AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 23, 14 August 1912, Page 1

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

WEEKLY MEETING. The Mayor and all the Councillors wore present at the last meeting. Drainage Area. Crs. Lawrie and Hamilton, who w ore deputed to consider and report upon the most suitable drainage boundary, suggested the inclusion of the following area: — South side of station.—Take in saleyards, 6 chains south of Harris-street, up to Jackson's corner, 6 chains west of West-road, down to Victoria-street to Seddon-street, Seddon-street to north of convent, easterly across the railway line to Prospect Terrace to East-street, take a diagonal line from this point, going across part of Mr Berriman's property to saleyards. Number of houses to be served: — Seddon-street 10, Tobin-street 8, Vic-toria-street 2, Edinborough-street 10, Blake-road 6, HarriDgton-avenue 1, Library-road 6, King-street and Westroad 62, Harris-street 11, Manukauroad 9, Hall-street 5, Queen-street 4, East-street 8, Prospect Terrace 6, Railway-road 6, Roulston-Berriman-road 1 ; total 155.

Aftor discussion it was decided to refer the report hack for further information upon several fresh points that were raised during the debate. Building By-Laws. The foreman reported having inspected a buildiug in course of erection by Mr Goodwin. The building (which he described) was unsatisfactory and in an insanitary condition. The were dead rabbits, rabbit skins, etc., about, and he had given instructions that these must be removed.

Cr. Johns said if the by-laws held good the Council should stand by them and if people started building before they submitted plans they should be fined. Mr Goodwin is to be asked to furnish plans forthwith. The question of the validity of the by-laws having been raised it was decided to refer the matter to Mr Mason for his opinion. Rates. To cover the Departmental requirements in connection with the £1250 additional on the £12,500 loan, it was decided to strike a rate of ono-twelfth of a penny in the £. It is understood that this rate will not be collected. Town Board Accounts. The Mayor explained that owing to the time occupied in Auckland not much had boen done this week with the Town Board accounts. "They may be ready in a fortnight," he said, " but don't be surprised if they are not."

Additional Loans Proposed. It was decided to add £750 to the loan proposals for the purpose of procuring meters. Cr. Johns said Saturday night's meeting (reported elsewhere in this issue) was not a very big one, and. he believed that the amount of money required should be put on the loan proposals and let the people decide. Two shoulders could boar the burden better than one. It was not to say that because the Town District fixed the rate to outsiders at Is 9d per 1000 gals that that would bo the charge. He moved, That a poll of outsido ratepayers be taken to ascertain whether they would come into the water area. Cr. Berriman seconded. The Mayor thought it would be waste of time. Cr. Pollock said they could not go over the heads of the ratepayers. The motion was lost. Crs. Lawrie and Hamilton proposed, That a £SOO loan be submittod for water extension in the town area.— Carried. Recreation Ground. Cr. Pollock said the Show Committee wore looking for a new ground, and he thought the Borough might combine with them and have a joint ground for recreation grounds and show purposes.

Crs. Hamilton, Johns and Lawrie were of opinion that the Society would not share authority, and the Mayor remarked that it the Council put money into it they would require control. No action was taken. Rates. Cr. Bilkey moved, That a threefarthing rate be struck. He added that he would trust the people for the loan. The Mayor: With the three-farthing rate, but without the loan, the Council would simply have 1 to put up its shutters, so far as public works are concerned. Some discussion ensued and the Mayor said he would give notice to move at next meeting that a threefarthing rate on the capital value be struck over the whole ot the Borough; and that a special rate of thirteensixteenths of a penny be struck over the old Town Board area. Metal.

In view of the financial position Cr. Lawrie moved that the metal purchased be kept down to one truck a week.—Seconded by Cr. Comrie and carried.