OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 227, 30 August 1939, Page 2

OPOTIKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

\- • <,m , ■ ■ y MONTHLY MEETING V STBEET CONSTRUCTION LOAN Tlie monthly meeting of the Opotiki Borough Council was held in the borough chambers last night. Present: the Mayor (Mr. G. S. Moody); Councillors G. L. Day, T. O.' Johnson, S. E, Wcbb; F. J. Short, A. G. Stevenson,. C. I). Biown and Mr. W. H. Briggs (town cleric). An apology for absence was received front Cr. F. W. Bridger. Prior to the commencement of business, the Mayor referred to the death of the late Mr. C. H. 'Fleming and as a mark of respect those piesent stood in silence for a'' few moments. -. The town clerk was instructed to write to Mrs. Fleming expressing Alio council’s sympathy in her great loss. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence read and approved. Accounts were passed for payment ns follows:—District Fund Account, £445 10s lUcI; Wharf Account. £2lB 15s Dell; Domain Board Account, £3 ls:s sd. Bank balances were shown as follows; District Fund Account (dr.), £2.754 4,s 4d ; Wharf Account 'cr.), £157 3s 7cl; Domain Board ‘or.), £3 13s 2d. Inward! Correspondence. Street Beautifying.—The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture wrote re street beautifying, with trees and •dealt with varieties suitable for planting in streets, so as not to be a nuisance to property-holders or interfere with telegraph and power wires.—The council decided to defer any action for several months, when the matter will again be brought forward, so that any arrangements can be made for Arbour Day next year.

Emergency Measures, —The Municipal Association of New Zealand-wrote in connection with unauthorised national emergency schemes. It was suggested that only schemes forwarded by the Department of Internal Affairs should be taken notice of.—Deceived'. Street Collection. —A letter dealing with a suggested street collection in aid of various orphanages was received from Auckland. The council was asked to make arrangements .to make a collection oil September I.—The matter was left in the hands of the .Mayor to make any arrangements with the various churches, and permission to make such a, collection was granted. Bailway and Bond.—Mr. .V. G. Hultquist in replying to the letter asking him to convey a. resolution to the Government in connection with the extension of the railway to Opotiki and the sealing of the Opotiki-Ta—-noatua highway. The writer stated that had he been allowed, be could have made a statement at the recent public meeting. He congratulated the council on the attitude it had taken up. Sufficient money would be* placed on the supplementary estimates to early out all work that could bo done bv March 31st next.—The council decided to reply thanking Mr. Hultquistfor bis letter. Street Construction Loan. —-The Treasury wrote in connection with the council’s application lor an extended loan period for street construction work. It was pointed out that the maximum period for such a loan was ,12 years but the request of the council would be placed before the Loans Board.—Cr. Short said that the council could point out that there was sealing work iii the district which had been down for more than 12 years and had not received attention, and had been put- down without proper preparation. River Erosion. —The agreement for the Otara river erosion work was forwarded by the Public Works Departiienfr,. Hospital Finance.—-The Taka puna Borough Council wrote re tlie incidence of hospital finance and suggested the formulation of some form of a mere just and equitable system. The support of the Opotiki council was. solicited. . . Or. Short referred to the big Maori population in the Opotiki County and stated that the natives, paid!' only" a small proportion of.their lees, the burden, thus falling on the European ratepayers, Many ..other districts did hot have to face such a position. He considered the whole hospital system should he state .controlled, Another problem faced , by the Opotiki JjqM'd was the question of liability for fees of district patients Aflio went to’ outside hospitals. . Flic Opotiki Board had t;j pay a large* amount: aiihhallv' to other boards for these patients but the number of patients f ronv other'districts attended at tlie Opotiki hospital was viry '’'small, beiiig; usually victims, of; accidents. ' ' C . The town clerk suggested the coun-

cil should write' -tp the'Municipal Association stating that the council supported the move for iv more equitable scheme of hospital finance. It was finally decided to write to tlie Takapuna Borough Council stating that % council was in sympathy with the. movement for an alteration of. hospital finance.

Jetty '.Wanted. —A request was received from Mr. E. Oliver for permission to erect a. jetty some distance abdve the Opotiki wharf.-nj'he. matter was I eft in the hands of Cr. Webb. .School .Tarring.—Air. W; J. Inskip, secretary of the Opotiki D.H.S. Committee. wrote asking if the council could do repair work at- the. school playing grounds, which had been damaged by .til© rece'nt frosts.:—lt was, decided to reply stating that the council’s staff was too: busy at. present to undertake the work, but that as much assistance as possible would be.given.. Rates.—The usual resolution in connection with the: striking of the rates was carried. Tender for Grazing.—Tlie tender of Mr. Thompson (£ls) for grazing on the south-eastern corner of the borough was accepted. Wharf Extension.— Mr. W. W. Upton reported that- tlici wharf extension work had new been completed. Saiiita i y Inspection .—The sanitary inspector, Air. \\ allwork, reported that, numerous dwelling had! been, in—speetecl and several jnilk samples taken. Foreman’s Report.—'The report was approved.—Cr. Short suggested that the council should have a general purposes committee. CTs. Webb and Johnson considered, it would be better to have a works committee. Cr. Day did not agree with this and considered the whole council would have a. better knowledge of council affairs with the whole council acting as a committee. Cr. Webb thought that all councillors sjumldl go around the borough and make an inspection, On the motion of Cr. Short the council decided to meet on every second Tuesday in the month as a general purposes committee. Inspection.—The traffic inspector, Air. J. >H. Aiorell. reported that throe horses had been impounded during the period. ’Two unregistered clogs had been destroyed. Foreman’s Report. The following report was presented by the borough foreman, Mr. J. Serjeant : 'Ten chain of Princess Street metalled. Twenty chain of Richard! Street and 10 chain of Goring streets metalled. Approximately 100 yards ol river metal __carted for patching various streets and gateways and to dump at yard. Shoulders cut back with machine, Ford Street, and footpath graded and cleaned l up. Footpath' bet-1 1 sales of Brabant Street, between Richard and Ford Streets, graded and Idled with filling from yard and Princess Street. .Highways.—Church and Bridge Streets have been graded and formed l from time to time. Sides of St. Jolm Street patched with premix. Water.—Dam scoured and intake cleaned. Two blow-outs repaired on water main and one new water service installed Ford Street. Several stop-cocks repaired. Water service 2i” connection laid to Public \N orksyard. All fire plugs cleaned and painted. Various crossings repaired. Fence erected Richard Street and repaired St- John StreetOutlet drain in Duke'Street cleanedout. Outlet drain in St. John Street, cleared and now concrete inspection trap made. Trees have been trimmed and- cleaned at reserve and, post and rails erected. Blackberry, gor.se and rushes cutand grubbed in various streets. Number .of sections pegged at new cemetery, '■•tc.y. Roads and intersections graded. General maintenance has been carried out.