INCREASE REQUESTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26633, 2 December 1947, Page 6

INCREASE REQUESTED

HEALTH INSPECTOR’S EXPENSES

A letter from the Health Department requesting an increased contribution towards the payment of an inspector's salary and - expenses provoked critical discussion at the meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council last night. It was pointed out that the council was paying ,£225 a year for the services of a department inspector in the borough, and that at present the Inspector carried out his official duties on one day each week. The proposed increase would bring the council’s total weekly expense to approximately £6. Several councillors expressed strong opposition to the request, and Cr D. J. Simpson moved that the borough’s case, couched in strong terms, be placed before the department. The motion was unanimously agreed to. The meeting was attended by the Mayor, Mr W. Rutherford, and Crs J H. Hinton, A. H. Finnie, T. D. B. Roy, R. S. Brent, D. J. Simpson, P. J. B. Rendel, N. H. Shepherd, A. G. McKenzie. B C. Adam and J. R. F. Braithwaite.

A recent increase in water consumption was viewed with alarm by the town clerk, Mr J. V. Tresize. The amount of water used by garden hoses was stressed, and Cr Roy said he considered that a tax should be imposed. ' Opposition to such a course was expressed by Cr Hinton. “It would be a case of making the honest pay for the dishonest,” declared Cr Simpson. “We should either make a universal charge or ignore it.” Cr Roy moved that the present by-law, requiring users of hoses to pay a fee, should be. enforced. An amendment moved by Cr Braithwaite, that all owners of hose taps should be required to pay the fee of 10s a year, was lost, and Cr Roy’s motion was carried. A decision to send a deputation to the Transpci t Committee of the City Council was made after Cr Braithwaite had urged that action be taken with a view to obtaining a satisfactory tramway service to Forbury Park and Tahuna on Sundays. The Mayor and Crs Hinton, Braithwaite and Simpson were appointed to form the deputation.