BOROUGH COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 267, 11 June 1910, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the To Kuiti Borough Council was held on Wednesday night at the offices Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr Jas. Boddie) in the chair, and Crs Hardy, Lusk, Somerville, Stevens and Young.

Appointment of Borough Solicitor. —The appointment was held over. Insurance of Employees.—The offer of the South British Insurance Company, Ltd., to insure employees of the Council was accepted, and a policy was authorised to be taken out with the company. Fire Brigade.—An application from the Te Kuiti Volunteer Fire Brigade for the Council to take over its apparatus was deferred for the committee to report on. Method of Rating.—The Valuation Department enquired the proposed method, and it was decided to reply that it was proposed to rate on the capital value. Bad Roads.—Mr R. Chestnut's request for an improvement of the road opposite sections 3 and 4 Arahiri survay district was referred to the Works Committee. An application from Messrs J. and B. Rosenberg was referred to the Sanitary Committee. Municipal Association. —It was decided to join the Municipal Association of New Zealand. Infectious Diseases.—The Mayor reported two cases of scarlet fever in the borough. Works Committee Report.—

"The Committee having called for applications for the position of surfacemen, decided to employ John Lawson as first surfaceman at 9s per day, and Laurie Redmond aa second surfaceman at 8s per day, the appointments being subject to the approval of the Council. These men have been employed since that date as follows: —Cleaning out the water-tables in Rora street, removing growths and repairing footpaths; cleaning out the Sheridan street watertables and inlets and outlets on the southern side of the street; cleaning out the Taupiri street water-tables between King and Sheridan street; cleaning out and repairing water-tables and outlets in King street to the river; a footpath has been formed from the bridge to Dr Zobel's, the outlet drains from the doctor's to the river have also been deepened, and all surface water removed off the road. The approaches to the bridge are now being repaired. Small repairs are now being made by surfacemen to Te Kumi road. In King street several holes have been filled in with pumice. Tenders were called for supplying 234 cubic yards of earthwork and 55 yards of river gravel to be delivered within half-a-mile of the railway station where required. The committee after considering the various tenders decided to accept 11. McLean's tender for earthwork at lid per cubic yard, and S. Cleaver's tender for river gravel at 3s ssd per cubic yard. The work is opposite Kelvin House and is now about half completed. The Committee recommended that the following works be attended to: Sheridan street —A culvert Sin by Sin by 54ft be put in on the Northern side of the street and the water-tables be cleaned out to enable the surface water to be carried away, estimated cost ,£6. Road leading to Nurse Haltawny's —Raising road, filling in junction, ti'imming and gravelling, estimated cost £lB. Mangaorino road —General repairs opposite Mr Hine's house, estimated cost £1; cleaning out drains in the low lying portions of the township, estimated cost £3O; approaches to culverts about the township, estimated cost £5. Anne, Tonga and Sedjon streets—General repairs, estimated cost £5. Queen street—General repairs, estimated cost £5. Railway Station to Mary street—Filling in holes, repairing footpaths and pumicing bad places, estimated cost £5. That Mr Ellison be allowed to take metal as per his letter; that two wheelbarrows be supplied to the surfacemen and a box to keep their tools in; that owing to the damage being caused to the drains, footpaths, etc., the Council endeavour to obtain a temporary pound; that the important and dangerous places in the town be lighted up. The estimated cost of the proposed works is £75."

Cr Lusk said that the Committee were unanimous in their feeling as to the urgency of the various works, the only difficulty, of course, being the question of expense. They recognised the necessity for something being done to Hattaway's road, but as they were short of funds suggested that a gravel footpath be formed. He moved that the report dealing with the work undertaken be approved. The Mayor fully recognised the urgency of the work and considering this and the lateness of the season the Committee were perhaps jsutified in going further than a committee usually did.

The report was adopted. Cr Luslc, speaking of the works in contemplation, said that the proposals scheduled were most urgently required. The various places had been visited by the Committee and the requirements were placed before the Council for their information. The drains were being spoilt by cattle, and unless something- was done 3oon they would become absolutely impassable. He inquired whether the £2OO extra loan by the Government was yet available.

The Mayor said that he believed that only £165 was actually about to come and he understood the amount might be received any day.

Cr Lusk: Whatever money is got must be spent in the whole township. Cr Hardy proposed that the works be sanctioned, but the larger works be proceeded with tentatively—by little steps, so that they could feel their way. Cr Stevens seconded. The Mayor thoroughly agreed with the motion, which was carried unanimously. Public Pound. —Cr Hardy said that in the absence of a public pound or a poundkeeper they were, of course, hampered in the work of keeping cattle off the roads. They had stuck up notices and advertised that prosecutions would be taken, and they hoped that would have 3 deterrent effeut.

Cr Someryille thought they should arrange for a temporary pound. So long as animals were rushing about

the streets it was going to cause a greater loss than the cost of a temporary pound. Cattle on Streets. —Cr Luslc said that it was desirable that a pound bo established and would further suggest that the Council should give instructions to the foreman of works to report on any cattle found on the streets. It was referred to the Pound Com- ( mit toe to report and it was decided to advertise for poundkeeper, applications to he dealt with by (lie Pound Committee.

Street Lighting.—-Cr Lusk said it had been proposed in committee that half a dozen strong common kerosene lamps be affixed to poles in the dangerous places on the main streets. The Mayor said he had always experienced it was not the first cost, but the after burden which was the most grievous in this connection. Acetelyno gas had not hitherto proved very satisfactory in small towns, but he had bet n informed by an expert that a new generator had been placed on the mark* t which was practically perfect. Ft.r ,£SOO or ,£GOO, so it was stated, a complete plant could be installed, to provide, not only for street lighting, but for private consumers. Much as ho would like to see some temporary lighting he thought it would be better to wait. To put up six lamps would practically mean employing a man to light them. Cr Hardy said it was not the cost of the installation, but the upkeep that was the trouble. The matter was held over. Office furniture. —Messrs Blackmail and Cobb's tender of .£<» 1 (is (id for office furniture was accepted. Accounts.- -The wages' account was passed for payment, all others being held over. King Edward Hospital Fund.—The Finance Committee was authorised to invest the balance on hand. By-laws. Crs Lusk, Stevens, Young, Hardy and Julian were appointed a committee to report on the by-laws necessary. Office Hours. —The public office hours were fixed at 10 a.m. to I p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.