OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 200, 28 June 1939, Page 3

OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING ** BBII ** B> " 11 ** ! i ... CONTROL OF TAXIS The monthly meeting ci the Opotiki Borough Council was held in the borough chambers last night. Present: 'Hie Alayor (A,lr. G. S. -Moody), Councillors G. L. Day. 'l'. G. Johnson, S. K. Webb, E. ’J- Short, A- G. Stevenson, F. AY. Bridger, C. .1). Brown and Air. W. H. Briggs (town clerk). The minutes of tlie- previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved. Accounts were passed for payment it:, follows:—District Fund Account, CM 1-1-3 2s 8d ; Wharf Account;. £330 (is Oil; Domain Board Account, 2s 1,0 s; total. £1475 12s Mil. Bank balances were shown as follows:—District Fund Account (dr.), £*l3Bl I.os lid; Wharf Account (cr.). £3BO 15s lUd; Domain Board Account (cr.), £2l Os Oil. Inward Correspondence. The Mikutaia Domain Board wrote asking for a donation and pointed out the value cl the domain to the district.—On tin* motion of (i*. Bridger, seconded by Cr. Webb, it was decided to donate £5 os towards the funds. The Inspector of Health. Air. Al. J. Fogarty. Whakataue. wrote explaining why lie had not been able t<j attend recent cmnvcil meetings.— Received. Hospital Taxation.—The Tnkapunu Borough Council wrote 10 hospital taxation, and Considered an unjust burden was being placed <m ratepayers anil asked for the council’s support of representations being made to the -Government in connection with .State-controlled hospital and medical services.—Cr. Day moved that the letter lie supported. Other councillors thought, the coint-cil should move slowly in the matter. It was finally decided to leave the matter in abeyance. Duke Street Drain.—-The Opotiki Bacon Company wrote in connection with the blockage of water in DukeStreet drain. An enclosed letter from the County Council was also reail._ the council disclaiming liability to clean. —Cr. Stevenson suggested the question be left to the health inspector to deal with. Or. Johnson supported this simggestion and the council decided to adopt the proposal. Cancer Campaign Collection. —The Alayor of -Auckland, Air. E. Davis, wrote expressing gratitude at the result of the appeal for funds in Opotilc.i and stated that the amount aimed at had been exceeded. Water for State Houses.—The Housing C-oustructiou Department wrote re water charges and pointed out that hose tap license fees could bo collected from tenants of the State bouses. —Councillors considered the action of the Department was unfair and that tho hose taps should not be put in unless the tenants asked lor them. Cr. Johnson said it was unfair that the borough by-laws should be upset and considered the council should point out the. position to the -Minister of Housing.—lt was decided to reply along these lines. Opotiki Taxis.—-The Commissioner of Transport in a communication, stated that a petition had been received from Opotiki taxi proprietors (with one exception) asking that tho district taxis should come under the department’s control. —'1 he council decided to take no action in the meantime. Cr. Short contended! that the council should keep as much revenue from the taxis as possible and he was in favour of things remaining as at present. Crippled Children.—'lhe New Zea-

land Crippled Children’s Society expressed the desire that there should be a local committee .to deal with suitable cases in the district.—Members of the council considered that si-riou.s cases should be a charge on the State/ The town clerk stated that there was already an Opotiln committee. _ Biver Erosion.—'The Public Works Department wrote in connection with the Otnra river erosion below tlie town bridge. It was pointed out that at present it was the proper time to plant willows and it was suggested that the council should put men or. to do this work.—Councillors questioned tlie advisability of planting the tri-es. Cr. Webb considered the piles should be put in before any trees are planted.—Cr. Day thought the willow trees would not db any good as they would not hold on a. high bank. Ho stated that similar work had been a complete failure, and 'that the real problem was underneath the bank.

Rubbish Dumps.—Mr. Hi slop, secretary of the Opotiki Carriers’ Association, wrote protesting against tho action of tlie council in connection with the dumping of rubbish.—Mr. Briggs said here was no indication in the letter that the carriers would clump the rubbish properly. A councillor pointed out that the worst cffeiic! 1 - ur was a licensed carrier. It was also stated that the council had been compel led to put men on to keep the roadways of the dumps clear.—'l lie council decided to reply pointing out that the council bad bad considerable trouble with the dumps and had dccidled to continue the cartage of tb.rubbish itself.

It was stated that offensive matter had been placed on the dump on Volkncr Island. Cr. Stevenson moved that the island be dosed as a dump. Seconded by Cr. Short and carried. ■Cartage of Bock.—The Carrier’s Association also wrote in connection with tin- cartage of rock for the council, and (complained that tenders had not been, called!.—lt was stated by the town clerk that the work had been done under contract, but that the completion of the highway work had been very protracted..— Received.

Report on Building.—Air. -G. AAA Button, secretary of the Physical •Welfare Committee. wrote forwarding architect’s report on the community centre scheme suggested, in King Street. He stated that the committee was of the opinion that tho proposal was too expensive and allot her scheme had been put forward. C bnlidenee was expressed that tlie idea would be. a, paying proposition, and in the event of a deficit, the- committee would be willing to raise funds to pay lor any deficit should the scheme be adopted. A very lengthy and comprehensive report on the King Street project by the architect, was then read by Air. Briggs. .A councillor remarked that with the alterations to the existing building arid the purchase price of land and bui{dling, the cost would be more than £SOOO. Cr. Short explained /that the new scheme was that the Blanket and rest roo.i lis be built by public ' subscription and incorporated .in the town hall scheme, ' The Blunket and rest room would bo the. .Centennial' Memorial. A. Complaint.—Mr. S. Patterson, wrote in connection with extraordinary water supply and pointed out what lie considered to -be an anomalous position in the supply to farmers. The Mayor said the supply to his farm had been agreed to soon alter the water system was- put iii to the borough. He h'adl not been a member of the council at the time. At present

only one paddock was being supplied.' Cr. Short contended that all extraordinaryusiippLyi should be through meter and everybody treated aiiko. Cr. Webb supported this view. On the motion of Cr. Stevenson, seconded by Or. Webb, it was decided that all extraordinary supply lie by meter. . The question of the'use of the hands* room was referred to by Cr. Johnson, who explained a difficult Position which had arisen.—it was left to the town clerk to con fen’ with the parties referred to. Report.—The borough traffic inspector reported that during the last two’months eight- horses and 78 skeep had been impounded. Crossing.—Cr. Stevenson raised, a laugh when he stated that in view of criticism in other matters, hotthought hei lmd better explain--that lie had arranged to have concrete placed at his crossing, the difference in the cost of gravel and concrete to bo pa.id by himself. Dogs in Street.—Cr. C. 1). Brown referred to the large number of dogs allowed to wander about in the business area. He considered That -something should he done to put aV step to the nuisance and said that the dogs were a.lsso ‘ enterin'g shops. He moved that dogs off the leash be not allowed in the business areas. Cr. Steutfrison suggested that a warning should be’issued to the effect that action will be taken. —It was decided to issue a warning. Street Lighting.—Cr. Stevenson referred to the new .street light put up at ’the intersection of Church and AI din Streets. He suggested that an estimate of the cost of putting in similar lights in the-business area should he secured; from "the Rower Board.— Resolved. ' .- FOREMANS REPORT The borough foreman, Air. J. Serjeant, reported as follows for the period.ending June 27th.:— All drains, outlets etc. cleaned and floodgates inspeoftd:’ 10 chain in Buchanan Street metalled. 10 chains' Union Street, 50 chain AA'ollington Street, 20 chain Bridge Street- metalled. Gateways oil the west side of Church Street grubbed free of weeds-and approximately 130 yards of metal carted. 25 yards of metal carted and var- ’ ions streets patched. Roads and intersections -kept formed and combed. Spoil at gateways eaitod to filling King and -doling Streets. 5 chain of Goring Street foot-path- graded and brought up to permanent level. 5 chain new water channel cut" in Goring" Street; also shoulders graded down on road. Water.—Dam scoured andl,. intake cleaned. .Meters on eastern side of Waioeka bridge repaired etc. AYaiting on new parts’ to repair balance. AA ater service repaired. Otara road, and one blow-out repaired on main. Highway, Church Street.—Chips' spread and surface maintained with grader. Bridge Street scarified, graded and' rolled 10 chains. ’/• Cemetery.—Chain mesh erected ; also portion south side levelled with grader. General.—Set of 9” pipes lifted, raised in Ford Street. New 6” -pipe crossing in Goring and Brabant Streets. Cone-fete slabs made at yard and one laid in Nelson Street. 40 feet of concrete kerbing in Bridge Street. 40 feet of concrete kerbing-in Bridge Street. 25 yards concrete gravel icarted to yard l . New gate built at stock yards at wharf. Intersections swept and patched with premix. ctemeterv parks etc., mowed. Rubbish dump cleaned.