KAITANGATA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 4

KAITANGATA

BOROUGH COUNCIL The statutory meeting of the Kaitangata Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday. Those present were the Mayor (Mr T. Gage), the Mayorelect (Mr Fenton), and Crs A. Balloch, A. Robertson, H. M. Hansen, J. Forrester, A. Reid, A. Hall, P. G. Ward, W. J. Race, and William Jarvie. Mr Gage, after a brief introductory address, submitted a report on behalf of the retiring council of work done, work planned and a statement of tiie general financial position of the borough. "In February, 1945,” he said, " a devastating flood occurred, causing considerable damage in the borough especially to dwellings in Clyde terrace and the flat areas adjacent. It took some months to recover from this disaster, and it was not until 1946 that the council could get going. " The council had a further set-back by the loss of its late town clerk, Mr Clements. These difficulties, however, were overcome, and progressive work has been going on steadily. Further, the labour problem has been acute, and much of the work planned has been retarded. “ The damage caused by the flood to the main highways along Clyde terrace has been repaired, and also the main, highway up to the school. A new contract had been prepared to reseal the whole length of the highway, and also to extend the sealing to the water channel along Clyde terrace. The council is now giving consideration to sealing the main road from Branksea street to the screens. " Recently,” Mr Gage went on, “we obtained tire assistance of the River Trust employees and had all the -main ditches in the borough cleaned out. " Contact has been made with the Kaitangata Coal Company in regard to purification of the present water supply. We are glad to state that the company is favourably disposed to th'e installation of a water purification plant. “Approaches have been made to the appropriate authorities to open up the vast coal deposits in the district. Support has been obtained from our neighbouring local bodies to press for this development. We are pleased to advise that considerable progress has been made in this direction. “ The transport authorities have been asked to reinstate the road and rail transport discontinued during the war period, and this matter is now undgr consideration.

“ Considerable improvement has been I effected to the cemetery and ' a lawn cemetery has now been established. A power lawn mower has been placed on order to assist in this direction. “ Good stocks of tar and sealing material are on hand for repairing footpaths, and the plant is in good order. ” The finances of the borough are in a sound position. When this council assumed office there was a credit balance at bank of £273 8s 3d. The credit balance at bank to date is £2144 Is 6d. From this sum estimated commitments are as under;—Trust moneys, including licences, hospital levy and Power Board, which will have to be met by March,3l next, amount to £287 10s Bd, plus wages and administration charges, £622. Estimated revenue to March 31 next, which includes subsidies, rates and rents, amounts to £592 16s 2d, leaving an estimated credit balance at the end of the current year of £1827 6s Bd. The total borough indebtedness as at March 31, 1947. was £303. “ I now wish the Mayor and tne incoming council a successful term of office.” The new Mayor and councillors then signed the statutory declaration of office. The Mayor thanked Mr Gage for installing him into office and his good wishes for a successful term, and submitted his nominations for Deputy Mayor and standing committees as under: —Deputy Mayor, Mr William Jarvie. Finance Committee: Messrs William Jarvie (chairman), A. Reid, P. G. Ward. Works Committee: Messrs J. Forrester (chairman), A. Reid, H. C. Hansen, W. J. Race. General Committee: Messrs A. Hall (chairman), A. Robertson, W. J. Race, P. G. Ward, and A. Balloch. The next meeting of the council has been set down for Wednesday, December 10, when the date will be fixed for the ordinary meeting nights of the council. Tlie Mayor’s honorarium has been fixed at £6O per annum—an increase of £lO. The meeting then closed and adjourned to spend a social hour in the Miners’ Hall as the guests of the Mayor. (Extended report by arrangement.)