Shannon Borough Affairs

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 3

Shannon Borough Affairs

The fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough Couhcil was held on Tuesday evening. The Mayor (Mr. D. A. Fitzgerald) presided over Crs. B. Clayton, V. J. Bateman, H. L. Norris, R. S. Downes, C. M.- Cronquest, L. G. Sayer, €. G. Wishart and H. Aitehison. Letters of thanks for expressions of sympathy were received from Mr. J. F. E. Taylor and family and Mr. W. S. Free .and family. The managihg-secretary of the Hordwhenua Electric Power Board, replying to the couricirs letter regarding alterations to the street light at the intersection of Ballance and Margaret Streets, said that . he was waiting for a reply from the Main Highways Board and when this was to hand he would expedite the matter. The acting 'Under-Secretary oif the Department of Internal Affairs advisedi that the first Wednesday in August was ofiicially regarded as being . Arbor Day. He asked all local bodies to make permanent arrangements in their respective, districts so that suitable observations of the day were held yearly. The council decided to observe a day for a suitable ceremony. The borough foreman's report was read and received. The borough ranger reported that during the past month three head of stock had been collected from the streets. A complaint regarding a calf being tethered on a borough street had received his attention. It was reported that the streets were now free of wandermg stock. It was resolved to ask the ranger to take aetion in regard to dogs wandering without collars. The secretary of the Shannon Ratepayers' Association conveyed a resolution passed at a recent meeting of his association, recommending that the whole of the water, supply scheme ibe reviewed withthe object of a better water supply. The Mayor reported that 208 circulars had been sent out and 111 returned; 74 were for the scheme proposed by the council and 35 were against, while there were two informal votes. He was of the opinion that the council should carry on with the scheme as proposed, and on his motion it was resolved that the chairman of the works committee engage the services of a registered engineer and proceed with the scheme. Mrs. E. Nichol, intendering her resignation as a council employee, said that the library opendng under' the National Library Service meant that she /would1 have to study out the new method, and for the little time she expected to remain with the council it would not be worth While. On the motion of Cr. Cronquest, It was resolved to accept Mrs. Nichol's resignation with regret and to place on record appreciation of the efficient manner in which she had carried out her duties over a number of years. The council decided to entertain Mrs. Nichol at a function to be arranged at a later date. On the motion of Cr. Sayer, it was decided that applications be called for a part-time librarian and earetaker of the council rooms, and rest room, the library committee to draw up conditions of employment. On the motion of the Mayor, it was decided that the library staff be under control of the library committee 'and. the librarian be directiy responsible to that committee in the carrying out of library duties. Cr. Bateman ' reported that the fowl house at the rear of the council house in Stout Street had been removed. He also reported that he had received a letter from the secretary of the Palmerston North to Foxton boat race committee advising that a race would again be held this year, and: asked for the co-operation of the local citizens. The matter was left in the hands of Cr. Bateman to attend to. On the motion of Cr. Bateman it was resolved to fprward letters of congratulation to' Messrs. F. O. Burtt and N. F. Callesen on receiving military decorations. Cr. Norris stated that excellent progress was being made with thelibrary alterations. The Mayor said that the council would have to express thanks to all those who assisted when the work was completed. Accounts amounting to £580 19s 3d, which included £411 6s 6d to the State Advances, were passed for payment,