MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Chronicle (Levin), 17 December 1946, Page 4

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

^ Borough Council Meets YEARS WORK CONCLUDES The Levin Borough Council held its final ttieefirlg oi the year last night, the Mayor (Mr., H. B. Burdekin) presiding. There were present: Crs. H. E. Bowen, A. O. Powell, V. E. Hudson, C. H. Cockrell, W. Telford, C. Sherwood, D. J .Gardiner, F. D. Chainey and F. E. Parker. Alsol present were Messrs. H. L. Jenkins (town clerk), R. McIlraith (assistant) and K. W. Sandford (engineer). . ■ Use of Domain Permission to use the Levin Park Domain from 6.30 p.m. onwards on December 21 for a display in conjunction with the Levin Coftibined Amateur Athletic and.Cycling Club and Horowhenua Scotti'sh Society, with the right to take up a collection in aid of its funds, was sought by the Horowhenua Marching Association. Qn the recommendation of the works committee, the COuncit granted the request, subject to suitable arfangements being made with the cricket aythorities to avoid clashing. The Levin Combined Amateur Athletic' and Cycling Club was granted the use of the Levin Park Domain on the evening of February 8.cfo'r its annual sports meeting, with the right to charge for admission. In order to prepare for contests, the Horowhenua Scottish Society's Pipe Band sought the use of the Levin Park Domain on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m., and on Sundays from 9.30 to 11.30 a.m., for the period from January 5 to the end of that month. It was also reported to the meeting that the Levin Municipal Band would require the use of a ground for contest practice. The Mayor said the council had the Weraroa Reserve as well as the domain, so .there were two suitable grounds available. He stressed the need for the council to ensure that the interests of both bands were protected, and that each had fair use of the domain. After further discussion, in which the Mayor and other members referred to the splendid activities of the pipe band during the war years, the council decided, on the suggestion of Cr. Parker, that the chairman of the works committee, Cr. Gardiner, ' confer with the leaders of the two bands and endeavour to make arrangements suitable to both. A letter from the Horowhenua Softball Association asked if the council would grant it the • use of the Weraroa Reserve or Levin Park , Domain for representative games on four occasions during the season. The chairman of the works ' committee reported having met ^ representatives of the Club, , and . in ; consequence tsuggested th'gt . the " association be granted the use of the Weraroa Reserve, subject t'o a satisfactory aiTangement being made with the HorOwhenua Cricket Association, and that the cricket . pitch was not used. The council • approved the suggestion, with the provision that the ground be . inspected after the first occasion: ' subsequent use being dependent on ' no damage resulting, and that the association be responsible for any damage which might be caused.

Delay in Mails Further to the council's recent protest regarding the delay in mails between Levin and Hawke's Bay due to correspondence having to go to Palmerston North to be forwarded on, a letter was received from the Levin postmaster (Mr. L. A. Whitham) asking for further particulars. The chief postmaster, Palmerston North, also wrote, advising that the qudntity of mail posted at Levin did not warrant the making up of direct Hawke's Bay- mails. However, with improvedTail services ahd additiqnsil staff, jhe' said it was ariticipated that a decided improvement* would. be effected early in the New Year. The Mayor advised that he had supplied the information the postmaster desired. Unfortunately, the council could do nothing further, he said, but hope that the mails would improve with increased rail services and better staffing. Other Matters The Levin Ladies' Bowling Club sought the council's approval to the erection of a shed at its green in the Public Gardens to house top.-dressing soil. The works committee recommended the council to approve-the erection of the building according to arrangements made with the club, provided the work was carried out to the satisfaction of the engineer and the building remained only during the pleasure of the council. The council approved the recommendation. The Levin Amateur Swimming and Life Savlng Club made application for the use of the Coronation Baths- on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday "mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, for club activities. It also sought permission to use the baths for a carnival on the afternoon of Hbruary 8. The club expressed appreciation of the manner in which the baths were maintained. The couficil granted the request. An application for authority to render a programme in the centre of Oxford Street on the evening of December 20 was made by the Levin Municipal Band. The works committee recommended that owing to the busy night chosen, the site would not be suitable, and suggested that the band play round the corner in Queen Street from 7 p.m. onwards, when there would be sufficient daylight to enable the players to read their music. Cr, Parker moved as an amendment that the request be granted, and° it was seconded by Cr. Chainey. On being put to the meeting, the

amendment was carried and the .recommendation io^t. : {• ■, , ' The works committee .reported having grantediti^'-Leyin Corhbineh Amateur Athletic^and- Cyclihg iCliib permission to cohstruct a jumpihg pit on the Levin Park Domain, subject to the club replacing the tiirf :at the end of the season to the satisfaction of the engineer. • i A resolution was passed fixing | the amount of dog tax for the year j ending December 31, 1947, at 10s for | non-working dogs and 2s 6d for J dogs kept solely for droving or I herding. ! The Horowhenua Marching Assojciation wrote asking the council to lappoint a representative to the ! association in addition to the {Mayor, who was patron of it, and suggested that the council might ioffer to sponsor one of the midget iteams it was proposed to form ia {Levin. Cr. Hudson was appointed as ithe council's representative. Whfle sympathetic to the excellent work the association was doing, the 1 council felt that it could not spon!sor any single team. j On the recommendation of its ■ works committee, the council grant1 ed a permit to Mr. W. B. Potter to Ibuild a dwelling dnd workshop at ^ ithe corner of Oxford and Tyne Streets, subject to compliance with the various building control notices. It was decided that the council's - office be closed from December 25 ro January 3 both days inclusive, "he Public Library on December 25 and 26 and" January 1 and 2, and he rest room and swimming baths on December 25. The Foxton Surf apd Life Saving Club forwarded a copy of its annual -eport and balance sheefc for last -eason, and soiicited support from he council, either as a body or mdividual members. The ccfcncil ixpressed regret that it could not make a monetary contribution. A resolution was passed authoris«ng the addition of a ten per cent. penally on q,ll rates remaining unpaid at the expiration of six months and fourteen days from the date of demand.