COUNTY AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1940, Page 7

COUNTY AFFAIRS

MASTERTON COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING YESTERDAY.

NATIONAL PATRIOTIC FUND APPEAL.

The monthly meeting of the Masterton County Council was held in the Council chambers yesterday, the chairman Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. presiding. There were also present Councillors P. R. Welch, W. I. Armstrong, H. H. Mawley, J. W. Colquhoun, G. Moore and J. Donald. Messrs Rhodes and McPherson, Wellington, wrote advising in reply to the council’s letter of an earlier date, that the steel for the Kiriwhakapapa road bridge had been ordered last October and that as stocks of steel in Wellington were very much depleted, and delivery of steel from overseas was uncertain. they were unable at present to give any definite indication as to when a start would be made on the bridge. The letter was received. The secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board wrote stating that at a recent meeting of the board it. waragreed that a National Fund collection take place in the last week in February. the collection to be in the hands of the National collectors, the Y.M.C.A. and the Salvation Army and that also a collection for the sick and the wounded be held in the last week in April. immediately after Anzac Day to be controlled by the joint committees of the Order of St John and, the New Zealand Red Cross Society. It was pointed out that before a collection took place permission would be asked from the Mayor or chairman of the local authority. The letter asked thal the council take note of the dates, and should the dates not clash with local arrangements made on behalf of the Provincial Patriotic Council, facilitate the work of the National collectors. In connection with the question of compensation raised by the trustees of the estate of the late John Macßae, in regard to land acquired for road purposes at the new Taueru river bridge, it was decided to make a grant of £lO. The Under-Secretary. Department of Internal Affairs, wrote advising a further postponement of the registration of dogs for the year 1940, until March 1 next, owing to the hydatid drug which was en route to New Zealand not arriving till some time this month, owing to shipping difficulties occasion-, ed by war conditions. The secretary of the New Zealand Counties’ Association wrote stating' that the usual meeting of the executive would be held on March 19 and that all remits for discussion should be in the hands of the secretary before March 12. It was also stated that to gauge the council’s attitude towards matters contained in the Transport Department’s recent circular concerning motor vehicle regulations, a copy of the letter sent to the Department by the council be forwarded to the association for consideration. It was decided to accede to the reuqest.

A letter was received from the general manager of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition to the effect that at a recent meeting of the directors the hope was expressed that they would be favoured with visits from Mayors of municipalities and chairmen of county councils in New Zealand. If such a visit was contemplated, the directors would be glad to hear from the council when it was likely to take place so that members of the executive may be given an opportunity to welcome them. It was decided to notify the manager if such a visit were contemplated.

The secretary of the Wellington Pro - vincial Council of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition organisation wrote stating that the Wellington reception room was proving a popular meeting place, and that it was the desire of the executive that Mayors,chairmen and councillors of all contributing bodies should make use of thefacilities for entertaining guests at the room. It was stated that the hostesses would be happy to render every possible assistance, and the executive asked that the room be regarded as members’ entertaining headquarters when visiting the exhibition. The letter was received.

The Town Clerk of Masterton. Mr G. T. O'Hara Smith, wrote stating tha? consent had been given to the proposals in connection with the improvements to the Opaki water supply subject to the Borough engineer's approval being obtained as the work was put in hand. It was also asked that a copy of the plan forwarded with the. letter, be furnished for the engineer;, record.

The county clerk. Mr J. C. D. Mackley, reported that Mr Rayner, chairman of the Opaki water race committee had made a thorough inspection of the race and expressed himself as beinr well satisfied with the work to date He considered that the work authorised by the council would be of real assistance to the people of the district. Mi Mackley stated that the men engager on Scheme 13 work in the connection with the water race were doing exceptionally good work. He also pointed ou : that no person had the right to take water without authority from the race. The ranger reported having impounded 17 head of stock during the month. The total fees collected in January totalled £1 12s, the fees collected to date being £26 18s. The overseer. Mr B. L. Larson, reported that the usual maintenance and grading work had been carried out in lhe county during the month.