitled to £4 16s 6d per week, of two horses £4 19s Gd, plus the 5 per cent cost of living bonus. Drivers of vehicles of fiom 4 to' 5*4 tons were entitled to £o 9s Sd, graders or steam shovels £5 19s 2d,j and heavy road rollers £5 13s lid. The working week allowed was 42*2 hours. Echo of the 'Quake. As a result of the earthquake reports which were received in other' parts of New Zealand, the Mayor stated that he had received a telephone call from Major Abel, of Wellington, who was in of the Earthquake Emerg<v"cv Organisation, offering the special funds s<* f r '*~ purpose. Blankets a*"* plies could be sent a* once, h"