SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 1 June 1928, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The above meeting was held, in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E. Butt), and Crs. T. C. Thwaites, R. Downes, Jas. Curran, jun., Jas Curran, sen. An apology was received from Cr. Spencer. LIGHTING THE DOMAIN. A deputation, consisting of Messrs A. Birehall and'~J. Gray, representing the Shannon Football Club, and Mr J. T. Bovis, representing the Athletic Club, waited on the Council in connection with the request for additional lighting at the Domain. It was pointed out that three additional poles were required and one of the present poles needed removing to another position. Mr Birehall stated that the Football Club understood that it was a question of cost, and the amount to be contributed by the sports bodies. ■The Mayor, in reply, stated that the poles already on the ground had cost £7 10s each, but to-day they would probably cost £lO each. If the cost was £3O the Council would contribute one-third, the sports bodies to iind the other two-thirds. Mr Bovis said the Athletic Club were out to help the footballers and the Council, but lie would like to noint out that the Athletic Club had never yet come to ( the Council for one penny towards the Domain, although they had spent a considerable sum of money on the ground. All the same they were out to help the Football Club and the Council. He suggested that if the Council put in the extra lights they could make a charge for the use of the grounds to ‘the Clubs. Mr Birchall stated that he had been informed that on one of the grounds in Wanganui iron rails had been used for poles and the light had been covered with a tin shade painted green on the outside. /If this could be done here it would be much cheaper than Rising ironbark poles. He thought it. would be worth- enquiring into. He said that if the Football Club did not get the lights immediately they would be of no use to them.

The Mayor said that if they were going to carry out the work they should do it now. It was decided that the Town Clerk get particulars from Wanganui in reference to. the iron rail poles; on receipt of which the matter will be again dealt with. The deputation then retiffed MAIN HIGHWAY SIGNPOSTS.

The Main Highway Board wrote asking the Council to go into the question of erecting signposts in accordance with the motor vehicle regulation. The Board notified that they will subsidise the cost of erection of signposts required out of the maintenance fund. — Referred to the Traffic Inspector. SUGGESTED WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. The Buckley Drainage Board wrote stating they have ill view a scheme for banking the rvoputaroa stream, the estimated cost being £2OOO. The Board is approaching the Government for a grant to be used for unemployed dn the proposed work. Mr Linklater has been asked to arrange a meeting between the Minister of Public .Works and representatives of the Board. The letter asks the Council to,be represented at the conference, pointing out the desperate position of the unemployed in this district. .

The Mayor said that from enquiries he had made, it appeared to him that the work would not employ many men, as horses and scoops would do most oi the work. Cr. Downes expressed the opinion that the work did not adapt itself for giving relief to unemployed. Cr. Curran, sen., said they shoulc find out how many men are likely to be employed. The Town Clerk replied that - the Board anticipated employing between 30 and 40 married men.

Cr. Downes: If the widening of tlu Koputaroa stream is to be done in con junction with the banking, then it will lend itself to the purpose suggested The Town Clerk pointed out that the widening of the Koputaroa was being paid for by a loan raised over the Ko putaroa sub-division. It was the banking that the Board referred to. It was resolved on the motion ot Cr. Curran, sen., seconded by Cr. Downes, “That the Town Clerk get a lis J of unemployed in the district and hand same to tlie Buckley Drainage Board tor presentation to the Minister and the Board be asked for an assurance that only local unemployed be engaged on the work.”

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.. A copy of the following resolution passed by the Palmerston North Borough Council was received: “That owing to the heavy capital expenditure in the near future proposed . by' the Palmerston North Hospital Board and in view of the belief that the honorary medical staff and many other responsible persons are of the opinion that a great deal of this proposed expenditure is unnecessary and wasteful, the Government be requested to appoint an independent commission to enquire into the whole position and to take all necessary evidence. That the Government be asked to (1) Restrain the Hospital Board from starting building operations, until the finding of the Commission is available; (2) In the event of the verdict being against the Board then to stop the expenditure altogether. ' The enquiry having since been refused by the Minister of Health (Hon. J. A. Young) who said that, with the exception of the proposed operating theatre, the work had been approved by the Department and would be gone on with; the letter was received. i RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger (J. Swindlehurst) reported having found seven head of cattle wandering on the roads, which he had returned to the owner./ GENERAL. Two applications for building per-

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mits were received, both of which ware referred to the Building Committe. The resolution striking the borough rates for the, year was confirmed. ; >• Cr. Downes reported that along “with Cr. Curran, sen., he had inspected Stansell’s drain from Bryant’s woolshed to the Cemetery road. They had since put two men on to clean this portion. The work was now completed and they had got a good job. Cr. Thwaites reported that the alterations and additions to the roadman’s cottage are now practically completed. Cr. Thwaites drew attention to a danger brought about by diverting traffic to Nathan Terrace, in the case of those journeying from the north, by the depression that exists between the bridge and railway line. There had been a number of mishaps at night through vehicles getting off the road and he recommended that it' should be brought under the notice of the Horowhenua County Council that a white rail be placed on the embankment of the stream, vrhich would help to minimise the danger. This was agreed to. • Cr. Downes said it was advisable to let a small contract for the supply of metal for the roads, the Roadman haying reported that metal was scarce in the creek. —He was instructed to get prices for the supply of metal. FOOTPATH TO BE FORMED. Complaints having been received of the danger to pedestrians using that piece of road in Ballance Street between ; Yogel and Margaret Streets, caused by through vehicular traffic coming round the corners and sweeping out wide, Cr. Downes 'asked if a footpath could not . be formed along this portion. He estimated the distance to be about five chains. On the other side of the road from Margaret to Whitaker streets he said he had received a verbal offer that three residents were willing to form a footpath along this portion of the road if the Council will do the metalling. —The Council resolved to instruct the Road Committee to carry out the work of forming a footpath between Vogel and Margaret Streets. Cr. Curran, sen., stated that a footpath was badly needed in Grey Street. FINDING WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. : With a view to giving relief to unemployed residents, Cr Thwaites stated that shortly Sheehan Street would have to be widened as part Of the Main Highway scheme and he thought that if the Highway subsidy could be got now the work could be started immediately. The Town Clerk stated that the Board had written some time ago stating that no subsidy may be spent on Sheehan Street while traflic is useing the detour reads, Johnson and Bryce Streets. .

It was then moved by Cr Thwaites, seconded by Cr Curran, ju;i., “That the Main Highway Board be written to re the subsidy stating that the Council wished to take the opportunjity to do the work to relieve the unemployed. The motion was carried. Cr Curran, jun., suggested having the hole on side of road in Plimmer Terrace filled up now. He said this could be done, partly be unemployed. The Beautifying Committee had £lO in hand and if they got the use of the borough team it would be a help.— This,,was agreed to and the work is to be commenced this week. , The Town, Clerk was instructed to write., to the Main Highway Board to ascertain what subsidies are available for unemployed work.