FEATHERSTON BOROUGH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1938, Page 9

FEATHERSTON BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL LAST NIGHT.

USE OF UNEMPLOYED MEN. ' (“Times-Age” Special.) The Mayor, Mr J W. Card, presided at the monthly meeting of the Featherston Borough Council, held last night. Others present were: Councillors J. S. Viles, W. Johnson, R. F. Watson, C. R. Skippage, M. B. Tait, C. C. Kenward, B. B. Donald and L. G. Hardie. An apology for absence was received from Councillor H. W. Cundy. Councillor Kenward was appointed to represent the council at a meeting of the Centennial Exhibition Committee to be held in Wellington on June 16. The Mayor stated that although he was a member of the committee a prior engagement would prevent him from attending the meeting. The Wairarapa Hospital Board advised that the council’s quarterly levy for 1938-39 would be £57 as compared with £53 Ils. 6d last year. The Mayor stated that since. 1930-31 the council’s annual contribution had risen from £ll5 to £228 this year. The Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association was granted the use of Anzac Hall for the purpose of holding its annual ball on July 28 on the usual terms.

Councillor Kenward stated that there were about 30 unemployed men on the Featherston roll. They were mostly seasonal workers and he suggested that the council might employ some of the men on the same conditions as last year. He understood there was £5OO or more available for Featherston provided work could be created.

The Mayor agreed that some of the men might be engaged and thought they could be put on to clearing noxious weeds in the borough. At a later stage in the meeting it was decided to make application for 4 unemployed men to carry out channelling and kerbing in the town. The question of providing a women’s rest room was mentioned and the Works Committee was instructed to discuss the matter with the Library Committee at its annual meeting.