OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 3 December 1920, Page 2

OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the* above Board was held last night. Present: Commissioners J. P. Brandon (chairman), A. IV. Broadway, ,1. K. Bills. T. B. Bax, H. Cockrell, C. Kilsby, H. Nicolsou. Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: From T. F. Martin, municipal solicitor, stating the Board had no power to grant grazing licenses for cows, but if the Board permitted only quiet animals to be grazed and not an excessive number to be on the streets the Board would, in his opinion, not be liable for accidents, or for damage the animals may do to property or land.

From 1\ Melrose, farm manager for the Otaki Sanatorium, stating that stock allowed to graze on the roads wandered on to the hospital and sanatorium grounds and caused both annoyance and damage.—lt was asked why Mr Melrose complained, as it was notified that the Mill Road was closed to stock. The Chairman explained that as Domain road was open, cattle wandered over the boundary, but si ill he did nut think there was much to complain of. In answer to a query liestated it was now too late to remove stock from the road.

From Deere and tjeddcin, in reply to a letter from the Board re cancellation of plan for Otaki, and stilting the firm had been put to the expense of £7 in securing data, and that if this amount was paid they would be satisfied.—Decided to pay the amount stud get a plan frqiu the Valuation Department at £25, which would save a con sideralile stun. The Borough Move.

A letter was received from Assistant Under-Secretarv. stating* there was no objection to Air Ayre acting as returning officer in connection with the coming poll for the borough proposal.

The Chairman considered Ih>s a matter that should be stirred up. and the Department be kept up to the mark and bustled along as quickly as possible, otherwise it would be six

months or so before anything deliuiti was done. There was no reason, in hiuiind. why arrangements liad not beet made for the poll last month, and hi

now sun no reason why Otaki should not have a borough by Christmas —ii would be a Christmas box for the rate payers. He suggested expediting affairs by TTie clerk getting into touch with the Minister of Internal AlTaiis. Other Commissioners agreed, but it was pointed out that the holidays would probably delay matters. It was decided to get, the electors’ roll prepared and do all possible to hasten things to a conclusion. Dangerous Corlier. It was agreed that the clerk write to Air Grind rod relative to cutting his hedge at the corner of Arthur and Duustan streets. ttlsy that Com. Kilsby interview him on the matter. Rates to be Sued For. The question of overdue rates was given some consideration, and it was 1 generally agreed that a determin- d effort, should be made to collect all back rates. It. was agreed that the j condition of affairs in this respect was I disgraceful, and it was regretted that I many in a position to pay had habit ,i----j ally dodged doing so. It was decided to sue for all back rates. Street Improvcmcnte. The question of further improving j the footpaths was considered, and it I was agreed that the main one in the business area should be first attended to, and afterwards to give attention /hi those on Aotaki street and Wucrepga road. Committees Appointed. The following committees, on the motion of the Chairman, were appointed:— Finance: Coras.. Cockrell, Nicolson, and Bills. Works and Maintenance: Com.'. Kilsby, Bax and Broadway. By-laws: Corns. Bar, Nicolson, and Cockrell. The Chairman will act as a member ex officio on each committee. Miscellaneous. The engineer’s suggestion that the assistant-clerk’s position should be made permanent found general favour, it being recognised that Air Baker was very useful, especially in regard to Native- work. It was stated that warning board, were practical ly ready and would shortly be erected. The matter of a shed for the raen to work in on wet days was. held in abeyance on account of lack of funds. Objection was taken to the Board’s section being used for mixing axph&it. it being considered an eyesore instead of a beauty spot. Accounts. Accounts amounting to £214 4s lid were passed for payment. Engineer’!, Report. The Engineer 'Mr F. G. Davies) reported as follows: Finance. —Practical!y the whole of my time during this last two weeks has been taken up with clerical work in the office. The commissioners will recognise teat no rgggestiops can be . made until a statement of finances has j been brought forward and examined. . Attached to report will fee found z j tabular statement giving details of an- f collected rates due before March 31st. j ' These show that arrears in - rates ( not current rates) to be £513 j 11“ fid. whilst £4l 16“ has been in- ! coned' in attempting to recover by ! solicitors and Court fees; thereby rail- ! ing it to £555 7s 2d. Of this gjEoaat I . only £79 15s 7d has been collected, ■ leaving a balance to be collected of ’ - ii7§'Hi 7d- There if also as item, of •

£240 4s lid which cannot be collected owing to having*, passed the statutory limit. The latter item is mentioned lo emphasise the heqd for close atteutiou to ratij collecting, for unless the Boil id collects all the money they are justly entitled to receive.' very little of the

many improvements required can be carried out. The current- rate shows that approximately £ll7O may be collected, whilst less than £240 of that amount has been received up to date. The Board should take such action that will ensure a speedy collection of same. Unfortunately Iho rate demands were issued too late to allow of the 10 per cent being added January 14th (the usual date), but this course will be followed in future.

Assuming* 90 per cent of European rates are collected and 20 per cent Native, the “Total revenue received would bo £Stio, plus £4O, making an amount of £9OO, or approximately £OOO to collect from now up to Alarcli 31st, 1021, and if pressure is applied a large percentage of the £47.5 11s 7d in arrears can Lie secured. The bank balance (debit) is £IOSS 12s, and accounts presented for payment £18!) 19s 3d. Office.—Several improvements are wanted in this branch of the work, more >uticularly in the method of filing letters. An expenditure of about £lO is necessary immediately. The.

typewriter is in very poor order, but

as a new one would cost approximately £4O il is proposed to leave this until the finances are boner. Arrangements have been made to clear tinoffice section of weeds. Alv assistant

is now in receipt of £1 per week. His duties iu the future will bo more responsible than in the past, and a substantial increase is asked for, ami his

appointment be made permanent as assistant town clerk aud engineer. Streets. Generally speaking the main streets compare favourably with other towns of a similar size, but milch remains to be done, and owing* to the contemplated electric water aud drainage loans, it would appear that im-

provement must be carried on out ol revenue. The method of mixing asphalt was slow owing lo heating the

gravel over hot plates. A more speedy way has been adopted by spreading the gravel lightly over the nearest footpath, taking full advantage of sun and wind. Bette: results will be obtained by erecting a shed at an esti-

mated cost of £3O, as shown in attached sketch. The men could bo J,otter employed during wet weather if this is carried out. Ii is also very im-

portant to finish mixing asphalt two or three months before laying the same. As much time as possible (dur-

ing the last, fortnight) has been spent mixing, ready for completing the work now started. Though the mixing is new. it is proposed to complete this work by Christmas. The amount of tar in hand is 280 gallons. The footpath in Wacrenga road has been trimmed up, but work of this nature, can

only be looked upon as temporary. Tarring ought to be done; but other footpaths should be attended to first. I am afraid very slow 'progress will bo made without a tar boiler and sprayer, and would suggest we hire one for the present season, and if possible pttr-,dia-e one next. Judging by the traffic 1 am of the opinion that, tar spraying with sand i- all that i- required on our footpath-, excepting in the business -yrc:>, where asphalt ,- better- lo tar and sand from Jubilee Hotel to Aotaki road wouffi cost. £9 if a sprayer is obtained. It is much better before tarring a footpath to lay the kerb (preferable concrete). Where a footpath is not laid 1 would recommend that from each house a gravel path be laid from the roadway. A start of this work ha:, already been made. Rojidway. —It is. evident that very little tar work can be done this season. but vc may consider next year scarifying, rc-metalliug and tarring the business section between the Central Hotel and Post Office. Library. Verbal application has been made for the £5 donation to the library funds. I understand this: was pro rained several months ago, and is required before the middle of January, to secure a larger subsidy from the Government. Horses and Dray.—l have gone into the" question of horse and dray upkeep and find that the expenditure tinder this Item from January. 1920, to November 2-1 t.h was £lB 19.“. This does not appear excessive, and during the tarring season 1 would not recommend any alterations. The question of cart-

ing by contract or day labour is important and ought to be considered with the annual estimates next April. The Board would lay out a programme and the quantities of material would then be obtained and the work arranged according to funds. Building Reports.—The building in- - nee tor reports no permits have been issued this month. Sacitarv Report.—The sanitary in--rntevor report* everything satisfactory. Plan of Borough.—Mess rs Bee re and Seddon have replied stating they have incurred expenses to the extent of £7. This appears satisfactory from the Board’s standpoint. Licenses.—These have been enquired into, and the licensees asked to call and see me. The atin Heats for adjustment is motor car for hire. They have only paid £1 each for 12 months, which is oat of all proportion to the advantages received. Street Lighting.—This is at present most unsatisfactory. Mr HadfleM "Knocks, assure* me there are six lamps iastaliec, but twp are out of action. I have not gene into the actual coifs vet. but it is evident additional lamps are very necessary, and an estimate ■will fee made np shortly. Water. Drainage and Electric Light. —Owing to pre&sere of work I have not bees able' to ■go ■ into these setoses, gad would suggest eoisrideraxioii be deferred sent January meeting. The Board does not ’ posse** ' a level, therefore all data as to levels, etc., win be assumed as correct The report was adopted.