MARTINBOROUGH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 February 1939, Page 7

MARTINBOROUGH

MEETING OF BOROUGH ! COUNCIL TOWN SWIMMING BATHS. CONTROL OF MOTOR CYCLES. (“Times-Age” Special.) The Mayor. Mr C. W. Skill, presided at the monthly meeting of the Martinborough Borough Council, held last night. Others present were: Councillors M. N. Hardie. W. F. Gundrie, C. R. Holmes, W. Corfield, D. J. Green. T. A. Hamilton. M. Mulvaney and G. P. Cotter. Councillor R. R. ' Plummer was granted leave of absence. The treasurer reported that receipts since last meeting amounted to £254 15s and accounts totalling £223 8s 7d were passed. The New Zealand Road Safety Council wrote stating that at its quarterly meeting in March it would consider proposals as to whether or not it was in the interests of road safety to impose restrictions on the use of motorcycles. The opinion of the council was asked on the matter. After some discussion the council decided to recommend that the use of silencers should be made necessary and that pillion riding be prohibited. It was resolved to take no action with regard to an application by a ratepayer that the council compile an urban farm lands rating list until the Town Clerk had conferred further with the Borough Solicitor. It was stated that had a list been compiled last year it would have made a difference of £lOO in the council’s rate collections.

A ratepayer wrote drawing attention to what she termed the dangerous state of the entrance to Suez Street from Strasburv Street and asking that the council should take steps to improve what was “quite the worst corner in town.”

The matter was referred to the 'Works Committee. A letter was received from Mr J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary of Internal Affairs, in reply to a request by the council for a subsidy towards the cost of constructing swimming baths in Martinborough. Mr Heenan said that there was no immediate prospect of assistance being made available under the provisions of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. The whole question of finance was bound up with the survey of the recreational facilities of the Dominion. When that survey was completed, the policy of the Government so far as grants were concerned would be formulated. A copy of the council’s letter had been forwarded to the Education Department. It was resolved to seek the assistance of the district members of the Wellington Education Board with a view to obtaining a subsidy. The Masterton County Council advised that the council’s allocation of heavy traffic fees for the quarter ended November 30 was £49 17s 4d.

Subject to the approval and supervision of the Works Committee, a ratepayer was granted permission to take up about 100 yards of water piping and shift it in a different direction. The council also agreed to a request to erect a barrier across the flood drain in Regent Street. The council received without comment advice of its allocation of £7 towards the cost of erecting a memorial hall and bathing pavilion on the Pctone Beach as a Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial. The Mayor reported that arrangements were being made to celebrate Phvsical Fitness Week on the occasion of the school picnic on February 25. It had been suggested that the council should enter a team in the tug-of-war contest.

“You may have read in the Press recently,” stated a letter from the Commissioner of Transport, "of a report of a discussion at a meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council when complaint was made of the overbearing, insulting and bullying manner of the traffic inspector controlling the roads in the county.” After mentioning the name of the officer concerned, the Commissioner added: “As courtesy in dealing with the public is. regarded as an essential characteristic in the Department’s traffic staff, and as anything in the way of discourtesy will not be tolerated, the subject matter of the complaint has been fully looked into. and I am satisfied that it was entirely unwarranted. As, however, you have been in contact with the inspector for some months now I would esteem it a favour if you would kindly I favour me with your opinion of his courtesy and manner of address based I on your experience of him.” The council decided to advise the I Commissioner that in its experience the inspector concerned had always carried out his duties in a most courteous manner. v It was decided to make a grant of £7O to the Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade. As the result of representations by t deputation from the Featherston County Council, it was agreed to cooperate on a 50-50 basis with the county towards the upkeep of the Martinborough Cemetery. It was stated that the'’cemetery at present was in a disgraceful state. The wastage of water by certain residents was the subject ol adverse comment and it was decided to enforce hosing restrictions and also to carry out an inspection of all taps and watei troughs in the borough.

Radio Club Hike. Members of the Radio Club made the journey to the Pinnacles during the weekend in glorious' weather. Although it is a fair walk along the river bed before The Pinnacles are reached it is well worth while as they are a marvellous sight. After lunch those who had their togs went swimming and one of the party had a row boat which proved very popular. Personal Items. Mrs D. Morrison and family have returned to Hinakura, having spent several weeks holiday at Lyall Bay. Miss Ngaire McLaren is spending a holiday at Milford Sounds, and will later go to the Southern Lakes. Mr C. Gair has returned from hit annua] holiday which was spent in Christchurch. Mr and Mrs A. Brimble are camping at Plimmerton Beach. Miss J. Grant has left on a tour ol the North Island, it being the occasion of her annual holiday. Mr and Mrs Bowden are spending ; fortnight’s holiday in Auckland. Mr A. Aitchison was a visitor to Wellington for the weekend. Mr Frank Dunham was a weekend visitor.