Whakatane News

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 405, 14 December 1932, Page 6

Whakatane News

Our Own Correspondent) .

BOROUGH COUNCIL GENERAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED AT MEETING

(From

The ordinary xhonthly xneeting of the Whakatane Borough Council was held on Monday evening. There were present His Worship the Mayor, Mr. W. Sullivan and councillors J. Arres, C. G. Caisley, A. J. Canning, W. G. Howat, C. Neilson, A. F. Moncur, A. Righton and S. S. Shapley. The reports of the various officers of the council were first considered. There was little that called for comment in those of the electrical engineer*, borough foreman and the borough inspector. The newly appointed traffic inspector reported that since taking up his duties on the 21st November, he had concentrated on noisy motor cycles, glaring headlights, vehicles parking and facing the wrong way and speeding in the borough. He had already had occasion to warn motoxdsts for offending in these respects and suggested that the council should prosecute when such breaches occur. The inspector also pointed out that although notices are posted at the entrance to the shopping area stating that the speed limit is 10 miles per hour and that vehicles can only turn at the three traffic homes, there is no apparent record that by-laws to this effect have been approved by the Transport Department. Speed Limit Ridiculous During the discussion ensuring the reading of this information it was generally admitted that the speed limit of 10 miles per hour was ridiculous and unlikely to meet with support from any authority, and it was suggested and approved that the speed of velxicles should be governed by the amount of tx*affic oi* the street and that so loxxg as there was no lilcelihood of danger to the public, mot■orists should not be held to such a low limit. Acting on this decision it was decided to remove the notices limiting speed to 10 miles per hour. A somewhat similar attitude was adopted as regards the question of turn1 ing in the Strand and it was suggested that at busy periods only should motorists be compelled to go around the domes provided. The Mayor reported that he had interviewed the chairman of the Harbour Board with reference to securing the use of one of the board's sections as a parking area during the Christxnas season. As the board had already let the section fronting the square, he had successfuly sought the use of the new reclamation at the entx*ance to the town. It would be necessary for the council to erect two culvex'ts to provide access, but in view of the convenience to shoppers, he felt that they would be justified' in doing that. The foreman was instructed accordingly. The R.M. Transport Co. wrote requesting that the portion of the square fronting their present premises and the Aard premises should be tar sealed. The letter pointed out that this is the only portion of the main street not sealed, that it is used by some eighteen service cars daily, and that it is also a turning point for numerous private cars. It was decided that nothing could be done at present, but that provision would be made for the work when drawing up next year's estimates. Property Valuation As regards the council's complaint re the unsatisfactory position created owing to property holders availing themselves of the provision of Section 45 of the Valuation of Land Act, the Ilon. E. A. Ransom, Minister in charge of the Valuation Department, wrote stating that Cabinet had not yet resolved whether it would be possible to introduce anxending legislation during the present Parliament, but that an early decision could be expected. It was decided to forward a reply setting fortlx the council's views fully and also to point out the position that had ax*isen through the Government not acting in regard to the property of Mr. Read, which had been offered under the section referred to. School Committee Rates The school committee wrote asking that they be absolved fx*om paying the flat rate for electrie light during the months of December, January . and May. In the letter it was pointed out that the school was closed for three months each year and it would greatly assist the committee at the present time to have this charge remitted. Sympathy with the committee in its endeavour to make ends meet was readily expressed, but it was also pointed out that the council had equal or greater trouble to meet its commitments. After some discussion touching the setting of bad precedents likely to be set by meeting such requests, it was resolved to reply that the council could not agree to comply with the reqxxest.