TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4547, 6 April 1923, Page 4

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Turua Town Board was held in the clerk’s office, Turua Buildings, on Wednesday. Mr J. Mules presided, and there were present Messrs A. P. Gardiner, J. T. Davies, C. Scott, F. Olsen, and C. Ansfoid, and the clerk, Mr J. Green. CORRESPONDENCE. Winstone, Ltd., Auckland, wrote in answer to a query stating that owing to the heavy freight, metal for road work would be very expensive. They quoted 25s lid per yard net for full scow loads delivered on the riverbank at Turua. The letter was received, members stating that the price was prohibitive. The clerk remarked that all likely sources of metal had been investigated, but, no supplies could be obtained. The Government Statisitc.ian, Wellington, forwarded a copy of the annual return of buildings for the yea’’ ended March 31, 1923, and requested that it be completed and returned at the earliest possible moment. The Municipal Associations of New Zealand wrote stating that the annual subscription would be £2 14s 6d, but since the present year ended on June 30, a subscription of 21s 8d would be sufficient. Enclosed were a copy of the rules, a table of dates, and a copy of (he latest pamphlet of opinions. The last 20 pamphlets could be purchased at Is each. It was decided to purchase the 20

pamphlets. VACANCY•ON BOARD. The clerk repoited that three nominations had been received for the office of commissioner on the Board, namely, Sidney George Williams, Frederick Beck,, and George Spencer. An election will therefore be necessary, and this has been advertised to be held on Wednesday, April 11, at the office of the Board, Turua Buildings, Turua. RATES. The clerk reported that of the sum of £2lB 3s 9d levied all had been collected except £7 10s Bd. Members congratulated the clerk on his collection. The Board has at present a credit of aboffi £4O, less about £5 interest charges. RARATUNA STREET DRAINAGE. Mr Gardiner asked that some pipes should be put in at Raratuna Street as the present 2ft drain was a source of danger. ft was explained that the pipes had not been covered as the sanitary inspector had requested that this should not be done till the drain had been examined. Mr Ansford moved,, and Mr Olsen seconded, that Mr Bagnall should be written to and asked to have a flootlj gate installed and the drain filled. [ PERMANENT ROADS SCHEME 1 . The clerk reported that he had be£n in communication with the county engineer, who had informed him that more metal would be required for the bituminous roading scheme, and that the cost would no»v be: Hauraki Road, £2564 ; Hauraki Road, £l4BO ; Raratuna Street, £454 ; Awa Street, £155 ; Oparia Road, £3OB ; Piako Road, £2129; contingencies, £354. Total, £7440. The Piako Road subsidy was £9OO. .Air Ansford reported having examined the depth of metal from the'' school to Willow drain, and found that the ’average depth was three iiv hes. He was of the opinion that eight inches of new metal was not re? quired, and that six inches would be ample. Mr Gardiner suggested asking Mr Skitrop to confer with the county engineer,. as he thought that the amount stipulated was excessive. On one street the additional metal would bring the depth to 14 inches. All members .were of the opinion that too much metal was stipulated, as compared with roads in other districts. After much discussion Mr Gardiner moved that Mr Skitrop should be written to and asked to visit Turua as soon as possible to discuss the scheme with the Board and to confer witii the county engineer in regard to the amount of metal. It was explained that the extra metal increased tlie cost of the scheme by two-fifths, and the great difficulty would be to get this metal. Members said that if a stone-erusher was obtained they could have ample metal. Much discussion ensued on tlie question of obtaining supplies of metal and the depth necessary. Mr Gardiner’s motion lapsed for want of a seconder, and Mr Olsen moved that a deputation should wait upon the county council and discuss the matter of the depth of metal with the council and the engineer. The deputation should be given power to agree to whatever the council required.

Seconded by Mr Ansford and carried. Mr Gardiner was of the opinion that, the extra metal would be detrimental, as it would cause the foundation to shift. It would be all right if every layer of three inches was impregnated with bitumen. Mr Gardiner explained that he was opposed to sending the deputation as it would be casting aside the advice of an engineer who specialised in bitumen work and who had a reputation to maintain. Messrs Ansford, Scott, Olsen, an.l Gardiner were appointed a deputation to wait, upon the council at its meeting oh Monday next. A DEPUTATION. A deputation, consisting of Messrs J. H. Johnston and F. Goodsell, representing the Sports Club, waited upon the Board and asked if something could bo done in regard to purchasing a piece of ground adjoining the domain from Mr Bagnall. Mr Bagnall offered 7% acres for £1250', and promised a donation of £250 towards the cost of a memorial if the land was purchased. The Sports Club would like the Board to take the matter up, and promised its help. The club suggested that the Board should call a public meeting of the settlers in the

whole district, as soon as possible to discuss ways and means of finding the necessary money and, at least,_ to secure an option on the land; Members were in favour of calling a public meeting, but some were of the opinion that the price asked was ve r y high. Mr Davies said that the price asked was low, compared with sections soli recently across the road. The chairman (Mr Mules) said that the Town Board would dp all it could to further the project. Mr Gardiner said a question to be considered was whether the domain was to be controlled by the Town Board or a domain board. A domain board had no power to raise money b.v rating. It was decided that members of the Town Board and the Sports Club meet at 7 P.m. on Friday., 6th, to have a preliminary discussion before puttnig the matter before a public meeting. The deputation also raised the question of stock straying on to the ground from the streets, but was assured by the Board that the mattei was receiving attention. DOG TAX. — It. was- resolved that Mr A. Ansford be appointed collector of dog tax at a remuneration to be agreed upon by the chairman.