OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 5 November 1920, Page 2

OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held last night. Present: Corns. J. P. Brandon (chairman). T. B. Bax. A. W. Broadway, .T. R. Bills, H. Cockrell, C. Kilbsy* H. Nicolson. Correspondence. Correspoudenco was read and dealt with as ttudor: — From Valuer-General, stating a revaluation of tire Otaki town district could not. be made by the end of the year. —The Clerk reported that the valuator had been in Otaki and had assisted him in various matters. From Palmerston North Hospital Board, making a levy for capital expenditure on additions to the hospital. The Board’s share of this levy was £l7. From C. Bell (Weraroa) complaining of being- overcharged for rates. —The Chairman explained that Mrs Bell had paid rates on seven acres, whereas for years past the Education Hoard hud been possessed of four of the number, lit view of this court proceedings had been deferred. From W. H. Field, M.P., enclosing a letter from the Prime Minister, slating In- would inquire into the matter of a crane for Otaki railway.—Received. From Thomas Collins (Convent Road) asking for a nuisance to be. remedied.—Referred to sanitary inspector to ascertain if by-laws were being complied with. From Department, of Labour, appointing Saturday as the statutory balf-holida v as from June lr.fc next. — Received. From W. A. Gtddcn . offering to give £2 10s for grass in the Otaki cemetery —Referred to Cemetery Committee. If. 11. Vann wrote, stating in the newspaper’s report of the last meeting ho noticed the sanitary contractor accused him of fixing a patent, w.c. without. permission. What lie (Mr Vault) had done was only for the benefit of the town, and thought the inspector should improve on his own work before- making complaints. Further, he had obtained a permit in January last for work which lie had thoroughly ear riog out.—The Board expressed regret I that it had been misinformed, ami considered Mr Vann had done good work. From Deere and hieddon, offering to complete a map of the boron gh area at an early date. The Chairman said this firm hud been empowered to do the work, but he now believed a map had been prepared by the Valuation Department, and he believed it could lx* secured for £25. He suggested this map bn obtained, if possible the contract with lioore and Seddoil to be cancelled.— Agreed to. Roadman's Report. li. Webby (roadman) reported nil roads were in good order, and considered they would keep good all the summer. Only ordinary maintenance work was being attended to. At his request he was given a hoi day to enable him to visit the Palmerston North Show. Com. Cockrell drew attention to the numerous pot holes in various roads, especially on Mil! road. Coin. Broad way also referred to pot-holes on the Kangiuru roads. A few loads would put the roads in good order. Other commissioners spoke in a similar strain, and it. was agreed to have the matter attended to. Eiectnc Light. D. J. Reardon wrote stating the had made enquiries and could say thero was no reason why a scheme for.‘dectrie lighting could not be in full swing in less than one year. The scheme could be installed for the moneyauthorised. Decided to inform Mr Reardon that the matter would be held over pending the arrival of the new clerk, then the, matter would be further discussed. Ratepayers’ Association. Mr Pole, representing the Ratepayers’ Association, waited on the Board and asked that the bad state of the road opposite Mr Lima’s residence be given attention, that the footpath between Mr Cockrell’s and Mr Best’s be improved, that the fence at the post office be set back into line with others, that necessary asphalting and improvement of a step at the theatre be given attention, and that pot-holes at Kangiuru be filled up. The Chairman reported that the Board had already decided to m ak<* some improvements as suggested, and said that, other matters brought for ward would be attended to. He underHood Mr Hodgson was willing for the post office fence to be removed back provided the Board fa id the cost. He did not think the work warranted the ox pen Be at present, as money wax needed for more necessary work*. He said the Board appreciated the action of the Association, which v/as proving a live body, but asked that any recommendations to be made be pot in to the Board two day* before the meeting. This would give more trice for consideration. Clerk‘g Residence. The Chairman reported that it had been agreed to secure posM-asion of Mr O. Or&bbe’s residence at £1 per week for the new clerk. Firework.? In view of the danger of fireworks it was. decided to prohibit them being set off in the main streets. It wa. pointed oar by Com. Cockrell that not only was there a danger, but ladies on remonstrating with boys were subject to result. It was decided to a»k the police to keep a look-out for offender*. Warning to Motorists. It was agreed ti**. several motorists were frequently in ttoc habit of ex•seeding tie speed Hiait, and it was again decided to draw the attention of the police to the matter. Complaint* were also made against cyclist* ridtajj

on footpaths. The discussion, on the above advanced the fact that extra police supervision was necessary, il being pointed out that it was impossible for one man to look after the whole district from Manakau to Pae ! kakariki, collect statistics, and atteno ‘to various other matters. It was con sidered time a second policeman was appointed, and it. was decided to apply for this extra protection, and to ask Mr Field to assist. Miscellaneous. The Chairman reported that in viev, o( the unsutisfacory iinancial state of the Board it was to d< various improvements, but they would be'kept steadily in view. No less that £7Ol of the old rates wore still out standing. It was decided, on the suggestion o! Com. Kilsby, that a small strip oj j asphalting be done on tlic Otaki rail ] way footpath. It was reported that notice boards, j warning motorists not to exceed the speed .limit, would be put up in tin course of a few days. j Com. Bax asked that the. cost of the I Board’s horse and dray at per monli be tabled for the next, meeting, also a return showing the number of vehicles and hawkers licensed. He also suggested that all work costing £2O oi over be done by contract'; maintained that rubbish bins were very necessary and asked that a list of stock impound (•il aad stock seized be made availabi > eneb month.

It was agreed that these matters b 1 considered at the next meeting. A shed tor storing gravel, sand, etc was considered necessary, but in viev of finances being low no action wx taken.

Com. Cockrell pointed out that whit Europeans were compelled to clostheir shops on Labour Day, Chiname: had kept open.—Decided that this wa a matter for the police to attend to. The matter of storing the field an. machine guns on arrival in Otaki wa; left to Corns. Bax and Nieolson, th* latter reporting that the guns wen due to arrive any day.

On account of the growth of grass on the road sides it was decided fi. take the ranger oil the roads from a date to be decided upon by the subcommittee—the Chairman, Coins. Bax Kilsby, and Broadway.

It was pointed out that as snmmei was approaching there would be greai danger from grass fires, but it waagreed that cows should be under tlm control of responsible persons so that hedges, etc., would not be destroyed. It was also suggested that each owner pay a license fee of 10s per cow, say, for four months, half of this amount to be spent on a collar for each animal. Provided collars were not worn the ranger would have power to impound any such stock. It was decided to call applications for the positions of ranger and solicitor to the Board. Accounts. Accounts amounting to £B9 15s Id were passed for payment.