MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

Otaki Mail, 20 March 1922, Page 2

MUNICIPAL MATTERS.

MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL* The monthly meeting of the Otu'ki Borough Council was held last Thursday evening. In the absence of tlie Mayor through indisposition, Cr. C. Kilsby presided. Other members present were Crs. H. Cockrell, J. Bills, H. Taylor. A. W. Broadway. Correspondence. The Medical Officer of Health, Wellington, informed the Council that drainage work carried out at the .Sanatorium by the Public Works Department did not come under the Council’s by-laws.—Received. Mr liema T-e Ao wrote asking for consideration in any action contemplated through his horse having beer, found wondering on the street, as, it had got out accidentally.—Received. Mr T. Bwensson forwarded Iris resignation as ranger, lamplighter and sexton as he was leaving the district, and thanked the Council for the manner in which it had treated him.—The resignation was accepted. In reply to the Council’s enquiry, the Health Officer detailed the procedure by which the borough may be brought under the Plumber’s Registration Act in view of a water supply and drainage system being installed. —Received. Creek Requires Cleaning. Mrs Hcma Hakarain and Mrs Eliza Cootes drew attention to the state of the creek through No. 8 Tutanakiuo, and asked the Council to call upon the adjacent owners to proceed with the cleaning of the creek where it runs through their properties. Through becoming overgrown and choked with watercress the water was becoming stagnant and a danger to health. Provided other occupiers of property were required to clear the creek adjacent to their land, the writers would attend to the portion through their sections. Cr. Broadway said one of the Cootes family had seen hint about the matter. The people were using the water for drinking purposes, and the creek should be cleaned out. Cr. Cockrell pointed out that it was not much use cleaning out the top end if the bottom end was left. All should do their share. On the motion of Cr. Broadway, it was decided that the owners or occupiers referred to be asked to clear out portion of creek running through their ground as requested by the writers of the letter. The Finance Act. A copy of the Local Bodies’ Finance Act was received from the Minister ol Internal Affairs, the Minister pointing out that section 5 made it compulsory for the authority, within three months of the end of its financial year, to deliver a correct statement, of fa) the sums owing at ihe end of its present financial year on overdraft at its flankers; (b) the sums so then owing to persons from whom it had received nienevs on deposit; and (c) the name of the bankers of such local authority. The town clerk suggested that a committee lie set up to go into the matter fully, or the Mayor to act in conjunction with the linance committee. Cr. Cockrell pointed out a weakness in the act in regard to monies outstanding and the powers of a local body to borrow,. As chairman of the Finance Committee he urged the necessity of the Works e.u d Finance Committee* keeping in. closer contact during the coming year in view of the stringency of the times and the operations of the new act. He supported the suggestion that the Finance Committee, in conjunction with the Mayor, consider more fully the operations of the Act. The suggestion was adopted. The Napier Borough Council wrote in reference to section 45 of the Finance Act, 1920, stating that it appeared that the banks were acting iD accord in the direction of practically nullifying this section of the act. When a local authority took advantage of the authority of the section, the bank either reduced the overdraft limit or inserted in the letter granting the overdraft a proviso “That this limit must not be used for the repayment of moneys transferred from special loan accounts to the general account.” Local bodies were thus penalised by having to pay seven per cenl. interest on overdraft while the bank rate for moneylodged on fixed deposit was 3j per cent, for three months and 3J per cent, for six months. The Napier Council therefore forwarded the following resolution: “That the Government be asked to introduce legislation providing that, credit of local authorities: or loan accounts shall be set. off by the banks against uebit balances on other accounts as regards payment of interest on the latter accounts.” Cr. Cockrell said he did not see why the Council should not have the benefit of the money to the credit of any of their accounts. They had none at present, but they would have some soon. He moved that the resolution be supported. The motion was carried. Bathing Shed at Eamgiuru Mr Bvron Brown. Wellington, ip reply to an enquiry from the Council re a bathing shed for Banguirn. said he had a steel hutment on hand, which if not sold to a prospective buyer, the Council could have. He could get a few more hutments from the British Government and they would be here in time for next bathing season. Cr. Cockrell said it wag necessary that an area should be defined where people should bathe. Cr. Broadway said there was another matter —the location of the life-saving reel. It was no use having the reel at the kiotk if the people were 'going to bathe at Ranginru. There would be no time to ran up for the reel if if wais wanted in a hurry. Xko town clerk explained that this matter was dealt with at the previous night’* meeting oi the Life-Saving Club. It tad been decided that club procure two reels, and have <in£

at the kiosk and the other at Rangiuru, also to police the beach. A Proposal Turned Down. Cr. Kilsby said a resolution had been passed some time ago to the effect, that no- tarring or ashphalting be done for private people. The circumstance's had now changed. There were a lot of unemployed about, and it might be the means of giving them work, as he believed there was a lot of private work of this sort to be got. Cr. Taylor: That will mean taking our men off their work. The town clerk said it was not proposed to put their own men on private work, but to use casual labour. Cr. Bills asked if it was proposed that casual men from outside the town wr u to be put on. Or. .Kilsby said no: they would take on men belonging to Hie town. in reply to Cr. Taylor, tho town clerk said that this private work would be done under the supervision of tits borough foreman. The wages of tho foreman would be charged against the job. Cr. Bills moved that the resolution remain as it was at present. Cr. Broadway contended that private people who had tar work to do could get all the labour they wanted simply by advertising for them. They would have no difficulty in getting the men. It was decided that matters remain as they were at present. A Tar Boiler. The Council had several communications from various linns giving quotes for a tar boiler and sprayer, the lowest priced one being Hill gallon at £2lu. The others went up to as high as £4OO. The town clerk said, speaking from experience, there was no necessity to buy a liigh-priceil boiler. There was no cal! for such a vehicle in Otaki. A suitable one could be made in the town out of ordinary tanks. It mud not j . have n sprayer attached; iu fact he considered much better work could be : P done by brushing the tar over the surj face with brushes than by spraying. Cr. Taylor suggested that Mr Davies : s be authorised to have a tank constructj ed on the lines suggested out of two j tanks. This was supported by Cr. Bills and I Broadway. In reply to Cr. Cockrell, Mr Davies j. said a tar boiler locally made would be r quite safe for use in the business part f of the town. Cr. Kilsby said he was against the local proposal, but would be quit ■ wil- ' ling to give way to the majority. 5 Cr. Taylor moved, and it was carried, that Mr Davies be authorised to draw f up specifications for a tar boiler to be constructed locally. 1 Grading the Streets. Cr. Taylor asked if the Works Committee would have a chance of using the grader before winter. It would dear the grass away from tho sides of. jj ' the roads, and allow tho water to oh- 1 cape. Mr Davies said the Council grader was for grading metal only. It would not cut the grass off the sides of the roads. Or. Taylor said if that was so they ! should get tho County grader if possi- ' bio. J The Council agreed that a gradwr ; ' would do the streets a lot of good, and j if was decided to make enquiries from , 1 the County Council. ; Other Business. Mr A. K. Wellington, sanitary inspector, reported that he had now finB ished all his return visits, and all ur-1 gent sanitary affairs were under way. 1 He considered that his duty with re-1 gard to rubbish was now complete.— | Adopted. It was decided that the Council write | to a local resident stating that cor., | plaints had been received regarding | the pace at which he drove his motor | Unless the nuisance r.vi- abated, a corr- ft plaint would be lodged with fh*- polio r Cr. Bills drew attention to the rr | glected condition of Te Rauparabt | j Street. It was decided that the vtr<“' p be attended to at the first opportunity g Cr. Cockrell enquired whether th s I j whole Council, or Works Committee | , onlv. would have the deciding of tfef I contracts in connection with the ws-p , ter and drainage schemes. —Cr. Kilsby | r said he took it the whole Council woukpj deal vitk these matters.