BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1942, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

GREYTOWN COUNCIL monthly meeting of members. COLLECTION OF RATES. (“Times-Age” Special.) The monthly meeting of the Greytown Borough Council was held last night. There were present: Mr A. W. Horton (Mayor), Councillors W. A. Tate, I. Blissett, E. Balfour, G. F. Eagar, H. J. Farley, F. Woiod and H. McKenna. An apology for absence was received from H. C. Trotman. The Library Committee reported that country subscribers would in future be allowed to take four books without extra charge, if not held longer than four weeks. Mrs Robb was appointed a book selector in place of Miss Keddell who had left the district.

The poundkeeper reported that two horses had been impounded during August. These had been'"claimed later. The action of the-Mayor in having the restrictions on street lighting removed was endorsed.

The borough foreman reported that the grader had been working on Kuralawhiti Street, Kempton Street, Papawai Road and West Street.

The Fire Brigade wrote offering to repaint the fire plugs if the council would supply the paint. The request was agreed to. The borough foreman was granted a bonus of £lO for the extra work he had done during the earthquake restoration period. The Greytown Picture Co. wrote stating that it would donate 50 per cent of the gross takings of the special screening once each month to the Mayor's Patriotic Fund. Councillor Tate stated that every effort should be made to got the citizens to assist this effort to augment the patriotic funds. The Town Clerk’s report concerning the rates -stated inter alia: —The current year’s rates collected up to September 4, the last day on which the rebate could be allowed, amount to £3,314 16s sd. The total rate levied for the year is £4,132 7s 3d. The collection is therefore 80.20 per cent of the rate struck. The percentge collected for the same period last' year was 79.46 per cent which until this year was a record collection for the borough. Arrears of rates collected so far this year amounted to £75 14s 6d against £314 13s 6d collected up to this time last year. The total rates outstanding amount to £1173 4s Bd. The rates outstanding last year at this date totalled £1,542 0s Id.

The financial statement showed that £943 13s 9d had already been paid out for the restoration of first line chimneys. The total cost to date was approximately £3,000. Councillor Wood moved that the Sunday screening of pictures be not commenced before 8 p.m. The Mayor stated that the Picture Co’s, manager had started the pictures earlier owing to the soldiers being on the streets.

Councillor Balfour seconded. The motion was carried by 4 votes to 3.

The engineer-in-chief of the Public Works Department wrote stating that the services of their building inspector would be available to the council in connection with ■ earthquake restoration works.

Councillor Eagar asked if the tarsealing in Wood Street could be extended. The army trucks were continually on this road, he said, and the dust nuisance would be detrimental to the small fruit areas. The matter was referred to the works committee. Councillor Tate conveyed the sympathy of the council and staff to the Mayor in connection with the illness of Mrs Horton.