PAEROA BOROUGH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5462, 16 August 1929, Page 2

PAEROA BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. ROUTINE BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Paeroa Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor, Cr. W. Marshall, presiding over Crs. P. E. Brenan, H. H. Bray, E. Edwards, H. J. Hare, J. W. Silcock, H. M. Shand, W. E. Ward, and Mr W. C. Alexander (clerk). Blocked Drain. G. S. Whiteside, Whakatane, requested the council to clear out a public drain on Puke Road between Flora Street and the concrete culvert nearer the town. It had been neglected for some time, and had become blocked and filled up, causing water to be blocked on his land. The blockage also caused the water to dam up and stagnate in the borough drain in Flora Street, the whole state of affairs damaging his land besides being a nuisance. Although the council did not accept responsibility for providing adequate drainage for low-lying lands, it was decided that if the blackberry and hedge trimmings were cleared up, the council would have the drained cleaned. Metalling Road. Th? Waikato Valley Dairy Co. thanked the council for its quotation for metalling and blinding the approach to its depot at Paeroa, and accepted the price, £l7 10s, with a request that the work be put in hand as soon as possible. Hydrants at Settlement. The district engineer, Auckland, N.Z. Railways, advised that the department was agreeable to trying out the pressure in the 2in main at the railway settlement, Paeroa. He requested the council to arrange for the installation in Ainslie Road of a hydrant in a designated position. Understanding the work would cost £3, he asked that the account be forwarded cn its completion. The letter concluded with the request that when the hydrant was installed it be tested by the Paeroa Fire Brigade superintendent, and if satisfactory to be advised. The question of installing further hydrants would then be considered. In a late’ 1 letter advice was requested if any of the- positions for hydrants shown on a previously forwarded plan were supplied by a 2in pipe ; if so, he would be pleased if a rest were carried out, and that he be advised if satisfactory. It was agreed to send a copy of the Fire Council chahman”s report, which read as follows :

“ A trial of the water pressure and fire fighting facilities provided at the railway settlement was carried out by Superintendent W. Moore and Secretary W. Malcolm in my presence on the 14th inst. The water pressure from the small main ‘is totally inadequate, and the fire-plug in its position renders it of practically no value. With only 50ft of hose in use the jet of water thrown did not exceed 15ft. With the use of the present plugs water could only be used with any effect on one house, but a small supply might be available for the two adjacent houses. As far as the remainder of the houses are concerned the facilities are quite useless.” Unemployment Subsidy.

The Minister of Public Works wired that the Government was prepared to authorise an additional £4OO subsidy on the usual conditions for the relief of unemployment, subject to the council’s proposals being approved by the assistant-engineer, Public Works Department. With reference to the above the following resolution was passed : "That this council place on record and convey to the Hon. E. A. Ransom its appreciation of his prompt business-like manner of dealing with the application, and for the urgent manner in which a decision was reached by the Government.” Cr. Edwards expressed his appreciation of the splendid work done by the Mayor .in connection with the matter, a sentiment with which all the councillors concurred. Substitution of Roads. The assistant engineer, Public Works Department, Paeroa, advised that the substitution of Station Road for Arney Street in No. 17 main highway through the Paeroa borough had been agreed to by the Minister of Public Works. The letter was received. Tung Oil Trees. The Government orchard instructor, Thames, gave requested information about tung oil trees. He advised that as they were experimenting with the trees it was rather premature to give an opinion of their different possible uses in this country. It was possible that they might be found ornamental for street planting, but if for that purpose should be specially grown until of a suitable size and shape for planting out in streets, The trees under offer were only one-year-old seedlings. It was to be remembered that the huts were poisonous to human beings, so considering the number of children frequenting streets, that fact rather disqualified them from that purpose, at anyrate for the present. He concluded by saying he expected to be in Paeroa in a few weeks’ time, when he would call with the object of inspecting proposed sites for planting. In the interim he wished to know the maximum number of trees the council was prepared to accept. The Mayor intimated that in view of this Jetter it would not be wise to plant these trees along streets. Twen-ty-five out of an expected consignment of 60 had arrived, and would be planted at the rifle range reserve. Cr. Bray was of the opinion that as the berries were poisonons it would not be wise to plant the trees anywhere near the borough. Children would get hold of the nuts and chew them ; then danger would arise. Cr. Hare wished to know if there would be any commercial gain for the council. The Mayor explained that the quantity would not be sufficient for any but experimental purposes.

On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to continue with the planting of 60 trees. Change in Rating Wanted. Mrs M. J. Charlesworth applied to have her property of 10 acres, of which approximately four acres were almost useless swamp, and which was used exclusively for farming purposes, rated under section 8 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1928. The matter was left to the town clerk to reply to on the lines of previous answers, which were to the effect that nothing could be done in the matter, the valuations for the year having already been fixed. Traffic Inspector. The Ohinemuri County Council, referring to the circular letter of the Main Highways Board of the 10th ult., said that its councillors at its last meeting were favourable towards the suggestion of co-operation with other local authorities in the matter of the appointment of a traffic inspector. The letter asked if the Borough Council would be willing to be represented at a conference of neighbouring local bodies to fully go into and discuss the matter. A copy of the letter had been sent to Coromandel, Hauraki Plains, Tauranga, and Thames county councils, and to the Tauranga, Thames, and Waihi borough councils. It was decided that the council be represented at the conference, the question of which councillors should form the deputation being left over awaiting further information on the subject.