OTOROHANGA TOWN COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 446, 9 March 1912, Page 5

OTOROHANGA TOWN COUNCIL.

Own Correspondent. A meeting of the above council was held in the board's offices. Present —• Messrs J. Ormsby (chairman), W. Vicary, H. J.Osmond, M. Cowley and H. Hemara. The following accounts were passed for payment: —Valuation Department for a roll £2 2s, labour cutting ragwort £ll 9s yd, minute books £2 16s 6d. Office Hours.—lt was proposed by Mr Vicary that the council's office be open in future one day a week (Friday) from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. for the council's business, and that a printed notic. be fixed at the office stating the hours of attendance. Council's Office.—lt was proposed by Mr Cowley that the office known as Vicary's office in Tuhora street shall in future be the office of the council. By-laws in Force. —lt was decided that the following by-laws be brought into force as from March 31st, 1912: Carters' and drivers' license, boarding house license, billiard room license, dangerous goods. The chairman i 3 to confer with the council's solicitor and ascertain what Acts the. council will require to have in their possession, and if advisable to procure same. Half-holiday. A very curious position has arisen over the statutory half-holiday. In January two petitions were presented to the council, one requesting Saturday and the other Wednesday a3 half-holiday. The council unanimously decided on Wednesday, and wrote to the Labour Department to that effect. The council now receive a letter from the. Labour Department, dated February 2Sth, acknowledging receipt of letter dated January 26th, and informing them that the Otorohanga council had no jurisdiction in their own town as far aa trie Shops and Offices Act was concerned, and that as the department had received no communication from the controlling body, the Waitomo County Council, the Minister had deI cided to gazette Saturday as the day for the holiday.

The letter evoked considerable discussion, particularly as the department had not replied early enough to allow the council to apply through the county council. The position is now that Saturday has been fixed against the unanimous wish of the Town Council.