MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 65, 17 January 1918, Page 3

MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

January Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Matamala Town board was held on Monday evening. Messrs J. Price (chairman). J. F. Vosper and W. A. Gordon were present. CROWN LANDS. The assistant-surveyor, Crown Lands office, forwarded a proposed plan of a sub-division of Crown Lands on the western side of the railway line. The plan showed eight sections of a little more than quarter acre in size, with frontages of up to 100 ft., on Railway St. WATER SUPPLY. D. Gilbert], boring contractor, wrote re a water supply for the town suggesting that the best supply might be found at the Peria. The writer also forwarded details of a scheme which might be adopted. On the chairman’s motion it was decided that the writer be thanked for his letter ; but that it be stated that the board was not at present prepared to consider a scheme for a water supply. Mr Vosper said there was something in the statement made that retired people left the township on account of the dust nuisance ; also that it caused damage to shop-keepers’ stocks. Mr Gordon said the writer’s scheme would be excellent if it could be guaranteed, and if the town was in a position to adopt it. * CONCRETE MIXER. D. Me L. Wallace Ltd drew the board’s attention to a concrete mixer for which they are agents. —Received. SUB-DIVISIONS. The surveyor general, is reply to querries put to him by the Town board chairman, re proposed subdivision, wrote as follows (1) Where land is plentiful and the sections are for residential purposes, I think they should not be less than quarter acre. In shop areas (nonresidential) I would not object to one eighth of acre (with frontage of not less than 40 ft). (2) The most convenient shape for quarter acres is recognised at 66 ft. frontage by a depth of 165 ft. Where sub-divisions for building purposes are laid off outside a borough or town district the Land Act provides that each allotment must have at least 40 ft. frontage. (3)' Sections one chain by five chains (half acre) with only one street frontage do not lend themselves to further sub-division if such is at any time required. (4) In the chess-board system of town planning generally in vogue in the Dominion, the block of five chains by ten chains is probably the best. It provides reasonable traffic facilities, sufficient fire breaks, and facilities for coping with fires, and is of a form that can be readily sub-divided. I may say that the “ chess-board ” system is not much in favor with those who study modern townplanning, but in any system the blocks should not as a rule, but having regard to the contour of the land, be of larger size than that mentioned. The letter was received with thanks. NEW BUILDINGS. On their own application Messrs Beeson and Johnston were granted permission to erect a verandah, to stand out 12 ft over the footpath, on their new shops. SAND PIT. On MrVosper’s motion it was decided to make application to the County council for the key of the sand-pit gate ; that royalties be received by the board, and and that a fee of 5s be charged until the key is returned to the chairman. It was stated that the pit gate was now open to anyone who cared to enter. PUBLIC COMFORT. The clerk stated that Mr C. A. Stopford had asked him to approach the board requesting it to lay off a portion of the railway reserve for shelter to farmers’ wives and families and perhaps horses. Mr Vosper said that in respect to the public he thought the suggestion a good one. He offered to provide one seat if permission were obtained It was decided that the railway department be asked to remove the fences two chains back on each side of the entrance gates, and that a few seats be provided for the accommodation of waiting travellers. It was stated tha the accommodation at the station was not comfortable, and it would be pleasurable if seating accommodation is provided where asked.

; WATER-TROUGH. On the motion of Mr Gordon it was decided that the chairman interview the Misses North regarding supplying water to the trough outside their property. The chairman said if satisfactory arrangement were made it may be worth considering the erection of a concrete watertrough. TOWN RESERVES. The chairman reported having taken the opportunity of waiting on the Prime Minister, when he was passing through Matamata,on the question of placing some of the Government reserves under the jurisdiction of the town board. The Prime Minister had stated he would fully consider the matter if the full particulars of the board’s request were forwarded to him at Wellington. The chairman was thanked for his action in the matter, and it was decided to apply for section jj, block 13; section 20, block 7; section 20, block 8 ; sections 6, 7 and 8 on Station road (for municipal yards) and section 6, on Peria road, (for engineer’s residence), It was also decided to remind the Government of the “Municipal Reserve ” sections it had already disposed of, the funds from which it had placed to its own account. THE HALF-HOLIDAY. Following the reading of commucication from the Minister for Labor it was decided that a special meeting of the board, at which shopkeepers might attend and give evidence, be held on Wednesday evening next to discuss the half-holiday question. The board decided to come to a finality on the matter in accordance with the evidence offered.