AROUND THE TOWN

Chronicle (Levin), 19 March 1946, Page 4

AROUND THE TOWN

Borougti Council's Meeting MA!NY MATTERS DISCUSSED A .wide variety of matters came ibefore the Levin Borough Counc'il at its monthly meeting last evening. The Mayor (Mr. H. B. Burdekin) was in the .chair and the folilowing members were present: ,Crs. H. E. Bowen, A. O. Powell, V. E. Hudson, W. Telford, C. Sherwood, D. J. Gardiner, F. D. Chainey and F. E. Parker. Also Messrs. R. L. Mcllraith (assistant town clerk) and K. W. Sandford (engineer) . Leaye of absence was granted Cr. C. H. Coekrell. t Domain Matters A letter was read from the Levin .Golf Club accepting the offer of the use of the.Lake Domain for a further year to March 31, 1947, at the usual rental of £50. — Noted. The Horowhenua Rugby Unlon wrote making application for the use of the Levin Park Domain for the 1946 rugby season .and offering a rental of ten per cent. of the gross gate takings as in pr.evious years. Cr. Chainey p.ointed out the need for something to be done £o the ground. He said the oval was uneven and weeds had taken complete control in the pasture. He was supported by the engineer. Crs. Telford, Sherwood, Parker and Powell advocated the top-dressing of the ground. After further consideration it was decided to narrow and top-dress the ground, and in consequen.ce to advise the union that the ground would not be available for the early part of the season. The matter was referred to the works committee to have the work carried out.

There was further lengthy discussion on whose liability it was to restore the lighting at the Levin Park Domain, for which it is estimated that a sum of approximately £6D will have to be spent. Some members maintained that it was the responsibility of the Levin Combined Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club • and the f ootbali clubs using the ground or the Horowhenua Rugby Union. Finally, decision was deferred until the Council's April meeting. The reserves committee reported having met Messrs. G. C. France and H. McFarlane, representing the Horowhenua Crieket Association inregard to the preparation and maintenance of the wickets at the Weraroa Reserve and Levin Park Domain. Although it was evident that some work would have to be done in the not distant future, but in view of the near end of the season, no work was recommended at present. Revival of Band v' A letter from the Air Seeretary (Mr. T. A. Barrow) indieated that the band instruments would be returned in a few days and expressed the Air Department's appreciation of the council's action in lending them. The Mayor advised that the instruments had now been received and he had arranged with Mr. Langtry, an accomplished bandmaster to eheck them. He proposed to call a public meeting in the near future with a view to reforming the band.

Committees Reformed His Worship pointed out that with the borough engineer taking up his duties, there was a need to amalgamate the functions of three committees — reserves, streets and waterworks — into one to be known as the works committee. The following were accordingly appointed to the new works committee: Crs. Gardiner (chairman), Powell, Chainey, Sherwood and Telford. Cr. Bowen was appointed chairman of the library committee in succession to Cr. H. A. Heron and Cr. Hudson a member of the fiance committee.

Service Car Parking The New Zealand Road Services, Wellington, wrote confirming the arrangement made with the Mayor and Traffie Inspector Kehoe for the parking of service cars in Bath Street, and expressing willingness to meet half the cost of covering the side channel along the parking place. His Worship advised that the arrangement was to cover in the channel of the southern side of Bath Street, from the railway erossing to Oxford Street, to provide & fcurning place and to'declare this are.a a bus stop only. The Mayor's action in the matter was cqnfirmed. Gasworkers' Dispute - The Conciliation Commissioner", Wellington, gave notice that the hearing of the gasworkers' dispute would take place on April 11. He forwarded a copy of the statement of claims, which include increases in wages and changes in conditions. The communication was left in the hands of the gasworks committee. Machinery Reparations Returns of certain plant and machine tools required by industri.es were requested in a cir.cular letter from the Department of Industries and Commerce, it stated that the information was required to enable an estimate to be made of what requirements could be satisfied iii reparations from Germany and t Japan. Tlie engineer indieated that this largely concerned industrial equipinent, and a suitable reply was }eft ito ihim. Miscellaneous Matters •j Further to the council's request

for a handrail at the Levin Post Office steps to avoid the danger which existed to elderly people, the postmaster (Mr. L. A. Whitham) wrote advising that the matter was being. investigated. — Noted. The Horowhenua Scottish Society and Highland Dand sought permission to hold a shop day in Levin on April 9, the funds to go to its uniform appeal. — Granted. A copy of a Gazette notice, under which the Ministor of Labour had appointed Saturday as the statutory elosing day for shops in the Levin district under the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, was received. — Noted. On the recommendation of its town planning committee, the council approved of five plans of sub-division'of areas of land in the borough. Four residents of Gladstone Road drew attention to the position of the water supply on their properties, pointing out that for short pSriods no water at all was available. — Referred to the engineer for a report to the works committee. The town planning committee submitted a recommended urban farm lands list for special consideration In rating, and this was adopted by the council. Mr. C. B. Greenaway wrote asking if the council would reconsider its decision not to grant permission for him to run storm water from his new house in Weraroa Road into the street road way. He pointed out that, being on top of the rise, there was a depth of 40 feet of clay before a metal strata suitable for drainage occurred. — Referred to the engineer, the council not to be involved in any expense if the request was granted. Cr. Powell said he had been approac'hed by residents of George Street asking if some work could be done to the road surface there before the winter set. in. — Referred to the engineer.