SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 6 May 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR. On Tuesday evening the first meeting of the newly-elected Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers. Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. Butt) and Os. Gunning, Tlnvaites, Hyde, Downes, Spencer, Richardson, Jas. Curran, jun., and Jas. Curran, senr. After the Mayor and councillors had been duly sworn in, the Mayor, in welcoming back to the Council those members who sat last term, also the new members, said he- was sure that during their term of office all would give of their best in the interests of the Borough. Cr. Gunning, in welcoming Mr. Butt as chief citizen and Mayor of the Borough, said he had pleasant recollections of his association with him on a previous Council also in other departments such as sport, etc., therefore, it was especially pleasing to him to see him occupy the Mayoral chair. } He felt sure they would always be given an impartial hearing on all matters and that thdy would have a prosperous and profitable session during his term of office. ■ CORRESPONDENCE. In reference’to ambulance charges by the Palmerston North Hospital Board, Mr G. A. Monk, representative for the district- on the Board, - replied Btating that the question of ambulance charges is at present under revision by the Managing Secretary of the Board with a view to a reduction in the long distance eases. He is forwarding the Council’s letter to the Secretary. Ho thought it hardly fair to make comparison between taxi charges and the , charge by the ambulance, as they do , not get more than ten miles to the gallon from the latter, and the initial cost was much more than a car. The ambulance is, of course, only for patients who are too ill to travel by train or 'taxi, and it is not necessary for ail patients entering the Hospital from Shannon to use the ambulance. The Council could rest assured that the matter would receive his attention and he would endeavour to obtain a reasonable set of charges. —Received. Prom the Acting Secretary of the Railway Board, who had been directed too inform the Council that the Board regret they are unable to accede to the request for a donation towards the purchase of fire fighting appliances for the borough. In the event, however of the proposed appliances being used' to assist in the suppression' of fire affecting the Department’s property favourable consideration will be given the matter of payment for any services so rendered.—-Received. An application for a renewal of lease of Section 322, Nathan Terrace, was received from Mr. L. Richardson. ■—Granted. RANGER’S REPORT. ' The ranger (J. Swihdlehurst) reported that during the past fortnight he has impounded two horses and four head 1 of cattle.—Received. COST OP FENCING AT DOMAIN. A request was received from the Shannon Football Club ’asking the Council to contribute towards the cost of the newly erected fence on each side of the playing area of the football ground. The cost of the fence was £6 7s Odi Cr. Curran, jun., in supporting the request, said the erection of the fence was improving the ground, the fence, becoming the property of the Council. The'Football Club would undertake tc remove the fence at the end of theix season and replace it again the following season . In reply to a question he thought he was safe in saying the Club would put this agreement iii writing. Cr. Curran, sen., asked if the Council acceded to the request, would the Football Club benefit or the Union. If was pointed out that the Union had the lease of the ground, but the Club had to bear the expense of the fencing. Cr. Thwaites said that while supporting the request, he thought the. Council should be approached before any work of this kind is put into ef- : iect.

Cr. Curran, jun., said the matter had come up too late for the last Council meeting. He had interviewed the Town Clerk who said he would se» what could be done. • . . Cr. Gunning said the Council must realise that the control of the ground was going to the sports bodies. What one .body did, would not always fill the requirements of others, but being a football enthusiast he would move that the Football Club be voted a donation of £3, conditionally that they remove the fence at the end of the season and replace it, if required, in readiness foi the next season. Cr. Hyde seconded. In doing so, he added that the material be stored in the Borough shed. The motion was carried. COMMITTEES APPOINTED.

Finance: —Cra. Spencer, Thwaitcs, Hyde and Gunning (chairman). Library: —Crs Gunning, J. Curran jun., and Thwaites (chairman). Road and Sanitation: —Crs. Downes ' J. Curran sen., Hyde and Spencer (chairman). Cemetery and Reseives: —-Crs Curran Jun., Hyde and Richardson (chairman). Watbr: —Crs. Gunning, Curran sen., _> Downes (chairman). Housing and Building .Thwaijes, Curran jun., Spencer (chairman). By-law.—Crs. Hyde, Gunning, Cur-ran-jun., (chairman). On the motion of Cr. Hyde, a new committee to be known as a Beautifying Committee was added to the list. " This committee, with the help' of outsiders, Will work independently of othe Reserves Committee and,will be. the nucleus of a Beautifying Society. The committee will consist of Crs. Hyde, Curran, jun., and Thwaites . . (chairman). BOROUGH DRAINAGE. With reference to a letter from a firm of solicitors in Palmerston North against the action of the Council in leading the drainage from certain streets and from the paddling pool on to the properties of Messrs J. Curran, H*. Murdoch Bryant, a lengthy opinion was received from the Municipal Association Solictor, which evoked considerable discussion. On the motior ,of Cr, Dpwnes, seconded by Cr. Curxaii jun,, it was decided that a eom- ■ jojittee consisting ■of Crs. Richardson, ," * *

Gunning and Spencer be set up to go into the matter and rejfiort in writing to the Council. SWIMMING BATHS. The Town Clerk said that in reference to the loaii for the swimming baths it was first necessary to advertise the resolution that the sanction of Iho Local Government Loans Board be obtained on a loan poll proposal to borrow, the sum of £750 for. swimming baths.. It was also necessary in the advertisement that rate payers be invited to be present at the meeting and bdge any objections to the proposals. The objections received were then forwarded to the-Board along with the resolution after it has been passed. The necessary resolution was passed and the meeting is to be held on Tuesday, 24th May. FIRE PROTECTION. Cr. Gunning said he would like to see the question of raising money to purchase fire fighting appliances combined with that for smimming baths Cr. Curran, jun., said he understood that it was not necessary to go to the ratepayers for money for fire fighting appliances. Cr. Downes thought they should pass the resolution accordingly and that the fire protection matter be discussed at a special meeting, as it was too big a question to discuss that evening. A general discussion ensued as to what scheme should be brought down, whether it should be one for the whole borough or only that portion' where water is now available. Also whether ■i rate could be struck on only the area served.

During the discussion Cr, Thwaites isked permission to withdraw his moion that was carried' at a recent Council meeting. “That appliances be purchased to serve that area supplied with a 4 inch main, towards which the Council would contribute £1 for £l, up to £SO, and that a canvass be made of those persons served, for donations.” He said the canvassing was taking up a lot of time and was not as satisfactory as it might be. The Town Clerk slated he was not pertain as to whether the Council could strike a rate. If they had a Fire Board a rate could be struck.

Cr. Gunnifig suggested that the rating should be on the improved value. He did not think they could get a scheme without rating. Cr. Downes said they certainly wanted the appliances but he could not see why they should pay money out of the general "revenue. He would object to getting the plant first and then finding out afterwards if the rate can be struck.

Finally, on the motion of Cr. Curran, jun., seconded by Cr. Downes, it was decided to ’ purchase fire fighting appliances for the area where water is available, providing a rate can be struck over the area served. ” GENERAL. Cr. Gunning was appointed Deputy Mayor. A letter is to be written to the Horwhenua County Council asking why repairs to the bridge over the Otauru stream have not beep pushed on, as advised.