TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4848, 3 July 1925, Page 1

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The regular meeting of the Turua Town Board was held on Wednesday evening, Mr J. Mules presiding over Messrs J. McConnell, F. Olsen, J. T. Davies, and the clerk, Mr J. E, Green. STREET EIGHTS. A letter was rceived from tire Thames Valley Electric Power Board stating that instructions had been given to reduce the number of street lights to nine 100-c.p. lamps at June 30, the end of the Quarter, to which date the account would be charged. To have the number increased again it would be necessary for the Power Board to obtain a suitable guarantee that the charges on all lamps would be ■ paid for five years.' A new time•switcli had been installed,‘and ti was hoped that it was proving satisfactory. The charge for a 100-c.p. lamp, including maintenance, was £3 15s per annum. The clerk reported that the net deficiency at March 31, 1935, was £23 Ills lid. The benefit picture entertainment given by Mr Olsen had realised £ll 17s '2d, and other donations already received totalled £5 19s 6d. The chairman said that the board had better trust to Providence to collect sufficient to wipe out the deficiency, and strike a rate for the future. If funds were raised in the future the amount rof rate could be lessened. It was necessary for tne board to decide which lights should be- cut out. ■ Members present agreed to the striking of a rate, provided the number of lights was reduced to nine. A little later Mr Davies said it had just occurred to him that the lights had been maintained all the summer, and the board was now proposing to cut them out during the winter months, when they were most required. He -would move that the reduction in the number be deferred for three months. In reply to Mr McConnell the clerk stated that the existing 15 lights were costing £l2 2s 6d a quarter, and the nine lights proposed to be retained would cost £8 8s 6d a quarter. Olsen and carried. The motion was .seconded by Mr F. In reply to the chairman the clerk .explained th<* method of rating for lighting, ..which was unlike, otaer rates in that it wap struck on. the annual value, which was 6 per cent, of the capital value. A rate of %d in the £ on the capital value as at present in use would be equal to a rate of about 3d in the pound on the annual value, and would produce £52 10s. Formal notice of intention to move at the next meeting of the board that a special rate' of 3d in the £ on the annual value be struck for the purpose of lighting .the township was given. ■ . - VOTE OF THANKS. On the chairman's motion Mr F. Olsen was accorded, a vote of thanks for having given the benefit picture .entertainment for the street lighting fuhd. ' ’ ' TOWN HALL LOAN. A letter was received from the Bank of New Zealand, Thames, stating that its head office had written as follows : “It appears - that a|s ■an up-to-date town hall is required for the use oi the country people, who are not ratepayers in the town and, therefore, not responsible for the proposed loan, the necessary financial, arrangements ought to be made by the residents of the township in coiijunction with the country people who are to-benefit by it.. In any case, we cannot consider it would be sound finance for a small township to borrow for 36% years for such a purpose. We do not,, therefore, care cither to take up, the debentures or to advance against them with the probability that we should be compelled to hold them.” After much ' discussion on other sources it was decided to approach the Bank of Australasia, Te Arolia., SUBSIDY ON RATES. The Valuation Department forwarded a form for completion to make application for the subsidy on rates. TOWN FOOTPATHS. Mr Mules reported that the footpaths of the township had been attended to and the work had been done .very satisfactorily. Another puntload of chips-could very well be utilised. It was decided to obtain another puntload of chips. KERBS AND CHANNELS. In connection with the proposal to kerb and channel the footpath from the post office corner to the library corner, Mr Green reported that the N.Z. Roads Co., Ltd., was prepared to do the work. The contractors suggested a kerb eight inches high and five inches thick, and a channel nine inches wide and four inches thick. The matter was referred back to tlie works committee, with power to act. THE TURUA BAND. Mr Mules reported that he had been approached by members of the newlyformed band and asked if the instruments purchased by local subscriptions could be vested in the Town Board for safe keeping. It was desirable for the local body to take the truioteeship, and such a move would tend to induce more donations to be forthcoming. So far four instruments had been purchased for £3O. The matter was deferred until the band was properly constituted and a definite proposal brought forward hy the band. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £29 4s were passed for payment.