OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1053, 9 December 1947, Page 3

OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING Before proceedings were commenced at the monthly meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr. T. G. Johnson) welcomed back old members and-extended a hearty welcome to the new members. He thought the time together of councillors would be a pleasant one and the object, of the council would be to help the town along, He didn’t like anyone on the council with an axe to grind and he felt sure there was none present that night. He advised councillors to go ahead with what they cons id eyed right and if they did their best for the district everything would come out light. There was a lot of work to do and the sewerage system would require a lot of time and thought. There were other important things to do. He felt satisfied in his own mind they were goiug to have a really good council. Continuing Mr. Johnson referred to the resignation from public affairs of Mr. F. J. Short. They wero losing from the point of work one of their best citizens. He might say that Mr. Short had given a lifetime to local body affairs. He had been a member of the council foigjrbout 40 years and was Opotiki’s second mayor. He had been associated with the local body before that time. Mr. Short had also been chairman of the Hospital Board for some years. He would like to see the council place on record its appreciation of what Mr. Short had done for the town. He was only sorry that illness had prevented him from serving longer. It was not fitting that Mr. Short should go out of public life without some acknowledgment. Cr. G. L. Day associated himself with the remarks of the Mayor. The job of councillor was a type of work where one had to carry on as if he had no friends. It was a thankless job. Still they got a lot of fun out of it. He congratulated the new members on the council arid hoped all would have a good time together. Inspector J. H. Morell, on behalf of the borough staff, congratulated the new members on their election.

Mr. Morell reported there had been no impoundings and no stock had been claimed. He was taking strong action in regard to eradication of noxious weeds. C’r. S. N. Chatfield brought up the matter of paper boys riding cycles on footpaths right in the middle of the business section. The inspector was. instructed to see that the practice was stopped.

Cr. F’. H. Roc drew attention to a large area of hemlock growing on a private, property anil also mentioned the menace of winged thistle.

The works report was approved. Cr, Roe suggested that a large mower should be used on the outside of the streets to save the small borough machine which he considered was being asked to do too much. The Mayor said .the foreman could be approached about the matter.

Cr. Day asked if anything was being done about concreting work at the dam.. In reply the Mayor said no cement. was available for any such work. Inward Correspondence

Tnc Municipal Association wrote re the conferene to be held in 10-18 in Dunedin, commencing on 14lli. April. Ci. Hoc suggested that a remit be forwarded seeking authority to charge the hospital rate on capital value, pointing cut that the Government fixed the local body levies on capital value with the result that with the rate being pegged at id. in the £ there was a deficit in the direct rate and this amount had to be taken from the general rate.

Another remit suggested by Ci. Day was that the sales tax should be removed from materials used in capital works. At present the burden would be carried over the full period of the loan. The position was an unfair one.

It was resolved to forward the remits.

The - Fcildiug Borough Council wrote . i:c abattoir charges.—The council decided to take no action in the meantime.

Messrs. Totts and Hodgson wrote re transfer of lease of lots 78 and 83 A from Mr. BUttel;wortli to Mr. Harold. The area is 23 acres.—Approved. Camping Ground—The district health inspector put in a very adverse report concerning sauitaij and other arrangements at the camping ground. The Mayor explained that it had previously been decided to put in a septic tank, and also the J/- in the slot meters had not yet been fixed up. Other facilities had not been provided which should have 'been done. He-suggested councillors should inspect the ground. They had to have conveniences if they were going to attract visitois to the town. Arrangements were made for ail inspection of the grounds by members of the council. Cr. Day spoke against providing any further facilities at the present ground and suggested that portion of tlhe .memorial park (should be used as a camping site • and permanent facilities provided there. He would like to see the present camping area revert to a children s plaj area and a quiet place for people to visit. Councillors considered it would be some time before the present sports area, would be available for a camping ground and it was necessary 1 to provide decent facilities at the motor camping ground'"which

.V- :• would be always used;*- ‘ " Milk Supply.-^-The ; ;.'Milk Marketing Division wrote noting the council’s decision not^to" Morin a. milk committee in Opowsf-

Thanks.—The Food for Britain Committee thanked the' council for the use of the reserve for the recent Guy Fawkes’ night. '" Health ' Department wrote re the hew basis payment of the district, health salary.— The council agreed to the new contribution.

Path.—The building controller advised that Mr. Horne would be allowed to put down a 2-ft. wide concrete path from his section boundary to the roadway.

Fires.—The Opotiki Fire Bboard wrote re the installation of a firer plug near the isolation ward; suggested that owners of buildings who allowed their chimneys to catch fire should be prosecuted and that the matter of. rubbish fires should receive attention.

The Mayor said the reason that the main had not been extended to the isolation ward was that the necessary material had not come to hand owing to the shortage. The fire plug would be fittad as soon all possible. In regard to chimney fires, GY. Roe said the matter had been discussed some time ago by the council when it was decided that action would be taken, provided the fire brigade provided the council with the necessary information to base a case on.

\lt was deckled’ to deal fuVther with these lighting unauthorised fires. It. was resolved to notify the board that action would be taken in regard to chimney fires provided proof was submitted to the council. In addition to the committees already published the following cemetery committee was approved : Tho Mayor, Crs. Cliatfield, Inskip, Roe and Day. Mr. M. Ormiston was- appointed caretaker of the camping ground. Band.—The decision.of tho previous council to contribute £25 to the Opotiki Citizens’ Band was confirmed.

Accounts.—Accounts were passed for payment as follows: — . District Fund, £llOO Its 9d, Wharf, £32 Os lOd. Bank balances were shown as follows District Fund Account (dr.) £357 Os JOd; Wharf Fund Account (or.) £4B7'Bs 6d; Domain Board Account (cr.) £57 13s Od.

WORKS REPORT Scaling has been carried out on 10 chains' Princess SLreet, 4 chains Ford Street, and 3 chains Union Street.. About 1 chains length of St. John Street surface dressed. Sealed surface has been repaired with premix. G. B. Motors yard sealed. Sealed surface in Goring and Buchanan Streets swept and surplus metal carted to depot. Paths and verges have been mown, grass raked up and cartel away. Approximately 100 yards of spoil removed in construction of housing estate access iu Brabant Street. Fire plugs have been cleaned and repaired, numerous services repaired, and four connections installed. Cleaning out cf the reservoir is in hand after clearing and widening <lO chains of drain through Black’s property. The subsidiary reservoir was cleaned out and the dan: raised. Parking signboards, were erected as instructed. Proposed Work for December and January Complete cleaning of reservoir. Dress main highway. Renew traffic lines. General clean up.