EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1941, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

COUNTY COUNCIL ' MEETING YESTERDAY. ("Times-Age” Special.) The Eketahuna County Council met yesterday, there being present Crs. J. B. Carruthers .(chairman). C. T. Richardson. P. Davies. G. Houlbrookc, F. Goggin, C. Davie, J. P. Petersen, R. W. Kebbell. H. N. Kebbell. T. Hancock, A. J. Perry. The morning session was taken up with the consideration of the estimates for the ensuing year and the following rates were struck: —East Riding. 3d, an increase of 3-8 d; West Riding. 31d, an increase of Id; Alfredton Riding. 3jd, an increase of jd. At noon the annual meeting of the council was held. The clerk, Mr W. N. Richardson, occupied the chair and called for nominations for chairman. Cr. A. J. Perry, in nominating Mr Carruthers, said that for 30 years Mr Carruthers’s leadership had achieved results that spoke for themselves, and in his opinion they could do no better than have Mr Carruthers as their chairman. Mr C. T. Richardson seconded the nomination. Mr R. W. Kebbell. in supporting the nomination, stated that owing to the war, Mr Carruthers had had a vast amount of extra work to do in connection with organising the E.P.S. and Home Guard activities in the district. In this he had done- yeoman service, but at the same time he had not neglected the routine work of the council. Mr Kebbell said the ratepayers were fortunate in having a man of Mi Carruthers's ability at the helm of the council. Messrs Goggin and P. Davies endorsed the previous speaker's remarks.

There being no further nominations for the position, the clerk declared Mr Carruthers elected. Mr Carruthers thanked the members for their renewed confidence. He said that men who occupied executive positions should be prepared to do any extra work. He had enjoyed the litmost co-operation of the E.P.S. and Home Guard committees, the result being that these units were nowfunctioning well. Referring to county matters, he said that he thought that the position they found themselves in today was very satisfactory. He welcomed and congratulated Crs. Hancock and Petersen on their election to the council, and he was sure that they would give a good account of themselves. Mr Carruthers also congratulated the clerk and engineer, Messrs Richardson and W. C. Duffill, on their annual reports. He especially congratulated Mr Duffill on his particularly good estimate figures. Rarely had the council had such accurate figures to work upon. Mr Carruthers was elected the county’s representative on the Highways Council.

The monthly meeting of the council was held after the luncheon adjournment.

Accounts amounting to £2115 3s were passed. It was decided to accept Messrs Reid Bros.’ tender of £lO3O 5s for the erection of the Waitewhiti Stream Bridge.

The New Zealand Counties’ Association advised that as the result of the plebiscite to ascertain whether the annual conference of the association should be held or not, it had decided that no conference be held. The voting resulted: For the conference, 21; against, 70.

The Wairarapa Hospital Board advised that the council's levy for lhe ensuing year would be £1,903. A motion of appreciation was placed on record of the valuable assistance rendered by the Alfredton representatives. Mcssr-J R. G. Kebbell, H. N. Kebbell and L. G. Hoiilbrooke and residents of the riding during the recent floods in the riding. Soldiers Entertained. One of the largest crowds seen at a Rongokokako function attended the gathering held in honour of Gunner T. Byers and Driver W. Taylor on Thursday evening. Excellent music was supplied by Marenzi's Orchestra, and extras were played by members of the company. . Prior to the presentations being made to the soldiers, members of lhe Women's Institute presented Mesdames Byers Junr., Byers Sent'., and W. Taylor with beautiful bouquets. Buttonholes were presented to Messrs T. Byers and W. Taylor. The floral emblems were donated by Miss Betty Curry, of Eketahuna. Mr F. M. Goggin, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, in making the presentations to each of the guests., spoke of their sterling personal qualities. Each man was the recipient of a gold, wristlet watch. Mr W. O'Neil, on behalf of the factory staff, presented Gunner Byers with a fountain pen. Mr Goggin also introduced ten soldiers on "leave and presented each with cigarettes. Mr Goggin made special mention of Corporal Jim' Mason, a returned soldier of the last war. The recipients were accorded musical honours after which' supper was served. Personal Items. Mr G. Ashworth. Pelorous Sounds, is paying a visit lo his sister. Mrs F. | Preston. Parkville. Mr R. Burling, son of Mrs A. Burling, Newman, whojiad the misfortune to "break his shoulder whilst playing football in Wellington last Saturday, is making a satisfactory recovery in the Wellington Hospital.