TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 197, 4 August 1916, Page 4

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

Monthly Meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the Tuakau Town Board was held on Tuesday evening last, the members present being : Messrs Dynes Fulton (chairman), H. Craig, H. B. Free, W. Strahan, J. Pirret, W. Glasgow and Captain Ryder, together with the clerk, Mr A. H. Tapper. LOAN MONEY OFFERING.

UA' letter was received from the A.M.P. Society modifying terms for & loan as quoted to a deputation of members of the Board.' The Society now offered to make the Board a loan of £12,000 at tive-and-a quarter per cent interest and one per cent sinking fund subject to the Board being prepared to pay the interest in Sydney, free of exchange to the Society and also the principal to be repayable in Sydney on maturity. Another communication bearing on the same subject conveyed the Public Trustee's readiness to entertain the Board's applica'ion for a loan of £12,000, at five and a-quarter per cent, plus one per cent sinking fund, for a term of not less than 36 years and in the event of the loan being granted the Board to pay a premium of one per cent from the date of the grant until the money was lifted. The letter also stated that it was the practice of the Department's solicitor to supervise the proceedings and prepare and peruse the requisite documents at a fee of 2s 6d per cent on the amount granted with a minimum fee of £3 3s.

The chairman explained that the terms offered by the Public Trustee suited the requirements of the Board best and that the Board wouM be put to heavy expense if they dealt with the A.M P. Society by reason of bank exchange fees for interest and sinking fund payable in Sydney.—lt was decided to nottfy the Society that the Board would communicate with them on the matter later. The Public Trustee's terms were then considered and the chairman stated that it had always been understood that the Public Trustee's solicitor could do legal wotk cheaper than other solicitors—The cleik was instructed to reply stating that in the event of the poll, which was to be held at an early date, being favourable, the Board would accept the offer.

TUB COST OF LITIGATION 1 . In regard to the amount claimed against the Board for witnesses' expenses in connection with Miss Taylor's recent action in which the Board were defendants, Messrs Endean and Holloway, the Board's solicitors, wrote that Mr R. G. R. Mason, solicitor for Miss Taylor, would only consent to reduce the amount by los. Members were of opinion that the expenses as set down were still excessive but in view of the fact that more costs would be entailed if the matter had to be settled by the Magistrate, it wis agreed to accept Mr Mason's amended account.

bycroit's road,

It was lesolved that the clerk should ascertain from the Lands and Survey Department whether the original portion of Bycroft's Eoad had been gazetted and at the same time to convey the advice that a deviation of the road was being made and that the Board desired that it be put through as early as possible. OVERSHADOWING TREES.

A lengthy communication was received from Mr J. Poland in regard to the complaint made to the Board that trees growing on his property on River Road were a nuisance and should be removed. Mr Poland offered to pay either of the neighbours on adjoining properties if they removed the trees. The chairman reported that Mr Foland was of opinion that the road in the vicinity of the trees was no worse than in other portions of the district where trees were growing aloDgside the road. He (the chairman) could not conscientiously say they were the cause of damage to the road and unless all owners in a similar position wore notified to cut their trees he was opposed to forcing Mr Poland in the matter. It was resolved that Mr Poland's offer should be conveyed to the ratepayer complaining. l.'LEMt's SALAitV. An application from the Town Clerk, Mr A. H. Tappor. for the Board to review his salary which he 6tated was not in accordance with those paid by other local bodies, was deferred for the Board's consideration in committee. AN US'DEI I RATED UOAII. Mr Free again introduced the matter of the road running past Messrs Green and Cole brook's and the Dairy Association's properties being dedicated. The clork reported that the clerk to the Franklin County Council was of the opinion that the road had not been dedicated and that it was the possession of the Hailway Department.

Mr Pirret said that the road was given to the Railway Department by the late Mr T. Walker on the understanding that the Department was to form it.

The chairman agreed with Mr Pirrit and with a view of ascertaining the actual position, he proposed and it was carried that a sketch of the road should be forwarded to the Lands and Survey Department with a request for information on the subject. TJIE NAVY FUND. In connection with a request received from the Auckland branch of the Navy League for assistance towards the British Navy Fund, it was decided to notify the Secretary of the League that the Tuakau Patriotic League had a subscription list in hand and had already for* warded a donation of £-50. THE XEW KATE. Prior to the ordinary meeting of the Board a special meeting was held when matters appertaining to the striking of a rate and the amendment of a section of the bylaws relative to the issue of building permits were dealt with. During consideration of the striking of a rate for the ensuing year the clerk submitted figures from the clerk to the Franklin County Council showing that the Board would be called on to pay during the ensuing year the sum of £34 12s 9d, as its share of liability on the Whangarata Special Loan of £ISOO. Members could not understand the reason of the Board's share having increased by £7 19s Id since the last payment was made and the clerk was instructed to ask the County tor an explanation. After reviewing the Board's financial position the chairman stated ihat it would be necessary to strike a rate to bring in £491 13s 9d to cover the following amouuts which would have to be met during the ensuing year, viz.Hospital and Charitable Aid Rate, £37 6s 2d; Whangarata Special Loan, £34 12s 9d; Pukekohe East Special Loin, £49 lot) lOd ; and an overdraft of approximately £240, together with an approximate amount of £l3O, for liability incurred in connection with the recent legal proceedings—Miss Taylor v. the Tuakau Town Board. The chairman also mentioned that the Board had 1000 yards of spawls in the quarry which had been paid for.

The clerk stated that a rate of lid on the capital value of the district (£92,000 odd) would bring in £574. After mentioning that the Board would have to complete the year's work on leas than £IOO the chairman gave notice of motion to strike a general rate of l.Vd in the £, such rate to cover interest and sinking fund on the Whangarata and Pukekohe East Special loans and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bate The chairman further moved that by special order the Board should pay the two special rates and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Rate out of the general rate, the clerk to take the necessary steps to have the order carried out.

Capt. Ryder seconded and the motion was carried. It was also decided, on the motion of Mr H. Craig, that the Board should by special order amend the by-law referring to the issue of building permits.

LIGHTING SCUEMK I'KOJECTEI). Commenting on the possibilities of introducing an electric lighting system into the district Mr Free said that the suggestion of a dynamo being attached to an engine in private with a view of lighting the township was impracticable. A 15 to 20 light plant could be installed at a cost of £IOOO but it was also impracticable because of the heavy expense the Board would be put to in providing a man to take charge at a salary of at least £3 per week. A feasible scheme would cost £SOOO and as water power was cheaper than engine power he suggested that an expert should be employed to inspect the waterfalls on Mr Young's property with a view of including their purchase in the loan if they were found suitable for the purpose.

On the motion of Mr Free it was agreed that the services of an electrical engineer should bo engaged by the Works Committee to report ou available water power in tho district. sun-LY or srAwiiS. Mr A. E. Mason, contractor, waited ou the Board with a view of signing the agreement between himself and the Board in connection with his contract to supply 1000 yards of spawls. After a lengthy discussion it was left to the chairman and the clerk to arrange the matter and further for the Board to insure the contractor and his workmen, the contractor to defray half the cost. An application for progress payment on SO yards of spawls was also made by Mr Mason and it was agreed to make a progress payment uf £7 158.