BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 August 1939, Page 7

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF FEATHERSTON COUNCIL EMPLOYMENT OF NON-UNION LABOUR. CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL QUESTION. The monthly meeting of the Featherston Borough Council was held last night. Those present were, the mayor, Mr J. W. Card and Councillors J. S. Viles, W. Johnson, R. F. Watson, C. K. Skipage, N. B. Tait, D. G. Hardie. B. B. Donald and C. C. Kenward. A letter was received from the National Art Gallery asking if the council would welcome an exhibition of pictures in Featherston. “Unfortunately we have not a hall that would be suitable for such an exhibition, but we could inform the National Art Gallery that if a represenative visited Featherston he could see the hall for himself, and then decide,’ said the Mayor. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor.

The Wellington, Nelson and Westland Labourers' and Related Trades’ Industrial Union of Workers, advised that the Council was employing nonunion members, and that the Department of Labour had been asked to take action.

"The men concerned had their names sent to us by the Department of Labour. so I don’t see that it is our concern.” the Mayor observed. “Our own men are members of the union.” The Town Clerk said the men had been told that it would be necessary for them to join the union. Fie was instructed further to inform them that they would have to join immediately.

The secretary of the Featherston Literary Institute advised that the following Councillors M. B. Tait and C. C. Kenward had been elected to the committee for the ensuing year. The Wairarapa Hospital Board advised that the council’s contribution for the year would amount to £256 ss.

A letter addressed to "Honourable Mayor Featherston” was received from Gloria Cavallo, 49 Second Street, Hamclea, Connecticut, U.S.A., and read as follows: —

"I would like to correspond with a girl from your city. If you know of any will you please send me her address and have her write to me. I am 12 years old and would like a girl of about the same age. Thank you very much and I hope I haven’t troubled you too much.” In recognition of the services rendered to Featherston by the Masterton Municipal Silver Band, it was decided, on the motion of the Mayor, to donate the band £5.

It was decided to call a public meeting on Wednesday evening, August 16, to ascertain whether or not Featherston is to erect a centennial memorial.

Accounts totalling £312 7s 8d were passed.