BOROUGH MATTERS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 August 1946, Page 2

BOROUGH MATTERS

Otaki Council Meets v The monthly meeting of the Otaki Borough Council was held on Wednesday night, the Mayor (Mr. Atmore) presiding. There were also present Crs. Young, Gimblett, Hakaraia, Bartosh, Bennett and Cook. . -u ^ iv was stated that Mr. Amos been interviewed relative to setting back land i'ronting his propoaeu factory in Aotaki 'Street, and ht had agreed to do so, provision having been made for this. By the setting back of the building visibility would not be affected. It was agreed that the building would be a most modern one, and an acquisition to the town and district. tvip Dirp.otnr of Housing wrote

stating that Dunstan Street would be widened 8 ft. 6 in., and this, with similar treatmbnt on the other side, would result in an ultimate nominal width of 50 ieet. Ancicx pating this arrangement meeting with the council 's requirements ■ houses would be sited and a survey instructed in conformity with the revised plan, a copy of which was enclosed.— Approved, the council being satisfied with the suggestec widening. A report from Inspector Feters, of the Transport Department, said he could see no objection to the erection of a cycle stand at Mr. Edhouse's shop in Main Street. With sufiicient stands all the cycle, could be kept oil the footpatlis, and the menace to motorists oi fallen cycles could eventually be eiiminated. This one stand would only partly remove the danger oi falling cycles and those leant against shop windows. A by-lav, prohibiting the placing of cycles on tho footpatli would have the desired effect of removing the ~ danger to windows, but without sufiicient stands would only t-end to clntter up the kerb with cycles.. which were a nuisance to the motorist wishing to park. Each stand erected meant at least one lcss car parked in the shopping street.— Decided to allow Mr. Edhouse to erect a stand during the pleasure of the council. In connection with the Rangiuru Stream it was stated by reports that the ■ matter had been considered, and it was agreed that tne council could do nothing more in the meantime than it had already ' done. It was stated that notices had been erected on the bridge stating its unsafe condition. It was reported that the matter oi repairs to the grandstand on the domain would be attended to when cement was available. The ground had been givcn attention. The town clerk reported that necessary work had been done at the theatre and rest grounds. Mr. j Wilson also stated that the finan- ; cial positibn of the borough was j very satisfactory. j It was reported that up to the , present some twenty dogs had been , registered in the borough. Rcference was made to a build- ; jng erected in Kirk Street, one which had been an armv but which had now been convened into a dwelling of a permanent naturc., — Left to the town planning com-' mittee. Inspector Guinan reported that «Jl the various building jobs in the borough had been inspected and applications for new works approved. Eight new septic tank svstems had also been approved. Inspections had been made at the d'unain. and the rubbish and nightsoil deposits. The. iicenseci liotc.ls had been inspected. and matters in connection with the rat nuisance at one dwelling attenrieo ' to. Four cases of diptheria and • one of sc.arlet fever had been, reported . — Recei ved . Mr. T. V. Gwyn wrote in regard to the sale of fresh milk in the borough. stating that a milkman had informed him that he would be unable to supply him as his source. of supply was being taken to the factory. He thought the milkman i should be rcinstated with a regular supply of milk. It was decided • that the council could toke no action in the matter, it being out of their province, while it was noi Ihe policy to force either fresn oi • pasteurised milk on ratepayers. It was agreed that pasteurised ; milk was easiest handled. i Mr. H. T. Channings wrote! agreeing to lay down iu asphali two full-sized basketball courts ; each 104 square feet by 64 square , Ieet, at a cost of £490. — Received. ' A letter from the Chief Inspec- j tor of Explosives asked the council j to note that consequent upon j representations made by various j local licensing authorities, and by Ihe department, the Bureau of ' Industry had now obtained approval for an increase in the proportion of fees under the Tndustrial Efflciency Act retainable by the council. Under the existing provisions' local authorities were entitled to retain a proportion equivalent to ten per cent of the fee collected, but this had now been increased to 20 per cent. — Received. Miss Kathleen Stibbs (England) WTote thanking the council for its kind and courteous letter relativ. to her desire to secure a position in New Zealand She a.lso acknowledged receipt of a booklet dealing with Otaki. — Received. The Mayor ' reported that at a public meeting it had been decided

do open a fund for a war memorial. 1 To further this project a represen- - .,auve comnnitee irum all ciu^o iuxu j'rganisations, and to include cia- 1 Dens who were wiiling to assist tne ( jfiort, was to be set up and incor- - joraled, and the assisiance oi th«. council was desired. The councii aad been invited to nominace one J cepresentative to that committee. > A meeting would be held at the Council Chambers on August 20. 1 The Mayor. was appointea as tne . council's representaiive. J A letter was read from the Main Highways Boaru wiai reiei- j ;iice ro rhe counciLs letter regarci- ; mg stagnant water in Harautahi ; 3iream, between the main nignwav and the railway line. The Letter jaid it was understood that thc department's officers had already iiseussed the matter with - the council, and after further investigation it was their opinion that ohe lowering of the cuivert under the State highway was unnecessary. The stream between the two , culverts had been partially cleaned, and the water v/as flowing freely. The stream bed immediately above the inlet of the cuivert under the . State highway had now been clear- ; ed, and it was considered that the ' cause of stagnant water lying there i on private property was solely due to the overgrown and obstructed 1 state of the stream bed and banks. ihe clearing of these obstructions on private property would appear Do be the responsibility of the land owners concerned, who could possibly be contacted in this connection by the. council. It was considered that the , letter .wa&r in Drder, it being pointed out that the cuivert was blocknd, and would . have the attention of the counciloj foreman. Mr. M. Hobbs wrote ofiering to cut and remove pine trees on the | domain and pay the council £5 for i ciie wood. — It was agreed to allow I Mr. Hobbs to do the work, provided i that he removed the stumps and j ievelled the ground. I The Native Land Department i asked that certain ratqs be written ofi some Native land. — The town ' clerk stated that the rates imposed ' were* not now recoverable, but that rates of recent years had been paid in full. The request was agreed to. Messrs. Ryder Bros. made applij cation for two half-inch water con- ! nections to their property in Atkinson 's Avenue. — Granted, provided the applicants pay half tne cost of the main. Alieging that lack of care and attention was responsible for the present neglected state of the Otaki cemetery grounds, a lecter from the Otaki Commercial Association was received. The association urged that attention be given

;o the matter as soon as possitle, juggesting that one day a week be ;et apart for a workman to _Keep ,lie grounds in order. It was pointed out that trees had ceen cut on the grounds and were ceing cleared away. It was coniidered that a good job was beiirg nade of the wofk. The Mayor pointed out, supported by others, hat a decided gap was noticeable from Mill Road, and after discus.ion.it was agreed tnat the planfLng of suitable trees be carried 'out. rhe question of other improvcmcnts was referred to the Works Committee, general opinion being Lhat the grounds should be further improved and beautified. Thc associaticn also pointed out that it was desired to do tree planting at the Tasman camp, and ihe approval of the council was nsked It was decided to assist the project by allowing two of the Borough's staff to help for one day. The suggestion that the men should not be taken off road work,' out a grant be given instead was. not strcngly supported. It was hoped that the planting would be carried out in a proper manner, the lay-out' in particular to have attention. The association had attempted to obtain outside labour, but had failed. Ac 'cunts mnount.ing to £G2 13s 2cl were passed for pay men t. Works Committee's Report It was recommenaed tnat the acting-foreman's report be adopted; that Mr. W. McEwan's applieation to lease the reserve at the rear of the State houses in Riverbank Road be deelined, and that Mr. Wi J. Bailey be appointed to do the dog registration and tax collection. — Adopted. Overseer's Report The acting-foreman (Mr. B. R. Bell) gave the following report "Metal has been carted as under b.v the borough lorry: Borough yard 18 loads, side of Dunstan Street 3 gateways 10 and boulder sump Riverbank Road 2. Five loads of ipoii have been carted to Rangiuru Road. fiiling and fcur to Beaeii. Tht following roads have been gradcd: Rangiuru Road, Paremata Street, Bell Street, Kirk Street, RiverbanK Road and Dunstan Street. Water channels have been kept clear and pot hoies have been repaired as much as possible. "The tanks and filter house at ihe watei works have been cleaned out. Lawns have been kept cut during the month at the rest •esort and library section. The grandstand and conveniences at '.he domain have been kept clean, and the fence has been erected. At the beach paviiion the footpaths have been grubbed and grass around the trees cut."