OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 116, 30 November 1938, Page 3

OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING QUESTION OF A. & F. ASSN. RATES The monthly meeting of the Qpptiki Borough Council, was held last night. Present: The , Mayor (Mr. G. SMoody), Ci’s., P. AY. Bridget’, F. J. Short, S. ~EI. Webb, T. G. Johnson, G. L. Day and Air. AY. H. Briggs (town clerk). An apology for absence was received from Cr- C. D. Bronvii. 'flic minutes of the previous monthly meeting and a special meeting were. comfir.med and outward correspondence approved. Accounts as presented were passed 1 for payment. Deputation. A deputation from the Opotiki A. and B. Association (Messrs. J. StansImiry., president and Mr. T. H. Pearson, secretary), waited on the council in connection witli outstanding rates. The president stated the Association was prepared to make an offer of £VJ() in full settlement of the rates. The County Council had made a contribution of £o. It was stated that tlie arrears' amounted to over £74. Cr. Day, in referring to the tact that the Borough Council had already met the Association in regard to the current year’s rates, said it was a great pity, the County Council could not meet the Association in the same spirit. Cr- AA’ebb moved that the ml fir be accepted. Seconded by Cr. Jiridger. Cr. AA'obl, said tlie Association was just struggling along. If the County Council would not meet the 'Association, the borough would help them along.

Cr. Day said he hoped the Association would not come along again as it meant a big drop in the estimated revenue! and was putting the linance committee in a rather unfortunate position. If they were going to cut out the rates they should put it on the minutes and they would know where they were. The motion, wns carried. .Mr. Stansbury thanked the council for. the generous offer and the deputation then .withdrew. Cr. AYehh pointed out that the Borough Council had contributed over £H() to the Association in the last two years. It was stated that the Association was usually very, slow in paving the rent and that the'council had to p.i.v £1 interest' on account ol this reason. Councillors expressed the opinion that the amount should lie* paid promptly each year. Cr. Short expressed the opinion that the Council should write to sports bodies and ask for payment <>! their accounts. Cr. AA'obl> seconded a motion to this effect and this was carried-

Cr. -liridger said In* had approached Air. Hultquist in connection with the draining of the reserve. Air. Hultquist said the health promotion scheme would not operate for at least a year and suggested trying lo have the work done under the employment promotion scheme. 'I In* member had suggested securing an estimate ol the cost of draining tin* reserve and letting him have the particulars. Councillors commended the interest Cr. Bridget had shown in the matter. Or. Short said there had 1 1 ready been a, big improvement in the graunt! since Cr. Webb Imd .UDCrvmcd tie.* work of levelling up the area. Cr. Bridget moved that the Domain Board secure ail estimate' For - the draining of tin* reserve and that application then lie made, for a grand for tin* work. Seconded by Cr. Day and carried. The matter ol securing the estimate was left in the hands of t'rs. Johnson, and Webb. Exhibition.—The Auckland- Provincial (enteniiial Committee again wrote in connection with a contribution for the Auckland Court.— ( rs. Short, and Johnson said that tin* council could nut alt'ord to make a, ccutrihution. The letter was “received . Health. —Tilt* .Minister of .Internal Affairs wrote in connection with the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act, in which it was suggested that committees be appointed in each local governing district.—'l he council decided t 0 fall in line with the suggestions contained in the letter. Hydatids'.—A departmental letter was received 1 in connection with the control of hydatid disease and stating that supplies of tablets were being forwarded, ft was stated that an additional fee of Is could be .changed to (Continued on Page 4).

(Continued, from Page 3). ewer "the eoslf df the tablets. . The letter watU “received”. , Ur. Day referred to unregistered dogs coining into the borough. . Cr. Johnson said) he would like to know how many unregistered 1 dogs had been destroyed by tin* ranger who had boon instructed to take a firm stand. Ur. .'Day said there was a lot of unregistered dogs about. The Council decided to fix the annua|| registration fees at. 3/0 dud 11/-', including the cost of hydatids treatment. . "d 1 ■ Cr. Day said the ranger should be instructed to destroy 'all unregistered dogs. f Wharf' Administration.—A letter \vas received J'rein the Opotiki County Council acknowledging receipt of the council’s letter in connection with the wharf matter, in which surprise was expressed ;at the complete change of attitude of the Borough Council. The letter was “received”.

Stock.—The district engineer wrote' in connection with stock wandering on State highways.—The clerk was instructed to forward a, suitable reply. The Bishop of Auckland wrote in conned ion with the condition of tlu* cemetery adjoining the convent, referring in particular to the fences, poultry, on the section and drinking in (be cemetery.—Councillors agreed there was room for improvement Imfc though! the question of drinking was n. matter for tin* police. On the’suggestion of Cr. Johnson it was decided to lock the gate. It was that

seme people used the cemetery as a short cut from one street to another. Christmas Greetings. Seasonal greetings .were received front Mr., and Mrs. A. G. Hultquist.—The council decided to reply thanking the district member. .Reserve Crossing,.—Cr. Webb referred! to the need for a crossing on to 'the footpath opposite the reserve. On, the motion of C'r. Webb, seconded by Cr. Johnson it was decided to have a path made across the roadway and a< crossing put in.

works Report Streets: Si chain of road in Wellington Street graded, broomed and sprayed with road oil M..C.1. Inters,section,s of Goring and Wellington Streets sealed with emoleum and 1 fine chips 12' x 7l’t. portion around fireplug. Traffic and pedestrian lines painted. 30 chain of road metalled in Stewart Street. Various streets patched with river metal and mowed with harvester mower. Sand put on King Street (’luring hot weather. Hoads and intersections graded and formed. Footpaths; 135 chain of asphalt footpaths have heen chipped free of weeds etc. and rubbish carted to hollows in King and Goring Streets. Blackberry and ragwort sprayed with sodium. Approximately 100 yards of lilling carted into St. .John and Richard Streets for concrete footpath. Concrete path completed in Richard Street, also gateway at school and IV chain laid in St. John Street. The

portion in St. Joint Street will bo finished as. soon ns consolidated. ') Intersections it'nd 1 concrete .path Bridge Street swept lour times. A portion of the path in Nelson Street levelled and rolled. Korlpng and channelling finished in St. John Street at Lyric Hall and piece laid around corner to link up with Elliott Street. Three slab crossings put in. The main., outlet drain* [Torn Church, St- John, Ford and Coring Streets has been dragged and cleaned. Duke Street drain inspected l and reported on. Water: Fireplugs lifted and painted. Various 'stop-cocks repaired. Dam scoured pint and intake cleaned. Scour valves scoured out.

General: Cemetery and Waitangi park cleaned and mowed. Concrete pipes, hearers and slabs and premix made at yard. General maintenance carried 1 out. The report was adopted.

Ranging.—ln his report the borough ranger stated that 7 horses, one herd ol' 13 cows and 2 calves had boon impounded.—Tlici report was “received”.