WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 6

WAITARA.

HARBOR BOARD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Waitara, April 14. At the monthly meeting of the Harbor Board held last Friday, the only business before the meeting was the terms of the lease of a farm property now held by Mr. T. C. Wilson. It was decided to make the new lease a period of 21 years and invite offers by tender, Che upset to be £5O. It being the last meeting of the board, Mr. Hine (the chairman) took the opportunity of thanking his colleagues for the ready support they had always given him. Although the port had lost a good deal of shipping he could confidently say that the members of the board had administered the estate entrusted to it to the best of their ability. He, however, did not think the trade of the port was lost for ever and he believed coastal boats would take up their running again. He hoped the old members would seek re-election. Having made up his mind to come and live in Waitara he would seek re-election, but if he had not been leaving Tikorangi it was his intention to retire. Messrs. Spurdie, Nosworthy and also spoke. SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL. The public meeting called by the Mayor on Monday evening last, was not largely attended, only 20 people being present. The Mayor said it was his opinion that the money should come from the hearts of the people and not by barter, such as raising funds from bazaars, socials, etc. No matter whether the memorial was great or small, so long as it was a proper appreciation of .what the soldiers had done. There was a sum of £33 already in hand, and he was prepared to do all he could to help the fund.

The Rev. G. H. Gavin upheld the remarks by the Mayor that contributions should be voluntary. He would not support the auxiliary means for raising the money. The Mayor reminded the meeting that if each head of a household in Waitara gave 10s it would bring in £4OO. Mr Taylor suggested that a canvass of the town should be made.

Mr. Marlow thought those who had lost boys at the war would not care to take part in the movement and he thought it only fitting that they should not do so.

An offer from Mr. Nosworthy to publish an appeal was accepted. A suggestion by Mr. Mellar for a Saturday collection was favorably commented upon, as also a suggestion from the Rev. G. H. Gavin that the collection on Anzac Day should go towards the object.

Mr. Rennie was appointed treasurer of the fund, and the Mayor is to arrange for a secretary.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. The Borough Council met on Wednesday evening. Present: The Alayor, and Crs. Rennie, Gribbon, Jaggs, Johnston, Blair, and Jones. The secretary to the Treasury notified the council that a subsidy to the library of £136 8s had been paid into the borough account at the bank. The council received a reply from the Minister of Railways that he could not accede to the request to remove the en-gine-shed from its present site. The local butchers wrote protesting against applications for licenses being granted for hawking meat. They understood a certain gentleman was anticipating hawking meat in Waitara and they considered it was unsanitary and should be condemned. The Mayor stated that they had received no applications for licenses and if they had, the by-laws did not provide for licenses. Of course if anyone did start, the borough health officer would want to see that the carts were kept in a clean condition. It was resolved to reply regretting that the council could not do anything in the matter.

The Postmaster-General wrote stating that the request for a new post office had been considered and the department thought that although the exterior of the present post office was not anything to “write home about” the accommodation inside was all that was required and they could not entertain the idea of building a new office; at any rate, not at present.

Mr. H. M. Lund wrote complaining of a charge of £25 paid 1 by him for electrical to his residence, he considering same exces9ive.-*-No reduction was made.

The Mayor brought up the question of the urgent need of chipping and tarring the bridge, which had- been put off from time to time. He thought that, now that labor was more plentiful and materials were down in price it should not be delayed any longer.—lt was decided that it should be a recommendation *to the new council to deal with the question. Cr. Blair mentionedjthe urgent need of a new gas generator at the power house. The ones now in use were useless, and in fact dangerous, and sooner or later the town would be without light. He had made" enquiries and (ound that the cost would be about £350.

It was resolved that the lighting committee furnish a report on the necessary requirements and estimated requirements- and that enquiries be made in regard to a 65 h.p. generator. The overseer reported that 5 new service water connections had been made during the month, making 27 new services for the year. Five builders’ permits had been issued during the month, making 40 permits for the year ending March 31, valued at £11,083. Fees paid amounted to £3lB 13s fid. The Tennis Chib wrote asking the council’s permission to remove the belt of trees that divide the football ground and tennis courts.—Not granted. The Mayor thanked the council for the Support he had received from the members during his term of office as Mayor. • „ BOROUGH FINANCE.

The treasurer reported to the meeting of the Borough Council relative to the statutory accounts for the year ending March 31, 1821: The total cash receipts were £Boo9 18s fid, as against £'7027 12s 7<l for the previous year, the principal incieases being' rates £ll7, fees, etc., £33, reimbursements £3fl, tire board (first payment on account plant). £25, deposits on leases £3fi Ifis, library account £3O, cemetery account £3O, waterworks account £3OO. Against this must be put the sum of £215 received last year on account of pence celebrations. Various fluctuations make np the difference. Payments totalled £8265 0s fid, some £6fio more, or really some £875 more than last year (taking the above mentioned £215 again into account). Waterworks £2O aud eleetrie light

£730 were mainly responsible for the increase. The statement of balances shows a debit of £3056 Is, an improvement of £3OO, accounted for as follows; The position of the general account improved £173, cemetery £4O, waterworks £595, bridge £lOO and interest accounts £2lO. On the other hand the electric light account debit increased from £1556 15s 2d to £2398 as Bd. As indicated the waterworks account showed good results and, properly handled in the future, this account can be relied on to act as a buffer for the more unfortunate accounts. It must be born in mind, however, that the interest and sinking fund charges on the £20,425 loan are met by tne collection of a special rate. At this stage it might also be recorded that in common with similar loans, the arrangements for repayment are really inadequate and were the council’s finances in a more satisfactory position, the establishment of a reserve fund from the profits abovementioned might strongly be urged. Reverting to the electric light account, the expenses have been unfortunately extraordinary, fuel and repairs being the chief factors and in some cases have been augmented by /juite unforseen circumstances. In addition to the above the plant, has received essential additions costing some £4OO. However, the plant generally has now received a good overhauling and the expenses in this direction should be much lighter for the ensuing year and taking into account the increased charge for current sold it is estimated that the position will greatly improve. Advice has been received that the balance of 20 meters have arrived and it was found necessary to make arrangements for at least - temporary increase of overdraft to meet the cost thereof. This means that un less arrangements are made for a permanent increase there will be little or mow spare money available for any extraordinary expenditure which might occur during the current year. t

GENERAL. The local brickyards, which have been idle for some years, have been acquired by a New Plymouth syndicate. The new owners started operations yesterday.

In my last notes I inadvertently mentioned Rangi-Taura as having been convicted for being on licensed premises after hours, whereas it should have been Rakataua. Anzac Day will be solemnly observed by a memorial service being held on the Camp Reserve at 2 p.m. Only four nominations have been re-

ceived out of six to sit as members on the Harbor Board. The nominees are Messrs. Hine, Ogle, Nosworthy, and Spurdie. Two vacancies thus exist, and they will be filled by the governor-in-council.

It was rumored round the town that the Waitara Freezing Works Union were putting forward three or four candidates for seats on the Borough Council, but the officials of that body deny absolutely that any move has been made by them.

Master E. Beckbessinger, who was always prominent in running events whilst at the. New Plymouth High School, is putting up good performances at the various sports meetings. At Manaia on. Saturday, after winning his heat in the 100 yards in lOV2 sec., he was only beaten by inches in the final. In the 220 yards he came second, the distance being done in 22 secs. the Mangatoki sports on Tuesday he won the 120 yards and forced handicap and was second in the 220 yards. Other runners of note from Waitara who are meeting with success are J. Jones and V.. Pennington. ,

PERSONAL. Captain Stearne, of Lyttelton, has been appointed captain of the oil vessel Ttyanga, trading from this port. In view of the approaching marria'ge of Miss Olive Jury a gift afternoon was held in her honor at the residence of

Mrs. Bert Jury, Tikoyangi, when oveT 50 guests were present and the gifts were numerous.