BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1939, Page 7

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF FEATHERSTON COUNCIL

CHARGES FOR HIRE OF HALLS. CONDITIONS AT LOCAL THEATRE. (“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, W. Watson, C. R. Skippage, M. B. Tait, C. C. Kenwood, H. Cundy, T. Hardie and R. Donald.

The treasurer reported that receipts since last meeting amounted to £lll5 7s lOd, including rates totalling £lO7l ss' 4d. Accounts amounting to £ HIS Us 7d were passed. All the accounts were in' credit as follow:—District Fund, £772 10s 9d; Cemetery, £5 10s 7d; Domain, £34 3s sd; Mayor’s Relief £lO3 7s; Water Supply Loan, 1937. £862 6s 3d; Literary Institute, £4 4s Id.

A letter was received from the Centennial Exhibition Committee asking for the assistance of the council in obtaining a complete set of pictures of the Wairarapa Lake and surrounding country.

The Mayor reported that the Wairarapa Zone Committee had the matter in hand.

The Department of Health wrote suggesting frequent chlorination of 'the water in the swimming baths as by that means it was possible to hold the water for an indefinite period. Where possible, however, it was desirable tha the water should be changed as frequently as possible. Owing to the lateness of the swimming season it was decided to hold the matter over until next season.

A request was received from the Haunui Croquet Club that the pine trees adjoining the green be removed as the roots were penetrating the lawns and taking the nourishment out of the soil. The trees were alsoshedding needles over the lawns and the entrance to the library. If the trees were removed the club proposed erecting several pergolas in order tc add to the attractiveness of the library. and the croquet green surroundings. /The matter was . referred to the Works Committee. ,

A grant of £5 towards the Mayor’s Relief Fund was received from the organisers of the New Year Luck Ari Union.

The Mayor reported that he had attended the Municipal Conference in Dunedin and also a meeting of the industrial dispute between the New Zealand Federated Labourers’ Union and various North Island local bodies. Mr W. J. Jeffrey was granted a billiard room' licence. Mi’ G. Julian was granted a,renewal of his billiard room licence.

A grant of £5 was received from the Featherston County Council towards the library fund. The Methodist Church was granted permission to show a religious film in its hall next Tuesday.

An invitation was received from the Trustees of the Dominion Art Gallery and Museum to attend the official opening, to be held today. The Engineer, Mr H. F. Toogood, advised that the pressure test of lOOlbs. square inch had been applied to the Bin. main and all joints had been found satisfactory. A letter was received from the Carterton Borough Council asking for particulars as: to the working and success of the free library service now in force in Featherston.

It was decided to advise the council that a representative of the service would be in Featherston on March 30 and suggesting that the Carterton Council should discuss the service with him.

The Masterton County Council advised that heavy traffic fees due to the borough for the quarter ended February 28 amounted to £47 10s 2d as compared with £5l 6s 3d for the corresponding period of 1937-38. “This is a hardy annual,” remarked the Mayor when an application was received from the Home and School Association for the free use of a room for gatherings. A request was also received from the Featherston branch of the Red Cross Society for a reduction in the rent of the hire of a room in Anzac Hall.

Mr Card said similar requests came up at almost every meeting. The halls had to be maintained and if income was not sufficient for the upkeep the extra cost would have to come out of rates. It was very nice to grant concessions, but the halls had to be conducted on a business basis. It was decided that the Halls Committee review the existing scale of hall charges and report to the npxt meeting of the council. “In v.ew of that letter I do not think we would be justified in granting a licence,” stated the Mayor when referring to a letter from the Health Department dealing with conditions at the Cosy Theatre. The letter stated that the theatre did not comply with the regulations regarding ventilation and sanitation. The ventilation was inadequate and the sanitary conditions bad. The ceiling was not lined and the building itself was structurally unsound and poorly lit. Its present position was not suitable for a picture theatre and until the conditions were improved the department could not recommend the renewal of a theatre licence by the council. There was absolutely no complaint to be made regarding cleanliness in the building, which in that respect was very well looked after anc was a credit to the person concerned.

It was decided to take no action re garding the granting of a theatre licence until next meeting.

Appreciation was expressed of the work of the Featherston Volunteer Fire Brigade in suppressing a grass fire which recently threatened the borough water headworks. It was decided to make a grant of £5 to the brigade funds. ,