OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, 15 December 1922, Page 3

OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above was held on Wednesday night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. P. Brandon), Crs. C. Kilsby, J. R. Bills, A. W. Broadway, H. Taylor, H. Cockrell, and R. Carkeek. Correspondence. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — Prom Eric Morse (Lyric Pictures) asking for permission to screen pictures on Xmas night.—Application granted, subject to the approval of Mayor and Town Clerk. The Chairman stated Mr Morse would put on a suitable programme and start after Church service. Application was also made by Mr Morse to run a streamer across the road at a height of 22ft. —Granted, although some Crs. were inclined to make objection. From Civil Engineers Society inviting the engineer to be present at a conference to be held at Auckland. — The Mayor considered the Engineer should be present; it gave him a good chance to meet and discuss matters in general which would prove advantageous. Cr. Bills raised the question of expense, but the Mayor and Cr. Taylor thought the money would be well spent. —Engineer to attend.

A letter from the tenants of the Mission property asked for better drainage, while Messrs Buick and Fogden attended in support. They stated they desired the creek cleaned so as to relieve their properties of a lot of water, and considered that as they paid high rates they were justly entitled to consideration. Water from the town drains added to their troubles. They also desired that the drain be cleaned at least three times a year, once being insufficient, and suggested the work be done in March, July, and November. The Mayor pointed out that the land had been viewed, while Cr. Bills considered the request should be granted. Cr. Coekreii pointed cut that iu another locality owners were called upon to help clear the drains, and it was only fair all should be treated in a similar way. It was agreed that the work should be done, but as for clearing three times a year it was decided to get a report from the Engineer. .Mr Fogden asked if there was any chance of getting a reduction in rates, but the Mayor pointed out. that this was a matter for the Valuation Department, being outside the jurisdiction of the Council.

From Pairoroku Rikihana asking for creek by the hospital to be cleaned. — Decided to advise Mr Rikihana that the work was being done, and that it was expected that the work would be quite satisfactory. Mr Rikihana thanked the Council for the help afforded him, and stated he was grateful. He felt sure the Council ■would do' its best for him in the matter. Mr Rikihana also drew attention to the Mangapouri creek and the blockage caused by people below him. Due to blockage a deal of inconvenience was caused, and he hoped the matter would soon be righted. The Mayor said the creek was being attended to and that Mr Rikihana wtuld have no cause for complaint.

From H. V. Wilton giving authority for the Council to take water pipes through his property on condition that he was given a tap.—Referred to Works Committee. In answer to Cr. Cockrell the Clerk said nothing further had been done re motor ambulance beyond an offer of the Power Board engineer to inspect it and make a trial run. Cr. Taylor drew attention to the bad state of the road leading to tho Otaki bridge and said ratepayers had stated they would not pay their rates unless improvement was affected. He considered the road the worst in the district.

Cr. Broadway considered it the worst in New Zealand, and said there were bad pot-holes by the score. C?r. Bills moved, and Cr. Oockrell seconded, that unless the Horowhenua County Council effected repairs tho jßorough Council do the work and charge to the County.—Carried. Cr. Rikihana asked that when the water-pipes were being unloaded the ratepayers be given preference to do ratepayers be given preference to do the work.—The Engineer said the matter would receive his consideration. Cr. Kilsby suggested that floors be put in the dressing sheds at the beach, bat it was generally believed that the flooring would soon be ''lifted""' for firing purposes, and therefore no action was taken. It was pointed out that there were numerous pot-holes in some roads, and it was agreed they should have attention.

The question of wandering stock was 'discussed, and it was decided to give an old offender a final warning. It was agreed that the' Council staff be given 14 days' holiday at Christmas, the office to re-open on January 6th. It was decided to cut the grass on Waerenga road without further delay. |t was resolved to put a water valve at the corner of tho Waitohu road. CLERK'S REPORT. The Town Clerk (Mr F. C Davies) reported as under: — Considering the weather good pro-J gress has been made on footpath for-! jaation Waerenga Eoad will be finished in a few aays, leaving only Jim 1 Boad section to be prepared, ready for, tar. On scooping the sand off the sec-. tion of road between Kiosk and beach, the formation was found too weak to] proceed further. To make this road suitable for tar would require at-least j 12 inches of metal, a width of 14 feet, j and could not be done out of this yearte revenue. Re Water Works.—The tank- walls are now tip leaving only- th& division, wall land valve' chambers; to complete £h» .wurkl Levels of the completed

I work are very satisfactory, and give

every indication of complete success. The first load of pipes arrived on the 9th inst. Unfortunately the 4in. pipos are with the first shipment. The station master has, however, very readily agreed to temporary storage in the yard, in the event of a large supply arriving. The contractor has been instructed to cart the Sin. first, and an opportunity presents itself to lay the 4in. along the streets nearest to the j station. | The Railway engineers have agreed to allow this Council to lay the Bin. pipes under the crossing at Mill Road, we to pay cost of £2 2s 6d for deed. J During the month £2OOO has been received, from the State Advances Officc for Water Works. An application i ! has been made for a further £SOOO. | Sewage. —The detail levels between j Post Office and Waitohu Stream are nearly finished. On completion a conference will be arranged between the owners and occupiers of the land, and the Council. The money can be borrowed from the Public Service Superannuation Board,; and Messrs Cooper, Rapley & Ruther- j ford have agreed to this Council communicating direct with that office. \ The dressing sheds at the beach have , been erected, and appear to answer the,

purpose well. The rates (with arrears and current) are coming in well. The Council should, however, consider the additional 10 per cent at the January meeting. Finance Committee's Meeting. The Finance Committee held a meeting in the Council Chambers on December 11, 1922. Correspondence was read from: — Messrs Cooper, Rapley & Rutherford, re £14,000 loan, agreeing to the suggestion that we communicate directly with the Superannuation Board. —Reforrud to Council. From Messrs Cooper Rapley & Rutherford agreeing to payment of a portion of cost in connection with the cleaning of Mangapouri Creek. From Messrs Harper & Atrnore re tennis court land and apportionment of rates. —Referred to Valuation Department. N.Z. Society Civil Engineer, re con ference at Auckland February next. •- Referred to Council. , Lyric Picture Company asking permission to hold a picture entertainment on Xmas night.—Referred to Council. From Mr Tolan, of Feilding, asking Council to authorise the numbering of residences within the Borough at a charge of Is for each number. —The ' Committee decided not to recommend this to Council at present. { Works Committee's Meeting. I

A meeting of the Works Committee was held in the Council Chambers on Friday, December 9, 1922. Letters were discussed from: — Messrs Harper & Atrnore re subdivision of land by Mr Letts, near the Otaki river bridge.—Recommended that seal of Council be attached. From Messrs Harper & Atrnore re proposed subdivision of land in Kangiuru Road, by Mr Ryder, and his request for compensation for narrow strip of land to set road-line back 33ft. from the centre. The plan was not re-sub-mitted with the letter, there the Committee could not make any recommendation re seal of Council, but the letter was referred to Council for full consideration.

From Messrs Duthic & Co., ro supply of pipes, and fittings, per s.s. Kent. The Committee noted that the 4in. pipes, due two months later, were coming with the large pipes. Decided to lay 4in. pipes along the streets, but Sin. pipes must have the preference of carting. The Committee recognise that every effort must be made to get the main line through as early as possible. The Town Clerk was instructed to interview the contractor re carting of 4in. pipes. The Town Clerk reported that the Government Railway engineer had approved of tho method of crossing the railway line with the pipes at a cost of £2 2s 6d, for deed. From tenants 'of Mission property, asking Council to clean out Rangiuru Creek, section 5 to Rangiuru bridge. —Referred to Council for favourable consideration.

Letters were read from several owners of land adjoining Mangapouri Creek, asking the Council to compel | other owners to clean their sections. The Committee report that a large number of owners and occupiers have I cleaned the creek, but where default has been made the Council is now employing labouy, and claim' will be lodged against persons interested in the adjoining property. From Messrs Harper & Atmore, stating that all formalities had been completed re by-laws, and that they could j now be printed. The Town Clerk stated that Mrs Quill had complained about water from the road draining on her property. The Committee consider that this would not have occurred if Mrs Quill had not stopped the tarring of the footpath last year. The Town Clerk has been jnt structea to take, steps to prevent a recurrence, as soon as the present footpath formation would allow. The Committee recommend that the grass be cut in "Waerenga Koad, Domain Eoad, and Sangiuru-Koad, and that residents bg allowed to cart the hay a'way.

Health Inspector's Report. f The Health Inspector (J. W. "Hug-J ? e t)Ql£e4i — ..-■■'.; { It is pleasing, to note that Otakij still remains free from notifiable infec- J tious diseases, np cases having been reported during the month. Several I matters affecting the sanitary condition of the Borough have been dealt with' during the month. The creek near the railway, the cause of many complaints J last month, is now satisfactory again. The Wellington City Council has taken steps to prevent drainage, from the f acj tory entering the creek in future, and Lits.has also guarded against any possible.

j negligence. The drainage at the local . Post Office has been the cause of coni- , plaints. On inspection it appears that , the drain pipes choke near the soak- . pit, and this causes the drainage to back up and overflow from the gully trap out on to the street. I I would recommend that the Council ' serve notices on the P.W. Department, 1 to take steps to have the drain repaired or improved so as to prevent a recurrence of this trouble. Regarding the septic tank at Mr An'dorson's, near the Otaki bridge.—ln your letter you state "that the tank is situated about 20ft. from the house, whereas the by-laws say 60ft. ■" It !is now a matter for your Council to ' deal with this breach of the by-laws. | This case should serve to illustrate the | advisability of insisting on the lodging :of notice of intention to commence ' sanitary works together with a plan of the proposed works. Had this been done, the present unfortunate position would not have arisen. The drainage from the Eailway Hotel is not in good working order. It seems that the soak-pit taking the overflow from the septic tank is not working. Regarding the request made to your Council to allow the effluent to discharge direct into the creek, I could not recommend that this be allowed. I would suggest that notice be served on Messrs Staples & Co., owners of the hotel, to put the drainage in working order immediately, and, if necessary, construct a new soak-pit to take the effluent from the septic tank. This soakpit should be excavated to the gravel subsoil, such sub-soil to be further loosened by'the use of explosive charge. An overflow fdter trench, from the-soak-pit, could then be laid towards the creek. This filter trench would require to be constructed to this Department's approval. Foreman's Report. j I Mr R. Webby (foreman) reported:—

During the month the footpath on Rauparaha Street, as far as the Convent bridge, has been graded, also the footpaths on north side of Rangitira Street. Our roads arc keeping in good order. I have been at the water works most of the month. I L i made p start with the pipe drain. P tiring the month tho pipes for the intake drain arrived, and also tools which were ordered in Wellington.