HELENSVILLE TOWN BOARD

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 October 1920, Page 3

HELENSVILLE TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING,

The first general meeting of the newly-elected Board took place on Thursday evening last, there being present :—Commissioners J. Stewart (chairman), W. Coutts, W. Downer, A. Forrester, J. Lambert, jnr., R. Screaton, C. West, and the clerk (Mr W. F. F. Raisher). ■ MINUTES The minutes of the last monthly meeting were read and confirmed. BUILDING PERMITS. The Board had several applications in respect to permits to build to deal with, and discussed the whole question. An application for a permit to build additions to his residence for the purposa of a private hospital,, was received from Dr Meinhold. This application had been referred to the Board of Trade, which said the Town Board co-uld authorise the necessary "permit. After /Some discussion re the pi an^ stf-brnitted, $&/ 3Wps.t' m<sved, /arfd : Tft^nVCrai«rtt|e Conkrfittee be empowemeKto deal with the application for permit, and Dr Meifihold be asked to furnish detailed plans and specifications of proposed additions, showing drainage, etc. —Carried. An application from Mr W. W. L. Bradly, for additions to his business premises, was also referred to the Drainage Committee, with the recommendation that it be granted. An application for permit to build in Garfield Road from the Kaipara S. S. Co. was similarly dealt with. In connection with the shifting of a residence from one end of the town to the other, it was stated that a permit had been applied for, but the building was shifted before the permit was granted. WHAU BRIDGE TALLY A copy of the tally taken in connection with the trafic over this bridge was received from the Waitemata County Council. Members were of the opinion that the tally, so far as identifying certain traffic over the bridge as belonging to Helensville, was not correct, and on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. West, it was decided to correct the copy to hand, and forward same to the Council. CATCHMENT AREA FENCE, At the previous meeting, Mr F. Tucker waited on the Board in reference^ to the fencing between his ; property and the catchment area. Estimates and specification for this work, promised by him, not having come to hand, it was decided to write Mr 1 Tucker, asking for details. — Chairman —Cr. Coutts. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS The report of the Roads Committee, which had held a special meeting to go into the matter, was received. A comprehensive scheme of work embracing every road in the town area, was considered. The chairman .said it was not expected all the work would bo done at once. It would take a year or more, but he considered work should be put in hand at once, and moved in that direction ; Cr. Forrester seconded, and the report was adopted. WATER FILTER, Mr N. W. Rimmer, chairman of the Kaipara Dairy Co., waited on the Board in connection with this matter. His directors had discussed the question, and would use the town water supply if a filter were established. At present the town water was out of the question for butter making, owing to the frequency with which it became discoloured. The chairman said the Board had considered the question of a filter, which it was estimated would cost ahout £3000 to instal. Members agreed as to the necessity for a filter, and considered it a matter for the ratepayers. It was decided to obtain, immediately, further particulars re the filter, in the direction of inspecting various installations working in Auckland. FIRE STATION. Mr A. Garry, manager of the Kaipara Dairy Co., waited on the Board in this connection. At a meeting of the company's directors, the matter had been discussed, and they were prepared to donate a sum towards the erection of a fire station.

The chairman staled a building at present would cost about £150. He favoured purchasing a Ford motor truck, and assembling what gear they had on this,

for quick removal to the scene of any fire.

One member favoured placing hydrants at different parts of the town, for quick accessibility.

Mr Garry : If you had a building, and sleeping quarters for a couple of young fellows, they would always be on the spot. The town had a fine pressure of water, and there would be no trouble on that score.

Mr Rimmer stated that if the Board did not do something in the matter, the company would probably instal their own fire fighting appliances. If a subscription list was opened by the Board, they could put the company down for £20. Cr. Screaton thought there would be no trouble in raising £200 for a building and more gear. It was finally decided, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr. Forrester, that a subscription list be opened for purposes above mentioned. STRAYING ANIMALS. The clerk reported that several complaints had been received in regard to animals straying on the streets and roads in the town area, and a letter was read from one indignant ratepayer. Members were of the opinion that it was time the dangerous practice of allowing animals to roam at large was stopped. After some discussion the chairman moved that the Board's employees be empowered to impound, during working hours, stock found straying on roads or footpaths. —Carried. GENERAL. On the motion of Cr. West, seconded by Cr. Forrester, it was decided to write to the Valuation Department, asking for a revaluation of rateable property in the town area before February next. The opinion was expressed that the Board simply could not carry on under the existing valuation, and had a hard job to make ends meet with the present high cost of everything. The Otamatea County Council wrote in reference to the Commission that will sit at Maungaturoto shortly in connection with the proposed Auckland-Kaitaia main road, asking the local Board to send delegates to a conference, to be held at Maungaturoto shortly.—lt was decided that the Board be represented at the conference.

A long discussion ensued re the payment of Board workmen while on sick leave, and it eventually decided to defer the question till next meeting.

The clerk reported he had collocted £2 only from members of the Fishermen's Union, for use the fisherman's wharf. [A recent agreement made was that each fisherman using the wharf pay a fee of £1 per annum.]

Accounts were passed for payment. The debit balance to-day stands at £934 Us sd. Last month's was £935 7s.