OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1042, 31 October 1947, Page 3

OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council was held in the Borough Chambers on Tuesday night. Present: The Mayor (Mu, T. G. Johnson), CTs. R. 11. Davidson, F. 11. Roe, R. J. Whitfield, T. Webb; Mr. W. 11. Briggs (town clerk) and Mr. J. H. Moroll (traffic inspector). Apologies for absence were received from Crs. G. L. Day and F. Short. Accounts for payment were passed as follows :

District Fund Account, £672 7s 2d, Wharf Fund Account, £59 83 7d. V. . •: Bank balances were shown as follows : District Fund Account. (cr.), £249 13s Id; Wharf Fund Account (cr.), £480; Domain Board ■Fund > Account (cr.) £57 13s. The Mayor stated that the foreman had accepted a position in Rotorua but had been unable to find a house. The position carried a considerably better salary than he was receiving in Opotiki. However Mr. Johnson said lie felt that Mr. Serjeant would stay in Opotiki if he were paid a reasonable salary. Councillors supported the Mayor’s remark and it was felt that £7 per week was not sufficient for the position of foreman. The council unanimously resolved to increase the salary to £420 per year. The Mayor pointed-out that if the council lost Mr. Serjeant’s services

they would certainly not be able to fill the position with a suitable man at the old salary. The traffic inspector’s report was approved. Street Stands: Messrs. Potts and Hodgson wrote re the sale of Mr. Rix’s business to Mr. D. Tyrie. The council considered that it should have been approached prior to the sale in connection with the street stands as the original arrangement was made for the purpose of assisting in the rehabilitation of a returned soldier. It was decided that the question of revising- the stand conditions should be left to the incoming council. Catchment District: An invitation to attend a conference of local bodies at Tauranga in connection with the proposed formation of a Catchment District was received from. Tauranga.—The Mayor said the letter was only received two days before the conference and no one was able to attend.

Piping of Drain.—Mr. T. Coory offered to 1 increase his share of the cost of piping, a drain in front

of his property by £2 I Os. The council decided to adhere to its original offer. Reserve. The Pakowhui Tennis Club asked for the use of portion of the cricket reserve for the purpose of tennis practice and the playing of tuiunaments. The request was granted.

Loan. —The Public Trust Office reported that it was agreeable to lend money for the sewerage scheme at a rate of 3.1 per cent, for a term of 30-35 years. The council decided to .write to oilier lenders for terms. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the council on Tuesday next in furtherance of the scheme. Petrel Saving: With a. view to assisting in dollar saving it was resolved to reduce the petrol allowance of the inspector from 6 to 4 gallons per week. Subdivisions: A record number of' subdivision plans were placed before council for approval. Thanks.—The Opotiki Crippled Children Committee and the Orphanages Council wrote thanking the council for donations.

WORKS REPORT The works committee presented its report as follows: — Streets: Sealing was carried, out as follows2o chains Buchanan and Goring Streets, 5 chain x Oft. strip, King Street, Fire Station access, a piece of footpath Ford Street, and playing area at Convent. The Short Street scaling was swept and whip-off carted to depot. About 55 yards of highway metal screened. Gravely mower now working on streets. Water: Usual maintenance work was done, two new connections made, fire .plugs repaired. River Protection: About 14 days’ work done planting on banks. 00 yds. filling carted to stopbank, King Street East. Reserve mown and rolled. Sanitary: All cans tarred. New deposit area cleared and access made.

The following work is projected for next period : Seal 10 chains Princess and 10 chains Goring Streets. Goat 00 chains scaling main highways St. John Street.