BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Chronicle (Levin), 13 December 1946, Page 3

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL The usual fortnightly meeting of the Shannon. Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. The Mayor (Mr.- R. E, Downes) presided and Ihose present were Crs. W. Clayton, R. R.. Lind, J. A. Roach, H. Aitchison, J. Curran, W. C. Higgie, E. Perry and C. G. Wishart. Prior to the commencement of business,, the Mayor expressed pleasure at .seeing -a full gathering of councillors, and stated that he was sure he expressed the feelings of councillors in stating that they were very pleased t'o see Cr. Roach occupying his seat at the table again after his long illness. All hoped that Cr. Roach would continue to enjoy good health. A letter was received from the Shannon School, asking permis - sion to hold a combined sports meeting on the domain on Friday, December 13. On the motion of Cr. Higgie, permission was granted. - Correspondence was received

trom the Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs, stating that the Minister would f avourably consider the council'o request for the purchase of the section adjqining .the. council's property in- Plimmer Terrace, but asked for further information ks to the rate of interest and term ' of any possible loan. The council approved the action of tlie town clerk in forwarding the required information. A request from Mrs. E. L. -Hyde to screen pictures on the evening of Christmas Day was granted On the motion of Cr. Clayton. The secretary of the Horowhenua Marching Association, in a letter to the council, outlined the activities of the association and stated that the Mayors of all towns in the association's area had consented to act as vice-presidents of the association. The letter went on to ask that the council appoint a rqpresentative to the association. On the motion of Cr. Clayton, it was decided that Mr. T. S. Downes, who had done much to interest the town in marching, should represent the council on the association. Two building permits were granted, the first for a dwelling valued at £1100 and the second for a washhouse to the value of £35. Following a discussion on the recent offer mqde by a resident, who is leaving . the district, of his dwelling for the use of .a resident doctor, it was; resolved that the town clerk write to the secretary of tlre Palmerston North Hospital Board, asking that consideration be •given'by the board to the purehasing of the residence. for a doctor. It was proposed by Cr. Roach that the 10 per cent. adhtional be added to all rates outstanding for the yedrending March 3R !947u :us;. frdhi: February ;;20r,::i947i;; ••:- '.'ti The town.' Clerk. reported 'tiiat as the date of the next meeting twould fall dn Clli-lstjnas ..Eve, .uQounCillors would perhaps like to discuss the matter. It was resolved that the next meeting be held on January 7. Cr. Aitchison stated that the borough foreman had informed him that the council's lawn mower was unsatisfactory and beyond repair. It was resolved that a new mower be purchased. Reporting on the report of the Fire Brlgades of the Dominion, Cr. Wishart stated that if the sugges--tions made became law, Shannon would be classed in section 2. This would benefit the local brigade and enable it to carry on its service to the town. Cr. Lind stated that he -understood that army vehicles converted into fire engines were available, and it was decided that the town clerk should write to the Inspector of Fire Brigades asking for further information and prices.

Cr. Wishart drew the council's attention to the very untidy state of the main street over the weekends, and said that along Ballance Street and Plimmer Terrace any Sunday morning the -both streets were strewn with paper and other rubbish. The Mayor stated that any attempt made by * the council in providing rubbish tins on the streets was always disregarded by the public, and the tins were damaged or removed. Many councillors also voiced their disapproval of the condition of the main streets over the weekends, and it was noped that the people would co-operate in trying to keep the town tidy and refrain from throwing waste paper and rubbish on the streets. It was brought to the notice of the council by Cr. Wishart that a contractor was available to cut the grass on the streets before the Christmas holidays, and it was decided that he be engaged to carry out the work, both on the streets and at the cemetery. Accounts amounting to £411 11s were passed for paymerit. At the completion of the business, the Mayor mentioned that this would be the last meeting of the .council before the holidays, and took the opportunity of extending the season's greetings to all jmembers of the council, their wives and families, and to members of the borough staff.