Town Board.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 14 February 1912, Page 3

Town Board.

A meeting of the above Board was held in the Board Office on Monday evening last. Present: Messrs Jas. Stewart (chairman), Becroft, Hammond, Wilson and Jas. McLeod. Minutes of previous . meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that the £75 Coronation Grant for the Library had been paid, ■•> -^* Drainage and Wateii Scheme, In connection with the Water and Drainage scheme, tae Chairman stated that Mr Wilson, Engineer, would visit Helensville.on Wednesday to get his plans in order, and would remain till everything was in readiness for the work. Mr Wilson said it would be a considerable saving to have the work done by day labour. He could' get a good foreman who would be able to carry the Work out undt>r his instructions,. It the work were carried out by day labour j any extra road work' would be done cheaper, He pointed out that contractors were busy, and there was nothing but trouble between contractors and men. Mr Hammond thought that if a man | tendered as things were with labour to-day, he would want a big surplus. Mr McLeod was of opinion that the work could be best done at the present by day labour. There should be a fixed sum for the Engineer carrying the work throughOther members were of the sameopinion. \ The Chairman stated the money was available as it was reqtured. He thought day labour was best as there would be a good deal of other work that could be done while the "Water and Drainage work was under way. A great deal of the labour could be got in the tOAvnship. Mr Wilson also suggested making the main sewer a continuous one of cement, plastered inside, which would be cheaper than pipes. Correspondence, From Mr E. J, Ralph Smith asking for information as to the necessity -for Mm to procure a. license to ply for public hire, a vehicle under contract for the conveyance of His Majesty's Mails between the Post Offices at Helensville, Parakai and Parkhurst; and if so to lot him know the fee so as he could forward cheque. The Chairman stated that on Show Day he had a visit from the police asking if Stewart Bros, had a license for running their Motor Lorry. He thought the matter should be dealt with. 4 Members concurred that the fees should be secured. The By-laws read : "That overy cart, carriage, or other vehicle used "for hire within the Helensville Town District must first be licensed hy the Helensville Town

Board, and any person driving or using any such vehicle must first take out a license."

The Chairman proposed, Mr Wilson seconded, That the By-laws 3 and 4. relating to licensing of vehicles and drivers, and regulating heavy traffic on roads within the Helensville Town District be enforced—Carried,

After discussion as to enforcing all remaining by-laws of the Board not now in force, it was decided that the matter be dealt with at next mp.eting.

Memorandum of Transfer of 3 aci es of land to the Town Board asaddi tioual ground to the Cemetery was read. This land had been bought by Mr Jas Stewart and handed by him as a gift, to the Cemetery Board, and the deed only required the Board's seal and signature accepting dedication. Mr Hammond mos red that tli9 Town Board's seal be attached, and that the thanks of the Board be conveyed to Mi James Stewart for his generous gift.

Mr Becroft seconded the motion. Tho land generously given was really neoessary, as the land at present held hy the Cemetery Board was nearly all used.

Mr MuLeod had pleasure in. supporting the motion. There was no doubt the gift was a valuable one to the Cemetery, and he appreciated the donor's action,

The motion was carried and tho document signed,

Mr Becroft thought the Cemetery by-laws should be enforced. It was resolved that they be 4ei4t frith at next mpetjng.

Letter from Public, Works Department ro grants fov Roads, Works'etc, asking that all vouchers be sent in as early as possiblo to the .Department's Engineer, as the financial year closes on 31st'March, and pointed out that all moneys authorised under Govern* ment Grant should be drawn before the end of the fjnanpial yeai. !pYom public Work? department ro offers of Qranis for Roads, Works etc., stating that unless an intimation of the willingness of the Board to under^ take the work for which nioney was prqyi<|ed on the Public Works ftppro-* priatipns at an early date, suclx offer would be regarded as eahpelled and the work entrusted to the Department's Engineer to carry out. Tbe" Chairman stated that he had replied that t^e Board were quite agreeafcjle pq fjarry out the work.

A letter was received from Mi Wilson in reply to one received .from the Marine Pepartinent by i]\e $oard in regard to the pppppspd d^aipag^ fiutfall gt JJelpnsviUp, gating that the Minister did not under the circumstances, see iiis way to recommend the Government to approve-the plans: Mr Wilson stated ; The letter enclosed from Mr Geo. Allport, Soovetary Marine Department has evidently been y/ritfefl ]inder £he impression that the Poard purposed empty"ftg crude sewage into the river at all stages of the tide. This is not so. The- prqposal is to provide a reinforced concrote gtprage t^ank neq.i' the outlet with a

capacity equal to 24 hours discharge of sewerage. The tide is prevented from entering the tank or sewer by a railux valve placed in chamber so that it can always be uncovered and inspected. The sewerage will be discharged every day by a man or boy during- the ebb of the tide. If perchance this operation were neglected^ no harm can be done, as an overflow \vier is provided, but attention would keep tlio outlet completely sanitary and' unoffonsive. The outlet pipe carries the sewerage from tank to low water mark with a submerged outlet. The tank, will be provided with a flat reinforced concrete roof on fop of which a grass sward will be laid bringing the surface up to the level of the flat and making it practically obscure with the exception of the manholes. I feel sure with all details fully explained the Marine Department will offer no objections. Sceptic tank so close to the main road would be objectionablei -They are not free from stinks of the most repulsive kind.

' From Stewart Bros, calling attention to old iron lying-in the middle of Stewart Street, which is a danger to traffic. It was decided that the Clerk find out the owner and hav<J it removed.

From the Inspector reporting on the state of the yard of a house owned by Mrs Eawson, and occupied by Mrs Sherriff. in Grarfield Road, stating that the drainage was likely to run back into the cistern. The Chairman stated that this matter was beiDg attended to.

From Valuation Department in reply to the Board's request that District Valuer Morgan's services be available as arbitrator in the purchase of land for Water Supply purposes, stating that Mr Morgan could not undertake the duty, as it is not advisable for officers of the Department to act in the capacity as Arbitrator.

The Chairman : It would he necessary to nominate an arbitrator for the Board. Mr John Hand had nominat • ed Mr Evans on his behalf. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Hammond, it was decided that Mr Edward Allen of Cambridge, be nominated as arbitrator to the Board in regard to the purchase of land required for the waterworks. From, the Secretary Public Library thanking the Board for offering to form footpath in front of the new Li> brary building. The Chairman stated that he had put the necessary work in hand. From Mr W. A. Rogers re forming road from Commercial Road past the Police Station. Work to be undertaken as soon as funds would allow. From Public Works Department, dated January 12th, acknowledging receipt of Board's letter stating it would be pleased to receive authority for the votes of £150 appearing on the estimates for tf atawera Road, and £100 for the Helensvillo end of the Auckland Road, also acknowledging letters intimating the willingness of the Board to undertake the Work.— Received. From Mr J. E. Pago, calling the ■Board's attention to an awkward hole in a bridge on the back Ivaukapakapa Road, a short distance from Bennett and Green Coy's shelter shed. From Mr "W. W. Bradly, again drawing attention to the disgiaceful state oi the water table in front of his piemises and the saddler's shop, pointing out that if something was not done at once it would be dangerous to the public.—The matter to receive attention. I'he Chairman stated that matters should be attended to near this place, the crossing at Mrßerman's would not be done until he made his entranoe, as the work would be wasted. It was resolved that the matters receive attention, aud that Mr Berman be given notice re his crossingl. From Mr J. Morris, asking for roadway into his property. Referred to Road Committee. Complaints,nia.de re neglected state of drains across Commercial Road between Central Boardinghouse and Advertiser Buildings, was left to the sur» ! facemen to attend to. P-sii}{i<rs, Application was granted to Mr X, B. Becroft to build dwelling on lot No 3b", Te Rewarewa, Block, with a frontage to Porter Cresent. Gr E. Whartqn, to h,uild s,ho,p, in Comrnercjal R;oa,cj bgtween Mrs Qxjey's. and I\fr Tj,aßqph.u's properties,—Grant* C(]. Mr A. Becroft, for the erection of a building for Mr John Beale on a site owned by the N.Z. Railway Dept., facing Bridge street. Granted. Mr A. Becrolt for the erection of a Building on liot 6, haying a, *vxmta<ro of Ifjft to QariVe.ld'R'oad. This application brought up considerable discussion as to the legality i of building a shop on a small site where a dwelling-house alread}' stood. Mr Beoroft stated tljat a number ofbuildings \yere already ejected, ginrjlar tq t]}e oi\e in question. The Chairman saict that each permit granted shcfflU 1 fulfil i\\e }ye[Uws.

Mr $eGrps asked had a permit been granted Mi Stewart for his new cottagps at the foot of Green Lane, that was 4 matter that should b,e attended to. Tie ponfendad |he, phajrinan y^s building il}e£Cilly $\\ fhe ti^e. Ho did no,t "Relieve in that sort of work, The Cleric produced application for permit for cottages which had been granted.

Mr Becroft: Stewarts' butcher's shop was built in a wqrse puij^n £jian the one, intended erecting;. ' Theph^ni.an : The b'utcher'-s shop was to b,e reinoyecl.

My McL.eod moyedj l\r Hp.n^o^d gecftnded, Tha^ pr.ni^ be granted provided that s,oft was'left for the d\yelling, to comply with the bye-law, parked.

Swing Bridge, The estimates and plans .."or the new bridge proposal was laid on the table. (The estimates appeared in last week's issue). The Chairman stated the plans had arrived too late for the meeting that was called for last Thursday, and now they were ready and members and the general public had had a chance to go over them, it rested with, the Board to fix a date. Mr McLeod : The . people are all tired of it. It was foolery. He thought what had been done was uncalled for. The estimates should have been in the Board's hands before the meeting was ever called. "Who was going to pay the expense of the plans etc. It meant £20 being wasted for nothing. ■ , The Chairman: The expense was very little. ; The meeting should now be called for Thursday week. " Mr McLeod : Any night will do, if it was going to be carried out. There was to be no more poatponments. The Chairman: Everything is ready now. He moved,; That the meeting of ratepayers in connection, with the new bridge proposal be called for Thursday, February 22nd. Seconded by Mr Hammond:and carried. • Mr Hammond:' The cost of plans would not cost near £20. Mr McLeod: All right. The ques» tion would get all consideration necessary by the ratepayers at ttie meeting. They would wanf; to know who was paying fo e it. The Chairman ■-. was in for a good time. . General Mr Hammond drew attention to blackberries growing on roads and private properties. It was decided that owners be instructed to clear the weed off their property and road frontage. The Oh airman reported that the barbwire fence round the Police grounds was falling down, and w*is a danger to those persons using the footpath. The clerk was instructed to write the Justice Department asking for a new fence to be erected. It was decided that the metal laid in Captain Street be blinded; the footpath running past the new Technicle School be made; and that the loose metal on the main roads be raked up and put on one side for future use. Accounts, Accounts paid between meetings amounting to £36 11s 4d were passed; and accounts amounting to £21 12s 7d were passed for payment. DOMAIN BOARD, Same members present.' Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman said the tennis courts would be completed before Easter. Other work was going on satisfactorily. An application from the caretaker for an addition pi five shillings weekly to his wages wajs granted. The Chairnian suggested that tickets should be issued and collected at the door of swimnuDg bath. It was decided that all members of the Board meet at the Springs at the end of the week to go into several matters in connection therewith.

A letter was read from Messrs Stewart. Bros., asking for discount onbath tickets sold by them to passengors taken by motor lorry for Is return including bath. Mr Stewart said lie intended running the lorry on Thursday afternoon and Sundays at Is, and would meet the steamers and run special trips when warranted. He had arranged for tiokots to bo sold, and was paying a penny for each ticket sold. End of last week they carried over 70 passengers. On Show day they carried 179 passengers to the batiis. They only asked for the same concession as tho Jtfoyal Mail bus gat. Mr. McLeod §aid if th.o hue was running to a tirao-tablo it should be subsidised, if not it should not be so. It was no advantago to the Eoard giving a subsidy if the bus did not run to timetable.

Other members \yeY£ q| the samo opinion.. TUo Qlotls said that the looal support had greatly diminished. Mr McLeod : Before a subsidy was granted to Stewart Bros a time-table should be submitted.

Mr Stewart : I will giye time, ia.ble for Thursday afternoons a.n.4 Sundays. My \Viison : If j\fr Smith ran a regular tiine^aUe jt would not be a fair thing. _ Mr McLeod : It was hardly fair to pick tho eyes out of the bus which runs every day, Mr Stewart: If that is the case T withdraw my application a\togeVfre}\ Clerk iW during \mn& a^ll fellow week tho takings were £71 17s od.

Mr Smithy service was again referred to. '

Mr Hammond: The price s#>\\]d be reduced back \q \\^\\ \^a^ \ifteii. the subway e.rigiaa.ted* a.n.d tkat a timetable should be }r epfc \o>. Mj McX^qd : Thevo shouW l je one ft^ed. $rjce. Xt wftS. Tfither an awkward Mr Stewart: There was not]iing in the prices as our oiter is withdrawn, Mr Hammond :If thu n.iq,^ \is\d not run ou .Saturday ? 5 Q w -tQ people wonl4 flot i^ave go^o out,- He %>Ngftt rt \YW.W b,o bettor to grant, no sUbs}dy,.h\it let anyone buy ticket.s at the rate of 5s per noz Mr Becrcft moved, Mr Hammond seconded, TJmt Mr Smith bo gvv&n notice that the subsidy W o\\U\ ty tifar continued a Her ti^ WQ]ftt^ V:^ t^iets ca,n bp. li,a.d |rom the Bp.^rd, at 5,s p.er d,o^, Qavrijed;. AW-°\Wte PAi.A between ffiootiags amp\i^mg to, $£>$ fs -id wero passed ; ftWl. a^Wi^s 11s lid were passed ioi-. payment.