SHANNON COUNCIL MEETING

Shannon News, 20 October 1922, Page 3

SHANNON COUNCIL MEETING

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough Council w>as held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, when the following were present: The Mayor (Mr Murdoch), and Crs. Hook, Gardiner, Spencer, Butt, Hyde, Murray, Richardson and Fargher.

CORRESPONDENCE. From D. M. O’Connor, Greytown, offering a block of land in Grey Street for a ITous'ng scheme or lor a park.— 'Council could not entertain purchase. From Health Department.—Desiring to know how frequently the Council would like the Health Officer’s report sumbitted to them.—Cr. Spencer moved and Cr. Butt seconded, that the Inspector report to the Council in writing every quarter. From Wellington City Council, re horse lawn mower for sale, stating they had no machine for sale at present. They pointed out that the cost of new machine landed in Wellington is that the letter be forwarded to Mr Randall, secretary of Shannon Cricket Club.

From Mr T. F. Martin, advising counsel for municipal bodies, re Mr Rout’s claim for damages to his car caused by horse alleged to have shiecl at boulders in Plimmer Terrace.—Re-, solved that Mr Rout be informed that the Council deny any liability re claim.

CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE OF COTTAGES.

The following report was received: A specil meeting was held last week to go into the above question, but was adjourned to enable the committee appointed to go into the matter or cost of erecting fences. Cr. Spencer reported that it had been decided to erect wire fences, the front fence to be of hurricane netting with top rail, which was agreed to by Council. On the motion of the Mayor, sec; onded by Cr. Gardiner, it was decided that the price be fixed for the houses at £750. Cri. Richardson moved an. amendment that the price should be £BOO, but failed to find a seconder.

The Mayor moved, and Cr. Murray • seconded, that applications he called for purchase of cottages according to .conditions laid down. FINANCE. •The Finance Committee reported to rihe Council that there was a bank to datei of £472 19/9, and with ifhe estimated accounts owing to end of ihe financial year March 31 next there Would still be an overdraft of at least £IOO, which must be wiped off, otherwise the councillors were responsible for any deficiency. The committee pointed out that some of the work on the estimates down for this year, that they had proposed doing, would have to he cut out.

Cr. Spencer suggested the only way he could see of overcoming the trouble was to put one man off during the summer months, the same as last year. As the roads were now in good •order, one man could maintain them. They should also hold over the work •of kerbing, the beautifying block and Stansell’s dx’ain bridge. He said he regretted very much having to make .the suggestion, but'it seemed to be the •onlyway of cutting down the expenses. The Mayor said the whole trouble Was the under valuation of the business area, which was at about, half its value. Cr. Fargher agreed with Cr. Spencer. He said it was a serious position and more time should be given to meetings by the Finance Committee. Cr. Murray recommended that the Finance Committee should call the meeting and try and arrive at a solution. Cr. Spencer said il the Council had been spending money lavishly It might be said they had not. been doing their duty, but the money had been spent in maintenance work only. In reply to Cr. Murray, Cr. Fargher thought it would be better if a meeting of the Finance Committee Avas held.

Cr. Butt said he would like to- know Where the Council had exceeded the estimates brought, down. The Mayor: The extra mofflgy whs £3O spent on beautifying and the purchase of horse, dray and harness, £55, making £BS. Cr. Butt: If ypu take the bridge out it will mean still more. The Mayor: That is so, but there arET also incidentals. Cr. Spencer then moved that the Finance Committee reconsider the position and report to the Council at its next meeting, and this was carried.

THE RANGER

Cr. Hyde said the present arrangement with the Banger, in his opinion, was unsatisfactory, and he moved that the Banger should hand in all names of owners of wandering stock and that a letter be forwarded giving them a chance of explaining their case and being dealt with by the Council on

their merits.; He brought forward the recommendation as there were isolated cases whence owners were not always to blame* for their stock being at, large. Gr. Fargher did not think the suggestion would as there would always be trouble as each person would consider he had been treated unfarly. It Avas the general opinion of the Council that Grs. Hyde’s suggestion would be hard to put into effect. The Mayor then moved, and Cr. Richardson seconded, that the roads be thrown open from 6 a.m.-to 6 p.m. and further, that cattle are not to be allowed beyond the Police Station towards the intersection of Ballance Street and Plimnier Terrace, the School in Grey Street, between Venn and Stout Streets and 'between Vance Street and Plimmer Terrace, and that all stock must be herded. SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL. Cr. Hyde AVanted to know how the Soldiers’ Memorial Avas getting on. The Mayor said there was not sufficient money in the bank to commence Avork. GENERAL. Accounts totalling £27 15/9 were passed for payment.