RIVERTON BOROUGH

Southland Times, Issue 21101, 5 June 1930, Page 14

RIVERTON BOROUGH

MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Riverton Borough Council on Monday evening was attended by the Mayor (Dr. N. G. Trotter) and Councillors A. E. Willett, J. A. Martin and G. L. Dickson. Correspondence. Mr L. Briffault, overseer for the Public Works Department, wrote forwarding suitable designs for lamp standards, consisting of cast iron columns to be mounted on the concrete parapet between the road and footway of the new bridge over the Aparima estuary. The intention was to erect three lamps—one at either side and one about midway. The estimate cost of same would be £27.

Councillor Martin moved that the offer be accepted. The lamps, with the charge made by the Power Board (£4O), would thus cost £67.

The Mayor said it appeared to him to be costly, but they could only accept the offer as proper lighting was necessary. The motion was carried.

The Commissioner of Transport, Wellington, forwarded a communication with regard to signs at railway crossings. In reply to a question, the clerk stated that, a sign had been placed at Simpson’s railway crossing, and the letter was received.

The Southland League wrote intimating that the annual meeting would be held on June 18, and asked that delegates be appointed to meet the members of Parliament. —lt ’was resolved that the Mayor be appointed as council’s representative. The Main Highways Board asked for separate estimates for maintenances and construction works on main highways within the Riverton Borough area. Where there was more than one highway separate estimates were asked for.

The Mayor stated that this was a question for the works committee, and he moved that the matter be left in its hands. —Agreed to. Mr S. A. Helm, South Riverton, informed the council some time back he had asked for a light near his premises, and also that some noxious weeds be removed. The requests, he stated, had been granted, but the promises had not been fulfilled. In the absence of the chairman of the lighting committee the matter was held over, and the works committee was instructed to

attend to the complaint regarding gorse and broom. • . „

The Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, wrote stating that the Department of Internal Affairs was prepared to supply calico notices drawing public attention to the provisions of the Annual Protection and Game Act, such notices to be placed in public domains. Copies would be supplied on application—lt was resolved to ask for a number of notices, councillors remarking on the passing of the hative birds.

Miss Hunt, secretary of the South Riverton Ratepayers’ Association, called the council’s attention to the existing condition of the railway reserve, South. Riverton, near the boat shed, and asked that the barbed wire be removed, and a general clean up be made there. She also asked if the council were thinking of considering a Greater Riverton scheme.

Mr J. C. Templeton, South Riverton, asked the council to have a revaluation made of property within the borough. In reply to the Mayor, the clerk said that the cost of revaluation would be approximately £3O. The last valuation had been made in 1925.

Councillor Willett said under ,the circumstances it would only be a waste of money to comply with Mr Templeton’s request. As regards the complaint about, the railway reserve, some people were complaining about the horses being allowed there. The lessee was paying £1 a year for a grazing right, and was expected to keep down the noxious weeds also, but the gorse and broom were gaining the upper hand. Councillor Dickson said the reserve was in an unsatisfactory state at present, and remedial measures were necessary. A great improvement would be noticeable if Mr Pemberton weredisked to remove the fence on the eastern boundary .to the corner of Milton street.

Councillor Martin said he' agreed with Councillor Dickson as regards removing the fence, which should have the effect of keeping the reserve dry near the boat sheds. With reference to the Greater Riverton scheme, the idea was a good one and would have his hearty support, but until they got rid of the bridge and its cost to the ratepayers he thought it advisable to leave the matter in abeyance. On the motion of Councillors Dickson and Martin it was resolved to inform Mr Templeton that the question of revaluation was not considered necessary, and that the lessee be asked to remove his fence back so as to come into line with the Milton street corner.

Councillor Willett moved that the South Riverton Ratepayers’ Association be in-

formed that the Greater Riverton scheme had been noted and would be considered later. —Carried. The Department of Health, Dunedin, wrote stating that building permits had been issued by the Riverton Borough Council without the sanitary arrangements concerned therewith being passed by the local inspector. It was further stated that such structures must be built to the satisfaction of the medical officer of health. —Left to the clerk. Other Business. Reporting on behalf of the Works Committee, Councillor Willett stated that 220 yards of maintenance gravel had been placed on the roads, mostly on the main highway ones. It had been found difficult to find material to satisfy all requirements, and they had been obliged to go further afield, seeing the beaches were bare. A small supply had been obtained from Oraki, which cost about 6/6 a yard delivered, a royalty of fourpence not being included. It was finer than that generally used, but it was being tried as an experiment, and they thought if it was placed on the two main blocks in Palmerston street the window-breaking nuisance would be reduced to a minimum. There were no large stones and the gravel would have a better chance of settling in the crevices. The weather, he continued, had not been favourable during the month for surface work, nevertheless a good deal had been accomplished. The road along the Bay road, near Mr Adam Hamilton’s property, required at-, tention, as did also Church street and Mr Blackmore’s road. The report was adopted. On the motion of Councillor Dickson,seconded by Councillor Martin, the motion passed at a previous meeting regarding arrangements with the council and Football Club with reference to charges and control of the recreation ground was rescinded. The clerk announced that he had been successful in raising loans for the new bridge (£829) and harbour (£700), the Mayor complimenting him upon his successful efforts. A short discussion followed with reference to the electric lighting. Councillor Dickson stated that the present arrangements could hardly be deemed satisfactory. Recent!* some of the lights had refused to function, the place was in darkness, and residents were put to great inconvenience, yet the local representative preferred to leave the work of inspection till next morning. Had they got into communication with the Power Board the defect would have been quickly remedied by their employees. It would cost, he said, a little

extra, but that was nothing compared with the annoyance felt by business people and consumers of being left without the light for a considerable period. The Clerk stated that the request to have a man permanently stationed in Riverton had been turned down by.the Power Board, and the only alternative was to rely on the services of a local man. He was frequently away from the town, his business taking him to different parts of the country, hence he might frequently be absent when his services were required. As regards the complaint made by Councillor Dickson, Mr Cassels further stated that the electrician had been approached, and he had stated that it was a risky business for him to try to remedy defects in the dark, and had been told in that case to leave the work over till morning.