RICHMOND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 17 October 1942, Page 3

RICHMOND

BOROUGH AFFAIRS COUNCILS MONTHLY MELTING At the monthly meeting ol the Rich- j motid Borough Council the Mayor (Mr A. R. Tuffnell) presided and Councillors M. 11. MeGlashen. H. Stratford. W. Houston. E 11. Lukey and T Shacklelon weiv also present. In moving that a letter ot condolence, be sent to the widow and members of j the family of the kite Mr Haves l Croucher. the Mayor referred to the long period during which Mr Croucher

iuid resided in Richmond and the keen interest he took in matters affecting the welfare of the borough. For a term. I Mr Tuffnell continued, the late Mr Croucher had served as a member of the Council and as a member of the A. & P. Association and other bodies he had done a great deal to promote the progress of the community and district The motion was carried in silence. FOREMAN’S 111 PORI The foreman's report staled : The following footpaths and watertables have been cleaned and straightened up ready for spraying with weedkiller; William street, Edward street. George and Upper Queen streets. Crescent street. Wens ley road. Oxford and Cambridge streets, A portion of the Headingly Lane ditch has been cleaned out again Some of the frontages along this ditch need attention. The water fittings in George street have been inspected and after minor adjustments in one or two cases arc satisfactory. The plot in Jubilee Park lor the Barnicoat Memorial Oak has been prepared and suitably protected, and the oak tree planted. Rushes and thistles in the park have been grubbed and other necessary work attended to. An additional water meter has been installed as instructed in Salisbury road. Readings of all the meters installed were taken on 30th September. Pot-holes in the State highway have been filled in with colas-mix and fine chips. There are several property owners who have not yet complied with the Council's request to instal proper drinking troughs for paddock services. Also some misunderstanding still exists regarding the right to use water hose, and I would suggest that the position be made clear. The lawns and paths at the Cemetery and Town Hall have been attended to regularly The reservoir is overflowing. Referring to the foreman's question regarding the use of hose the Mayor stated that at no time during past months had the position permitted the lifting of the restriction on the use of hose. Although the reservoir had again reached the level of the spillway there was at present a large draw-off daily and while this continued it would not be safe to permit hosing until a fuller supply was assured. This was not likely to be until a considerable rainfall occurred. Owing to the unusually dry season it had not been possible to carry out the annual cleaning of the dam. Accounts passed for payment amounted to £228 13s 3d.

BARNICOAT MEMORIAL Further mention was made by the Mayor to the Barnicoat Memorial Oak referred to in the foreman’s report. This oak. he stated, had been planted in Jubilee Park at the request of members of the family of the late Mr Barnicoat. one of the earliest settlers in Richmond. and had been grown from a seedling taken from one of the oak trees growing at “Ashfield." the original homestead of the Barnicoat family. Protective fencing in keeping with the Centennial Memorial trees had been erected round this new memorial and it was hoped that in years to come it would stand as a record of the sterling qualities of this early pioneer family. Councillor McGlashen referred to the! fine appearance of the park at the pre- j sent time, but deplored the fact that so j fow of the residents make use of it. He j recommended it as an ideal place for j picnics during the present travelling restrictions CORRESPONDENCE The Nelson A. and P Association, in reply to the Council's request to remove ! the two large gum trees overhanging! Queen street, stated that many mem-1 bers of the committee had received protests against cutting down these two notable landmarks, and that backed by this general expression of opinion it was not prepared to consider the removal of the trees, blit that when it was found practicable to do so the committee was prepared to remove a large limb overhanging Hie road. Commenting on this, several Councillors expressed the opinion that members of tLe A and P Association were influenced more by sentiment respecting the historic associations surrounding the trees in ouestion and not by the more practicable aspect of danger and nuisance suffered bv adjacent residents. Following considerable discus-I sion. it was resolved that the Associn- ! t.ion be asked to appoint two of its j rnpriibers to meet two members of tW* ! Council with the residents affected, to ( further consider the matter GENERA L BUSINESS A permit was granted for the erec- ( tion of a dwelling in MeShane's road, j nrior approval having been given by j the Government Building Controller. The Town Hall Committee was em-j. covered to take necessary steos to deal with painting the woodwork at the j Town Hall and Council Chambers. The Council aporoved the collection ’ of raws in the borough by the Girl j Guides It was stated that in other j offices a very useful collection had j been made bv Gti'de companies, but it j was emphasised that onlv clean, scr- j viceable rags could be made use of. j RODINO WATER SUPPLY From information received through ' the member for the district it was stat- j ed by the Mayor that the Government j . could not see its wav to meet the j Council in the mailer of finding the j ■ extra cost involved in the proposed Dipe-line from Poorman's Valiev.! through recent increased prices for j < steel required for the pipes. It was pointed out. that generous assistance |' had already been given to make the j Roding scheme available to the dis- j tricts outside Nelson. Councillors expressed the opinion that i the matter should be taken further, as it was felt that the Department did not entirely appreciate the position in which the borough had been placed through the delays that had occurred and the increase in the meantime of costs and the further increased sales

tax. It was held that but for the latter the scheme could be proceeded with and it was decided that <hc Waimea County Council and the Nelson Freezing Company bo asked to join in a deputation to wait on the Minister in Wellington.