TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4828, 11 May 1925, Page 3

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

REGULAR MEETING. The monthly meeting of tne Turua Town Board was held on Wednesday evening. Mr J. Mules presiding over the following: Messrs J. McConnell, F. Olsen, J. T. Davies, A. G. Scott, CBedford S. G. Williams, and the clerk Mr J. E. Green. RESIGNATION. Mr C. Bedford reported that in future his work would take him out of Turua a great deal, and ho probably would not be able to attend meetings of the board regularly. He wished to tender his resignation if the board would accept it. He regretted having to leave but felt that under the circumstances an opportunity should be given to any man in the township wh? was more able to give the attention necessary to take a scat on tiie board. It was only fair to the board and the township that some man who could give more time shou' ’. take hi* place. Tiie chairman said all members regretted that the only thing to do w to accept the resignation. On the motion of Mr S. G Williams the resignation was accepts I with regret. . Mr Bedford, prior to leaving, said that it had been a pleasure to him to work with-the other members of the board. ROADING SCHEME. Mr Mules reported at length on tne recent negotiations with the contractors with reference to maintaining the whole of the roads completed and to be completed. Piako Road would not be commenced until ths portion in the county had been completed. and work on the beard’s portion would commence at the far end. In reply to Mr Williams the chairman said that loan money was in the charge of the County Council. It was agreed that the council be asked to endeavour to invest the money until required. TOWN HALL LOAN. The clerk reported having interviewed the manager of th? Bank >f N.Z, in regard to the town hall loan, and had’been advised to make application in the near future. He had therefore made formal application again. DOG REGISTRATION. The honorary dog registrar reported that 4.1 dogs had been registered, and that about 12 dogs had not been registered. A vote of thanks was accorded ths registrar for the able manner. tn which he had carried out bis duties. The clerk was instrutced to notify the defaulters that tneir dogs must be registered within 14 days, otherwise legal proceedings would be taken. APPRECIATION 'f he action of the chairman in sending, on behalf of the bba’-d, a letter of appreciation to Mr G. J Walker, who had been legal advice r to the board since its inception and had carried out the work entrusted to him in a careful and thorough mannei, was approved. SPEED OF CARS. It was decided to secure large notice board painted with nine-inch le> tors “Speed limit 12 miles,’’ and place near the road at tiie board’s boundaries. STREET LIGHTING. The clerk reported that during the last year £24 ,10s had bean received as contributions for the street lights. The board had paid during the same period £62 Is 3d, the general fund thus being called upon to find £37 Is 3d. At the present time 'in account for £l2 5s was due for the quarter ended March 31, 1925. It was decided to call a public meeting for Monday evening to consider means of financing the scheme. Unless satisfactory means of raising contributions were evolved the lights would have to be done away with or a stiff rate imposed by the board. FINANCE. The clerk reported that rates struck for the year 1924-25 totalled £345 12s Id, and of this amount £279 14s 6d had been collected £5 12s 2d refunded as discount, and outstanding rates amounted to £6O 5s su. Of the rates for the year 1923-24 that outstanding at March 31, 1924, was £4l Ils, but of this £34 8s 6d had since

been collected, leaving £7 Us 3d outstanding. The balance-sheet for the year ended March 31, 1925, showed receipts totalling £917 9s 4d, including subsidy on rates £64 5s 7d, contribution to works £5, dog licenses £7, subscriptions to Beautifying Societj £2 16s. contractor's deposit £231 4s, rates £314 3s, balance from previous yeai £47 8s lid, and sundry small items.

The expenditure included £259 19s 9d on workp, £7 13s on general expenses, printing £22 4s Id, advertising £l4 6s, revaluation expenses £3 18s 60. street lighting £62 Is 3d, rent £l3 15s. and numerous small items. The cash in hand at the end of the year was £l9 7s 7d. and in the bank £2OB 5s Id, but this was offset by the amount of the contractors’ deposits in hand. A large amount of money was owing, and the position w- that a great deal of the rates not yet struck had been spent, ' TOWNSHIP FOOTPATHS. The state of the footpaths in the township was discussed, and it was decided that the clerk circularise proeprty owners asking them to clear the grass from the footpath on their frontage, and that the works committee endeavour to obtain a puntload of metal dust from Puriri. SPOIL FROM DRAIN. Mr McConnell advocated removing the spoil taken from the drain opposite the saleyards. It was decided that tiie llauiuki Drainage Board be asked to remove the spoil. ; Mr ■ Mules pointed out that it had pruposely been put on the roadside for use on the road, but i, had not been required.

A lengthy argument ensu 'd between the chairman, as a niemoer of the drainage board, and Messrs Williams and Olsen concerning a promise alleged to have been made by Mr Mules that, the drainage board would contribute towards the cost of removing the spoil. Mr Mules denied having made the promise, jr, if so, having done so under a nritsunders .Hiding. If the spoil had not been re mired for the road the- drainage board would have had It put on the farm land at no extra cost.

Mr Willianrs moved, aud Mr Olser. seconded, that the drainage board be asked to pay for the carting away of all the spoil removed from the roadside drain from Beck’s to Ansford cow- hed and placed upon the roadside. Mr Davies said that the town board should come to an amicable arrangement among themselves aud get Mi Mutos on their side, as the position would not be any better and the drainage board would cer-ainl.v veto the payment unless suppoited by Mr Mules. No solution was arrived at and tnc motion was carried. Mi- Mules said that he would not advocate the ease, whereupon it was decided that a deputation compnsmj Messrs Williams. Olsen, and McConnell wait: upon the drainage boaic.