KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 September 1924, Page 6

KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

OPENING MEETING. The first meeting of the newly-elect- , ed board was held last evening. There were present: Commissioners A. R. Bates, C. E. Betts, J. A. Dawson, A. J. Herbert, D. J. Kehely, R. A. Law, R, E. Williams, Messrs A. E. Moss (engineer), and G. P. Cook (clerk). ELECTION OF OFFICERS. i Cr Law, who was proposed for the 1 chairmanship by Cr Betts, expressed regret that private affairs prevented him from accepting nomination. He nominated Cr Bates. Cr Herbert seconded, and on the motion being put to the meeting 'Cr Bates was elected unanimously and took the chair. In a suitable response the newly- q elected chairman expressed appreciation of the confidence placed in /him, + and extended congratulations to mem- 1 bers on tlieir election. He especially complimented the three re-elected members of the previous hoard. It was' 1 hoped that the board would be able to I continue the policy followed by their predecessors, and he felt sure that , members would co-operate in mattery 1 relating to ’the board’s woi’k. i Cr Law was elected as deputy- ( chairman. • , The chairman and Crs Law, Dawson and Williams were appointed as finance committee, and the chairman and Crs I Betts, Herbert and Kehely were ap- j pointed as works committee. At a subsequent meeting of the latter Cr " Kehely was elected chairman. I The formal resolution giving power j to the chairman, deputy-chairman, and T clerk to operate on the' board’s various * banking accounts was adopted. In accordance with the recommend a- I tion of the previous hoard, it was de- -> eided that two commissioners be appointed to confer with the engineer, assisting and_ giving authority when ( making decisions , such as were not 1 deemed necessary to put before.. the full hoard . concerning the operation of the electrical plant. The chairman and deputy-chairman were appointed. RETICULATION LOAN. ( Referring to the visit of the clerk aud himself to Wellington as a deputation to arrange for the loan of £IOOO fob expenditure on reticulation ‘ to- complete the electrical scheme, the chairniaih explained that they had first * interviewed Mr. O. J. Hawken, M.P., who had advised them that a measure, preventing local bodies from borrowing at a rate exceeding 5f per cent., was contemplated, and that the policy was already being adopted in the Government Departments. The Government Life Insurance Department Commissioner had advised them that money was available only at 6 per cent. Mr. Hawken, toi whom they were deeply indebted for liis prompt and courteous assistance, had (Subsequently interviewed the Prime Minister, who- had given the assurance that, in the particular -circumstances, permission to borrow at 6 per'cent, would be granted. They had then negotiated with the Government Life Department. The clerk* added that the department had arranged to expedite the loan and would have the debentures prepared .as soon as the necessary data was received. It was antici- 1 pated that the money would be available in about four weeks. The term of the loan was for 36J years, and the rate of interest 6 per cent., the loan being repayable in 73 half-yearly instalments providing for principal and interest. The chairman intimated that it was quite obvious, in view of the restric-: tions being placed on local bodies, that had the board not sent the deputation much greater difficulty would have been experienced in securing the' money. HATES. During the consideration of the pro-, posed estimates, the clerk pointed out that the board would again be able to • make a reduction in the rates as compared with the previous year A rate of 3£d for the current year was approved, subject to 5 per cent, dis- - count if paid within one month of de- . mand. The clerk intimated that that the 1 discount was equivalent to a further ; reduction of 3-16 d. GENERAL. r, The chairman, engineer, and clerk , were appointed to wait upon the Tara--1 naki Electric Power Board to make ! representations concerning the hii*e of - a transfromer for use in connection . with the electrical scheme during the 2 period required to complete the re--2 pairs to the pipe line. ! In order to effect improvements to i the lighting and power service on the 1’ Lower Duthie Road at Matapu, the engineer recommended that the highf tension line he extended down the road p for approximately two miles to link ■ up with the existing reticulation. This -• would involve the use of an extra e transformer, which would have the effect of bringing the high tension current into the heart of the district and shorten the length of the service lines. '■ —After discussion, the recommendation y was adopted, authority being given * to proceed with the work as soon as the required finance was available. — The engineer pointed out that some dec lay in securing poles would be involved. ? Cr. Kehely, on behalf of the School ’ Committee, made verbal application for a concession in the charge made for ' the hire of the Town Hall on the occasion of the recent school concert. —It ; r was decided to allow a rebate of 50 ' e per cent.