TURUA TOWN BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5015, 18 August 1926, Page 4

TURUA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The regular meeting of .the Turua Town Board was held on Monday evening, Mr J. Mules presiding Over Messrs S. G. Williams, J. H. Johnsfoln, F. Olsen, J. T. Davies, and J. E. Green (clerk). RATES. . In .accordance with his notice of motion the chairman moved that a rate of l%d in the £ on the capital valuation and %d in the £ on the ■■capital valuation as a special lighting rate be struck and levied. The resolution was carried. The general 'rate is the same as previously, but the lighting fate is reduced by half. STATE OF BY-ROADS. Mr Johnstqn drew attention to the state of Waihou and Raratuna streets and Oparia Road 1 , and asked when the repairs authorised would be carried out. The chairman stated that 28 yards Of metal would arrive, on Thursday. The County Council had sotaie sand available on the river-bank at 3s 6d per yard, and it would be advisable to use some of this to fill, the worst holes. Members complained that the metall had been ordered on July 7 .and was hot yet to hand. As a result twice as much would be required. It was agreed that unless the metal arrived during the week the order might be cancelled and metal secured from the Tararu quarry. The matter was left to the Works Committee. HORSES ON FOOTPATHS. In reply to a letter from the board pointing out that horses were frequently tied to a power pole near the footpath at the nursing home, and that these horses often moved round and stood on the footpath, constituting a, menace to pedestrians on dark nights, the matron 'replied repudiating responsibility as the pole was used as a general, hitching-posjt by others than those visiting the hospitai. It was decided to have a hitchingrtfj'l erected on the river side ,of theroad opposite the nursing home. Mr Williams offered to supply the posts, Mr Johnston the rail and hooks, and Mr Oilsen undertook to dpi the erecting. CLEANING UP THE TOWN. Complaints were voiced regarding the; number of benzine tins lying about the roads. Mr Williams pointed but that it was. contrary to the cdunty by-laws. Mr Johnston stated .that benzine tins would shortly become valuable, as the German mining syndicate proposed using tins, to tranship minerals to Germany for treatments The syndicate would be scouring the country for tins, and hints had been given not to .throw them away. Mr Davies urged that a cart be sent round to collect the rubbish, eld tins, etc., lying about the .township, and this: was agreed to, DAMAGE AT .WHARF. The Thames Harbour Board advised that iit would have the. wing-wall of the Turua wharf cart .approach repaired if the Town Board would have the road repaired. The damage had been attributed by the engineer to a scour caused by the operations of metal punts. x A letter conveying the discussion of the Harbour Board on the removal d.? the piles was received From Mr S. J. Laughlin, who' stated that the country members had provoked a decision that the board, inspect the wharf on August 31.. The chairman said that Mr Laughlin was' deserving of. tihe. board’s thanks for the manner in which he was battling on. its. behalf.

Regarding the damage alleged by the engineer s to be due to a scour caused by the punts, members pointed

out that Mr Adajns was evidently endeavouring to consolidate his< position, for similar damage had ojccunred on the other side of the wharf. It was agreed that the matter be deferred until the Harbour Board visited Turua, SUPPLIES OF BITUMEN. Advice was received that the special grade of bitumen ordered for patching work could nb|t be supplied until about the middle of. August. COMPLETION. OF ROADS. . The chairman reported that the county overseer, Mr R. H. Cameron, had expressed the opinion that the County Council would probably ,be able to commence the bitumen road construction of Oparia Road, Raratuna and Awa Streets, in six or eight weeks’ time. It wa,s decided to approach the County Council, and come to an agreement for the carrying out of the work. STRAYING STOCK. The clerk reported that in accordance "*ith a resolution of the board, a ranger had been appointed. He had collected five head Of straying stock, and these had been redeemed by owners when being driven to the pound, and driving fees amounting to 10s had been collected. The "drive” had a beneficial effect, but the cost was heavy, as, by old resolutions! the Town Board had to pay the ranger 2s fid for each head of cattle collected. The chairman said that there was -till a cow on the road naar hir farm. It had been about ’for months-. A member asked what sort bif a cow it was, and on the chairman describing the animal the. member said that he had better go a,nd get it as it was his,. SETTLEMENT WITH COUNTY. The clerk was- instructed to write to the. County Council and ask for a financial statement between the two l bodies;. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £25 Is 2d were passed for payment. ROLL OF HONOUR. The question of shifting the township Roll of Honour from the post office to the new town hall was brought up by’ the chairman, who pointed out that the post office was only a. temporary resting place. He suggested that the public hall would be a better place, and proved that the, directors blf the Public Hall Company be asked for permission to place the Roll of Honour in a, suitable place in the building when erected. This was agreed to.

The chairman pointed out that some renovations and ''alterations were necessary, and he understclod that funds were available for the purpose. The matter required to be gone into very carefully,. and the old residents of the district should be approached.