TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4759, 3 October 1924, Page 3

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

REGULAR MEETING. The first regular meeting of the newly elected Town Board was held in the Turua Buildings on Wednesday -evening, there being present: Messrs J. Mules (chairman), S. G. Williams, J. T. Davies, C. Bedford, J. McConnell, and the clerk, Mr J. E. Green.. THE ROADING SCHEME. The chairman reported having communicated with the county clerk in regard to the hitch in raising th'e, Roads Loan. No blame could be attached to the council, as the Government was holding up the authority to pay the higher rate of interest demanded by lenders. However, this state of affairs could not last for more than a few weeks, and the county clerk had therefore suggested that the position was explained to the contractors, the, men, would, probably agree to carry on with their work. This had been done and had met with approval. A visit had been made, together with the county engineer, to the Kauaeranga quarry and sundry arrangements made. Mr Basham had said that the metal was of excellent quality, and the plant was satisfac- • tory. There was no reason for not providing a regular supply. In regard to the punts, the contractors were held responsible for their safekeeping. The crushing contractor could supply two puntloads of metal every 24 hours, asid it was feasible that with four punts and two launches a load of metal could be brought to Turua every tide. The difficulty was that punts could not be towed against the tide, and there was not time to load or unload and get away on one tide. The system that had been adopted would have to be stuck to rigidly to ensure regular arrivals. The county engineer forwarded the specifications for the bitumen work in the township altered as he had considered necessary. The manager of the New Zealand Roadis, Ltd., wrote acknowledging receipt of the board’s' letter in regard if to the difficulty that had arisen over ’’ the financing of the read scheme and stating that he would wait upon the board at its convenience. Several letters were received from agents asking for the names of successful contractors with a view to getting in touch with them in regard to the supply of machinery. METAL HOIST. Beaney and Sons, ironfounders, Auckland, wrote offering to supply a belt-diiven friction hoist capable of lifting half a ton for £32.. No secondhand hoists were available, but half the cost, would be allowed if' the hoist supplied was returned in good orded-within three months. The' machine has since been received and installed, and .the chairman and Mr Bedford were empowered to make all arrangements for getting the hoist in working order. TOWN HALL LOAN. ‘ The manager of the Board and Council Publishing Co. wrote stating that after making extensive inquiries IB from what might be considered the best sources in the Dominion it was found that it was probable, that the board’s proposed town hall loan of £3500 could be placed locally at the rate of 6 per cent., phis 1 per cent. - sinking fund, with a currency of 36% years. Owing to the pressure on the market of many local body issufes for large amounts, it was a matter of extreme difficulty for the smaller loans to be entertained. However, latest reports indicated that the board’s proposed issue could be placed under the above-mentioned terms. The clerk reported that the bank had said that application (should be made at once. An enormous number of applications for local body loans had been received, and the bank was finding it difficult to place them. The manager had said that he would recommend the application, and would do his best to find lenders. Application has since been made. TOWN BOARDS’ ASSOCIATION. The clerk of the Normanby Town Board forwarded a circular letter urging the formation of a town boards’ association. No action was taken.