BOROUGH COUNCIL MONTHLY MEETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 December 1939, Page 9

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Eketahuna Borough Council was held last night, there being present the Mayor (Mr W. Simpson), Councillors P. Page, K. Marenzi, W. Olsen, D. D. Ryan, M. W. Priest and the clerk (Mr B, Dinnan).

The clerk reported on the finances as follows:—District Fund Account, dr £869 17s 3d; Domain Account, dr £7 14s Id; Rate Arrears, £377 14s lOd; Cemetery Arrears, £lO 10s; Library Arrears, 17s 6d. Accounts amounting to £426 17s lOd were passed for payment. The following reports were adopted:—Works Committee: During the month considerable time has been spent finalising the work at the children’s playground. Drainage connections and water connections have been installed. Cleaning up of footpaths and general maintenance has been carried out. Reserves and Cemetery.— The grass at the cemetery is very high and as soon as labour is available, it would be wise to cut the grass before seeding. Cliff Walk is looking very well just at present, but the grass on the paths and between the shrubs, etc., needs cutting.

One building permit to the value of £4O for the erection of a motor and wood shed was granted. The Post and Telegraph Department advised that the erection of a street slot telephone had been postponed indefinitely. The Eketahuna Fire Brigade applied for its half-yearly donation, which was granted. The registration fee for dogs in the borough was fixed at 2s Gd for working dogs and 10s for all others. It was resolved that the 10 per cent be added to rates unpaid after February 1, 1940.

The Mayor said that he had approached the sports bodies for co-' operation in the official opening of the children’s playground on Saturday next. Mr J. Robertson, M.P.. would perform the opening ceremony and other speakers had been arranged. The Swimming Club would open the season on the same afternoon and had arranged a suitable programme. The Mayor also referred to the fact that the soldiers of the district would be home on their final leave shortly. The country district committees would give the men a fitting farewell, and it was up to the council, as the town committee, to see that none of the town soldiers should be overlooked. The Flag Day would be held in Eketahuna on December 21 and the Women’s Institute would be in charge of the effort.

A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the advisability of installing a mercury lighting system in the Mam Street. It was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Mayor and Councillor Page, with power 10 act.

The Mayor extended seasonal greetings to the councillors, the staff and the Press. Councillor Olsen, on behalf of the councillors, reciprocated the kind sentiments.

Councillor Ryan expressed regret that that meeting would be the last at which the “Express” reporter would be present. “It is a sorry thing to think that the paper is closing down after so many years of activity,” he said. He wished the paper the best of luck in the town to which it was transferring. The “Express" representative briefly returned thanks.

DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Eketahuna District High School Committee was held last night, the chairman. Mr H. E. Greathead, presiding over the following members: Messrs 11. E. Rogers. R. Payne. J. Tolley, S. Daniel (secretary) and the headmaster, Mr Wilson. Accounts amounting to £lO Gs 7d were passed for payment. The matter of obtaining an estimate for very necessary repairs to foot-

paths surrounding the primary school was left in the hands of Messrs Tolley and Daniel.

The action of the chairman and secretary in granting the sum of £1 for local calf club prizes was endorsed. It was decided that noxious weeds be. cleared from the school property. It was decided that necessary repairs be effected to water pipes and heater.

Seasonal greetings were extended to the staff which Mr Wilson reciprocated. Mr Payne suggested that the secretary compile a register of past pupils who joined up for military service. The headmaster’s and visiting committee’s reports were received and adopted.

CHRISTMAS TREE RONGOKOKAKO GATHERING. There was an excellent attendance of residents and others at the Rongokokako Hall on Friday night, the occasion being the annual school concert and. Christmas Tree. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the New Zealand National Anthem, followed by the following items:—Chorus, “Capstan Bar” and "Mr Noah,” the company; "Apple Dumplings,” Mary and Betty Pocock; The Cowboys, “Sunset Trail” and “Trail Rider,” the soloist being Brian Goggin, assisted in the chorus by Harry Payne and Angus Drysdale; “A Joke on Mother,” a monologue by Hetty and Lois Winter; “The Old Spinning Wheel,” the solist being Rae Jones; verse-speaking, "The Pedlar” and “The Owl,” by the senior pupils; recitation, “The Cavalier’s Escape,” George Morris; play, “Turned Out,” the respective parts being taken by Helen Drysdale (grandmother), Brian Goggin (father) and Ben Morris (son); chorus, “Jingle Bells” and "Holy Night,” by the company. The second portion of the entertainment was a repetition of the concert which was given at Eketahuna recently. The teacher, Mr H. J. Winter, was the accompanist. The efforts of the young performers .were greatly appreciated by the audience, and much credit is due to their teacher for the high standard of the work. At the conclusion of the concert Father Christmas made a mysterious entry much to the delight of young children. The Christmas tree looked attractive with its burden of brightly-x hued toys, tinsel, balloons and coloured lights. Father Christmas handed! out the toys with a lavish hand, wishing each recipient a Merry Christmas. When the welcome visitor had made his exit, the chairman of the School Committee. Mr Murray Morris, thanked all present for their attendance. He warmly congratulated Mr Winter for his interest in the children. Mr Morris then presented good attendance certificates to the following pupils: lan Drysdale, Harry Payne, George Morris and Mervyn Littler. George Morris was the recipient of a leaving certificate. The floor was then cleared for dancing for adults. The music was supplied by Messrs Winter and John Drysdale. During an interval Rae Jones contributed a solo and Rex Morris played selections on the cornet. both items being warmly appreciated. Mr M. Morris was the M.C. The ladies provided supper.