PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 186, 27 June 1916, Page 4

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of tbe Fukekohe Borough Council was heid on, Wednesday last, the members present being the Mayor, Mr B. G. R. Mason, Councillors F. Hubbard, A. fi. Barter, J. Patterson, C. Clarke, J. Beatty, K. Bilkev, and C. Roadley, with the Town Clerk, Mr J. F. Deane.—A letter of apology for non-attendant*", through illness, was received from Cr Motion. WAGES OF EMPLOYEES. On tbe minutes of the previous meeting being submitted for confirmation tbe Mayor explained in regard to the resolution passed to increase the wages of married men in tbe Council's employ trum 9s to 10s a day tbat it was azreed at the close of tbe meeting to also pay a certain single man, who was supporting bia mother, the higher rate. He asked for the minutes to be altered accordingly.—The Mayor's suggestion was adopted. Cr Patterson dissenting. Cr Clarke remarked that as the result of the resolution the Council had lost one of its best employees, a singla man, as he objected to being paid less than others.

Cr Patterson thought the resolution unfortunate as it made a distinction in tbe wages of some men who' had been on the Council's staff since its formation and of those who had been engaged for only a few months.

The Mayor said tbe economic aspect guided the Council's action, a married man requiring more to live on than a single man.

Cr Patterson contended that the married men v. single men cry in regard to wages was only a quibble to get over the recruiting problem. He moved that tbe single man 'referred to by Cr Clarke, who had offered himself and been rejected for military service, should be paid tbe extra shilling. Cr Koadley seconded "pro forma" to secure a discussion as a principle was involved. The man, he said, should have applied to the Council before he threw up bis work. Since he had left it was his pl?ce to apply to be taken on again and to state bis case.

The Mayor considered, as tbe man referred to had no dependents oriViim, he whs comparatively rich in getting 'Js per day. To pay him 10h would be going outside tbeir principle, which was to help the married man in these times of increased cost of living.

Cr Bilkey was of npii ion that all the Council's workmen should be paid 10s a day, but that no eligible single man should be employed.

The motion was lost, Cr Patter son alone voting for i". PROPOSED RIFLE RANGE.

A deputation from the Pukekohe branch of the National Reserve waited on the Council land renewed a request for sanction to be given for a miniature riile range to be erected on the Domain. Every precaution, they said, would be taken to secure perfect freedom from danger for the public. Cr Barter considered that tbe matter required very careful consideration from the Council in view cf the possibilities of danger. It was arranged that as many of the Council as possible should view the site of the proposed range with members of tbe deputation and should report to a special meeting to be held on Wednesday, July sth. ROAIJ CONSTRUCTION EXI'EKIMEN/'S. The Foreman of Works, Mr Clews, reported that the respective cost of experiments made in King street with Bituco and* with tarred macadam, two chains each, was Bituco £ll3 6s 5d and tarred macadam £67. WATERWORKS ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Waterworks Engineer reported that the new concrete tank, in place of the old well, and the new bore at the Power Station were now in use, and that the break-pressure valve had been repaired. He estimated tbat the cost ot removing the water main in King street from the roadway to tbe footpath would be £358, exclusive of re-tarring the footpath. FINANCE. Debit balances on the General Account of £747 and on tbe District Fund Account of £727 were repotted, and accounts totalling £549 were passed for payment. MISCELLANEOUS. Application was again sought for the supply of water to a house in course of erection in Manukau ro.il tor Mrs Meiklejohn. —As the supply would entail an extension of pipes for some considerable distance from the end of the main near tbe saleyards it was decided to reply that funds did not permit of tbe same at present but tbe Council hoped to have money available a few months hence.

Mr C. J. Harper presented a petition, signed by several ratepayers and users of Grey street,

asking lor that thoroughfare to be repaired,—The peiitiou was rclerred to the Foreman of Works to report on, the Major mentioning tbat only a portion of the road waa in the borough boundary, and that with few exceptions the signatories to the petition were non-residents of the b?rough. Permission wa3 accorded Messrs Cooper and Curd to erect a tie-up pest for horseß in Edinburgh street, adjacent to their premises. A letter was received lrom the Fukekohe School Committee suggesting that the public Recreation Ground should be put in suitable condition for games to obviate tbe many applications received f'nrn Clubs for the use ot the ticbool paddock. —Referred to the Domain Committee.

The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified the Council that Pukekohe's contribution to the Board's funds for the current year would be £270