SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 24 August 1928, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on iuesday evening. Present: Crs. T C Tluvaites, A. E. Hyde, R. Downes, E. J. S; Spencer, Jass. Cuira’n, jun, J.Us., Curran, sen., and R Hook. An apology for absence owing to indisposition wns received from the Mayor (Mr E. Bute), Cr. T. C. Thwaites was elected to the chair. BALANCE SHEET. The balance-sheet was received back from the Audit Departmest with a tag attached objecting to the refund ox half rates to the owner of an unoccupied building. The rates having been paid in full at the time when the ownei was entitled to the refund, he had thus waived all rights for a refund. The Town Clerk said that he had writteu to the owner applying for the refund pointing out that it was made by error. . ' It was decided to act m accordance with the Audit Department and the balance sheet was adopted. . LICENSING OF FOOD SHOIS. A circular was received from the Health Department re the, licensing of food shops, which ia a duty imposed on every local authority by the regulation which came into force and asking that this matter be brought before the Council with a view to their takings steps to comply with the regulations. The following is a copy of themy-law: (1) No person shall use or occupy any place or premises within the Boiough for the manufacture, preparation, storage or delivery of food for sale unless he shall in respect of such place 01 premises, comply with the provisions relating to the contamination of food made from time to time under the Health Act, 1920, and for the time being in force and shall obtain a license under these by-laws. (2) The license will not.be granted unless the Borough Engineer or Inspector i 3 satisfied than the place or premises comply with the aforesaid regulations. This by-law applies to trades connected with the preparation or manufacture of food such as bakehouses, places for mincing, curing, etc., preparation of meat for sale, butchers’ and fishmongers’ shops, milk shops, and milk stores, manufacture and sale of ice cream and ices, and cordial factories.—Referred to the Bylaws Committee to report on. REMOVAL t)F TREE.

'Mr H. Hook wrote asking that the macrocarpa- tree at the rear of the municipal buildings be removed. He stated that he intended to make garden at the rear of his section adjoining, but owing to the size of the tree, could only use half his space owing to shading.—lt was decided to remove the tree, the Beautifying Committee being .authorised to dispose of it to the best advantage. HEALTH OFFICER’S REPORT. The Health Officer (Mr J,. Huggins) reported that six visits to Shannon hav. been made during the month. . The borough has been remarkably free from scarlet fever, which has been rather prevalent in other parts. Two cases of diphtheria had been investigated by him.—The report was received the chairman stating the position was very satisfactory. FREE MEDICINE.

In regard to the letter from the Council re dispensing urgent free medicine locally,'Mr J. K. Hornblow, wrote stating that the'matter came befort the Hospital Board at its last meeting and was held over .until next Boarc meeting, when Mr Monk will table f motion in connection with same. Hi stated that the practice he follows i) Foxton, although cases have been rare is that when urgent medicine has beei prescribed by a doctor for an indigen case, the chemist has communicate* with him and he .has recommended tin account for payment. If repeat medi cine is required it is dispensed at tlu hospital. In his opinion the Mayor o: Town Clerk should be empowered t< deal with matters of this nature am he will reeommend accordingly. —lie ceived. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger fJ,. Svvindlehurst) report ed that during the past fortnight In had found two cows ancl one horse wan derin, these having* been claimed while being driven to the pound. RESIDENT DOCTOR, .The Town Clerk reported that Dr Mackereth had intimated to him thai he was relinquishing his practice ii Shannon owing to ill-health. He stated that he had since been in communication with the Dean of the Uuiver sity of Otago and the Director-Genera of Health with a view to obtaining the services of another doctor. The latte: had replied stating that he-was-com-municating with a doctor who is or the look-out, for a practice. Failing a satisfactory reply from the Health De partment the Town Clerk was instructed to advertise for a resident doctor. THE RESERVOIR. Cr. Downes reported that Cr. Curan, jun., and himself had talked the matter over in connection with the leak in the reservoir and had come to the conclusion that it would be advisable to wait -for a little time to see if there is any further movepient, after which the leak can be attended to. The crack has been plastered up and the foreman has been instructed to keep a strict watch for any further trouble. Cr. Spencer said he was positive that the walls were leaking all over. They would have to find out if the walls would stand the strain. If so, they eould be plastered all over. The committee’s action was approved of, with instructions to act if necessary. r NEW FOOTPATHS. Cr. Downes, chairman of the Road Committee, reported’ that the committee have decided to construct a footpath on the continuation of Ballanee Street in front of the newly erected, cottages; also one in Venn Street from Ballanee Street to Vance Street, on the

church side of the road. _ A commencement has been made with the latter. The former footpath will be a bigger job than was anticipated, as a drain will require to be filled in, which will necessitate a lot of carting. The committee’s action was approved of. TREE PLANTING.

Cr. Thwaites reported that the Beautifying Committee had purchased trees and plants for planting in the new plot at the north end of Plimmer Terrace. This had been laid out by a nurseryman, who advised what class of trees to plant. Next Wednesday, August 29th, was decided on as the day to cany out the planting and citizens arc to be asked to purchase a tree and come along, lie pointed out that 2s (id if being charged citizens for each tree and the difference between the cost of the trees and wliat they are asked to pay is to go towards the cost of planting a hedge around the plot. DAMAGE CAUSED BY BOWSERS.

In reply to a question from Cr. Down ;>s as to whether the Council are liable for any damage caused by bowsererected on footpaths in the Borough, the Town Clerk replied in the affirinatime, stating that at the time when the licenses were issued he had advised the Council to this effect.

Or. Downes said if that was so, he would move that owners be compelled io take out an insurance of £IOO0 — ;,hird-party policy which would thus indemnify the Council against damage. Cr. Hook suggested that the Council take out the policy and the premium be distributed over all the bowsers.

In reply\to a question the Town Clerk stinted that the rate for one bowser was 15s per.£loo, and for each additional one 2s extra.

It was the opinion of the Councii that a policy of some kind will have to be taken out to indemnify them against damage, but it, was decided to hold over the matter till next meeting, the Town Clerk in the meantime to discuss the matter with the owners of the bowsers. GENERAL. The proprietors of the Maoriland Theatre having decided not to renew the license for the billboard in front of the theatre, they are to be asked to remove same. Cr. Hook was appointed to the Cemetery and Reserves and Waterworks Committees, Cr. Hyde being appointed chairman of the former committee.