THOUSAND TREES FOR ARBOR DAY

Lake County Mail, Issue 12, 13 August 1947, Page 4

THOUSAND TREES FOR ARBOR DAY

Queenstown Borough Council

Meeting

A total of 1000 trees are to be purchased by the Queenstown Borough Council and to be planted in the Cemetery reserve on Arbor Day. This was decided at a meeting of the Council held last Thursday when it was agreed that Arbor Day be observed on Wednesday, September 17.

Moving that the trees be purchased, Cr J. B. Hamilton said he felt the Council’s afforestation had been on the meagre side during the last few years. Cr Lindsay asked if this timber was planted for the purpose of future firewood for the residents of the town. He was assured that this was the intention of the Council.

Present at the meeting were; His Worship the Mayor, Dr W. A. Anderson, Crs H. W. Sew Hoy, D. W. Thompson, J. B. Hamilton, A. H. Wheatley and J. L. Lindsay. A letter from S. S. Aburn asking for leave of absence on account of ill health was received and sustained by the Council.

Mr W. H, Nelson, superintendent of the fire brigade, asked the Council if it would raise a number of fire plugs which were beloAv the street level. It was decided to ask the brigade to supply a list of plugs requiring' attention. Mr Nelson also asked that cupboards be supplied at the fire station so that loose equipment .including brass ware, spike axes, leather belts, spare hose and uniforms, could be stored. This was left in the hands of Cr. Lindsay to make the necessary arrangements. Y.W.C.A. Visit , The Young Women’s Christian Association, Dunedin, wrote inquiring if an isolated locality could be obtained with necessary buildings to house about 60 or 70 personnel of the Y.W.C.A. at Christmas time, Bob’s Cove site being suggested, if suitable. —Clerk instructed to write advising that Lake Hayes would be the most likely place.

War Assets Realisation Board, Christchurch, advised that it had at its disposal a 200-gallon copper circulator suitable for a hot water service at the camping ground valued at £25. —It was agreed to purchase at the price quoted.

The Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand (Incorporated), forwarded a petition, the aim of such being to preserve the Waipoura forest which it is alleged is at present being severely damaged by the State Forestry Department milling operations. The society asked that the petition be forwarded back before August 15. —It was resolved that the petition be left in the council office and that residents who wish to sign can do so in their private capacity.

Mr R. 0. Wilkinson, traffic inspector, submitted his monthly report which stated that additional patrols had been carried out in the borough during the month. Attention had been paid to parking and to checking of vehicles with defective head lights. The inspector reported that no accidents involving personal injury had occurred, three applicants for drivers’ licences had been tested. During the month six persons were reported to the Commissioner of Transport for offences, five persons were warned for parking offences. A schedule of taxi fares authorised in the district was forwarded with,the report. The report was received and it was decided that the press be asked to publish the taxi fare charges authorised.

Mr J. Brunton, Inspector of Health, submitted his monthly report advising that inspections had been carried out as follows: —Drainage and plumbing (3), hotels (1), food premises (2).—The report was adopted. The Director of Army Welfare Service, Wellington, advised that ’ a »e-

quest had been received from the Army Education Service, 2nd N.Z;E.F., Japan, for material publicising New Zealand cities, provinces!* and tourist attractions for display purposes and asked that copies of any available material be supplied. —It was decided to forward four copies of the Otago Central Guide.

J, H. Stone applied for permission to erect a small sign board on the Marine Parade. Permission was granted.

Historical Committee Proposal

The secretary of the Historical Committee forwarded proposals as suggested by his committee as an equitable basis on which local bodies within the area could be asked to share expenses. Worked out on a population basis, the council’s share was four-twelfths of cost. On the motion of Crs Thompson and Wheatley the allocation was agreed to.

The Transport Department forwarded a circular of amendments to the Motor Drivers’ Regulations, 1940. —Received.

The secretary of the Queenstown Progressive League advised that the league was desirous of co-operating with the council in its endeavour to have improvements carried out on Man street before the busy season. It was decided to inform the league that the council was glad to have their assurance of co-operation in the matter and that copies of the letters received from the Minister of Highways be forwarded to the league. It was also resolved to write to Mr T. L. McDonald, local member for the district asking him to pursue the matter.

T. H. Robertson and J. W. Robertson applied for a lease of a section adjoining R. Fletcher’s property, Water Works road. —The lease was granted at a rental of .=£l p.a. with a year to year lease.

The Dominion secretary, Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture wrote thanking the council for a donation, and forwarded a copy of the institute syllabus for any trainees on the staff. — Received.

The New Zealand Standards Institute asked the council if it was desirous of ordering a supply of the standard code of Building By-laws. The matter was held over as the council had not adopted the Standard Code By-laws.

A. Russell and Co., Ltd., advised that they had a quantity of used engine oil on hand and asked if the council required this for street work. It was decided to order same. Foreshore Improvements The Queenstown Progressive League forwarded plans and suggestions of proposed foreshore improvements and asked the council’s views on the matter. Cr Wheatley: Is the league supplying the money to buy out the property owners on Block 14 and Block 15,

While 'it was agreed that the time was inopportune to demolish and rebuild business premises the suggestion as put forward by the league as regards laying off the one mile foreshore was commended and it was felt that this should be the first work started. —It was resolved on the motion of Crs Thompson and Wheatley to support the league in the whole undertaking in its endeavour with the Government.

J. H. Fox, Alexandra, advised that he was prepared to negotiate with the council regarding the purchase of the Allen motor scythe the council had at its disposal.—lt was decided to ask Mr Fox to submit a price for same.

It -was resolved on the motion of His Worship and Cr Wheatley to purchase a reconditioned typewriter for the office.

Mr C. M. Inglis was appointed as the borough representative as the nominal occupier, to be entered in the Valuation Roll on the Lake County for voting purposes. John J. Cowie, Arrowtown, made application to the council for a green grocers’ licence for a house to house delivery in 'Queenstown. —It was decided to afck the applicant if he' had applied under the Industrial Efficiency RggblatioUn' as -there; were othefrvgreen grocers •ijtf'ithe tbUfU.

C. R. Donaldson, secretary of the Plunket Society Ball Committee asked the council to waive charges made on two nights that the committee had used the hall for decorating purposes.—lt was resolved that the society pay full hire of the hall and that the equivalent be a donation towards their building funds.

Joyce Coekburn, hon. secretary of the District High School Committee, asked for a reduction in rent for the High School’s tenth birthday party social to be held on August 24. —It was resolved that the school pay for the hall, this sum to be donated Lack: to the party funds. Road Machine Inspected Cr Thompson reported that he and Crs Sew Hoy, Wheatley, and Lindsay had visited Roxburgh during last month to inspect a road machine that the Roxburgh Borough Council had purchased and he was deeply impressed with what he had seen the machine capable of doing. Cr Thompson advised the council that it was coming to the stage that a machine of this type would be absolutely necessary for keeping footpaths, roads, and gutters in order seeing that the services of a grader locally could be secured. Other councillors visiting Roxburgh were of the same opinion as Cr Thompson. It was resolved to write to Riley and Co., asking them to quote a price for 8.M.8. 6 h.p. machine of this type and ask for a demonstration of same.

Cr Thompson, chairman of the Camping Ground Committee reported that D. Galbraith started work on Monday, August 4, on work at the camping ground and that the bulldozer had been engaged for a short period. Galbraith had been engaged in forming roads and making pegs for blocking off purposes. The chairman statecj that between 30 and 40 loads of soil would be required for levelling requirements. Authority was granted Cr Thompson to make arrangements to secure the necessary soil and that Galbraith be paid os a week and that all tools required in the camp be supplied by 'him. Concrete Cricket Pitch Cr Sew Hoy brought up the question of laying down a concrete cricket pitch on the new sports ground, and stated that it was the council’s obligation to provide this pitch in replacement of the pitch in the other ground taken over by the council. He suggested that tenders be called for the laying down of same.

O Thompson: I am sure that a tradesman will come forward if approached and that a busy bee could be arranged. Cr Lindsay: I will supply a concrete mixer together with two bags of cement.

It was decided to write to the cricket club advising them the matter was under consideration and that a firm guarantee would be required that suitable turf be placed on this pitch after each season ended.

Accounts amounting to £360 13s 2d were passed for payment.