TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 641, 14 June 1921, Page 11

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tuakau Town Boai’d was held on Tuesday night when there were present Messrs Dynes Fulton (chaiiman) J. B. Sim, Geo. L. Lapwood, C. Finch, G. Arrowsmith, W. J. Taylor, A. Medland and the clerk (Mr A. H. Tap per). •

Railway Stalion to Bridge,

The Public Works Department, in reply to the Board’s application for payment of £SOO, £ for £, in respect to work completed on George Street, from the railway station to the Tuakau bridge, stated that payment had been approved and an authority was being issued to the district engineer for that amodnt to enable the payment to the Board. —Received. Members expressed entire satisfaction with the intimation as the money was urgently needed.

-Sanitary Inspector.

The medical officer of health advisor! that Mr W. H. Wilkinson had been appointed as sanitary inspector for the Tuakau town district, but any communications in regard to nuisances or various complaints should- be' addressed to the medical officer of health. —Received. Doctor Wanted for Tuakau.

In reply to the Board’s letter relative to stationing a medical man at Tuakau instead of at Mercer, the Auckland Hospital Board wrote stating that a committee of the Board intended visiting Tuakau at an early date.—Received

Explosive Storages.

The deputy chief inspector of explosives forwarded a copy of the Explosive and Dangerous Goods Amendment Act, 1920, and the regulations made thereunder generally explaining the provisions. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. The clerk was instructed to invite the inspector to visit Tuakau and meet the Board and business men and discus?: the matter. Hospital Levy. The Auckland Hospital Board advised that the rateable capital value of the Tuakau town district at March 31, 1920, was returned by the Valuation- Department as £106,815. It proposed to make a levy of 3-10th of a penny in the £ on the capital value of contributing local authorities.—Received. Engineers Report. The Board’s engineer (Mr John Rcutly, reported that Mr W. A. Smeed’s output of metal to date was 520 cubic yards, disposed of as follows:—Junction to Whaurarata Road 6yds, repairs to George Street 2yds, relaying George Street 432yds, Carr Street 80 yds, Mr Smeed was about ready to resume crushing and he hoped he would be able to do the small job on Morgan’s Road first. As far as he knew the loan allocation would allow for another 80 yars on Can and Madill Streets. After that unless the weather turns out very wet, Gibsor/s road could be metalled to past the house on the left hand side. For repairing various places in George Street would require 30 to 35 yards. There were a few depressions •<xi\ the length laid last year which if attended to now should put it in first-clas* condition for at least two years. The picked up portions at Morgan’s Road and at the end of Singleton’s length needed attention badly, also the depressions on the main filling and the worst places on the old length. He recommended scoria as a dressing to prevent the picking up of fine slaty- stone. Bollard Road was very thin in places. Mr Smeed offered to supply 16 yards of metal to build up any weak places that may show on Singleton’s length. This quantity should leave the section in fust-class order. The foreman complained regarding vehicles being driven on the clay formation alongside metal, also in watertables. The Board would do well to take steps to prevent this as some of the drivers were rather abusive when spoken to by him. —It was stated that the Board could not prevent a man driving on the clay roads but they had no right to use the watertables,

A member pointed out that quite a number of persons used footpaths damaging them to some extent. Mr Medland suggested having several notices erected at the entrances to the town, warning people not to diive on footpaths. He moved accordingly and Mr Lapwood seconded. This was carried.

An amendment by Messrs Sim and Arrowsmith that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee to look into was defeated. The chairman considered the expense trivial. He had several similar notices which he would give the Board.

Messrs Sim and Arrowsmith said the Board’s finances would not allow them much to come and go on. They had to go very carefully indeed. Mr Arrowsmith mentioned that ho v/ns speaking to the engineer recently when the latter stated that George Street needed repairs to the extent of about £SO. It seemed a strange

king to him that the street wanted

repairing so early after it had been f umed and metalled. The finances could not stand it.

The chairman pointed out to Mr Arrowsmith that a new road required repairs very early and needed watching for a couple of years before it became consolidated. Traffic went over a new road and seemed to lift the metal chips out and leave mud. It required raking in repeatedly. Messrs Sim and Medland endorsed the chairmans remarks. The report was -received. Street Lamps. The question of lighting the street lamps duiing the winter was left in Lne hands of the Finance Committee with power to act. Electric Power Board. Mr Sim moved that a deputation from the Board wait on the Franklin County Council at its next meeting for the purpose of ascertaining what action it was taking in regard to the formation of a Power Board for Franklin.

Rale of Interest on Overdraft

Mr Arrowsmith raised the question of the interest on the bank overdraft. He pointed out that the Board was paying 1 per cent, at present over the legal limit, and he wondered what would happen to the members if the auditor tagged it when auditing the balance-sheet. No doubt they would be called on to pay the difference. They did not want this and on his motion it was decided to ascertain from the Secretary of the Treasury whether relief would be afforded . to local bodies who were being charged by the band a higher rate of interest on overdraft than the Board was peimitted by law to pay.- Mr laylor seconded and the motion was cm ried. Town Hal! Site. A petition signed by 82 ratepayers was presented asking that the question of the Town Hall site be submitted to the ratepayers. The chairman briefly outlined the facts leading to the selection of a site known as Mrs Taylors section, Which the Board had decided to acquire He moved that the Board place before the ratepayers the mailer re the location of a site for the proposed Town Hall. Mr Medland seconded.

Mr Lapwood moved as an amendment that the previous decision of the Board re hall site be adhered to Mr Sim seconded.

Upon being put the amendment was carried, Messrs. Lapwood, Sim Taylor and Arrowsmith for and and Messrs Fulton, Medland and Finch against.

The amendment becoming the motion was carried, Mr Finch alone dissenting

The clerk was empowered to instruck the Board’s solicitors to purchase the property under offer by Mrs B, L-, Taylor as soon as money for the purpose was available.

Noxious Weeds.

It was reported that the inspector of noxious weeds had been taking steps to eradicate noxious weeds in the district and that two of tne worst offenders nad cleared their properties. Rate Confirmed.

On the motion of Messrs Medland and Arrowsmith the rate ns advertised to be struck was confirmed. In view of the new valuation having

been completed, it is possible some amendments will have to be made.

Relief Work

Mr Arrowsmith drew the Board s attention to the amount of unemployment at the present t.mo.. He thought that as urgent works were required on Harrisville Hill it would be a good opportunity for the Board to apply for permission to class Hairisville Hill work as relief work. They could employ men at 10s a clay and thus save money. It was no use waiting for the Railway Department to finally decide on the proposed overhead bridge. They had a chance now to do the work very cheaply. Cement and materials were rapidly coming down in price. He urged them to get the work put in hand and done with. They would never get it done cneaper. Mr Taylor contended to cat the road up now would be an unwise policy., It would cost more in the long run. Mr Fulton said that some relief workmen would be dear at 10s a day. He commended Mr Arrowsmith for bringing the matter up. It was decided to instruct the en gineer to prepare plans and estimates so that the matter could be placed before the Minister for Public Works before the year’s estimate? were brought down. It was also de cided to make an application for a subsidy.

Finance.

Accounts amounting to £36 14s 100 general account and £l2 16s fid ’oar account were passed for payment.

The overdraft of tthe general account was shown at £BB9 15s Id ■while the loan account was in credit £9394 15s 3d.