COUNCIL REPORTS.

Otaki Mail, 20 March 1922, Page 3

COUNCIL REPORTS.

CONSIDERED AT LAST MEETING. Several reports were placed before the Borough Council at last Thursday's meeting. The Works Committee reported that a bathing shed for Rangiuru should be secured for next summer. The Committee recommenced that the resolution as required under section 117 of the Public Works Act, excepting Mr James from setting his boundary fence 33ft from centre of the street line in Aotaki Street, be agreed to by the Council, but could not recommend the Council to adopt the same course with Iti Street, as a portion of this street has previously been set back to the proper line. The committee considered several verbal protests against a change of IDs for dog license and decided to instruct the registrar to report' all persons owning a house dog who refused to take out a license. The Committee lecommended the Council to approve of subdivision of land on Tasman Road as per plan for Mr A. J. Clark.—The report was adopted. The foreman (Mr Webby) reported as follows: —All our roads are in fair order, the last rain setting them down nicelv. The principal work done daring the mouth was tarring Mill Road footpath, which has been finished. I am now busy making footpaths at the station and Bell and Kirk Streets. I would like to ask if anything is to be done on the footpath on Rauparalia Street as far as the. Convent. Complaints have been made to mo in the way that the speed which a motorist rides his motor bike through the town and on the roads. I have on hand tar 28 barrels and sand 15 yards. I must state that’ there is a great waste of tar through leaky barrels only having about ‘JO gallons on arrival. I would, mention that the Mangapouri Creek be cleaned out again which would do then through the'winter. I would like to get the maintenance metal on tho roads as soon as possible.—Adopted.

The poundkeeper (Mt Chandler) stated that 11 head of stock had been impounded during the month. The Finance Committee, in its report, stated that a letter was considered from the secretary of the Otaki Rest Resort Memorial Scheme, asking for a remission of rates on the ground that tho property would be used as a public resort. It was decided to recommend that the whole of the rates be remitted. The committee recommended that in future no summons should be Withdrawn until the matter has been considered by the Finance Committee or Council. —Adoptod. TOWN CLERK’S REPORT. Tho Town Clerk reported:—Whilst attending the conference of Civil Engineers in Wellington, the following Government Departments were visited: Dr. Hughes District Health Officer. This officer outlined the procedure, to be taken in the event of a recurring epidemic. He proposes to visit Otaki at an early date to outline the suggest-

ed organisation. Advances Office: Along with Mr Field I interviewed Mr Wardell, of the Advances Office, rc loan for water works. We were assured that the first £SOOO of loan money would be sent through to Otaki before March 31st 1922.

Enquiries were made from the secretary of Forestry Department to ascertain their views re preservation of forest in connection with our proposed water supply. If the Council so desire, an officer will be scut up, both to express an opinion and report. In connection with my interviewing the various heads of Government Department, I would like to express my indebtedness to Mr Field. He was particularly willing and very useful. The papers read at the conference were of a very instructive character. The discussions following, combined with visits to municipal works arc particularly helpful in keeping an engineer up to date. Enquiries were vlso made with a view to purchase branding tools l'or laying out the new plots at'the cemetery. Tho combined set would have cost £5 12s 6d. This was considered a large expense for the number of graves to be laid off. A simple device has since been used, which whilst costing very little, will answer the pur--.'pose well. Bfc.'The Government Auditor- was also Te new Finance Act, a general outline of which was given at the special meeting of Council called for that* purpose. Since the meeting a copy has been forwarded to this office' The Council should pass a resolu-

non at this next meeting re “Autecedant Liability” or the overdraft at March 31st, 1922 . Street Works: As verbally reported the street expenditure has come below the estimated cost. After the recent special meeting, &e tar work which would have been completed this month, was deferred, in order to prepare further footpaths at the station end, Waerenga Road, Bell and Kirk Streets. These works are well in hand, and a restart of the tar work will be made shortly. I have also authorised further metftl to be spread on Mill Road. Water Works: Messrs Beere and Seddon have completed the survey of the proposed catchment area. Mr Seddon assures me the plan will be ready in. about a tini6. The plans for reinforced concrete tank are well in hand and should be ready for calling tenders in a few day’s time.—The reportwas adopted.