Raetihi Borough Council News

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 27, 2 December 1986, Page 6

Raetihi Borough Council News

Raetihi Borough Council has accepted the recommendations of the Local Government Commission on Amalgamation. A motion to accept the proposal was passed unanimously at last week's council meeting. The proposal calls for three Raetihi representatives to the Waimarino District Council to be elected along with representatives from the two other local authorities and the election of a mayor in March 1988. Mayor Garrick Workman said an amalgamation committee should be set up " early in the new year to ensure the smooth transition to the new District Council. "1 wouldn't say that we are entirely happy with every detail, however I thitik we should accept the recommendation", said Mayor Workman. ★ ★ ★ The state of a building in Seddon Street with regard to fire safety regulations was discussed at the meeting. The building is being used as a boarding house but does not meet the requirements for this type of operation. A letter was to be sent to the owner of the building advising him of his obligations. ★ ★ ★

Council was advised that the Borough Foreman had completely cleaned the water reservoir and because this had been done the quality of the town water supply would improve. ★ ★ ★ The matter of the threats that have been made to the Borough Foreman while carrying out his duties was discussed by councillors. The borough Foreman has been threatened while cuttingthe water supply to nonpaying ratepayers. Mayor Workman said the Foreman was acting on behalf of the council and any complaints about the foreman's actions should be made in writing to the Raetihi Borough Council. "We ought to show that we are right behind our council employees — they carry out our decisions and we should be seen to back

them," said Mayor Workman. Councillor Summerhays resolved that cards be made advising non-paying ratepayers that Mr Ryland is cutting their water off on instruction of Council. ★ ★ ★ A collection agency is to take over the handling of 22 outstanding rates, some of which have been owing for 10 years. The agency may put some of the land up for sale to recover the money if unsuccessful by other means. Part of these outstanding rates is about $20,000 from nine hectares of the Ngapakahi. block. Raetihi. The land is owned by a number of absentee owners for which no single person is accountable to pay the rates. Rates for the block are high because the value of the

land is high though there is no water, sewerage or roading. Council offered to use the money from their rates to develop the block and also offered discounts if the current and past rates were paid. The response to Council's offer has been very poor. Mayor Workman said the owners were offered a proposal that no other ratepayers had been offered but they chose to ignore it. ★ ★ ★ The candelabra given to Ruby Parker on her 100th birthday has been returned by her family who felt that as the people of Raetihi had given the candelabra it should remain in Raetihi. Council discussed the possibility of making the candelabra part of a civic pride award.