BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5138, 13 June 1927, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council was held on Friday night, the Mayor (Mr. W. Marshall) presiding over Crs. P. E. Brenan, E. Edwards, F. E. Flatt, J. W. Silcock, H. J. Hare, E. A- Porritt, J. Pinder, W. Turner, and W. C. Alexander (town clerk). IMPROVEMENT TO COTTAGE. In response to a request from the health inspector that certain improvements should be effected at a cottage in Rye Lane the o.wner, Mr J. Bertelson, wrote qdvising that hewould call and discuss the- matter with the council. Cr. Pinder moved that the whole matter be referred to the Health Committe, with power to act. The mover, said that he- had already spoken to the owner and he believed a satisfactory arrangement could be arrived at. WATER METERS. The district engineer, N.Z. Railways, wrote with reference to the fifteen half-inch .water meters provided at the railway settlement, and pointed out that as the council’s charge for water supplied to the settl.inent was on a flat rate basis it was intended, if the council had no objection, to remove the meters. On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to reply that the council would raise no objection to the removal of the meters. CRITERION BRIDGE. In connection with the erection of the Criterion bridge over the- Ohinemuri Rivei\ at Paeroa, the icsident Public Works engineer, referred to the council’s letter dated March 14 last embodying the resolution with referenc to raising a loan to cover the council’s contribution towards the cost of the structure. In stating that the head office of the department had again written inquiring when payment of the £1650 might be expected, the engineer pointed out that the department had already expended a l f irge proportion of the appropriation provided on the Public Works vote, and it was necessary that contributions should be received at an early date to reimburse that fund. If the council was unable to meet t'he full payment of £1650 immediately the department would appreciate a payment of portion of the amount on account. In reply to Cr. Edwards the Mayor said that the matter of borrowing money had been held up indefinitely. As to the steps taken by the Ohineniuri County Council, he could not say. He thought it likely that the department had approached the County Council direct. Cr. Edwards moved : “That if the actual raising of the loan cannot be expedited the finance committee be authorised to borrow, by way of overdraft on the district fund account, the sum of £5OO for early contribution towards the council’s share.” Seconded by Cr. Silcock and carried. APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR. With reference to the appointment of a traffic inspector under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, the Ohinemuri County Council wrote as follows :■ — “The urgent necessity for. some means of. systematic inspection in order to ensure carrying out of the provisions of, and regulations under, the Act has been keenly realised by this council for some ti.me past. The appointment of an inspector by each local body would appear to be too expensive, and in other ways not altogether satisfactory. Provision is made in section 4„ part 15, of the for the joint appointment by more than one controlling authority of the same person to be an inspector under the Act, and I am directed to ask if your council would favourably consider a proposal for the four or five adjacent local bodies in this area to appoint such an inspector. If the idea commends itself to your council would you be willing to send a representative, on a date to be arranged, to a conference at the County Chambers, Paeroa, for the purpose of fully discussing the subject and, if possible, arriving at a satisfactory conclusion of the matter.”

Cr. Silcock said he understood that the Waihi Borough Council was taking no steps in the matter. However, he wished to move that the council agree' to a conference and appoint His Worship the Mayor as the representative, with power only to confer and report to the council. Seconded by Cr. Hare and carried. MAIN HIGHWAYS The Te Aroha Borough Council wrote advising that it had been decided to communicate with the local bodies within the No. 2 main highways district with a view to arranging for a conference to discuss matters concerning the operations of the Main Highways Board. The council was of the opinion that the Highways Board, considering the ample funds that it controlled, had not improved the- main highways to the extent expected of it, and that its policy was not progressive enough. The matter of a subsidy for the construction and improvement of main highways through boroughs and town districts required consideration, qs such local bodies usually constructed roads with more permanent surfaces and at a heavier expense than the adjacent counties. A conference was suggested for early in June or before Parliament met. On the motion of Cr. Turner, seconded by Cr. Silcock, it was resolved that the council approve of the proposed conference- and appoint the Mayor and Cr. Brenan as the borough representatives. LOAN'S BOARD. The acting chairman of the- Local Government Loans Board wrote asking for a return of estimated proposals for the financial year ending March 31, 1928, showing briefly the proposes of each loan and the amount with an aggregated total. Loans or portions of loans requiring to be renewed before that date should be shown separately. The Mayor said that the only step

possible at the present juncture was to refer the letter to the finance committee to reply. On the- motion of Cr. Edwards this was agreed to. TOWN PLANNING. A telegram was received from the Town Planning Board advising that the director intended visiting Paeroa on the evening of July 7. The Mayor said he hoped that the members would make a point of keeping the date free if possible-, as he believed many matters of considerable interest would bo discussed. SEWERAGE TOPS. Cr. Edwards said that there were a number of sewerage pipes which had been left open, and he thought that mushrooom tops to each vent should be provided. The Mayor said the council had the tops in stock and the matter would be referred to the contractors and attended to immediately.