HELENSVILLE TOWN BOARD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 August 1919, Page 3

HELENSVILLE TOWN BOARD.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14th.

PRESENT

Comrs. J. Stewart (chairman), C. West, T. D. Johnson, H. Thompson, H. Aitkenhead, W. Coutts, and the clerk (Mr W. F. Raisher). MINUTES Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE Outward correspondence was confirmed.

Electric Lighting —From State Advances Office, replying to a letter from the Board for permission to raise £7000 for installation of electric lighting. Information was required by the Office oil two points. (1) Rate of interest proposed to be raised; (2) If loan is to be by debenture issue, whether debentures are to be" issued at par. Adding that the necessary consent was not withheld in any case where the local- authority does not propose to pay a rate of interest exceeding 5]4 per cent per annum.— Received.

From Hayes, Ziman, Buttle and Darling, solicitors, re electricity loan, in reference to a reply from the State Advances Offiae, stating that office was not empowered to grant the proposed loan. Recommended application to the Public Trustee.

Cottage Hospital —From the Kaipara Branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union, stating that a remit had been passed by that body requesting the Board to move in the matter of the establishment of a cottage hospital in this district. The Union was unanimous in the opinion that such an institution be established and would support the Board in any action the latter might take to have hospital established.

War Trophies—From the N.Z. Defence, advising that the Board communicate with the Mayors of Auckland and Whangarei, re allocation of war trophies. The district was represented in the late war by 3rd Auckland M.R. and 15fch North Auckland Infantry. Further, that the Waitemata County was now included in No. 1 group area.

From Acting Prime Minister, re resolution urging that Anzac Day be declared a statutory holiday, stated that the question of legislation in the matter had been held over until the return of the leaders.

Fishermen's Wharf —From the Minister of Marine, stating he had instructed his Department to make enquiries re this matter and furnish report. In regard to this matter the Board recently applied for a grant of £250 for improvements, stating that the wharf does not fulfil the demands made upon it. It was last re" paired by a grant made by the previous Minister of Marine, and the income at present received just about meets outgoing expenses. Small jetties were required to which boats could be tied up, and rails erected on the wharf for drying nets.

Miscellaneous Grants. — From Capt. Gordon Coates, M.P., promising to do his best for the Board in getting the following applications for grants placed before the Ministers concerned: For installation of electic light £7000 ; roading £500; Hot Springs £2500; fishermen's wharf £250. Inoluded in the grant for roading is £150 for Ratawhiri road and £100 for Awaroa. These grants, with the addition of rates, would enable the Board to metal to the boundary. The Helensville Springs road, which carries considerable traffic and stock, is also in urgent need of widening,

WATER CHARGES

A discussion arose re the charge of £1 per annum for hose pipes. Members were of divergent opinions, -some maintaining that the charge was too high, and others that it was cheap. The Chairman stated that the Auckland charge was £1. He also stated that the local charge for water —lOd per 1000 gallons—was the most reasonable in New Zealand. —No action was taken.

FIRE; BRIGADE

Cr. Johnson brought up the subject of the Fire Brigade, stat" ing that a test of the fire hose had not taken place for a long time, and that it was a matter of public safety that this be done at once. In moving that such test take place, the speaker gave it as his opinion that the Board had ignored the Fire Brigade in the past. Cr. West said he w,ould like to see more interest taken in the Brigade. Qr. Oo.utts. also spoke qn tb,ematter, and mentioned the fact that at the last public meeting of ratepayers a vote was carried

that the Town Board build a/fke station. " r The Chairman stated thatfif the Board took over the Fire a properly constituted'Fir^e Board would have to be forrrfed. In connection with tEe present Fire Brigade, a court case bad arisen out of a practice held /Some- considerable time back,/which had cost the Brigade all the money they had to pay co*urt costs.

Further remarks by members were to the effect that the position at present was very unsatisfactory, it being alleged by at least two members that the Captain had refused 'to giVe a demonstration of the hose. / Cr Coutts moved and the Chairman seconded —That applications be called for firemen, to^e under the control of the Boajd.

Cr.' Johnson moved as -an amendment — That the Board write to the captain asking, him to state the position from the brigade's point of view. / The amendment was il'ost and ! the motion carried. f It was decided thiit the fire hose be tested on jthe following (last) Saturday; Cr.' Coutts promising to attend to the matter. An inventory of all the fire/gear would be taken. y*' Cr. Johnson asked if plug covered up by a recently erected motor garage had been attended to. / The Chairman replied thatiali connections were clear a jfortnight ago. A Board employee goes through the town at/stated times attending to the matter. STORAGE DAM.: j Plans for a storage dam for electric light scheme w^'re submitted by Mr H. M. Wtfson, C.E. The proposed dam ./would be on the site of the present one, and with a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, was estimated to cost £5000. A small temporary dam ,would have to"be made in connection with the work, and it was'recommended by the engineef that 25 acres adjoining the acreage the Board at present helci be bought, to complete the catchment area. —Consideration of this matter was deferred until next meeting.

OLD AUCKLAND ROA-D

It was remarked by members that portion of road by the dam fenced off some time ago by the Board had not been legally defined a closed road. At present any settler could come along and destroy the fence and the Board would have no claim.

It was decided (Crs. Aitkenhead —Thompson) that the Board communicate with the Waitemata County Council in reference to the matter.

[The engineer of the Waitemata County Council was of opinion that the road would be an important one some day, and recommended that the fence be removed.]

ROAD MAINTENANCE

It was mentioned that the asphalt crossing at the Terminus Hotel crossing was a source of danger to horsemen. Several accidents had occurred at this spot, one farmer having his leg broken.

Cr. Thompson thought a kerbing round the corner would lessen the danger.

The Chairman stated that many riders galloped round the corner, a practice which would be discouraged if the by-laws were enforced.

Carts left unattended in streets were damaging the water-tables, and on the motion of Cr Stewart —Thompson, it was decided to prosecute offenders in future.

Accounts were passed for payment.