Town Board.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 May 1912, Page 3

Town Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Helensville Town Board was held in the Board, office on Monday evening. Present: . Messrs Jas. Stewart (in the chair), A. Beeroft, R. C. Harnmond, Jas. McLeod, and, J. A. "Wilson.

At a special meeting at 7.45, the balance sheet was received, which will be published in uue course.

The newly appointed cleric, Mr C. White, took his place, for the first time, and read the minutes of the pre< vious meeting whioh were confirmed.

The Clerk stated that several residents had been written to re lighting the streets from their gas plants, but so far only two replies had been received, viz., from Dr. Meinhold, who was willing to supply light if a red lamp was erected by the Board, and from Mr Hook.

The Chairman stated that a scheme for lighting the town at a reduced cost was in progress, and he suggested the lighting be deferred to the Eoad Committee,—Suggestion adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letters, in reply to the Board's request re additional rate of interest on the loan of £10,000 re>. quired for "Water and Drainage, from the Advances to Local Bodies Office, were read :— ■" Sir, —With reference to the rate of interest on the loan of £10----000 being increased from 3h to 3f per cent, I have to inform you that your Board's request cannot be granted, as the -Advances Board cannot itself borrow moneys at the present juncture under 3f per cent, and section 70 (a) of the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act, 1909, requires that the rate of interest charged shall be the "ame as the rate at which the money was raised, (inter alia). I regret that ino^ception can be made in this case."

" Sir, —The Order-in-Council validating certain irregularity in the prece'dure adopted by. the Helensville Town Board to raise fhe proposed loan of £10,000 to ./provide drainage and water supply > for the district is gazetted in. the last issue of the New Zealand Gazette on page 1566. Tho special rate of 1-jjd in the £ on £79.385 only yields £537 10s, whilst the amount of securit3 r required plus the ten per cent margin is £555 10s, so that the. rate is sufficient for a loan of £9,675 only. Alter form No. 3 has been completed and returned to the Department this will complete the proceedings and the papers will then be submitted for legal examination "

The Chairman stated that it would be necessary to strike a small extra rate,

Mr McLeod said it was not the •Board's fault.

From the Marine Department, forwaading a letter from Mr T. Johnson, drawing the Department's attontion to the fact that the Board intended to put a drain pipe across tho Awarua Creek to the Awarua Bridge, which would make navigation impossible, and pointing out that it was illegal for any local body or person to make any construction across a tidal water without first obtaiuing tho approval of the Governor-m-Counoil; and that if tho Board desired to lay a drain across the creek referred to, it would be necessary to forward to the Department a plan showing the mode of construction, and also a plan of the site, for the consideration of the Governor-in-Oouncil.

The Chairman stated that Mr Wilson -Engineer, would be in Helensville during the week, and that the matter be referred to him for explanation. Letters from Mr Kobt. Farrell, stating- that with many other contractors, he desired to get a chance of tendering for water and drainage work for the town, and pointing out that he had been informed that th& Board were in favour of doing these works by day labour, being afraid of tho cost by contract, and if that wore so, lie desired to draw tho Boaid's attention that no contract noed be accepted unless it was favourable, Ho would tundor for both works and he hoped the Board would see its way to call for tenders foi the whole of the work. —Letters received.

Mr McLeod said as Mr Wilson was coming to Helensville to go into the matter, it should be loft over till he hud given Jiis views on contract and da}' labour.

Tho Chairman—Nothing had been done so far, and when all the preliminaries had been got over, the matter of labour would be discussed.

A letter was road from the Wai tomata County Council ro Swing Bridge, also from the Public Works Department notifying the Board that Mr Short had been appoint id Commissioner to hold an enquiry as to the Board's control and maintenance of the Swing Bridge, It was necessary to adduce evidence to support the Board's case.

Mr McLeod said he understood that a Commissioner had been appointed, but if the Town Board agreed to pay half, it would save time. He did not know if there was any I'eeling in the Board that they should not pay -half. The Chairman thought the matter had better be left for the Commissioner to decide, as one had b&en appointed, Considerable lively discussion ensued on this question. The Chairman was appointed to represent the Board, and at first agreed to battle the matter out with Mr McLeod, but during heated discussion withdrew.

It was proposed 03 Mr Wilson, and' seconded by Mr Beer oft, >l That the Town Board pay equal half of cost and maintenance of. the Swing Bridge. - Carried. The Chairman stated the outcry was for anew bridge. Mr McLeod stated that he had got the Commissioner to como to Helensvilio so that lie could view the bridge, lie would represent the AVaite.Tiata County Council on the Commission.

Application from Mr LaEoohe re granting a licenso fora billiard saloon

in his premises known; as the Auction Mart, to Tony Ostoga, who had taken a lease for a private billiard saloon.

The Chairman stated that application had been made and Mr Tony Ostoga had been informed that the Ik cense, cost £10, whereas he had returned, to Auckland thinking the license too dear.

From Spiral and Bar-lock Steel Pipo Co., asking for an opportunity of supplying pipes for Water Works supply.—Letter referred to Mr Wilson, Engineer.

From A.M.P. Society replying to the Board's enquiry re loans for Local Bodies.—Letter rpceived.

From Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce forwarding resolutions carried by that Chamber expressing appreciation of the attitude shown by the Hon. the Minister of Defence in connection with his intention to enforce the law relating to the compulsory provisions of the Defence Act, asking the Board to give them consideration. —Resolutions endorsed by the Board. The following letter from Mr C. G. Sandin, was read: " Dear Sir, —I wish to draw your attention to the damage caused to my property, in Porter's Avenue, Section 24, part of Te Eewa Rewa Block, at your Board's hands. In the first place no levels have been struck or gazetted 'for this street, and without giving a fortnight's notice, as formerly done in days gone by, that it was the Board's intent.on to cut the road down, not a single mention was made to anyone, I would like to know who the responsible, one is, tak» ing all this upon his shoulders. In the second place, you have encroached on my property to the pxtent of -fully eighteen inches, and thirdly, that your Board did cause a boundary peg to be removed. I will be pladof an early reply in reference to the above."

After some discussion it was resolved chat levels be fixed in Porter's Avenue and Gazetted.

Mr McLeod said he had noticed 8 men, 2 drays and horses employed m Porters Aveuue. He would like to know on whose authority the work was being done.

The Chairman stated that it was decided to do the footpath by Mr Thompson's. He had consulted Messrs Beeroft and Hammond, and the extra work had been done while the men were on the job.

Mr Wilson : ] have not hoard anything about it ; it was no good being en the Board if nothing came before it. The Chairman snid the work had been done by the Streets Committee. Mr McLeod asked why work that came before the Board had not been carried out as promised. He alluded to the useless work of putting earth in the river by tho bridge, and under the Board office which was only improving the Railway section. He moved " Tiiat no accounts be paid for work not authorised by the Board." Mr Wilson seconded. The Chairman pointed out that all accounts came before the Board. The discussion got back to tho footpath, and afterterwards to Porters Avenue, and round the streets, when Mr Bccroft moved and Mr Hammond seconded, " That no works exceeding £5 be carried out without the sanction of the Board," Mr McLeod withdrew in favour of Mr Becrofr/s motion, Mr Wilson also supported the motion, which was carried. In reply to Mr McLeod, the Chairman stated that the road between die Kaipara Hotel and Helensvilla South | Railway gates would be put in hand as soon as the scoria arrived. It was resolved " That the Finance Committpc meet evory month to cor. tit'y to the correctness of accounts." ' jMr Wilson was appointed as a | membnr of tho Finance Committee. j A permit uas granted to Mv ]). Stewart for a building in Eailway Street. An application for the erection of a building in Third Avenue from Mrs Corleison, was referred back for plan*. Accounts amounting to Lit) Is 2d paid benvoen meetings wore passed, und LlO'J ;]s lOd outstanding accounts | wore passed for payment. More discussion ensued about Porters Avenue, and it was eventually resolved " That tho Streets Com.iiitteo purchase enough scoria to meet thn requirements of that, and Fourth Avenuo, tho quantity not to exceed 120 yards. It was decidod that the footpath from the Railway gates to Awaroa Bridge be completed. j Mr McLbod called attention to tho | inadequate telephone communication j between Hdensville ami Auckland, the single line being used by so many places. Me thought Helensville should havua separate line. After a number of instances of delays had been mentioned by members, it was resolved on tho motion of ! the Chairman seconded by Mr Be- j croft, '' That this Boned write and ob- ■ ject, to the present telephone convene { iences exittiug, and asking that Hoi- | ensuille be supplied by separate wire." It was resolved, " That the Board voto AM t-i the repairs of wharf at Helensville South, providing the Wai- } teinat.i County Couucil alss vote £4 " ' 1 DOMAIN BOARD. Minutes of the previous rr.eeting j read and. confirmed. j The Chairman stated that the : vouchers for grant had to be put, in j order and the. grant would be available j shortly. The wash-house had been I erected at the Springs, and the turn- ! table ordered. He explained that the j largo paddock had been .put in oats, ) and later on would be put into grass. | Mr McLeod : The paddock has been ' OA'erdone, and when this second crop j of oats was turned in, it would be ovevrun with sorrel. Thoy were spend ing too much on the piece- of ground, j The Chairman :If you want a good j pasture, you had to make i.t. A special meeting was called for members

to express their opinions as to what should be* done but no one turned up. Mr McLeod : It was not right to go on without the sanction of the Board.

A letter was read from the caretaker asking for a lawn mower for special use on the bowling green, and recommending a good machine (14 inch "Green's Sitens Messor"), -.which would cost -£9. Matter to be dealt with later.

A letter was received from Mr Jas. Stewart advising the Board that he had made a present of a large sized garden seat, which had that day been sent out to the Hot Springs. Mr McLeod : Another of the Chairman's lone hands : but we happened to get wind of it, and Mi- "Wilson and myself also ordered seats from the same firm, and all three went out together. (Laughter). Mr Becroft: We may all have presented seats if it had been put to the meeting straightout, Mr Hammond: Woll, there are only two of us left out, and I won't propose a vote of thanks. (Laughter). The Chairman : Well, you can order yours now, it is not too late. In answer to Mr McLeod, the chaiiinan stated that an application had been made for a grant, Mr McLeod moved, seconded by the Chairman, "ThatMr Coates, member for TCaipara ; be written to asking him to support the application for grant," —Carried.

It was resolved .that Mr F. Hughes be employed to fix-tap's at baths. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr Soniers, Hot Springs Hotel, Te Aroha, re taps used there.

Accounts amounting to £47 9s paid between meetings weie passed, and £7 3s 7& outstanding accounts were passed for payment.