PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 4, 15 January 1915, Page 3

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A mseting of the Pukekohe Borough Council was held on Wed nesday evening, the members present being: The Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie), and Councillors Comrie, Pollock, Hubbard, McGough and Hamilton. FIRE BRIGADE MATTERS. In regard to an application from tbe Fire Brigade for a gram towards members of the Brieade competing at the forthcoming Fire Biiaades' demonstration at Tima?u, Cr Pollock sta-ed thit the Fi<e Brigade Committee fad tome to no decision in the matter.—Cr Hubbard remaked that he cid not thii k it usual for Councils . to pay tbe expenses of firemen attending tournaments. —The Mayor considered that the Brigade deserved support, and inasmuch as the demonstiation would be a source of education to those taking part in it he did not think tbe ratepayers would object to some expense being incurred. He moved that a grant of £5 be paid.—Cr Hubbard seconded —The voting was equal, the Mayor, Crs Hubbard and Comris voting for, and Cra Hamilton, Pollock and McGcugh against The Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of the resolution, which was accordingly passed. Mr Thornton, secretary of the Fire Brigade, repoited that on December 24th eight firemen turoed out for a false alarm of fire.—lt transpired that the lire concerned a heap of rubbish said to have been deposited on the roadside by Mr F. O'Connor, and" it was decided to call on Mr O'Connor to pay the expenses incurred. A letter was received from Mr H. Thorntoa notifying the Council that as he was leaving the district he was compelled to resign his appointment as secretary and treasurer of the Fire Brigade. STREET LIGHTING.

The Council's attention was drawn by a correspondent to the nonligbtiug for several weeks past of the public lamp cutside the Post Office, at the junction of King and Hall streets. The writer pointed out that some time ago the generator box was removed from the roadside on to the Post Office property and the supply pipe was tot re-connected, with the result, that no lighting had since taken place.—the Foreman of Works explained that the generator box bad only moved to permit of the making-up of the footpath in HaM street and no sanction had been given by the i J oatal Department for icu permanent erection on the Post Office property. Consequently, the light had remained unlighted.—lnstructions were given to the Foreman ot Works to have the generator box installed on the nearest available spot, so that the lighting of the lamp should he effected without further delay. J COUNCIL'S BALANCE SHEET. A The Council's balance sheet for " the year ending March 31st, 1914, was returned by the Auditor-General certified as correct, and it was decided to have the same printed by the, "Pukekohe Times," and copies distributed to readers of the paper in the Borough. The Mayor considered that the Town Clerk was ceserving of congratulation for the very able and thorough manner in which he had prepared the balance sheet—Othei councillors concurred, and a resolution of thanks to the Town Clerk was recorded on the minuteß. AN UNCOMPLETED ROAD. A letter was received from Mr A. P. Daysh pointing out that the read leading to his property was uncompleted both in regard to formation and scoria. He asked that the work should be proceeded with at once.—The Mayor stated that the road was dedicated to the public in the closing days of the old Town Board, but had not been formed by the nwner (Mr Berriman).—The Mayor, Crs Hamilton and Hubbard were appointed as a committee to deal with the making-up of the road and to ascertain whether the owner was liable for the work. UNPAID KATES.

It waß resolved to enforce the ten per cent penalty in respect of all rates unpaid by January 31st next. CONTROL OF THE DOMAIN. In the matter of the control of the Pukekohe Domain, a communication was received from the Department of Lands to the effect that the Council should make application to be appointed a Domain OJoard to taKe over the powers of foe defunct Town Board.—lt was resulved to make application aa auggcsted. NIGHT SOIL REMOVAL. Mr W. Wilde waited on the Council and suggested that if arrangement! were made for the regular removal of night soil the same would be appreciated by the residents. Be added that subject to the Council's approval he was prepared to accept a contract and to engage a man for the work.' The Mayor said that he favoured a drainage scheme, but the trouble was to get the public to that way of thinking. Cr Hamilton pointed out that, but for the war, drainage proposals would have been already submitted to the ratepayers. Previously, when night soil removal was considered the Council preference was given to the institution of a drainage scheme. ABked if he could suggest an available site for the deposit of night soil, Mr Wilde replied in the negative. The Mayor remarked that if a night soil removal system were adopted it would be advisable to call for lenders. Personally, he did not favour the proposal. The Mayor, Crs Comrie and Hubbard were appointed as a committee to report on the matter. FINANCES.

fa. credit balance of £399 8s Id wa3 r?ported at th,? bank, and accounts toriHing £,'d\ > were passed lor payment.

H'Jt SE REFUSE.

The Foreman of Works reported that several residents had asked that a rubbish dumping ground should be provided, so that house refuse could be removed thereto.— Xhe Foreman was instructed to ascertain as to the best available „ite for a dumping ground as proP ° B AUCTIONEERS' LICENSES. I Auctioneers' licensea wera issued to Messis Alfred Buckland and Sons and Messrs J. T. Stembridge and Co. . In answer a question, the Town, Clerk stated that he, had

requested the N.Z. Loan Company to also give Pukekohe tba benefit of the fees of an auctioneer's license, cut tha Company had declined to do so on tha ground that in a test case the Courts had ruled that a Company required to take out licenses in tha district in which its bead dffice was situated. The Town Clerk added that atter receiving such communication from the Company he had again written them, pointing out that a subsequent amendmant to tha Act allowed a company to take out licenses in any district in which it had a pla33 of bminess, but no further reply had been received. Cr Pollock considered that as tin Company were closely identified with Pukekohe and did considerable business in tba district they ought to take out a license locally for the benefit of the Borough's finances. Cr Comrie concurred, remarking that the Council had spent a good deal of money on improving the road and tootpatb leading to the Company's saleyarda, and in return he thought the Company should study the Borough's interests. Crs Hamilton and McGough were appointed as a deputation to wait on the Company in regard to tbe matter. NOXIOUS WEEDS. A letter was received from the Board of Agriculture asking whether the Council favoured the enforcement of the Noxious Weeds Act In its district, particularly in regard to the Califoririan thistle nuisance. It was resolved to inform the Board that although the Californian thistle is not in evidence in the Borough the Council favoured the enforcement of the Act so that the blackberry pest could be effectively dealt with. WATER SUPPLY AND CHANGES. Lengthy consideration was given, as reported in another column, to the question of the Borough water supply, and the Council, which commenced its deliberations at 8 p.m., did not rise until close on midnight.

Prior to the Council meeting, a meeting of electors was held at which a rasolution was passed, as required by Uw, agreeing to the closing of the unused road leadrg from the railway to Franklin road.