TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 239, 16 October 1914, Page 1

TOWN BOARD.

First Monthly Meeting. The first monthly meeting of the J Waiuku Town Board took place on (Monday; present—Messrs R. T. Keid (chairman), A. M. Barriball, J. ! GribblP, Jas. Walters and H. 0. | Mellsop, and the clerk, Mr W. J. King. ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS. . The clerk said h2 had written to the County Council asking tcr a conference to discuss and arrange for a settlement of the various matters between the two bodies and the only ieply was a letter asking tor a list of ratepayers in the town district, showing section numbers and valuea, etc. This information was wanted so that the county cletk could ascertain the responsibility attaching to the properties in lespect to loane, etc., and as eoon as he had checked this it was proposed to have a conference with the Board so as to adjust the various matters between the Board and Council. The clerk said he wrote and. explained that it would be useless to send the information asked for as it would not be satisfactory or definite. What was necessary was a conference between himself and Mr Stembridge. The valuation roll was cow to hanl, which could be sent on. Mr Barriball did not think there would be any satisfaction until their clerk and Mr Stembridge met to discuss tha position. Mr Gribble said he understood that at last Council meeting it was arranged that the two clerks meet first and then a conference of members take place. On Mr Cribble's motion, seconded by Mr Barnball, it was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the clitk to arrange a meeting with the Council's clerk. WHARF AND WATERWAY. The Auckland Harbour Board's secretary notified that the chairman and members of the Board would visit Waiuku on the 31th inst. fir the purpose of inspecting the wharf and swinging basin, and would be glad to meet the Board members. The chairman said it had been suggested that the Board should hand over control of the wharf and swinging basin to the Harbour Board. He understood if this were done the Harbour Board wouli charge Is per ton wharfage. The traffic totalled about 7000 tons a year all told. In that traffic was included a lot of small parcels, and the levy mentioned would return about JESOO a year income. Before tha Board decided to hand over control they should go carefully into the question. Mr Barriball said they should have soma guarantee from the Harbour Board as to its intentions before handing anything over. Mr Walters remarked that a charge of Is a ton wharfage would be a profitable Bcheme for the Board, even if they did spend something on improvements. Mr Gribble said if they met She Harbour Board they could learn what the proposals were, and need not commit themselves until they had considered the same. There were different issues involved. The creek was under the Harbour Board control, certain portions of the wharf were under the Marine Department, and other portions were paying rents to the Town Board. The clerk mentioned that the Town Board's present rents and wharf dues totalled about £SO a i year. It was decided to meet the Harbour Board ard hear their , representations on the matter. HUNTLY MINE DISASTER. An appeal for assistance, and a collecting list, was forwarded by the committee of relief in connection with the Huntly mine disaster. Agreed to accept the list tor public subscription, the Board having ru, funds, and that same be kept at the "Advocate" office.

BOARD'S OFFICIAL OnGAN. On the motion of Mr Barriball, see-in fed by Mr M \\-<\\ the Waiuku "Advoca'c" war app r.ted t v e officii] organ of the Board. Ie A BAD CROSSING, J. P. Dromgool off.red the Board ' £2 towards thi co&t of improving i' the street crossing near his timber ['yard, or would give a littl: mere if necessary. Mr Barriball faii thi? wa r . a job that should be done; the ; lace was 0 in a disgraceful state in the winter; A but it was not very urge; t at prc- ' sen*. ' Mr Gribble pointed cut that the 3 Board had not yet got control of the " roads. He was a great reliever, 1 however, in helping those willing to 1 help in the cost of a~y ncctsaary 1 work, '■ Mr Barriball said tlu crrs-irg 1 required was for the public bcr.efi', and he did not thir.k they should expect a ratepayer, pavi g a good 1 rate, to pay for it. Mr Walters pointed o'lt that t?.e 1 offer was made to the Board tnd there was no doubt Mr Dromgool would be the heaviest usir ef the I road for some years. Decided to attend to the crossins as soon as funds are available. A PROPOSED SUBDIVISION. J. C. Simmonds, surveyor, submitted a plan of proposed subdivision of estate for Mrs McPherfon, for which the approval of the Board was desired. As the Board had not framed any by-laws or regulations dealing with this matter consideration was deferred for a fortnight. BETTER FOOTPATH WANTED. C. B. Herrold asked the Board to improve the footpath in front of his new building in Bowen street. He was a large ratepayer in this connection; also on behalf of the occupiers of the building* he hoped Fomething would be dor.c. The building was only a few yards from the main street, and certainly merited a suitable approach. Matter to receive attention when the Board has funds available. CONSULTING ENGINEER. Messrs Luckie Gannon, Auckland and Pukt kohe, J. T. Simmonds, Auckland and Waiuku, and J. Roger.', Auckland civil engineer, applied for the position cf consulting engineer to the Board. Lengthy testimonials were submitted by the first ard second applicants mentioned. Mr Walters remarked that it seemed early t'j consider getting an engineer yet. He thought the Board should advertise for applicai tions when they were ready. In the meantime they could thank those who had sent in applications. Mr Mellsop thought it would be time to cull for applications when the Board had money to spend. Mr Barriball. did not think it necessary to appoint anyone until they had money ti spend. He thought it quite right when they did so to give everyone a chance. Question deferred for future consideration. AN IRON CROSSING. Sastield, Chandler and Co. wrote to the effect that they wished to place an iron grating at the entrance to their woodyaid, and desired the right to remove same in the event of wishing to do so without incurring any claim for compensation from the Board. After discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Messrs Mellsop and Reid, to comply with the request, providing the footpath was not : damaged. VALUATION ROLL. The clerk reported that the valua--1 tion roll had been returned by the Department, and there were e' ; dently no objections. The total rating values showed £1011,245, with exemptions amounting to £7865, the gross amount thus being £117,120. GENERAL. The chairman reported, that after consulting various members, he had the rubbish swept of the main street.—Action confirmed. Mr Walters was authorised to spend up to £2 for urgent work between the town and boundary. It was decided to have the next j meeting on the 26th just. ' The oiler of Peter Parry to sell hi 3 ' stone-crushing plant ti the Board fur £IOO, on easy terms, was disI cussed favourably, but it was eventually agreed that the Board ; was not yet in a position tu purchase same.