WAIPUKURAU

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 8

WAIPUKURAU

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING GENERAL BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Waipukurau Borough Council, held last night ,was attended by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. McLean). Crs. W. Hall, John Warren, E. J. Turner, J.'H, Hindman, G. E. Fowler and W. Johnstone. NEW TRAFFIC BRIDGE The engineer of the No. fi District Highways Council forwarded a reply to the council’s representations as to the shortening by 300 feet of the proposed new traffic bridge over the Tuki Tuki river creating a danger. It was held that the work would not. push the water to the Waipukurau borough side, nor cause the floor! level between the two bridges to rise. The material for the embankment would be 10,000 cubic yards, taken from the island in the river just below the bridge and this should have the effect of still reducing the danger from flood.

An earlier letter from the Public Works Department showed that the difference in cost between the 300 feet of bank as against 300 feet of bridge will be £BOOO in favour of the former. The bridge would he shortened at the northern end. The Mayor said that he. together with Crs. Fowle r and Warren had met Mr. Murray of the Public Works Department and discussed the matter, feeling satisfied with the assurance given as to no danger being created. He moved that the letter be received, Cr Fowler seconding. MOTOR VEHICLES ACT. The Engineer-in-CJiief and Undersecretary of the Public Works Department (Mr F. W. Furkert) forwarded advice concerning the draft regulations under “The Motor Vehicles Act, 1924.” It is proposed that these shall come into force before the Christmas holiday traffic commences, and’ constructive criticism is being invited. The Mayor suggested that the matter could well be left to a sub-

committee of the Council, but Cr. Warren thought that, the Automobile Associations were best qualified to deal with the draft regulations The Mayor moved that Crs Turner, Hindman and the mover be a sub-committee to deal with same, with power to act. The motion was carried. PETROL TAX. The Eketahuna Chamber of Commerce asked that the Council support the efforts put forth to persuade the Minister of Public Works to have the basis of allocation as applied to the petrol tax altered from the population to the mileage basis. It was also desired that the Main Highways Act be amended to empower the Board to subsidise construction work on main highways on the same basis as enjoyed by county councils. The preference to boroughs of 6000 population and upwards was objected to, as being unjust to small boroughs with n lengthy mileage of main highways The Wanganui City Council sought the Council's support of a resolution protesting against the amount of the petrol tax, 4d per gallon, as being excessive, and urging that same be reduced by one-half, no exemptions to be granted. The Mayor moved, and Cr. W’arren seconded, a motion placing these matters in the hands of the sub-com-mittee appointed to consider the Motor Vehicle Regulations.—Carried. HAWKERS’ LICENSES. The Municipal Association of New Zealand advised that the next annual conference would be held at Nelson in March, all remits to be to hand by the Ist prox. The Mayor read an extract from the Hawke’s Bay Counties’ joint bylaws, showing the fees to be £5 for hawkers, anil £3 for pedlars. He submitted a remit for the consideration of the conference fixing the fees at not exceeding 10s for perishable goods, and not exceeding £lO for other hawkers or pedlars, and moved accordingly. The inspector stated that the local fee was 10s as applied to itinerant vendors handling non-perishable goods, there being no fee as applied to perishable goods Tile Mayor did not agree that it would be wise to make a higher fee than 10s as to perishable goods. The remit was approved. HOWARD BEQUEST EXPENSES. The Hawke’s Bay Provincial District of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union explained that the basis of the recent allocation of expenses apropos the Howard Bequest had been made in accordance with the proximity of Waipawa and Waipukurau to the proposed school, it being considered that being nearer

they would derive more benefit than districts further afield. In other allocations the union had been guided by a previous basis, that of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board for similar work some years back. It was stated that if some of the. allocations were excessive they were only a trifling matter. The Mayor said he regarded the allocation as a reasonable one. Cr. Warren proposed and Cr. Turner seconded, that £7 7/- be paid. There was no amendment and on a division the motion was carried, Cr. Fowler being the only dissentient. SANITARY CONFERENCE. The N.Z. Sanitary Inspectors’ Association intimated that the annual meeting and conference would take place at Napier from January 23 to the 27th inclusive. A letter in support of the granting of leave of absence to the inspector as on previous occasions, was also received from the Director-General of Health. The inspector was granted leave to attend on the usual conditions. RUINOUS BUILDING. The Council (Mr. T. F. Martin) to the Municipal Association of New Zealand, forwarded advice as to the procedure necessary in order to carry out its desire that a building m a ruinous state shall be taken down instead of secured as proposed by the owner of the blacksmith shop m question. The Mayor said the Xght to order a building to be taken down only applied to the case of a dwelling. After a lengthy discussion Cr. Johnston moved that the council proceed with the next business on the order paper. STORAGE OF PETROL E, C. Hurdsfield wrote protesting against the letting of the old shed opposite his house for the purpose of the storage of dangerous goods, viz., petrol. The shed, stated the writer, was totally unprotecteu and riddled with holes, while there was no notice thereon to show that it contained dangerous goods. On the Mayor’s motion it was decided to notify Mr. Hurdsfield that steps would be taken to safeguard the building from fire and a notice placed thereon. STREET WIDENING. The Chief Postmaster (Napier) advised that the Post and Telegraph Department was agreeable to sell a strip of land 12 feet wide, portion of the Post Office site at Waipukuran, conditional on the council paying compensation based on the valuation, also the cost of transfer, and the removal as well as re-erection of fences. The H.B. Education Board intimated that the board would consider the matter of agreeing to the widen mg of Porangahau road at its November meeting. The Mayor said that the proposal would involve raising a loan. In the meantime the advice could be filed, the Post and Telegraph Denartment to be advised that decision had been deferred.

On Cr. Fowler’s motion it was decided that a comprehensive report he prepared by the Finance Committee. It was also agreed that the committee meet the Chief Postmaster. DENTAL CLINIC. The hon secretary of the Masterton Dental Clinic Committee forwarded information a s to the constitution and maintenance of the clinic in that town. It was shown that some eight schools were represented on the committee, hut not the Education Board, Borough Council, or County Council It was resolved that the letter lie filed for future reference. GARBAGE COLLECTION. St. Mary’s Church asked that in view of the garbage service not being necessary nor drawn upon the collection demand of 13/- be waived. It was decided on the Mayor's motion, seconded by Cr. Warren that no exception could be made. Cr. Johnstone moved and Cr Hindman seconded. “That the collector visit the back of public buildings and collect the tins containing garbage.’’ This was carried. I he motion was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. Crs. Warren” Turner and Fowler had voted against the proposition. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Inspector J, Gardiner’s report for tfie month is as follows:— Licenses.—The following licenses “•ave been issued and fees received: three hoardings, £1 10/-, I hawker’s, J ilall > £1 ’ 4 heavy traffic £9B 4/1, 1 saleyard, £2 2/-; 5 motor drivers, £1 10/-, making a total of 281 motor drivers’ licenses to date. Construction of Reservoir.—Very little constructional work lias been done since last report. The laying of the floor and the outlet chamber is completed. The work of erecting the framing for the timbering of the walls is now being proceeded with. Building permits.—Four permits have been issued since last report at an estimated value of £l7OO. Fees received £4 10/-, Water Reticulation.—For the month of October the pump ran 231.25 hours, an average of 7.46 hours per day. The estimated amount of water pumped was 1,732,375 gallons. The number of units of electricity used was 2147. For the month of September the pump ran on an average of 6.14 hours per day and, the units of electricity used were 1816. Last week the pump ran on an average of 7.6 hours per day. One water connection has been laid and a defective service repaired. Sanitary Drainage.—Three permits have been issued under the sanitary drainage by-laws. Fees received, 17/6. Three drainage connections have been laid. General.—ln addition to the ordinary routine work of the borough a number of streets have been patched and graded. The grass growing on the sides of the roads needs cutting but the mower we have is in a bad state and hardly worth repairing. A suitable mower can be procured locally for £23, and I would like to have i the council’s instructions regarding the same. In accordance with instructions, prices were obtained for the erection of a tool shed, forming a pedestrian gate on the southern side, and providing a rubbish hox at the cemetery. The tender of Wliarmby and Williams £32 10/-) was accepted, and work was authorised. RUGBY SUB-UNION GROUND. Lee. Mackie, Hawke, and McKay forwarded a plan of the proposed subdivision of the land being

acquired by the Central H.B. Rugby 1 Sub-Union, for signature as owners of lots 6, 7 and 8, also for approval by the Council. On the Mayor’s motion it was decided that he sign the plan, also that the Mayor and Town Clerk sign the necessary consent to the subdivision. RUSSELL PARK AND CRICKET. The Central Hawke's Bay Cricket Association asked that the Council assist in having the grass on Russell Park cut. Crs. Fowler and Hindman supported the application. The Mayor pointed out that the financial position of the cricketers in relation to the ground was different to that of footballers and hockey players who contributed to the cost of upkeep. On Cr. Johnston’s motion the matter was left in the hands of the Works Committee. Cr. Hindman said that the Council owe la duty to school-children, also the public in general as to the condition of the Park. Cr. Johnstone expressed the opinion that revenue should not be expected from sports bodies. The Mayor suggested that the Association pay the cost of obtaining a mower, the Council to provide the labour. Cr. Fowler agreed. Cr. Warren moved in accordance with the Mayor’s proposal, Cr. Johnstone seconding. This was carried. RESERVOIR CONTRACT The Mayor observed that the progress of the contract at the reservoir had been far from satisfactory of late. A statement in support of the reference thereto m the Borough Inspector’s report was read from the clerk of works (Mr. W. J. O’Donnell). It was shown that the work should have been completed on October Ist. Only the floor of the reservoir had been completed. The penalty involved is £lO weekly. The Mayor moved and Cr. Warren seconded: “That a letter he sent to the contractor stating that the Council is dissatisfied with the progress of the work and that he must put on an adequate staff to complete the contract at an early date.” NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Hindman proposed in accordance with a notice of motion that merry-go-rounds bo charged £1 per day for the period of showing, and that they be not allowed within 2) chains of the building line of the main street, between the railway crossing and the Post Office, by law 197, part 3, to be amended accordingly. The present fee is 10/- per day or £2 2s per week. He pointed out how undesirable the present latitude was and the danger created as applied to schoolchildren crossing the street. The Mayor seconded. Cr. Fowler raised the question of the legality of the by-law as applied to private property and on Cr. Hindman’s motion it was decided to ascertain the true position. The motion was held over in the interim. MOTOR CAMP. The report of the Works Committee as to a motor camp was submitted by the chairman (Cr. John Warren). This proposes that the section adjacent to St. Andrew’s tennis court shall be fitted up at a cost of £3O toi the purpose. There would be provision for proper sanitation. The Mayor said the entrance would be from the main through road. Ho moved that the recommendations be approved, the Inspector to be empowered to proceed with the work. This was seconded by Cr. Turner. Cr. Hall said he approved of a camp but thought that councillors should all view the site before deciding the matter. He moved accordingly. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconded and the motion was carried, Cr. Hall dissenting. RAILWAY COTTAGES. Cr Fowler raised the issue of the payment by the Railway Department of rates on railway cottages, and it was decided to inquire as to the position in Stratford. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Hindman gave notice of motion that he would move that the garbage collection charge be discontinued, and this work carried out from the general rate. RAILWAY CROSSING. The Mayor referred to the railway crossing position, and said tl/v it was necessary now for a public meeting to be held to discuss the position. The flagging of the incoming passenger train from the South was essential. He would take the necessary steps to convene a public meeting. Councillors expressed general agreement with the Mayor’s point of viw. The Dairy Co. payout of £6903 toow place yesterday, the rate being 1/5 for first grade and a halfpenny extra for superfine. A car collision occurred on Saturday night at the corner of Herbert and Russell streets, the cars being an Essex, driven by the Rev. Harrison and a Minerva, driven by Teddy Kuru, of Porangahau. The latter was struck by the left side of the other’s bumper bar and turned over on its side, a wheel being smashed and also the windscreen. The drivers were the only occupants and escaped uninjured. The Essex was not seriously damaged. ,