Thirty years ago

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2 July 1985, Page 19

Thirty years ago

Following the decision of the Licensing Commission to grant Raetihi a Hotel, outstanding interest was shown in the issue this week thirty years ago. Businessmen, casual visitors to the town and residents all expressed their views on the subject. Some visualised it as a new era of prosperity while others, really unhappy, saw it as a retrograde step. Coming out of the blue as it had done in an area that hitherto had not known the legal sale of grog, there was a wide diversity of opinion. In order to get an impression of the views of its readers the now defunct Waimarino News instituted a limerick competition. The winner was to receive one guinea. To start the ball rolling the newspapers gave its readers this example of the sort of limerick it was after: A hotel our borough will brighten, Our status it surely will heighten, But patrons will see, As they do TAB, A medium their pockets to lighten. ★ ★ ★ Raetihi town clerk, Mr H. Queree, reported this week thirty years ago that the most disturbing aspect of the finances for the year ending 3 lst March 1955, was the failure of so many ratepayers to realise their obligations to pay rates. At 31st March there was £900 of current rates outstanding. Had this amount and the amount from the previous year been paid, the deficit in the general account would have been completely wiped out, with a small surplus which could have been put towards the 1955 expenditure. Mr Queree said, "I am at

present endeavouring to get these arrears in and any amounts not paid by 15th July will have to be collected the hard way, i.e. through the courts. "The failure of these ratepayers to meet their obligations is causing a lot of extra work to a staff already overburdened and, of course, is preventing the council from carrying out its full works' programme." The town clerk continued, "The position of the cemetery account gets worse every years, and there does not seem to be anything which can be done except to increase the fees. "1 therefore recommend that the finance committee go into this question at an early date. "The Hospital Board levy is further reduced this year, and consequently it has been possible to reduce the rate to .06 of a penny in the.pound on capital value. "I would point out that it is not yet possible to forecast

with any accuracy just what effect the link up with the State Hydro-Electric Department's supply will have on the finances of our electricity department, but it is certain it will cost more to supply power to our consumers than it did when we generated all our requirements." The town's roads were an issue thirty years ago, just as they are today. Mr Queree said, "It will be noticed that the sealing of the unsealed portion of Seddon Street, at a cost of £3,091 is allowed for this year, and that the necessary finance is available without any increase in rates. "Also that the replacement of the Ward Street culvert at a cost of £505 is allowed for. "I hope in a few weeks time to be able to report that the necessary finance is available to seal Ward Street also this year." Mr Queree recommended and the finance committee

approved that the rates remained the same as the previous year with the exception of the hospital rate which was reduced to .06 pence. ★ ★ ★ A meeting was held this week in 1955 with a view to reviving interest in repertory work in the district. The Raetihi Repertory Society went into recess in 1954 due to a lack of a producer, who is the focal point of repertory work. Mr Brian Snelgrove, who had recently been appointed to the staff of Raetihi School, had some considerable experience in production work, and had volunteered to produce a play for the Drania Federation in Ohakune in August, if he could muster sufficient interest. As a result of the meeting the society put out a call for interested parties to come forward — particularly men prepared to take an active part in a play.