BOROUGH COUNCIL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 264, 1 July 1932, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL

mqnthly meeting. & The monthly meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: " the Mayor and Councillors S. Shalf oon, H. M. Budd, T. Hitchens, F. Short, J. Tabb, J. Main, J. Moody, The minutes of a special meeting were read, and the maypr said that he had something to say with regard to these. Presenting a sheet of figures to the town 'clerk, th'e mayor asked him if he had presented these figures at' ihe first meeting, when tlie' council met to strike a rate. When the clerk replied in the afiirmative, the mayor showed " him another set of figures and asked if these were not the figures presented at a second meeting held by the finance eommittee "for the purpose of allocating the amounts. He could not make the two sets of figures agree and 'asked the clerk for an explanation as to why he had placed the two different sets of figures before 'the councillors. The clerk, Mr. Fleming, replied that the mayor did not understand the position. He pointed' out that the procedure followed had been quite the usual one. After some diseussion it was decided to make an additional minute showing that the rates had been allocated at the committee meeting. No Cover Necessary. A letter was reeejved from the Royal Insurance Co., advising that it was prepared to insure against the risk of theft while money was being carried from the council ehambers to the bank. It was decided that this cover was unnecessary. An offer from Mr. T. Hendry to lease two sections from the council was accepted. Interest Reduction. A letter was received from the Public Trustee advising that the interest payable on the trust moneys invested by the council had been redueed to 4 per cent. Cr. Tabb suggested that the money be withdrawn and invested elsewhere. Cr. Short suggested that the Public Trustee be written to asking what rebate would be allowed to the council on money loaned to it by the Public Trust. It was decided that a letter should be sent asking what rebate, if any, would be allowed, and if the council could withdraw and reinvest the' money. Complaints Re Wharf. The Marine Department, Wellington, wrote stating that the county council had made various complaints (which were enumerated) regarding the administration of the wharf by the borough council. The complaints were taken in detail and the town clerk stated that in several instances the statements were somewhat exaggerated. Cr. Main pointed out that the borough had administered the wharfage for the past 50 years, and that its charges were some of the lowest in the Dominion. The charges at Tauranga and Whakatane were 3/6 and 2/6 respectively as against 1/6 at Opotiki. Cr. Budd thought that the Minister for Marine should be advised that the borough had raised a loan and had been solely responsible for it

without any assistance from the county council whatever. The town clerk submitted the draft of a reply to the letter and was instructed to forward it, and also to advise that wharfage charges for wool would be reduced from 1/- a bale to 6d per bale as suggested by the Minister. Rents of Reserves. A letter was received from the Lands and Survey Department referring to the reduction of rentals on public domains and reserves, and advising that this was in the council's own hands. It was decided that rentals of miscellaneous leases and endowment leases should be reduced by 20 per cent. where the reduced rental would exceed 5 per cent. of the valuation. Railways Board. A letter was received from Mr. K. S. Williams, M.P., advising that the Railways Board would be visiting Taneatua, Ohiwa, and Waimana on July 8, and suggesting that if the council wished to send a deputation this would alford them an opportunity to do so. Cr. Shalfoon thought the board should be asked to come as far as ■Opotiki. Cr. Budd asked if a deputation would be sent, and offered his ear for transport. It was decided that the whole council should go to Ohiwa to meet the board. Traffic Guides. In reply to a question by the traffic inspector as to when the white guide lines would be repainted the town clerk advised that the foreman would shortly be placing studs for this purpose which would obviate the necessity for most of the white lines. Timber Purchase. Cr. Short stated that Mr. J. Kerr had approxhnately one thousand feet of good jarrah timber on the wharf which he'was prepared to sell to the council at 30/- per 100 feet. Cr. Main moved that as the timber was in suitable sizes the council should purchase it, and the motion was carried-