AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 166, 30 January 1914, Page 2

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Fortnightly Meeting.

Tha regular mcetirfx of the Pukekolia Botojgh Council was held on Wednesday evening; present--The Mayor (Mr Lawne), Cra L). R. Hamilton, J. A. Comrie, 1. - . Bilkey, W. G. Abbott and J. Bestty. The Mayor apologised for tha absence of Cr Pollock and of the Town Clerk (who was ill). ABOUT A DRAIN. Tne following lelt-r was received from Messrs E. Mahony and Son:"On behalf of Messrs Gallagher nrd Robson. who have purchased that part of Mr Huuter'a property which hag for its casUm boundary John street, we beg to draw (he atttention nt your Council to the existence of an open drain running tho wholo length of this boundary. We understand that this dmin is in connection with borough property and therefore mostly concerns your Council. It crosses John street from the north. In addition, we would draw your attention to the fact that the d r ain leaves the boundary towards the Eouthem end aud enters (he property of our clients, and also that the said drain is of no value to their property. Now, ss Mr Robson intends to build and have access to his land from John street, besides cutting up the balance for building sections, it is mist undesirable that this drim remains open. There are several nuisances arising from the continuance of ihe drain as at present as besides cutting off the properly from connection with the road there are risks of persons falling into same arid the location uf stagnant water there during the summer. We would therefore ask your Council to till In this drain and place the boundary, (and pr p.= rty where trespassed upon) iu its former condition. If it is necessary to continue using this drain then u proper footpath should b? formed with water channel as is done in othr parts of the borough." Cr Bilkey said he understood from the "deed ' that this Council had no liability for the d.uin. Cr Patterson said that Ma'ony ar.d Son previously took good care t) have this drain dedicated They knew all about It. The drain was shown on the plat. Ihe matter was d rerred for a fortnight untihthe clerk's return. WATER THE STREETS.

On 3 councillor expressed the opinion that the Council ought to be "jilly well chucked out" because ihey would not agree to his motion that the streets should be watered.

Somebody asked for "the cost,' but nobody seemed to have worried about this. Ihe dust ouglt to be suppressed whatever the cost. One councillor said the preliminaries would run them into £l5O.

Cr Comrie said he would not vote for the watering because of the mud danger.

The proposal to go to the expense was lost hopelessly, but that night some showers fell and everybody forgot about the matter on Anniversary Day. "WILL SAVE FURIHER TROUBLE." The writer of the letter lrom the Fire Brigade possibly expressed something that he did not intend when he 'included the above in a sentence in hi 3 letter. The Council evidently took the suggesiion as a threat of possible proceeding*, but the writer of this reuort did Dot. Mr Thornton wrote:—"S3me time ago tha Mayor asked the Brigade to s;nd in an account for the full artount ot hoot money due to the brigade as it was not convenient to pay each one as it beceme due. therefore, if the Council are agreeable we could arrange from January Ist, 1914 to 19)5.' As some of the money is due and the b'lancc will fall dim shortly if you pass the account of £1 psr man for 10 men and a messenger, £ll. it wi'l save further trouble."

"It's got to be paid," said one councillor, but the matter was nevertheless deferred for a fortnight.

NEW STREETS. M jsras Robson and another waited

upon the Council to ask for some modification of the street formation tnrnugb their property (lately Mr Hunter's). It was decided to forward to them a copy of the resolution previously passed by the Council and to which the Council is committed so far as road formation is concerned. HARRIS STREET. Cr Comrie reported that the Works Committee was of opinion that it was not desirable at present to fence the footpaths in Harris strtet. They thought that cattle traffic 6hould be divertid by way of Nelson street and that intimation to that effect should be given by adverlijemenl. A resolution to this effect was carried. DUG KEGISTRATION.

The discussion about dog registration fees provoker! sume difference of opinion. Cr Bilkey said he had to pay 10s last year for a dog for the destruction of rabbits and rats; it waa disgraceful to have to pay it. He thought they should pay 5s all round.

Cr Abbott moved that for sporting dogs the fee should he 6s and 2s 6d for all others.

Cr Bestty seconded. "What is a sporting dog?" was the immediate <iuery. Cr Patterson did not nee why they should not charge them all alike and proposed that the fee ih» 5s all round. Cr Comrie seconded thir\ but subsequently withdrew.

Cr Hamilton: You can tax what you like but farmers can ha\e two dogs lor 5s and rabbiters on y jia> Is each. That is profiled hj law. Again the question came: What is a sporting dog? The reply was; "Setters, greyhounds and timer."." Cr Comrie thought terrie ft should pay 53' the street was just pestered with these dogs. He moved thai sheep and cattle dogs be charged 2s 6d and all other dogs ss. The Mayor seconded this amendment, which wai lost. Finally, it was decided to include terriers in the half-a-crown list with sheep and cattle dogs and to charge 5s for all others.

Crs Hurley and Bilkey \\cr? appointed to interview thi pound keeper to sec If he would a'so * :tl as dog registrar. rilrJ HUNUA 1 ALLS

Cr Comrie asked if this Ciur.cil had any communication about the proposed harnessing of the Hur.ua Falls. Pukekohc seemed to bo cut mil a I tope the. There waj a vcr\

large power sit Hunun and Pukekohe .should have a tav in tho matlor. If it were found that thure was nut enough power for all they could have it, out if pl'nty of power whs there we should be in it.

Cr Hamilton and ln« Mayor agreed with thia view. Cr Comrie was given authonlv to " *■ write to the authorities and make all enquiries, and to report to the Council at ita next meeting. COTJAGE HOSPITAL. Cr Patterson repeat :d the points of view expressed in the "Times" some months ago, and voked at the hst meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, in favour of a cottage hospital, whi'h he said was absolutely rt quired in this district. This Council should push with the County Council for it. Many cat>ei rould be treated here, and treated wtll, that were now sent t> Auckland. He moved, That thia Council co-opcratc vUtn (he Franklin County Council in its endeavour ti establish a cottage hospital. The Mayor seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Comrie thought the institution a very desirable thing and on his motion a committee of Cra Patterson. Hamilton and the Mayor was appointed to investigate the matter. Cr Abbott also agreed that the project was important. CLERICAL ASSISTANCE. In view of the illness of the Town Clerk the Mayor was deputed lo confer with Mr Dcanc as to the appointment ot a clsrical assistant to act temporarily.