AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 108, 8 July 1913, Page 1

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Fortnightly Meeting.

Ihei'3 were piesent al Wednesday right's meeting—The Mayor (Mr C. K, Law:ie), Crs Hamilton, Abbott, Patterson, Pollock, (Jomrie, Hurley and Beatty. PUBLIC POUND.

Cr Hurley stated that he had rot seen Cr Bilkey abcut the matter since the previous meeting, and nothing had been done.

The Mayor: It's time something was done. WATERWORKS.

Cr Hamilton reported t'oat the Waterworks Committee had metf.nd discussed the question of (he price of water for lighting the new hall. Nothing had been definitely decided on, but it was suggested that the Mayor meet Mr Ranger and ask what terms ho wanted. Mr Gannon had vinited Pukekoha and inspected tha water supply. The report would be submitted shortly. MORROW'S ROAD.

The Foreman recommended that the work consist of about four chains of cutting, 18 feet wide by 3 feet deep; tbe lower portion of the roadway to be raised so as to allow the watir to be carried along to the foot of the hill, thence carried across the road by means of a culvert, followed en by a ditch three feet six inches deep along the lower boundary of the road, the water to be turned around at corner of pir.e tre-s and lead away to gully by a water-table.

Cr Abbott proposed, and Cr Comtie seconded, that the Foreman's suggestions be adopted and the work gone oa with. —Carried. KING STREET.

Cr Follock reported that the Works Committee had cot met and were unable to present a report that evening. Cr Abbott: Will we ever get a report? Cr Beatty said the Committee were waiting for the engineer to consult him.

The Mayor said Mr Gannon had invited tho Council to visit the road works he had under construction at Newmarket and elsewhere.

The Council thought this an excellent idea, and were in favour of its acceptance. The seleeiion of u day caused some trouble, but finally Wednesday, 9th inst., was fixed as the day tor the Council's outicg. Cr Pollock: I would like to know what Cr Abbott means by asking: "Will there be a report?" Cr Abbott: I mean nothing. I only asked a question. The man in the street says there will be no reDort.

The Mayor: ihat'll do, HORSE AND DRAY,

Cr Pollcck reported that the Works Committee had purchased a horse (£45), dray (£l3 10s), and harness (£3 155)., RANGER. An application from D. Daiton for the position of ranger was referred to the poucd-committee. LOAN MONIES. Gi Beatty considered the Council should decide what they were going to do in regard ta the expenditure of loan money on Northern and Bill No. 2 areas. If they did not do something quickly 'they would find the tine vveathet here before any course of action was determined.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee to report on. BUILDING PERMITS. Building permits were granted to H. E, Smith, D. Lindsey and Co , and E, Smith, suoject to the Inspector's approval. THE FINE BRIGADE. The secretary of the Fire Brigade complained that members who had been on duty had been refused admission at entertainments. The letter concluded: "Would you kindly fix the rate uf' charges p:r man for attending entertainments?".— Referred to the Fire ifrigade Committee to report.

CULVERT WANTED,

The Pukekohe West Road Board wrcte :—"On Pollock's road, near Mr John Blake's property, a large body of water comes from the Pukekohe borough, and lies on the read just inside the boundary of the Pukekohe West road district. The Road Board has been requested ty ralepayers to do something to obvi.te the evil. In view of tha fact that the pleca is adjacent to jour boundary, and that the bulk ot the water comes from your district, the Board would rsk your Ccunciljto cc-operati with the Board in this matter, and suggests that your Council should supply 20 nine-inch pipes, thereupon my Board would supply the labour neceessary to put them into position and make a proper culvert, thus remedying the evil mentioned, "—Referred (o Works Committee. DANGEROUS CROSSINGS. Te Awamutu Chamher' of Commerce wrote asking the Council's support of a memorial to the Government, drawing their attention to the losb of life through accidents at level railway crossing?, and asking that steps be taken to remove obstructions to the view at these crossings.—Decided to support the movement. BRIDGE REPAIRS. J. wrote asking that repairs be effected to a bridge on the road between Reynolds' and his property.—Referred to Foreman to report. NAMING STREETS. The Chamber of Commerce suggested that the Council consider the question of putting up the names at the corners of streets. Cr Hamilton: I move that the Chamber be informed that it's a fine opportunity for public-spirited men to do something for the town. Cr Patterson: I'll Eecond that. Do the Chamber ihink we make money? Cr Comrie and the Mayoc thought the Chamber should be treated courteously, whatever the opinion of the Council might be, ar.d voted against the resolution, which, however, was carried. BY-LAWS. The District Health Officer wrote:— "I have examined the draft ot the by-laws recently adopted by the Council. They cover ao much ground, much of it having no rovnection with public health, that I do not propose to enter into any detailed criticism. "The parts relating to public health are in many lespects excellent, but might have been simplified and re-arrange i so as to be more compact As an example of defective arrangement I would mention section 9 of part VIII., headed "Nuisances." This clause deals with bookmakers, and should have been in

the part relating to good rule an J government. I am glad to note the limitation of building areas to quarter of an acre. This is a wise provision, and will tend to keep up tie standard of excellence es the town grows. '■l think that some limitation as to area frontage might have been adopted inside the building area ateo. It would tend to prevent the erection of unsightly, pokey, little shops, which would mar the appearance of tha Etreef. Where the shops are residential soma limit as to area is especially needed. I would suggest one-eighth of an acre for such places. There is no re:s:n why the street frontage of such a building should not be divided into several small shop.", eo J org as the rssidential fortion is not so cramped and an adquate yard area with good access for scavenging is provided. " The matter of drainage by-laws has not been touched. It will be as well to await tte results of the proposed engineer's report on this matter. Should a sewerage scheme b3 decided on tr.y department can supply complete model by-laws as to drainage and plumbing, the adoption of which will save ycur Council much trouble.

"I regret that the Council have r.ot adopted any by-laws ai to strength?, etc., of materials in wooden buildings. An excellent set of by-laws in this respect was recently adopted by the Grey Ljnn Borough Council, and our department can supply model by-laws practically identical with those of Grey Lynn. I recommend them to the notice of your Council for future use."

Cr Patterson supported the District Health Officer's suggestion regarding the strength of materials. He moved, That a copy of the model by-laws bo procured.

Cr Hamilton seconded the resolution, provided Cr Patterson would look into,the by-laws and report.— Carried. FIRE INSURANCE RATES.

The Mayor said he believed when tha water supply was first mooted it was stated that on its installation the fire insurance rate* would be reduced, The water had been installed, but the rates remained the same. He moved, That the Captain of th 3 Fire Brigade be asked lo give a certificate ot the state of the efficiency of the Brigade, and that this be forwarded to the underwriters.

Cr Abbott seconded the resolution. Cr Patterson agreed with the idea, bat he thought before anybody came down to examine the brigade they should have some practice, His opinion of their efficiency at present was cot high. "Ycu might just as well call out the Council," he concluded. VENTILATORS.

It wa3 decided »o put in ventilators in the gas generating chamber at the power house.

NEW ROADS.

The Foreman recommended that in future, in the case cf all nzw private reads for which dedication was applied for, that the owner send in a plan of the proposed road showing levels and cutting?, and the amount of Ecoria and m.tal to he put on the road and footpaths. It would ea3« his work and save him a great deal of worry. A regulation to this effect wa3 in force la all local buries that he kntw cf.

O.i the motion of Cr Hurley, feconded by the Mayor, it was decided to adopt the recommendation. A suggestion that ell allotments be shown on the plan was agreed to. A CULVERT WANTED. Mr G. Beatty asked for a culvert to be put in between his and Keith's property. —Referred to Works Committee to lepoit. PROuRuSS PAYMENT. McSheen Bros, applied fur a progress payment on metal.—lte Quarry Committee were empowered to inspect sr.d to pay, if satisfied, up to 75 per cent, on GOO yards. MORE WAGES WANTED. J. Hogan applied for an increase in payment for the use of his drays from l&s a day to 225. The Council went into Committee, and on resuming reported that t'ae matter had been left to tha foreman to deal witK AN UNSECONDED MOTION Cr Patterson moved, That the Foreman be instructed to present a report fortnightly to the Works Committee setting cut tbe work which was required most urgently to be Cone. Speaking to the motion the mover said the Works Committee should submit their recommendations to the Council with this report. Cr Pollock saiJ that this was practically done now, There being no seconder the motion lapsed. WORKS COMMITTEE.

Cr Comrie, on behalf of the Works Committee reported:—The Committee inspected Berriman's new roEd and recommend that the road should bs graded better, acd have pointed out to the Foreman what is required. Thiy alao recommend that the footpath from Mr Webster's gate to Mr McPhersoa's far boundary be graded and chips placed on same, provided the interested parties pay half tha out of ssme and thst Mr Webster and I»ir McPherson agreed to take the water down their dividing fence without any claim on the Council; also that, chips be put on the Nursing Home road cs far as dedicated; the interested parties to form tha footpath at their own cxer.s?.—Adopted.

ACCOUNT

Accounts'amounting to £IBO were passed for payment.