AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 137, 17 October 1913, Page 1

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Fortnightly Meeting. Fortnightly Meeting. There were present at Wednesday night's meeting, the Mayor Mayor (Mr. C. K. Lawrie), Crs. Conirie, Ahbott, Patterson, Hurley, Hamilton, Bilkey, Pollock, Beatty. THE 1 RECREATION GROUND. The Mayor reported that he had seen Mr. McGough who, after consultation with the trustees, was of opinion the interest should start from July Ist instead of October Ist. Mr. McGough also thought the land should be surveyed. " The Finance Committee recommended that the interest be paid from July Ist, but thought since the deed showed ten acres, that if Mr. McGough wanted a survey he should pay for it himself.— Recommendation adopted. A SUBSIDY FROM THE COUNTY. The Mayor reported that after an hour and a halt's conference witli the County Council regarding a contribution from that body towards the upkeep of the principal roads leading from tlie county into the borough nothing had been arrived at. They were in exactly the same position as before the conference. Cr. Hamilton moved, That the committee appointed to deal with this question go further into the matter and report. Cr. Abbott said it was stated prior to the meeting that the County Council had no intention of paying anything. Cr. Patterson: The only way the County Council will help us is when a commission fixes the amount they should pay. The Mayor wondered if the cost of the commission would not eat up the benefits gained. Cr. Bilkey seconded the resolution which was carried. • A LOAN. The Mayor reported that the Finance Committee 'had 'carried through negotiations for a further £4,000 of the loan, at <5 per cent., plus 2 per cent, procuration fee. — Action confirmed. HARBOUR BOARD CONFERENCE,. The Mayor reported at some length on the conference of local bodies couvened by the Auckland Harbour Board. RECREATION GROUND DRAINAGE. Cr. Patterson suggested putthij in pipes across the recreation ground in lieu of the drain and fencing along Harris-street. The matter was left to the foreman to report. QUARRY ROAD. Cr. Pollock said the Works Committee had inspected the Quarry road and considered it was not necessary to metal it. Cr. Abbott said the Council had authorised the work, which was not to cost more than £5. McSheeu Bios, said this would not suffice, and had said they wo*iild do a better job and fight it out with the Council. The foreman said the cost was £2O, and a good job had been made for the money. Cr. Abbott moved, and Cr. Bilkey seconded, That the account — £l*9 19s—be paid. Cr. Patterson was np]>osed to the motion. If more than £5 was required the matter should have been referred track to the Council. He did not dispute the work, but when £5 was allocated more should not have been spent, lie moved, That only £5 be paid. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. Cr. Pollock did not favour the motion, and thought the matter should have come befne the Council. He moved, That half the amount over £5 he paid. - Cr. Connie did not consider it would be a good principle to allow people to spend what tliey liked. Though a good job had been made lie thought the road could have been put in order lor less. There were other roads on which money was needed, and he .vould support the amendment. Cr. Patterson agreed with the views of (Vs. Pollock and Conirie. Cr. Abbott, in reply, pointed out that the work had actually cost McSheen Bios. £><>. He contended this was one of the most important roads in the borough, as if it were rendered impassable by rain the supply of metal would be stopped. The amendment was put and ,-ai'iied. THE EYESORES. The. sanitary inspector reported n> railway sections in King-street, occupied by Messrs. J. A. Conirie, Tvlden and Spiers, Maxwell, Dix, Dateiel and Laurie, as follows:--; The various sections are only : » : '> feet deep, which does not allow of sufficient accommodation at the back of the various premises. The buildings at present erected thereon have a very dilapidated appear- ;,,!,,.. The premises occupied by W. .Maxwell as a dwelling house and fruij shop are totally unfitted lor the purpose, owing to the restricted space for back-yard. With the exception of the premises occupied by Messrs. Conirie and Maxwell, no sanitary accommodation

is provided. As the Railway Department is contemplating newleases for these sections. I would beg to recommend that the Council impress upon the Department that owing to the rapid development of the town, and the unsightly appearance given to the main street by these buildings, in granting new leases provision be made for removing or renovating all these premises, and providing a larger area for each section, so as to permit of proper conveniences being erected.—Adopted. WATER ENGINEER'S REPORT. The waterworks engineer reported having pumped J. 000,500 gallons for the month cMiding October 4th, 1!)R t All machinery at power house'was wot king satisfactorily; lip new meters had been placed on the supply; 10 new services had been laid to fence boundary ; the main from reservoir to Mr. J. W. Johns' had been, put in, u distance of approximately 2,000 feet. Nine building permits had been issued during *] e month. PUBLIC CONVENIENCES. Cr. Patterson reported that the sanitary inspector bad prepared a sketch of a public convenience, which would cost £'Jo each. He believed it would be possible to get a cheaper affair, and asked to be allowed to defer report for a fortnight.—Permission granted. PAERATA ROAD. Cr. Beatty asked if the foreman would tell them if there was any chance of getting the loan money spent on the Paerata road this year. It was finally decided that Cr. Beatty and the foreman confer and report. ' ANOTHER FOOTPATH. Nineteen residents on the Tuaknii road aplied for a footpath from Cathcart's corner to R. Wilkinson's corner. The petitioners asked that the present bank on the righthand side be levelled up, but did not require chips put on.—Referred to Works Committee 4 o report. SHIFTING A FENCE. W. M. Smith appiied for permission to shift his fence a few feet on the reserve in order to enable him to clear noxious weeds.—Permission granted subject to condition that he replace fence when required to do so. ROOSE'S ROAD. E. Roose wrote stating that the arrangement between the late Town Board, Mr. Connie, and himself, was that the road should be ten feet wide of scoria, and six inches deep, put on the road io the nursing home. This they thought would be enough on this road, which is high and dry with not much traffic. If the Council would sanction this, and he was given an estimate of the cost, including the formation of the road, he would j ay the money at. once. Consideration deferred until next meeting. A FENCE. It. S. Hunter asked the Council if it would pay half .'he cost, of repairing fence between the recreation ground and his property.-—Re-ferred to foreman to resort. TENDER WITHDRAWN. E. Hunter and Co., who were the successful tenderers for taking spawls out of Barter's quarry, wrote, surrendering their contract. —Decided to call for fresh tenders. PERMANENT LEVELS. The Public Works Department wrote stating that the necessary Order-in-Council to extend the time within which plans must be made by the Council, was being prepared, with a view io submitting it for the Minister's approval. WATER MAIN EXTENSION. A Berriinan aplied for the extension of water mains. -Referred to waterworks engineer with power to act

A LIBERTY. Mr. Railiger forwarded a che(|Ui for his account. " I have taken the liberty of deducting '£) pei cent, discount, and dust you will he alio to allow me this.'' Cr. Hamilton said tilt 1 Waterworks Committer recom mended that no discount lie allowed. The recommeiid.it ion was adopted. "RECEIVING CONSIDERATION. " The Minister for Railways wrote statitip- that the Council's representations that l'ul.'.'liohe should be made a stopping place for one of the Main Trunk expresses would have consideration. The Mayor: The same old reply. A STACKING GROUND. District Engineer of Railways offered stacking ground for road metal in railway yaxl for £5 a year.—Decided to r?ply that the Council, having foiud a quarry, did not any longer require the grounds for stacking metal. A BOROUGH MAP. C. F. Gilsen offered to prepare a complete plan of the ! orough, scale four chains to one inch, for £SO. — Action deferred. VARIOUS SEEDS. Cr. Patterson asked what was going to he done to an unfinished footpath in Prospect terrace ': He also drew attention to an unfenced' hank near Pilgrim's corner, and to a broken culvert at Adams' corner. —Decided to attend to two last complaints, and that Prospectterrace footpath he left to Works Committee. ROOSE'S IU'SH. Cr. Connie said the Chamber of Commerce desired i ie support of the Council to their movement in endeavouring to pei the Government to take Roose s Rush as a scenic reserve. He moved, That the Council take steps .11 this direction.—Carried. A GRADI'R. Cr. Connie suggested that the Council take steps 1.0 procure a grader. Cr. Pollock favoured getting a grader if it did the work which it was said it could ace nnplish. Cr. Hamilton mo.vd, That the Works* Committee report on the matter ai the luext meeting. FURNITURE. It was decided to procure a fable for the Council room, and two lamps.