SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 17 May 1929, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Shannon Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and Crs. A. B. Hyde, R. Downes, T. 0. Thwaites, R. Hook, Jas. Curran jun., S. Anderson, D. Laurvig, and Jas. Curran sen. DOMAIN LIGHTS.

A letter wa3 received from the Shan non Football Club, pointing out that the lighti on< the Domain aire - unsatisfactory for football practice purposes and offering £5 towards cost of removing the present lights and erection of others. . - 11 i. v t. The Town Clerk said that about eighteen months ago the Council had received a similar request and as a result representatives ol the different ' snorts bodies had met and discussed the matter, but nothing had come ot it He said that from enquiries made the cost would be about £7 per light, if the labour was given free. The Council not being able to seo their way to accede to the request, Cr. Downea said they should not altogether let the matter drop, but ask the sports bodies to meet representatives of the Council on the Domain on a day to be arranged, to diseuss the question. They might be able to come to some arrangement; if not for this season, probably for next year. It was decided to do as Cr. Downes suggested. _ REQUEST PROM EIRE BRIGADE. The Shannon Volunteer Eire Brigade wrote, asking for a new double head- ' ed hydrant, estimated to cost £B, and branches with nozzles £2 7s 6d each. —A grant of £lO was made. ,'PURCHASE OF HORSE. Three replies were received to the advertisement re purchasing a ho'rse. —Crs Curran, sen., and Downes were empowered to purchase a horse suitable for the Council's work. HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES

A circular memorandum was received from the Commissioner of Transport asking for the amount of heavy traffic fees collected since the inception t>f the Heavy Traffic License Fees Tax, 1925,\ also various classes of heavy traffic vehicles licenses during that period. —The Town Clerk stated lie had supplied the necessary information. RANGERS REPORT. * The ranger (J. Swindlehurst) reported that since his last report he had found the streets to be clear of wandering stock. TOWN PLANNING. A circularj was received from the Town Clerk, Palmerston North, inviting the Council to be represented at a lecture to be delivered by Mr J. W. Mawson, Government Town Planner, at Palmerston North at 8 p.m. on 31sfc May.—Received. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Finance Committee reported having met on the 10th May, when the estimates for the ensuing year were drawn up and approved of by the Committee, the Town Clerk being instructed to circulate same amongst the Councillors.

Mr L. Chrisf.opherson waited on the Committee with reference to the Stansell Drain rate, the Town Clerk being .directed to bring down a report on game for next Council meeting.

The .estimates provide for the em.plbyment of an extra man as a trial for six months.' He to carry out the duties of Ranger, water inspection, getting metal from streams in place of purchasing metal, work in the interests of the Domain, Cemetery, Beautifying and other Committees' interests when required. The man to be under the control of the Borough Foreman and teh various Committees to submit to «ach Council meeting work required for the fortnight, so the extra man's time can be allocated to the various .works. As regards the extra man relieving the night 3oil employee when necessary, the Committee were of opinion that it would not be advisable to include these duties. The Committee considered that the royalty paid for metal viz Is per yard was too high and efforts be made to get a reduction.

ESTIMATES. - The exDenditure estimated for year 1929-30 is as follows (shillings and

Grants.

Cr. Thwaites said the passing of the estimates a.? they stood depended entirely .on the question of whether they gave a third man a trial for six months. If it was decided not to, the whole of the estimates would have to be altered.

Cr. Curran, jun., pointed out that by doing so they would be saving £IOO per year in getting metal out cf the creek, the Ranger's salary, (52), the £25 grant to the Domain would be reduced to £lO, and" the same applied to the cemetery and baautifying grants. If they put on a man there would be no money available for casual labour. Cr. Downes was of opinion that if the man was put on, they would not require to employ any casual labour. He said that was the idea and he would like to see it tried. He contended they did not get value for the money on casuals. If they got a good man, they should try to stick to him. He moved that a man be put on. Cr. Hook, in seconding the motion, said that some of the casual labour he had seen was absurd. He would like to see the Council get a fair deal in the future, as he did not think they always had it in the past. Ci*. Thwaites s ! aid inhere was one point and that was, that on wet days when the man could not be employed outside, he could be utilised in making concrete bloeks. He had been tend that a man could maike 100 per day, which at 2ft. x 9in. wide, would pave •nearly a chain in length. He would like to see the 'Council put down a trial patili to see how the costs compared with asphalt. iCr. Hyde, speaking in' regard to making concrete blocks, said the man would ha-ve to work in a shed. Personally, he was in favour of the suggestion. He had made blocks three inches thick and a load taken over them had nc effect. He thought that in the long run they would be a great deal cheaper than tar and sand, particularly in the case of temporary paths. He pointed out that the Council had wasted a lot of money at the cemetery on asphalt paths, but since they had put down concrete paths there has been no trouble. Instead of •supplying a load of metal to residents for a path, they could give a few concrete blocks.

Cr. Downes asfked if the man would be -on full time, to which the Mayor replied no. He would be engaged at 15s per day. : Cr. Downes said from the tone of the discussion he .thought the man was to be employed permanently, wet or fine.

The motion that a third man be engaged on trial for six months was carried.

Cr. Downes then moved, "That when applications are being called, it be stipulated that any applicant for the position who approaches a councillor if or 'be disqualified:" He added thait' the way things were, a man's life was not worth living. Already he had been besieged by intending applicants and he believed other councillors were in the same position.

The motion was agreed to, it being decided that applications close Tuesday, 21st May, at 4 p.m. A special meeting is to be held on the same date to decide the successful applicant. Cr. Downes thought that the man engaged should reside in one of .the borough houses . Cr. Hyde said the man might be already suited and a stipulation like that was going to penalise him. Cr. Curran, jun., thought that if they got a suitable man and he wished to live in one of the borough houses, he should have that privilege. Cr. Curran, sen., agreed with this suggestion. Cr. Anderson contended borough houses should be occupied by borough employees. They should have first 'call. They shculd look after the housing Of their employees, the same as the Railway Department did. Cr. Downes said that, if a man was leasing alnother house and all things were equal, it should be a recommendation from the Council that he occupy one of the borough houses. In reply to the Mayor he said that he did not'mean it should be included in the agreement. On the motion of Cr. Anderson, seconded by Cr. Laurvig, the estimates as presented were confirmed.

ROAD COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Road Committee reported: Metal: An offer by Mr Skinner, of Palmerston North, for the Council to have access through his property Sheehan Street for the purpose of obtaining metcM. from the Otarau Stream, with sole right to metal, free of royalty, at 2s.per week was considered by •the Committee. After an inspection of the locality it was resolved to recommend to the Council that Mr Skinner be offered £5 per year for two years. If this matter i 3 finalised, metal of good quality and in fair quantities should be obtained. Petition Footpath Formation.—" With reference to the petition from residents of Plimmer Terrace and Stafford Street asking for the formation of a footpath from Grey Street to Stafford Street

via Plimmer Terrace and from Phmmer Terrace to Stafford Street far as the Dairy Co.'s premises, the Committees cannot recommend this work to be carried out at present, as footpaths in move thickly populated localities are more urgently needed. Footpath Formation.—The Committee recommends that footpaths formation be carried out in the following order: (1) Vance Street (Plimmer Terrace to' Margaret Street); (?) Grey Street (Plimmer Terrace to Vogel Street). Culvert Masonic Hall.—The suggestion from the Masonic Lodge to provide culverts and the Council have same put in covered thus enabling cars. to be parked clear of the metal road, it was resolved to support the request on the conditions contained in the letter from The Masonic Lodge. Bridge-Stansell Drain (Wilkinson property).—ln view of the unsatisfactory condition of this bridge, instruction were given to the Town Clerk, to ere"!' a notice that the bridge is unsafe for all traffic. The cost of putting the bridge in order would be from £3O to £4O, and as the bridge serves one house the Committee are of the opinion that the expenditure is not warranted. Temporary man to replace Foreman. recommendation that a permanent casual man be employed by the Council, the deciding on. a temporary man was .left in abeyance. Referring to Mr Skinner's offer ot metal, Cr. Downes, chairman of the Road Committee, said that since their inspection they had found that the metal t'hev had in view was not on Mr .Skinner's boundary; therefore their recommendation to the Council was withdrawn. In regard to the petition for a footpath from residents of Plimmer Terrace and Stafford Street, they considered this would only be loading the Council up with a. lot of unnecessary expense. They had found that every fence, with the exception of the school fence,, would have "to be removed, as they were on the road. They did not think the work was warranted. The committee's idea was to concentrate onXthe two footpaths mentioned in their report and thus complete the block within the next two years. Then, if they could see their way clear, to go further afield. The culverts in front of the Masonic Kail were not a costly job. Regarding the bridge over Stansell's drain, this would be a costly job. as the ground on the top of the bank was not safe. To put a new bridge at the present site meant driving piles. The Committee thought th-3 cost, £4O to serve one house, was not warranted. He would like to hear an expression from the Council re the Committee's recommendation regarding this bridge and the footpaths. Anything of a "temporary nature, he said, referring to the former was a waste of money. The only thing to do was to put in a stringer bridge and this was not warranted.

Cr. Hyde, while in sympathy with the recommendation, said the matter should not be allowed to drop. The cost was certainly too much, but some suggestion should be put to the owner of the property, whereby he contributed something towards the cost. It was hard lines, he said, to have ,a property and not be able to get a proper entrance to it. .

The Mayor said that if he remembered right llie owner, some time ago, had been approached on these lines and he had refused point blank to contribute anything. Cr. CurraJn, jun., referring to the formation of footpaths,, said that there might be a lot of unemployed this winter and if the Council could get a subsidy some could be employed on this work, thus making it a lot easier. Ho thought they should approach the authorities.

Cr. Downes: If the. Council put a lot. of men en forming footpaths, they are going to be faced with trouble in permanent surfacing them in the summer and then they will be well up against it. Cr. Thwaites moved that' it be _ a recommendation to the Road Committee that a trial be made with concrete blocks on a section of footpath formed and that comparisons ox cose be made wit>h tar-sealing. Thi3 was seconded by Cr. -Curran sen.

Cr. Hyde said there were two machines for making blocks lying in his paddock which the Council were welcome to.

Cr. Curran, sen., asked if the Conn til could buy them if they decided t) go on making blocks. Then they could remove them to a more convenient spot. Cr. Hyde stated he would sell them if the Council required them. The motion was carried and the report was adopted.

&TANSELL DRAIN SPECIAL RATING AREA. This loan was raised in 1909 and matures 1950. The special order provides for the levying of a special rate of 2 and 9/16 of a penny in the £ sent. The capital value of this area able properties in the Shannon Special Rating District or as more particularly set forth in the ratepayers consent. The capital valeu of this area in 1926 was £11,198 and today the capital value has increased to £12,468. The annual charges on the loan, amount to £3O lis Bd. With the Debit Balance to this loan account of £l4 7s 5d makes a total to be collected for the present rating year of £44 19s Id. This will require a rate to x be levied of 7/Bths of penny in the £. _ Next rating year on the same valuations the rate can be reduced to 9/16th. The Tcwn Clerk said the question has been asked him "Can the Council rate en the valuations in force at the time the special order was made and Tate on same to end of loan, or rate en the capital values appearing in the valuation roll from tdme to time." He replied that the rate must be struck on the valuation in force in tho Borough from time to time. The Council

can only collect under this special rate the amount necessary to pay interest snd sinking fund ' Tf the original rate on the present valuation produces more than L necessary for these purposes it should be reduced. i Cr. Hyde: Evidently we cannot do ■anything, but it is errtainly an injustice to hcmo of the ratepayers, as there who have in pr >ved their properties are paying more their share, 'while the other man escapes. The Town v. ; ler"c stated that if a petition was present, a ;o the Couneu which could i.-rov;.- thr.t it v/as beneficial to the whole borough then, he understood, the rale could be paid out of the general iund. ■Cr. Andersen: It is quite easy to prove there are those paying and getting no benefit and others getting benefit and not paying- Some were rated for both Stansell's drain and the Fire Brigade and got no benefit from either. Yet the later is included in the general rate.

The Mayor: The Council have power to pay the latter out of the general rate.

Cr. Curran, sen., said he paid rates on Stems-all's drain and when it flooded he was flooded out.

Or. Thwaites moved that the Town Clerk go into the Act to see if the rate can be collected on the unimproved value on the present valuation. This was seconded by Cr. Downes and carried. HOSPITAL BOARD LEVY. The Town Clerk reported that a do-" bit balance stands to this account of £ls. The Hospital Board's levy had increased from £B7 in 1924 to £164 in 1929. A rate of 'l-Bth of a penny bad been levied during those years. To meet the increased levy a rate of id of a penny would require to be struck. GENERAL. With reference to the Borough Foreman's accident insurance, the Town Clerk reported that he had communicated with Dr Thompson, of Levin, who replied that the Bjrough Foreman did not come under the accident insurance. The Pound-keeper reported that tfoo boards round the Pound require retailing and that a post and boards were required. —To be attended to. The local Golf Club applied for tho loan for three days of the horse lawn mower.—'Granted.

The Town Clerk reported that on .three occasiens during the past week the water in the Pavilion at the Domain had been left Running. T[hat day he had turned the water off at the stop-cock. —His action wa-3 approved of.

Cr. Thwaites reported that in spite of the notices, vandalism at the Pavilion continued. He found that one of the panels has. been kicked out, boot marks being visible. Cr. Anderson asked how many public halls were licensed in the town. He said that dances weie being held in the Women's Institue rooms and he asked if in the ease of fire would the Council be liable in any way for acci dents seeing there were no proper fire .exits in the building. lie also wanted to know if hawkers in the borough took out licenses. The Town Clerk said that as regards the Women's Institute if they -were going to hold public gatherings in the braiding, it would have to be licensed. In regard to hawking goods about the borough without a license, those traders were liable to prosecution

pence omitted): 1928 1929 52 52 Health Officer 29 29 Clerk 204 191 165 170 3 3 20 35 Travelling Expenses 8 8 Accident and Fire Insurance 23 25 Municipal Association .... 5 : \ 8 10 20 IS 7 8 5 10 Bank charge and interest 21 23 10 10 Bepairs. to buildings . :-s. 10 20 Borough Foreman's cottage 48 Sanitary wages and sup- - 333 330 Cleaning Council Room, 28 23 Telephone and P.O. Box renStationery Stamps, etc. etc. 9 9 15 15 Printing and Advertising .. 25 25 Best Room wages and sup16 16 216 19.) Half Year's Int., Sheehan 40 40 Public Works. 462 462 Horsefeed, shoeing and re125 125 172 100 35 20 15 25 '; Banger and pound expenses 72 20 ■— 50 Extra man for balance of ■'•!_", .. year 44 weeks at £4 10s . — 198 i.

.. 25 if Library .. 50 50 . . 25 15 .. 2o lo .. 10 10 .. 15 — '£2355 £242d Estimates for year 1928 1929 Credit balance 31/3/29 .. — 25 .. 180 7fc . 1250 1250 .. 330 330 Government Subsidy ... .. 138 133 .. 232 241 .. 100 200 80 SO 5 2 .. 10 20 30 66 £2355 £2428