TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4583, 6 July 1923, Page 1

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Turua Town Board was held in the Turua Buildings on Wednesday evening, the chairman, Mr J. Mules,, presiding. There were also, present Commissioners J. T. Davies, F. Olsen,, and A. P. Gardiner, and the clerk, Mr J, HlGreen. Apologies were received from Mr C. Scott, who was ill, and Mr Ansfprd, who was away. The Hauraki Plains County Council clerk wrote advising that the contributions to the Board’s funds for the current, year would be the amount of rates collectable, less the town district’s share of the general expenditure. The holding of the road loan poll would be proceeded with as soon as the objections to the roll had been disposed of by the stipendiary magistrate. A final statement would be rendered as soon as the cost of the bitumen road and the metal repairs on Piako Road were known. The clerk said that the delay was putting the Board in a very awkward position. The proportion of administrative expenses for the year would be lower than last year, as more of the county was now rateable. The Valuation Department, Wellington, wrote forwarding a form to be signed by the chairman and returned. The Board would then be entitled to a subsidy on rates collected under section 9 of the Appropriation Act, 1916. A copy of resolutions striking the rates and a copy of the balance-sheet were also required. Mr R. W. Bagnall,. Auckland, wrote stating that he was glad to hear that the lighting of the streets of Turua was about to be accomplished, and forwarded a donation of £25.

The clerk reported that he had written thanking Mr Bagnall. The Thames Valley Power Board’s manager wrote confirming the arrangement, made by Mr Ansford as follows : Ten 200c.p, lamps to be installed at Turua- as soon as possible, five of them within a fortnight and the balance as soon as stocks were to hand. The request for a reduction in charges for the first year would come before the board, but he did not offer any hope that this would be granted. The secretary of the Turua School Committee wrote bringing before the Board the state of the road at the corner of Raratuna’street and Hauraki Road. The metal was not joined up, resulting in an impassable bog. School children got wet feet daily. Members stated (that this was a regular trap. The hole was several chains long,, over three feet, deep, and over twelve feet across.

Mr Gardiner said that the County Council had promised the school committee to have the work done. It world take over 20 yards of metal and a great deal of fascines. It was decided that if /the school committee could produce the letter from the council the Board would endeavour to make the council fulfil its promise. The Board would have the work done if the Council found the metal.

The Turua Concert Party wrote forwarding a cheque for £lB, to he applied towards <the township lighting fund. A further small amount might be forwarded when outstanding accounts were cleaned up. Mr Mules moved, and Mr Olsen seconded, that the Concert Party tP thanked for their efforts.—Carried unanimously.The clerk reported that a new valuation roll had come to hand. The capital value on the old ioll totalled £34,740 and on ithe new roll £56,16(fc The unimproved value had increased by £BO to £23,380. The improvements pn the old roll totalled £11,440, and on the new roll £32,780, an increase of £21,340 in seven years. The clerk read the balance-sheet for period ending March 31,. 1923. Receipts: General rates, 1922-23, £2OB 19s 3d ; dog licenses, £3 7s 6d ; totai, £212 6s 9d. Expenditure: Administration and salary, £37 10s; total, ing, stationery, and advertising, £ll 4s 9d; election expenses, £22 2s; legal expenses, £1 Ils 6d; bank charges, £2 Is 3d ; travelling expenses, 9s 3d; rent and office expenses, valuation fees, stamps, telegrams, £l3 Ils lid ; insurance,. £1 ss; total, £B9 15s Bd. Purchase of dog collars £1 8s 9d. On patching roads, footpaths, repairs to culverts, and improvements, £7l 2s Id; cash in hand and at bank, £5O 0s 3d.

The statement of assets and liabilities showed general rates outstanding £9 2s 6d and outstanding accounts £l2 18s Bd.

Mr Gardiner reported that he had fixed up Anderson’s bridge in company with Mr Griffiths. The chairman said that something must be done at the post office corner. He suggested that some pipes be put

It was decided that Messrs Mules, Olsen, Gardiner, and-Beck would do this and other work on the following day.

Mr Beck sugested that when the rails for hitching horses were replaced they be put on the other side of the road, as it would save the road and be oujt of the way of traffic.

Mr Gardiner considered that, some pipes should be put in at the corner of Hauraki Road and Awa Street. A member asked about the crossing to the bakehouse, and the clerk pointed out that this was a matter governed by the county by-laws. Mr Gardiner suggested that the Board work under the counvy by-laws, and that the county delegate its powers within the town board area to the Town Board.

The clerk said that this was not

practicable. Mr Gardiner pointed out. that a saving in time would be made by builders if plans could be approved at Tuma for the erection of buildings instead of at Ngatea. The clerk said that the plans would have to be approved by the county inspector and the County Council. Mr Gardiner contended that the matter should be investigated. Finally it was decided that that the clerk obtain a copy of the by-laws. The chairman reported that owing to the bad weather no metal had been carted on to Hauraki Road up to the present. ‘There were some particularly bad holes near the factory. Members suggested tjiat fascines were necessary.

It was pointed put (that the settlers

from Huirau Road were using the Turug, factory dating the winter and had promised tp cart metal when the weather permitted. The clerk read the notice of the intention to strike a rate for the current year. The rate would be l%d in the £ on the capital valuation. A rebate of 5 per cent, of the amount of the general rate would be allowed off all demands paid within thirty days. The foripal resolution that notice of intention to strike the rate was moved by Mr J. T. Davies, seconded by Mr A. P. Gardiner, and carried. Accounts totalling £97 2s 7d, including one of £63 16s for metal and one of £26 19s for cartage of metal and grading, were passed for payment.