BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4674, 14 March 1924, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council was held last evening, there being presesnt His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall, Cr*. T. P. Vtiglar, H. M, Shand, F. IFlatt, G. P. Lamb, P. E. Brenan, J. W. Silcock W. Bain, B. Edwards, and the town clerk, Mr W. C. Alexander. HOSPITAL SITE. The N.Z. Dairy Co., Ltd., Hamilton, wrote with regard to the transfer of land for the Paeroa hospital site, stating that it was' prepared to carry out any commitments made by the Thames Valley Dairy Co., and that after consultation it would complete the transfer.

Later the company wrote stating that it was now prepared to complete the transfer.

DENTAL EDUCATION

The registrar, Auckland Universitv College, forwarded a copy of the report in made to the Minister of Education by the committee which had been set up to enquire into dental education in New Zealand. The council was requested to give lt,s fullest support in the endeavour to give the youth of Auckland an opportunity to enter the dental profession. The Council decided to give its support. WATER RATES. Mrs J. Coote wrote applying for a reduction of water rates on her Commercial Hotel property, in view ofi the premises now being occupied by only three persons. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Brenan, to make the same charge as in the previous year. SEWERAGE MATTERS.

The coinicil’s engineers wrote advising that on the upper end of Station Road it would not be possible to gravitate sewers from the whole of the railway settlement land to the council system. Leaving the grade at Thames Road the same as on the plan, a grade of 1 in 100 would give a depth of 5 feet in invert at Aorangi Road near Ainslie’s Road, or a grade of 1 in 300 (9in. pipe) would give a depth of 12 feet at the same point. The figures supplied were only approximate, but it would be seen that the flattening of the grade at Thames Road would be of practically no use in increasing the area of the railway land that could be drained, as the total extra depth would be under one foot. The Mayor said that since the letter had been written a survey had been made and it had been found that there would be a depth of about 12ft. with the result that the whole of the tableland could be drained. The matter was .referred to the works committee for a report. OPUKEKO DRAIN. A petition bearing eight signatures from residents in the vicinity of the Opukeko drain was received requesting the council to grant a sum towards the cost of cleaning out the drain. It was decided to contribute £2 10s.

BOUNDARIES COMMISSION.

”he Under Secretary, Department of Imernal Affairs, ir reply to an enquiry from the Mayor, telegraphed that the Minister would be agreeable to the one Commission dealing with the petition of the electors and that of the Borough Council providing the council undertook not to levy rates in respect to the land of petitioners praying for exclusion, or submit loan proposals to include such lands until th; question had been decided. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE. The Ohincmuri County Council wrote urging that public conveniences for men and a rest room for ladies be erected. The Mayor said tliat the county council should be informed that- there was a convenience at the rear of the fire station, and that the matter of a rest room would be considered when the council considered the estimates for the coming year.

Crs. Flatt and Vtiglar urged the ncccss : ty for something being done as .soon as possible.

Cr. Flatt moved that the works committee, in conjunction with the chairman of the finance committee, go into tlie matter of finance and site and report when the estimates were being considered. Seconded bj’ Cr. Silcock and carried. TAYLOR’S AVENUE. In reply to Cr. Brenan the Mayor said that a sum of money had been appropriated for the footpath, and th-it a small grant could be made for work that would fit in with the permanent scheme. ELECTRIC POWER. Cr. Flatt said that it was quite apparent that the borough had not been fairly treated by the Thames Valiev Power Board in regard to the lighting of the bowling green. If the borough desireo to obtain some measure of contro. of the lighting of the town it should discuss the possibility of taking power in bulk in the same manner as Thames' and Te Aroha boroughs. He suggested that the council should write to the power board and ascertain full particulars of the reticulation in the borough, and the sale price, and also the cost of electricity. The council could then consider whether it would pay to take over the supply for the town. He moved in that direction, and the Mayor seconded. Cr. Silcock said that if the borough purchased the reticulation it could purchase the current at the same price as the power hoard did. TOP-DRESSING GREENS. The secretary of the Cambridge Bowling Club wrote stating that his club was of the opinion that sand was not suitable for top-dressing a bowling green, and favoured soil being purchased from New Lynn for the purpose.

Cr. Silcock said that the bowling club desired some top-dressing material, and had written to Cambridge, but apparently that club did not supply it. The letter was referred to the domain committee.

FORMAL RESOLUTIONS. ? Formal resolutions in regard to the closing of Aorangi Road and the roads on the hospital site and applying a proclamation vesting the Paeroa 1 Hospital Reserve in the Thames Hosppal Board and authorising the agreement with Mr G. Buchanan an I writing off rates uncollectablc were carried without discussion. j DOMAIN LOAN. In reply to Cr. Flatt the Mayor said that the debenture tax had prohibited the raising of a loan within the interest rate limit. Fr, Flatt suggested advertising debentures for sale, as Auckland suburban local bodies were doing. The Mayor pointed out that the season when work could be done was , drawing to a close. Cr. Silcock said that the council should make an effort to have the drain filled if it was not to be piped. The football club had agreed to play W elsewhere last season on the understanding that something would be done this autumn. Cr. Flatt said that the Domain Board should make an effort to raise , the money. \ Cr. Silcock moved that the Board advertise in the “Herald” and “Gazette” offering the £lO9O loan in £lO9 denominations.

RAILWAY STATION. The General Manager, N.Z. Railways, wrote acknowledging receipt of tb.e Council’s letter concerning the work to be undertaken at the new railway station. He stated that the matter would receive consideration. The Mayor said that this was a matter of some importance. The construction of the bridge would render the town liable to flooding, as the high stop-bank on the ether side would divert flood water on to the town through ft he gaps at the bridge. He had interviewed the resident Public Works Department engineer, and -5 had been informed that there was no likelihood of the gaps being filled in. The Mayor moved that the Minister for Public Works and Railways, the General Manager of Railways, and the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department ue communicated with and the danger pointed out. —Carried. ' WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. . J The Works Committee reported .is 10l lows ;—

The formation of Bush Street and Dulcie Street which is being done by the council’s workmen is proceeding with cvt.ry indication that the cost will prove satisfactory compared whir the tenders. Your committee made an inspection of all the works under construction in the borough, and is satisfied with the progress made. The rain will be beneficial for consolidating the new formation on loads, and if we get some further fine weather there is gvery possibility that the metalling will be completed this season.

After careful investigation it was decided to purchase a Weeks’ bitumen JL, arid tai- sprayer of 320-gallons capa- J city, tire price being £225 nett, C.O.D. and C.I.F. and E. Auckland, duty paid. The pidlir has been placed, with-de-livery to be given in eight weeks. The machine is of English manufacture, and we believe it should prove suitable in every way.

Arrangements have been made with the sewerage contractor to have the repairs to Station Road footpath dorie this week. The path is to be rolled and have gravel from the old extraction works spread and rolled. Am agreement has been reached with Mr Buchanan in reference tJ the closing of Aorangi Road in exchange for the new road through M“ Cassrels’ property. The engineers have been instructed to take the levels of the new road and arrange the head of the present sewerage contract so that an extension can be provided for. Consideration has been given to the probability of extensive settlement in this area, .and provision can be made accordingly.