BOROUGH COUNCIL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 328, 15 September 1932, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

Our Distriet Representative)

REMISSION OF RATES TO MECHANICS' INSTITUTE REFUSED FINANCIAL STRINGENCY

(From

The following were present at the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Opotiki Borough Council on Tuesday evening: Crs. J. T. Thompson (Mayor), T. Hitchens, H. M. Budd, G. Shalfoon, F. J. Short, J. T. Tabb, ; J. Main, J. J. Moody, C. Fleming ■ (cl'erk) and J. Talbot (foreman). The first business dealt with was the request of the Mechanics' Institute committee that the council should make it a donation equal to the amount of rates on the property on which the institute stands. Cr. Main said that while he was quite in sympathy with the request he doubted very much whether the council was in a position to make such a donation owing to the fact that it had struck a very low rate this year and revenue was falling. Several other councillors concurred. Cr. Hitchens suggested that as it was customary for the council to remit rates of the A. and P. Association, it might be possible to remit one half of the rates to the A. and P. Association, and make a donation of the other half, to the Mechanics' Institute. Cr. Moody suggested that as country people as well as town people used the library, the County Council should be asked to assist. Cr. Short agreed with this suggestion. A. and P. Assn. Rates Cr. Budd said that he had sat in the council for a number of years and that each year the niatter of the remission of the rates of the A. and P. Association was brought up and passed by the eouncil without dissent. This year, however, he proposed to move \ that one half of the A. and P. Association rates be remitted and that the

council make a donation to the Mechanic's Institute equal to the other half. He understood that if the institute was granted such a donation, the committee proposed to inaugurate a young peoples' section of the library. Cr. Main suggested that as the council's funds were so low it would be better not to grant xemission or make a donation. Cr. Shalfoon agreed that in fairness to the ratepayers, this would be the .better course. An amendment was carried to tbe effect that the council regretted that neitber a remission to the A. and P. Association nor a donation to the Mechanics' Institute could be granted, owing to the stringency of the council funds. Noxious Weeds Cr. Shalfoon asked the foreman what was being done to clear the sti'eets of noxious weeds. The foreman stated that the work had nearly been eompleted, but asked for guidance as to exactly what was required in this direction. It was decided that notices should be sent to all property owners to clear the frontage of their properties of noxious weeds. • A letter was received from Mr. C. F. Hansen, of Wellington Street, asking the council to extend the footpath to the end of Church Street and down Wellington Street as far as Nelson Street. It was decided that as the extension to the end of Church Street had already been authorised, the niatter of a footpath in Wellington Street should be held over until arrange'ments had been made for a new stock route. Wharfage Charges Cr. Hitchens said he had been asked to bring up the question of a reduction in the wharfage charg'ed for hides. The matter was left until next meeting, pending the reeeipt of information from the wharf. Cr. Shalfoon asked that the town clerk might be instructed to prepare an estimate for widening the canoe bridge to a two way traffic bridge. It was decided that no flood gate should be put in under the bi'idgf leading from Main Street to Rust or Yolkner's Island. It resolved on the suggestion of v*r. Hitchens to send a letter of congratulation to the Rugby Sub-Union and the Opotiki representative team on having won the Huru-nui-Apanui Shield.