This week in 1919: September 18

NUMURKAH SHIRE COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, 9th SEPTEMBER

Present Crs G. Tuckett (President), Schier, McLean, Ross, J. Tuckett, Ball, Meiklejohn, Campbell, Dudley. Gordon, Moss.

Election of President.

Cr. Schier was elected President for the ensuing term, on the motion of Crs. McLean and Ross, the allowance being fixed at £63. The council discussed the filling of the chair in committee, and on the motion being put Cr. Thornton called for a division.

The voting was six to five in favor of Cr. Schier, those present voting as under:—

For Cr. Schier ----Crs. J. H. and Geo. Tuckett, Ball, McLean, Ross, and Gordon.

Against—Crs. Thornton, Campbell, Moss, Dudley, Meiklejohn. Cr. Schier returned thanks and moved a cordial vote of thanks to the retiring President. Cr. Tuckett had had a hard year, but had carried out his duties well.

The motion was carried with acclamation, and Cr. Tuckett returned thanks, expressing his satisfaction at the assistance he had received from fellow councillors. the officers and the press.

CORRESPONDENCE

From Department of Public Works, stating that if it is found impossible to expend by September 30 the amount set aside by the Federal Government for the employment of returned soldiers, application may be made for an extension of time.—Received.

From J. W. Mackenzie, Yalca, asking permission to cross various roads with telephone wires. —Granted.

From T. Adkin, asking permission to erect a verandah in front of his shop, Melville-street, Numurkah.—Granted.

From Shire of Warragul, seeking co-operation in the following resolutions to be submitted to the municipal conference :

1. That as the Government is a large purchaser for soldier and other settlements it should carry the responsibility for this land to the councils the same as any other purchaser.

2. That the Government be asked to have an amendment made of the Act for settlement of soldiers on the land, relieving them of the payment of any rate for the first three years, and that these rates be paid by the Lands Purchase Board during that time.—Request supported.

Engineer’s Report.

Mr Hay Ower reported:--

In connection with the repatriation grant, excellent work has been done by the returned soldiers, considering their inexperience, and if these men will stick to the work they will be a welcome addition to the list of shire contractors. He had been unable to do anything with regard to spending the amount allotted to Numurkah Two soldiers expressed their willingness to gravel Quinn-street but a start had not been made, and he understood one of the men had started work in another line of business.—Received.

Regarding a request that 0ueen-street, Numurkah, be formed and travelled, this is a work that would entail an outlay of probably £250. The determination of the house drainage problem is necessary before the question of street construction can he dealt with, as each is dependent on the other. Held over.

The Miller Homes.—A commencement was made last week with the Miller Homes. The contractors are Messrs Symons and Sons, of Echuca.

An Injustice to the Printer.— We would respectfully point out the injustice done the printer by the shopkeepers in Mansfield when they allow travelling showmen to place their playbills in their windows. We earn our living by advertisements, and the mean travelling showman evades advertising by asking the shopkeeper to “kindly place this in your window.” Only last week there was a case of this kind. If we gave one article away at no loss to ourselves that the shopkeeper sold, we should soon hear of it. We feel that the matter has only to be mentioned to our friends to have it rectified.— Mansfield “Courier.”

To celebrate the State Library of Victoria’s digitising of the war years editions of the Numurkah Leader, each week we will include the news of the week, 100 years ago.

To view these editions online go to trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/591