MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Chronicle (Levin), 20 September 1946, Page 3

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL The usual" fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough 'Council was held on Tuesday evening. Those present were the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) and Crs. W. Clayton, R. R. Lind, H. Aitchison, W. C. Higgie, J. Curran and E. Perry. Apologies were received from Crs. J. A. Roach and C. G. Wishart. Metal for a footpath entrance was granted to a resident in Grey Street. : A reply to the council's letter regarding the State Housing Department constructing concrete fpotpaths around the State house units in Grand Street was received from the Director of Housing Construction, advising that the department could only agree to share the cost of such work if it was- the general policy of the council to make similar demands on -all property owners when constructing footpaths in front of their sections. Ovdng to the shortage of cement at present, the director regretted that the construction of concrete footpaths could not now be . undertaken. . The Department of Housing Construction made application to carry storm water from the State houses to the side channel in Grand Street. Following "a discussion it was agreed that the matter be left in the hands of the works committee with power to act. A letter was received - from the secretary of the Shannon branch of the Returned Services' Association, calling the council's attention to the condition of the South African and First World War -memorials and asking if they could be cleaned and repairs carried out to surrounding concrete paving. On a motion of Cr. Curran it was agreed that the work be carried out under the supervision of Cr. Perry. A building permit for a residence in Ballance Street to the value of£1000 was granted. Applications for water supply connections to sections in Elizabeth and Ballance Streets were granted. A letter was received from N.Z. Woolpack and Textiles, Ltd., regarding the working of their industry and labour employed. An invitation to inspect the flax plantations and the factory was accepted by the council-, .and -it was left in the hands of Cr. Lind to make the necessary arrangements with the managing director of the company. Cr. Clayton reported that the condition ' of some of the most widely used footpatlis was very bad and he would like to see some of the holes fllled in. It was agreed that this work should be carried out when supplies 'of material became available. Another point raised by Cr. Clayton was the most unsatisfactory railway. passenger transport facilities available to Shannon, and he dsked if something could not be done to give the town a better passenger service. It was agreed that Cr. Clayton and the town clerk (Mr. J. T. Bovis; should discuss the position with the local stationmaster. Cr. Aitchison' thanked the Mayor and Councillors for the letter which he had received from them during the period he was ill, and stated .that he was very pleased to resume his place at the council table. He pointed out that some of the street corners were very narrow and were a danger to travellers, and asked if it would be possible to have some of the mostly used corners widened. It was pointed out by the chairman of the works committee, Cr. Lind, that it was proposed to do this when labour and machinery became available. The borough foreman was instructed to remove dead trees from the plantation at the northern end of Plimmer Terrace. Cr. Lind reported that difliculty was being experienced in obtaining a horse suitable for borough work. He stated that the Mayor, che borough foreman and himself had inspected horses offered, but none had appeared suitable for the work required of them. A prospective seller was being communicated with at Foxton and the town clerk was directed to writc to a carrying firun in Wellington, and also to the Wellington City Council to enquire if they had suitable horses for sale. Cr. Lind made mention of the generosity of Cr. Higgie in supplying a horse in the meantime. Accounts to the amount of £101 15s 6d. were passed for payment.