AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 198, 26 May 1914, Page 1

AT THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Fortnightly Meeting. There were present on Wednesday night:—The Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie), Crs Comrie, Bilkey, Beatty, McGough, Hurley and "Pollock. HOSPITAL. The Mayor reported that the chairman of the County Council had informed him that the county solicitor was making enquiries, and as soon as these came to hand a conference would be called. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The Mayor moved, and Cr Comrie seconded, that £5 bo granted towaids the Technical School Com-' inittee. Cr Pollock thought it was ridiculous that the Department should enforce compulsory education unless they provided for payment of teachers. Cr Comrie considered the view to be taken was whether the classes were for the benefit of the town or not. If the Council thought tho classes wero no good they should not yote the money. The motion was carried. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

" Convent hill.—The committee recommend that a cutting be made through this hill 20ft wide and same be metalled, remainder of earthwork to be completed next summer. We desire to impress upon the Council the necessity of having this work proceeded with immediately. " Hickey's road.—Work not necessary at present. "Beatty's road. Committee recommend that existing culvert be extended and water taken away on original course. "West road, factory corner.— This road is kept in a constant quagmire through the water which collects there having no outlet. The committee recommend that a watertable be made past the butter factory to Belmont. This the committee consider will take away the water and greatly improve this road.

" Morrow's hill.—The following arrangement has been made with Mr Morrow re water trouble: — Council to dig drain through Mr Morrow's property, Mr Morrow to keep same clear for the sum of £ 1 10s per year."

" Puni road.—The large pieces of metal on this road have not been broken according to arrangement made with McSheen Bros, some months Pgo. Thi* matter thould b3 attended to immediately. " Nelson street.—No. 1 culvert: The small swamp at this culveit can be filled in for about £2. The committee recommend that this work be done. No. 2 culvert: The filling here extends about four chains. To fence each side of same will cost about £lO. For about £1" the filling could be widened sufficient to make it secure for cattle traffic. The committee aie of the opinion that widening the filling would make the most satisfactory job and beg to recommend same.

" Manukaii road.—Recommend that the swamp at this culvert be fenced."

The repoit Ave* adopted. COUNTY COUNCIL CARTING. Cr Pollock mentioned the fact that the County Council had just let a contract for carting 500 yards of metal which would pass over the Factory road. The Works Committee thought that a tax should be put on this. Tho clerk read correspondence} between the old Town Board and the Pukekohe West Road Board which showed that an arrangement had been made between these bodies whereby the latter was to pay 3d a load provided no tyre by-laws were enforced.

Doubt existed as to what powers the Council had and it was proposed that the matter bo referred to the borough solicitors as to the Borough Council's powers and that Crs Comrie and Beatty wait on the County Council and endeavour to make some satisfactory arrangement. METAL CONTRACT.

A lengthy discussion ensued over the agreement with McSheen Bros., for crushing and spawling 1500 yards of metal, the bone of contention being whether the new agreement should cancel previous contracts, a majority of the councillors favouring the cancellation. The terms of the suggested agreement as submitted provided that 1500 yards be spawled, crushed and stacked on top of gully at Motion's quarry ; metal to be 2 inch, price for metal to be 0s and for waste 4 s 3d per yard ; progress payments of 75 per cent to be made ; contractors to deliver metal where shown at following prices :—2s 9d within old Town Board boundaries, and 3s 3d delivered to Barter's Hill, Factoryroad beyond Hewlett's corner, and Puni road beyond Rowe's corner. Measurement to be truck during working hours, road measurement after hours. CARNEGIE LIBRARY. The Library Committee were grantod an extension of time to report on the suggestion from the Ratepayers' Association to enquire concerning the establishment of a Carnegie Library. WEST ROAD. Cr Pollock wantod to know when West road "the most important road in the district " was going to be put in order. Metal was coming but very little found its way there. The Mayor : I thought it was in good order when I went over it the other day. Cr Pollock : You must have been blindfolded. It was decided to use the next metal for patching. METAL. G. Morgon offered to sell the Council about 110 yards of stone at 3s per yard.—Decided to pay 3s for all metal broken small enough to crush. STONE CARRYING WAGGON. G. E. Fausett oiiered to sell a heavy waggon for stone carting.— Referred to Works Committee with power to act.

THE FOREMAN'S WORK. Cr Pollock considered the Council should map out the work for the foreman. Councillors <; chatted " over the affair but no resolution was arrived at. HALL STREET. The foremau recommended that concrete kerbing be substituted for the wooden kerbing authorised in Hall street. Ho pointed out that it would be far more economical in the long run a 9 a wooden kerbing would not make any provision for taking the water away. Cr McGough considered the concrete was the cheapest in the long i run and should be put in. Cr Comrie opposed the suggestion because there were insufficient funds. Cr Hurley considered concrete kerbingjs should be put along all roads leading into King street. Cr McGough gave notice to move that the resolution authorising timber kerbing to be used be rescinded. FIRE BRIGADE. An application from the Fire Brigade for tho Council to pay for a hydrant ordered by the Brigade for practice purposes (the cost being £-)) was granted, provided that if the loan for improvement of tho Fire Brigade be carried tho amount be transferred back to the general account. A HIGH CULVERT.

J. Bow den complained that through tho culvert across the road •in front of bis property being too high the .storm water t a eked up into his paddock. Ho asked the Council to give him redress, and offered to contribute £1 to the cost if the Council took the work in hand before the winter set in.—Decided to inform applicant that he can lower tho culvert at his own cost if ho wishes, Councillors pointing out that applicant through lowering his drain had caused the culvert to become too high. DOMAIN. Pukekohe Ladie&' Hockey Club applied for permission to use the recreation ground on Saturday afternoon.—Granted. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. Cr Comrie was appointed the Council's representative on the Technical School Committee. LOAN PROPOSALS. It was decided to hold a committee meeting of the whole Council ou Wednesday night to discuss the loau proposals. CROSSINGS. Cr Coairie suggested putting a few crossings in King street in tarred macadam and other tar processes to test them and at tho same time to provide crossings. It was decided that the Works Committee and Foremau go into tho question of materials and report. HONORARIUM. It was decided to grant the Mayor £2.3 honorarium for tho past year. WATERWORKS REPORT.

The clerk reported that Mr Guuuon's report on the waterworks had come to hand,—lt was decided to refer it to the Waterworks Committee to consider and report on at next meeting.