AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 17, 3 July 1912, Page 4

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

WEEKLY MEETING. The Mayor (Mr W. Dunn), Crs Berriman, Comrie, Hart, Lawrie, Bilkey, Pollock, Hamilton and Johns were present nt Wednesday evening's meeting. Finance. Important matters of finance were dealt with, and in connection with the statement of accounts, which are reported elsewhere. Cr Comrie drew attention to the fact that accounts that were passed for payment two months ago had not yet been paid. Bills were now coming in with unpleasant footnotes to them. "Why," he asked, "were these accounts not paid ?" The Mayor said there had been a difficulty as to the bank account from which the money should be paid, but at the last meeting it was understood that they were to be paid out of the Qeneral Account. Mr Patterson (late Town Clerk) said one reason was that the cheques had not been signed. A cheque due to Mr Comrie had not been paid. Cr Comrie said it was not because he had £2 coming to him that he spoke. But if the small account had not been owing he would probably have supposed that all the accounts were being paid. It was certainly a very unbusinesslike thing to go on passing accounts—a good many hundreds of pounds worth had been passed, and seemingly they were not being paid. It was decided that accounts will be paid at next meeting, amd bi-weekly from that date forward. The Mayor said he mflMoot sign any cheques in the the vouchers had been before them in proper order. Councillors: Hear, hear. A Foreman. The Mayor reported that for the position of foreman of works there were 20 applicants, and three had been selected, namely, Messrs Evans and 8. J. Clewes (Devonport), and Dunbar (Waihi). The Committee offered to pay the fares of these applicants to Pukekohe, and after interviewing them had appointed Mr Evans, who would begin work on July 1. A Bad Road. Cr Pollock said that the state of the road by the horse bazaar was a disgrace to any local body. If a man were put on there for two days he would make a good job of it. Referred to the Works Committee with power to act. Cr Lawrie reported that a carpenter had been engaged to build a counter in the Town Clerk's office, and some furniture was now required. Riding on Footpaths. Cr Johns moved, That notices be put up offering £2 leward for information leading to the conviction of persons riding on the footpaths. This practice, he said, was scandalous. It had been going on for some time, and should be put a stop to. They had spent a large sum of money in getting the footpaths in order, and the Council should not permit them to be destroyed. Cr Lawrie seconded.—Carried.

Are the Men to be Sacked ? Cr Comrie said the men employed by the Council wanted to know whether they were to be kept on or BAckodi Cr Bilkey : We can only keep on one or two to fill in the ruts. It was explained that work on Roulston's road had been suspended on account of the weather. Cr Pollock said that the Council should decide which men would be put off; they should not leave it to the foreman. Cr Lawrie said if the Council were to say to the foreman " let Jack go and keep on Bill," it would not be good enough, and he would " chuck the spade at you." It was explained that the foreman would be quite new to the men, and would not know what was best to be done, and that some of the men might have to go before the foreman had seen them working. The Works Committee were empowered to act. Telegraph Posts. The Post and Telegraph Department expressed their willingness to remove the posts complained of if the Council would pay £1 towards the cost and repair the concrete channel in Seddon-street. The Town Clerk was to make further enquiries. Damage by Water. F. J Morrow, executor of the estate of the late W. Morrow, drew attention to the damage being done on the estate by flood water alleged to have been turned off its natural course and on to this property by the Pukekohe West Road Board. "The property will shortly be put in crop," said the writer, " and will hold the Council liable for any damage to the same." , Cr Johns (who is Chairman of the Road Board), said it was an old story of twenty years. In any case the property, from its position, would have to take most of the flood water. Cr Hamilton moved, That the Council disclaim liability. Cr Comrie said they should know Hfcat they were doing, and moved, ffiiat the matter be referred to the 'Works Committee for report. —This was carried. The Telephone. The matter of installing the telephone into the Town Clerk s office and the Mayor's residence was introduced. Cr Johns moved, That the telephone be installed in the office. He pointed out that if there were 51 subscribers an eight-to-eight service would be obtained, which would be a big advantage to the whole district. Cr Lawrie seconded. An amendment by Crs Comrie and Bilkey, " That the matter be deferred until after the public meeting of ratepayers," was carried. Building Plans. Two building plans were approved, but the Mayor remarked that before long they would have to consider the kind of buildings that would be sanctioned. Waterworks Engineer. There were 48 applicants for the position of engineer. These were reduced to three, who are to wait upon the Council at the next meeting. The Council sat until half an hour after midnight.