TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4659, 8 February 1924, Page 4

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Turu-t Town Board was held in the Turua Buildings on Wednesday evening, there being present: Messrs J. Mules (chairman), A. C. Scott, F. Beck, F. Olsen, J. T. Davies, A. P. Gardiner, and the clerk. Mr J. E. Green. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. • The clerk, Hauraki Plains County Council, wrote stating that the council had discussed the subject matter of the board’s deputation and had decided to leave the matter of the 8-tor. roller and the use of the roller and scarifier with the engineer. Mr Gardiner reported on the deputation to the council in connection with the road loan. The chairman said that he had seen the county clerk and had been assured that the money for the road loan was in sight. With regard to the scarifying and rolling of the town board roads, the engineer had said that the machinery would be sent to that area when available from the southern hrea. The work would be paid for out of the county rates, sc there would be no charge to the board. Mr Olsen thought that the scarifying should not be done until it was required for the reading scheme. Members pointed out that unless something was done the roads woull be impassable next winter. They could not be made worse than they were at present. ROADING SCHEME. Mr C. Skltrop, consulting engineer to Ellis and Company, Ltd., agents for union asphalt, wrote stating that he would visit Turua as soon as possible to gd into the question of tendering for the work of laying down the permanent road. He asked for a copy of the specifications, and concluded by saying: "Whatever you do, make it clear m your specifications that union asphalt is to be used, otherwise you will have all the inferior bitumen sellers after the job, and you may easily be landed in the same boat a.s the Thames County.”

The chairman said that the board should ttse unipn asphalt. This had been proved satisfactory in several roads that had been inspected. Mr Gardiner said that if union asphalt came up to the engineer’s specifications it would undoubtedly be considered. THE TOWN HALL. rhe chairman reported that since the last meeting of the board a, deputation had waited upon the county coiwicil. The question of putting the loan lor the public hall was raised, and the deputation was- informed that this was a. matter for the board to deal with. In view of the county’s advice as to the loan for the hall the board’s solicitor had been interviewed concerning the raising of the loan by petition. After thoroughly going into the matter it was decided, with the board’s consent, to proceed by way of petition to save the time and expense of a poll. He went to Auckland and interviewed the manager of the Board Council Journal and explained the position, and in reply the manager had promised to make full inquiry as to where and on what terms the necessary money might be obtained. He stated that there was 1 temporary derangement in the Australian money market, where much of the New Zealand local body loans had recently been raised, but thought there should be .no difficulty. There might be some difficulty in raising the loan in New Zealand owing to the debenture tax of 4s 6d in the £ on local' body loans repayable in New Zealand.-' Since then the Board and Council had wired regretting that it could not give an assurance at present, but would advise later. The board then went Into committee. On resuming it was pointed out that the amount of the loan # would be £3500. This would be the £3OOO for the hall, etc., and £5OO for the cost of raising the loan and the first year's interest and sinking fund. It was probable that the cost would not be as great as this, but in that case the total amount would not be raised. The petition would be circulated as soon a.s it was prepared. A HORSE TROUGH. ’ Mr A. P. Gardiner said that there was a bore near the old mill, and it had been suggested by Mr Bagnall that a public water trough should be erected. Mr Bedford had ■ prtnnise 1 to supply a pump. He would erect the tank and trough and keep It filled if the timber, and necessary piping were supplied. Mr C. Scott said he would give a 209-gallon tank. Mr Gardiner said that the pump coitFd be connected to his plant, so that it would be, going when the mill was working. Mr. Olsen suggested a 200Lgallon concrete trough. There would then be no need for a tank. Mr Gardiner objected to this. It was decided to sanction an expenditure of not more than £7 for the purchase of the necessary material. A vote of thanks to Messrs Bedford, Gnrdiner, and Scott for their gifts was carried. ELECTRIC LIGHTING. Mr Olsen said that a move should shortly be made to raise funds to pay for next year’s account of the electric lighting. It was up to the board to do something. The chairman said that the light at the store corner should be shifted across the road. —This was agreed to. TOWN DRAINAGE. Mi Gardiner wanted to know when ihe conference with the Drainage Beard would 'eventuate. He had nnticet. that the Drainage Board intended. holding a special meeting to consider next years,’ estimates. If the matter of the towship drains was not settled before the Drainage Board made its arrangements the work would be delayed for twelve months. Mr Olsen said that the Drainage Board was collecting rates from the Town Board area, but had been doing no work.

Mr Gardiner said that there were many questions to be discussed In a

conference between the two bodies. The clerk pointed out that the,| Drainage Board could hand over the area to the Town Board. | The chairman said that the Drain- | ago Board had considered that, nothing definite could be done until , the mailer of the back area was settled. j

It was decided to wait upon thr Drain: go Board al a special meeting and ask for the conference. Mr Gardiner was appointed to <’«> this.

It was decided that a special meeting be held on February 20 to consider the estimates for the coming year.