Town Board.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 April 1912, Page 3

Town Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held in the Board's Chambers on Monday last. Present: Messrs Jas. Stewan (chairman), Becroft, Hammond, Wilson, McLeod, and H. White, Clerk, The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. ' There were several ratepayers present. A. deputation from, the Public Library, consisting of Messrs Spinley and. Hill, waited on the Board, asking the Board to follow in the steps of other Town Boards, and supplement the subsidy granted by the Government for the purchase of new books. The Chairman said that the Board had no f unds>. He was willing to give a subscription if the other members would agree. Mr Spinley stated that the Public Works Department was going to fence the Police property, and if the Town Boavd were going to fill up the hole in tbe footpath there was a quantity of earth wanting to be removed, which would make an entrance to the Library section. The Chairman said that, personally, he would give £1 for each cause, but the Board, had no funds. , Mr Becroft thought that if the Board could do it, it would be a good thing to give an annual subscription. After some discussion as to finances, Mr McLeod proposed and the Chairman seconded, that £5 be donated to the Public Library Fund, TOWK" CLERK APPOINTMENT. ' Threo applications were received for the position of Town Clerk tc the Board, from Mr McLetohie, Auckland, Mr C. White, Helensville, and Mr. H. Stringer, Helensville. Mr H. White, resigning Clerk, asked leave to retire during the selection as his son was an applicant. After reading the testimonials of the applicants, ,. it was decided {.hat the choice be made by ballot. The ballot ended in Mr C, White being appointed to the position of Clerk to Town and Domain Boards, Mr White thanked the Board for his son's appointment. He would be pleased as a citizen to assist the new Clerk all in his power, whoever had been appointed. uy-:laws, The Town and Cemetery By-laws \tere left in obeyance to be deait with afc special meeting, date to be arranged, CORRESPONDENCE, From Mr Wm Cullens, offering to J maintain an Acetylene gas lamp, if the Board would erect lamp an 1 make connections to street in front of his residence East End, for £ I per annum. Mr Cullens pointed out that the light would shoiv from the Cemetery one way to the corner of Mr Hill's residence. The Chairman stated that he had interviewed a number of people who' have acetylene gas plants re allowing street lamps being connected ; other places would have to be lighted with kerosene lamps. Mr McLeod said, that Mr Cullens' offer should be accepted, and it should be arranged with other residents in that street to have lamps down to Mr Becroft's at very little cost. He thought the light was offered at actual cost. Mr Hammond concurred. % Mr Wilson guaranteed to maintain a light at the corner of his residence at £1 a year, erecting the lamp him self. It was resolved that the offers be accepted. The Clerk was instructed to write to all residents in the town with, acetylene gas plants asking them to supply a light in tliß streets opposite their premises for a subsidy of £1 per annum, the Board to put in connection and supply lamp. A petition, feigned by Messrs T. McEwin, B. Berman, J. M. Russell. H. Coulter, W. W L. Bradley, and B. Bradley, calling the Board's attention to the bad condition of the path leading into the Helensuille South Railway Station opposite the Kaipara Hotel, and stating that as a large amount of traffic on this path is after the arrival of the last train from Auckland, and the scarcity of light theie, it makes it very difficult for those having to use it. Mr McLeod stated that there was no footpath and the road was in a bad | state^ Mr Hammond moved, Mr Wilson seconded, That the road be put into proper repair as requested.—Carried. Letter from Mr Munro Wilson enclosing plan of catchment area, and pointing out that portion of the Kiwitahi Block would have to be purchased, and stating that unless storage is resorted to largely, Helensville would out-grow the supply. He also thought that storage would be required at once. The Chairman stated that the plans had been forwarded to have the deed drawn up Mr P. Jorgen had been written to re the Beard acquiring a portion of his property as catchmont area.

Letter from Mr J; W. Poynton, Sus perintendent, Advances to Local Bodies " Sir,- -It is provided, as you are no doubt aware, by section 70 (a) of tho New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1900. that fhe rate of interest charged on loans to local author? ities under the Act ' shall be the same as the rate at which the money was

raised;" and by No; 6of the Regulations published on pages 423 to 43U of the New Zealand Gazette, 1911, that the Board's provisional approval of any such /cag. ' shall not be deemed to constitute ' any agreement t)e£*veen the Board or Superintendent and local au« thority, or shall affect in any manner the right of the Board to refuse to

grant the loan, or its right to impo«9 any conditions on the grant thereon. And I am reminding you of these provisions because the moneys which are authorised by the Act and its amendtP6nt to be raised to provide funds for such loans cannot now be raised at a lower rate than 3f- per cent., and the rate of interest on all such loans pros visionally granted at a lower rate than 3| per cent must be increased accordingly. I regret that I should in these circumstances have to inform you that although the loan of £10,000. applied for by your Board, was provisionally approved at the rate of 3A- per cent., the Board is unable finally to grant it at a lower rate than 3f per cent., and to ask you to be good enough to let ma know whether your Board de* sires to proceed with the loan at the increased rate."

This caused considerable discussion Mr/.McLeod contending that the Board had nothing to do with the raising of the money, they had been granted the. loan Jat 3£ percent, and the Board ought to get it at that. The Chairman stated that othei local bodies would probably receive the same' notice*

A letter from Mr R, Rowan, Inspector of Noxious weeds, was read as follows :—"Re noxious weeds, (Sulli-^ van's Gully), kindly let me know if your Boaod are responsible for the clearing of the weeds, if not, who are the defaulters. I may mention a complaint has been made that the noxious weeds are getting established within the township, further they say, owing to the filthy state of some of the sections, it will not enhance the vahie of the sections, that may be, or oiay not, but if the weeds are there, as represented, it is part of my duty to see that owners, occupiers, and absentee owners must clear their weeds. I think with the assistance of you, as Chairman, and other members of the Board, we can get this matter fixed up without any friction with, those who are dilatory in not complying with the Act, 1908." Kindly let me know what weeds your Board have declared, and gazetted withi7i the township,. thanking you in anticipation, hoping soon to pay you a visit of inspection." Mr McLeod moved, Mr Wilson seconded. That the surfaceman be instructed to make a list of all sections where noxious weeds were crowing, the list to be sent to the Department of Agriculture to be dealt with.— Carried. From Mr Jos, Mnckie, applying for permit to erect stable. Application granted, stable to be kept in sanitary condition. From Stewart Bros, re removal of building from Helensville South.— Granted. - , ' From Mr Wm. Downer, for permit to erect new cottage on Babylon Road. Referred back for plans. Permits for heavy traffic was discussed, the Chairman stating that 10s for a permit would rot pay damages done to the roads, but according to the by-laws the Board could charge for damages. Permits left in the hands of Chairman ar.d Clerk between meetings provisionally. From Mr John Hand, tendering his resignation as Town Ranger. Resignation accepted, the Chairman being empowered to fill the vacancy. From Mr D. Sullivan and others re footpath and water-oourse in 4th Avenue. The Chairman stated this matter had been attended to. From Mr J. Meg son pointing out that on two occasions during the heavy rains the water had almost come into his store owing to the channel being too shallow, and-requesting the Board to curb the channel. Mr Megson, who was present, said should an.} damage occur he would hold the Board responsible. He had spoken about the matter several times before. After discussion as to best means it was decided that the footpath outside the store be curbed and the channel lowered,

NEW It.VILWAY TLME-TA7ILE. A letter was received from Mr T. Ronayne, General Manager for Railways, as follows : —"I have the honour by direction of^ the Minister of Railways, to forward you herewith a copy of the alterations and additions to the Auckland-Helensville timetable which it is proposed to bring into operation at an early date,— Timetable, Extra Passenger Trains—Auckland, depart 8.20 a.m., Newmarket 8.30, Mt. Eden 8.89, Mt Albert 8.47, Avondale 8. 51, Henderson 9.7, Waitakerei 9.23, Kuuieu —, Waimauku—. Woodhill—, Helensville 10.10 ; Helensville depart on return, 3 p.m., Waimauku —, Waitakorei—, Henderson 3..57. Avendale 4.15, Mt. Albert 4.18,-Mt. Eden 4.30, Newmarket 4.37, Auckland 4.44. These trams scop only at tho stations shown. It is proposed to alter the 3.30 p.m. HelensviL'eAucklaud train to the following : Helensville depart 4.15 p.m., Waitakerei 5.29, Henderson 5.57. Waikumete 6.10, New Lynn 6.18, Avoudale 6,28, Morningsirle 6.40, Mt. Eden 6.5,3, ISjew market 7,3, Auckland 7.10,

This matter brought out considerable dissent. Mem hers agreeing- that it was not in accord with -what was re> quested.

Mr Mc'Leod said the service was no use. They had been forestalled, as it was comingl mto force before the local bodies had time to consider the proposed alterations as promised. Mr Hammond suggested that the Clerk wire the Minister of Railways asking that the timetable be suspended till disussed by local bodies.

Mr Stewart thought the Northern train was all right, the train wonted was a special dow m from Helensville to Auckland. .

It was resolved on the motion of Hammond seconded by Mr Becroft. That the Clerk be instructed io wire the Minister of Kailways asking' him

to suspend the running of the timetable till after the same has been considered by meeting of delegates of local bodies, and that a meeting of delegates be held in Helensville on Thursday April 25th, in the afternoon. That'the Clerk notify all local bodies interested, asking them to send delegates to attend the meeting—Carried, Amongst the local bodies to be asftd to attend are Rodney, Otamatea, and Waitemata County Councils, Dargarville Borough Council, Kaipara Chamber, of Commerce, Helensville Town Board, Kaipara SS., Co., Sel~ lers Allen S.S. Co. ... The Chairman and Mr Wilson were appointed delegates from the Board. GESTHtAL. i A deed of dedication signed by Mr Daniel Stewart, conveying Awarua Street and Stewart Street tn the Board was laid on the table. The streets run from Grarfield Street to the new tennis courts, thence across the Awarua River coming out in Railway Street opposite the K.S..S. Co.'s offices. Mr Wilson, said that the roads were not metalled and they could not take them over. ■ The Chairman read a minute of pres rious meeting w 7heh the Board agreed to let Martin's cottage encroach on the Awarao Road. Mr Wilson : That part had been metalled. The Chairman : The road had not been completed then. , Mr McLeod : We have to consider what position they stood in with, the ratepayers. He thought they would not receiv6 any benefit. All he could see it would bo ' for Mr Stewart's benefit. The Chairman: Stewart Bros, would be prepared to form the road, Mr Wilson : The Board should not exploit any private individual to thp deteriment of the ratepayers. If the road was takeii over who would get the benefit. It would only benefit the holders. Anywhere else the roads were not taken over unless they were properly formed and metalled. He was against taking ovei roads unless in proper order. . Mr Becroft said that some roads were taken over for the town, these had to be formc-d by the Board. The Chairman : The property is heavily taxed, besides people wanted titles to their sections. The road was metalled as far as traffic was going at present. Mr McLeod : As soon a3 the sections were sold, the ci-y would be for footpaths and roads. He would not agree to take it over on the plans. After further discussion the matter was held over for further consideration. The Secretary was instructed to procure a copy of tho Public Works Act to dats i'oi members reference. The Clerk read the balance-sheet to be submitted to the Auditor. Mr Becroft asked that plans of the township from Mr Wilson be laid on the table. He thought it was a standing order that all work over £5 had to be tendered for. He wanted to know about the reclecking of the footbridge. The loan was not for thit old part, it was to improve the main bridge alongside which the footbridge should be. He contended that tho idea was to shorten the distance in* stead of going round, The Chai.man said the matter had been left in the hands of tho Streets Committee. Both Mr Wilson and Mr Jackson reported favourably on the footbridge. Mr Becroft thought the matter should have heou dealt with in ooiU' mittee. Mr Hammond : The bridge was a disgrace. Mr McLeod thought that the Chairman took on jobs that he should not. The Chairman said he had invited members at different tirn.es tQ view necessary work but they very seldom turned up. He had consulted with Mr Hammond about the footbridge. It was resolved that tho Chairman's 1 'action bo confirmed. It was decided that t!io night of meeting in future bo the third Monday in tho month instead of the first. Accounts paid between meetings, amounting to £$3. l\\a C«\ wevo passed, and accounts amounting to £08 7s Ocl wove passed for payment. The Chairman stated that part or the C'< uietory had boen put down in grass.