PUKEKOHE TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 5, 10 April 1912, Page 4

PUKEKOHE TOWN BOARD.

Fortnightly Meeting.

The fortnightly meeting of the Pukekohe Town Board was held on Thursday evening ; present — Commissioners Webdter (Chairman), Costello and Berriman. Fear about Water. Arising out of the minutes the question cropped up concerning the movement of storm-water which might follow after the formation of the new roads proposed to be opened up (extension of Hall-street and back of Library road) by Messrs Boulston Bros. The Chairman said if the water were carried on to any other property the Board would be liable. The Foreman said the best way was to have the drainage run through past the Police Court on to Manakau road. His estimate of the lowost possible price for forming the roads and footpaths was £BS 55., cesspits and pipes £l6, scoria £35 10s Bd., metal waste for footpaths £36 155., total £172 5s Bd.

The Chairman said they should see Mr Boulston and get him to agree to undertake the cost of the piping in addittion to the cost ot the road and path making. Commissioner Costello said the Board need not accept dedication and take over the roads until some such agreement were made. Commissioner Berriman said that if Mr Boulston idemnified the Board against any possible damage from the drainage off the roads proposed to be formed, it would be all right. Upon the minutes being confirmed, the Chairman gave notice to move, That the minute relating to the proprosed new roads be rescinded and that action be held over unless a satisfactory arrangement be made with Mr Boulston in the meantime. The Chairman and Commissioner Dell were appointed a committee to meet Mr Boulston to discuss the matter and try to come to some satisfactory arrangement.

New Buildings

Permission to build was given to Messrs Smith and Wood (house for Mr E. Chambers), to Mr John Duncan for a private house, and to Mr B. F. Webster for additions to his present premises which are to be enlarged to suit the requirements of the "Times." The additions to Mr Tyrrell's shop were also approved. Dedication. A deed of dedication by Mr A. Berriman, of four acres, for a highway to be known as Birch road was received. The road runs into Pukekohe East Eoad Board district and the part under the jurisdiction of the Town Board was dealt with. Mr Berriman said he was prepared to deposit the money for the formation of the road immediately the cost was computed. . Commissioner Costello asked if it was not necessary in the Town Board area to have footpaths formed and the road done according to conditions. The Chairman said that outside the heart of the town the road metalling alone was done, but room for the footpaths, ten-foot wide, had been left. Commissioner Dell drew a distinction between town and country roads and explained what had been done before. Commissioner Beniman said this was a country road and the places for the footpaths were high und dry. Commissioner Costello said he would be cutting up property presently and he hoped that it, too, would be in the suburban area. Dedication was accepted. Hickey's No. 2 Bridge. The Foreman (Mr Little) reported that on March 15th it rained and four yards of concrete (using five bags of cement) was washed out. Extra work was done on the culvert, the grade had been raised towards Hickey's hill, and other things done, but the w ork was completed under his estimate by £8 5s 5d and under the lowest tender by £l3 16s Bd, while the Board had got the timber to the good. The Chairman reported very favorably upon the work done but suggested certain further improvements. It was decided to round up the face of the culvert, to place metal on the culvert 12 feet wide, and to erect a fence at each end. Works Eecommended.

The Foreman referred to the Eaststreet crossing and footpath, and said that foot-passengers could not cross without going up to their knees in mud. He recommended the Board to finish the footpath from the railway crossing to the top of tho hill, but not unless it were kerbed arid channelled, as it could not be kept up on account of the cattle. To attempt to do without the kerb would only be to throw money away. He recommended day labour, at a total cost of £57 10s.

The state of Hooey's road was referred to as having become dangerous for traffic; this work should be done as it was only one day's work for the staff.

Commissioner Dell argued very strongly against the chopping and changing about with works. It appeared that the work was split up and every little bit of work required a foreman. People said that there were three foremen—which was too many. The other day one man was spreading scoria and another was showing him how to do it. The man spent, he

thought, about three-quarters of an hour doing the bit of work. It was disgraceful. It was quite time to sit on this sort of thing. They were on the Convent hill now and it should be finished. They bad work begun here and work begun there and they should concentrate their efforts upon getting the jobs that were in hand finished. In answer to Commissioner Dell, the Foreman explained the numerous works that were in hand. The Chairman agreed with Commissioner Dell that there was a good deal of time wasted through having the teams split up on so many works. Commissioners Webster, Dell and Costello were appointed a Finance Committee to go into the various accounts, showing the money spent and the money to be spent on the different roads. It was decided to order sufficient metal waste to complete the works in hand. It was resolved to cut out Convent hill and that road be cut down where the pine stumps are, so that the stumps can be taken away. This was all the business.