BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4554, 23 April 1923, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the Paeora Borough Council was held on Thursday evening. Hi Worship the Mayors Mr PE. Brenan, presided, and there were present: Cis. T. P. Vuglar, F, E. Flatt, W. Marshall, G. P. Lamb,) E. Edwards, W. Bain, J. W. Silcock, and D. Leach. HOSPITAL LEVY. The secretary of the Thames Hospital Board forwarded a statement of the estimated revenue and expenditure for the financial year 1923-4. The contribution required from the Borough Council was £476 7s Id, payable by quarterly instalments,, the first of which would be due on June 30» 1923. LEGALISING OF ROAD. The Chief Surveyor, Department of Lands and Survey, Auckland, wrpte bringing before the Council’s notice its responsibility in completing the agreement between the Natives and the Ohinemuri County Council for the closing of a portion of road through Rawhitiroa in exchange for a portion fronting the river. In view of the unwarranted delay the Native Land Court had directed that the road along the river must be treated as Native land, and not recognised as a road. This would have the. effect of showing on all plans as legal the road proclaimed by Gazette 1884, and again included in the Rawhitiroa block the road along the river.

Cr. Flatt said that if the Council still desired to take this road it would have to start negotiations over againThe Mayor said that the matter had been discussed by-the County Council before the Borough was formed. On the motion of Cr. Marshall, seconded by Cr. Flatt, the matter was left to the Legal and Finance Committee. OPATITO BLOCK DRAIN. Messrs Parr, Bloomfield, and Alexander wrote on behalf of their client, Mrs Rihitoto Nicholls, in regard to the partial deviation of this drain and the necessity of further widening it. Their client was prepared to sell a strip of land for that purpose at a reasonable price. The Mayor said that, this was another matter that happened in the county days. He moved that it be referred t othe Legal and Finance Committee. —Carried. REMISSION OF RATES, Mi's Jane Coote wrote asking for a remission of rates on her property—the Commercial Hotel. The Mayor said that the Council had no power to remit general rates, much as they might like to. It was resolved that £5 be remitted from the water rate in view of the fact that the house was not being used as a boarding house, yet was being charged as such.

INSURANCE RATES. The secretary of the council of the Fire Underwriters’ Association wrote in reply to a letter from the Council stating that the contemplated reduction would roughly represent on dwellings 8d per cent, and on trade risks about Is per cent, where construction was of brick, stone, or concrete, and Is to Is 8d per cent, where construction was of wood or iron. Wood or iron risks of a hazardous nature might obtain even greater reductions —Received. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE. The Paeroa Chamber'of Commerce wrote urging the Council to have a public convenience erected. Cr. Marshall moved that the matter be re ? erred to the special committee set up some months ago, and to report to the next meeting. GAS LAMPS FOR SALE. The City Trading Company,, Auckland, wrote inquiring of the Council had any gas lamp-posts and lamps for sale. The action of the Clepk in replying that the Council had 30 lamps for sale at £4 each was approved. '

CONSTRUCTION OF SEWER. Messrs Lpckie Gannon and Worlez, Auckland, recommended that the offer of E Hynes to construct a brancn sewer in Arney street for £B6 6s be accepted. The cost of materials supplied by the Council would be about £4O. The action of the Finance Committee was approved. CONDITION OF SHOPS. The senior Inspector, Department of Health. Thames, wrote stating that it was probably while structural alterations were going on in the butchers’ shops about which complaint had been made that the inspector made his visit. There was no foundation for the statement that, the places were rat infested. They were now clean, and complying with the Health Act. —Received. WASTE OF WATER.

The clerk, Ohinemuri County Council. wrote drawing attention to the waste of water within the borough by the overflow and leakage, from troughs. The wastage must be stopped without delay, as the supply was considerably affected by it.—Referred to the foreman for his attention. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The Paeroa Beautifying Society asked that drastic action be taken to enforce the Noxious Weeds Act, as its work was being severely marred by the growth of weeds in the town. Cr. Marshall moved that the communication he referred to the Government Inspector.—Carried STOCK ON FOOTPATHS. Cr. Marshall said that the King Street footpath from Thames Road had become a quagmire owing to being traversed by stock wheii being driven to the stockyards. Councillors expressed the opinion that a letter by the clerk to cattle drovers asking their assistance in keeping stock off the footpath would be the only way to deal with the matter. THE MORGUE. Cr. Flatt said that some time ago arrangements had been made for improvement to the morgue. The doctor at a recent inquest had complained very severely about the arrangements. He suggested that drainage and lighting be installed and other improvements effected, and pn the

motion of Cr. Marshall, seconded by Cr. Flatt, the work was authorised Arrangements were also made for cleaning the building. HARBOUR SCHEME. Cr. Bain suggested that as the Council was opposed to the scheme, it should take active steps to insure a full attendance at the polling boofli. Cr. Silcock said the matter had been discussed the previous evening at, the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, where it had been decided to organise a service of voluntary car owners to convey voters to tho booths. He suggested that all members of the Council except those al ready nominated by the Chamber of. Commerce be a committee to organise opposition and work in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce in combating the carrying of the loan proposals. CONTRACTSCr. Silcock said that in other places local bodies had arranged contracts at the beginning of the year for such jobs as small carting, etc., and asked if the same could not be done by the Council. The Mapyr said that there wasi a charge fixed for carting, and the foreman could call on any carrier. In regard to larger works tenders would always be called. ; It was decided to leave the matter to the incoming council. Being the last meeting of the Council the minutes were then read and confirmed. FINANCE. A formal resolution giving power to strike rates for the forthcoming year was carried on the motion of Cr. Marshall, seconded by Cr. Flatt. Cr. Marshall moved that the finance committee make arrangements for a bank overdraft when required for the forthcoming year up to £2500*. —Seconded by Cr. Flatt and carried. The estimates for the coming year as previously discussed were adopted on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Flatt. GENERAL. W. North, Paeroa.. wrote asking thar. the sewerage pipes be laid up to his boundary.—Referred to finance commute with power to act. Mrs L. M. Ross applied for a license to sell milk from a shop in Paeroa. —Application granted subject to compliance with the by-laws and the Public Health Acts. Ellis and Co., Auckland wrote soliciting a testimonial for Union asphalt.—Received. The Paeroa Tennis Club wrpte applying for a water connection, and also for a road entrance, and offering to do the work of constructing the entrance if the. Council would supply the pipes.—Applications granted, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the foreman.