OTAUTAU

Southland Times, Issue 24230, 13 September 1940, Page 3

OTAUTAU

EMERGENCY RESERVE CORPS

At the monthly meeting of the Otautau Town Board the chairman, Mr W. J. Wesney, reported that along with Mr Liddell and the clerk he had attended the meeting in Invercargill when the Hon. R. Semple had given an address on the formation of the Emergency Reserve Corps and the Home Guard. He said that Colonel Young was to be in Southland within the next week or two to put the scheme on a sound footing, and it was decided to leave the matter in abeyance in the meantime. The clerk reported that he had interviewed Mr McDonald, of the Department of Agriculture, about noxious weeds in the township. Mr Fisher said the clearing of gorse and broom in municipalities had been a vexed question for many years, and the matter had been taken up by the Municipal Association, and a form of procedure had been arrived at. The local authority had to appoint its own inspector. It was resolved that property owners be notified to clear gorse, and to make application to the Municipal Association for legal advice about the appointment of the inspector. Mr G. F. Griffin, clerk, Lake County Council, asked for the board’s views on the question of carrying out capital works with a levy, and it was the opinion of his council that capital expenditure in connection with hospitals should be met by loan. Members agreed that the request was reasonable, and it was decided to support the recommendation. The chairman said the board should go ahead with the putting in of the dam at the baths, and an effort should be

made to get it done this month. It was decided that the work be gone on with at the first opportunity. Mr Pearce, the board’s representative, No. 18 District Highways Council, wrote that the main highway estimates for the current financial- year had now been approved, and he advised the board of the provision which has been included for highways under its control, as follows: £49, £3 for £1 maintenance; £219, £3 for £l, maintenance; and £lB, £3 for £l, two-coat seal. Those present at the meeting were: Messrs W. J. Wesney (chairman), G. B. Bums, P. Sheridan, A. A. Liddell and Dr Reekie.

GIRL GUIDES Mrs G. B. Saxelby presided over a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Girl Guide committee. The report stated that the balance-sheet showed a sound financial position. Fourteen Guides and 13 Brownies attended the meetings. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs H. L. Chandler; vice-presidents, Mesdames R. Smart, R. James and G. B. Saxelby; secretary and treasurer, Mrs G. H. Hodges; committee, the foregoing officers and Mesdames W. J. F. McCulloch, G. R. McMillan, Saunders, White, Bird, Fisher, Allan Harrington, Brash, Conolly, Reekie, Chisholm, Misses Donnan and Fraser. The retiring president, Mrs Saxelby, was accorded a vote of thanks. R.S.A. BALL The Town Hall was decorated for the old timers’ ball, run under the auspices of the local branch o; the Returned Soldiers’ Association in aid of the Fighter Plane Fund. - Music was supplied by the Black Cat orchestra, and Miss M. Ridder played the extras. Mr W. Burnett was master of ceremonies. As a result of the function the sum of £l2 10/- was available for the fund.