PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 237, 22 December 1916, Page 1

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening, the members present being the Mayor (Mr H. G. E. Mason), Crs A. B. Barter, Ivan Motion, J. Patterson, C. Clarke and J. Beatty with the Town Clerk (Mr J. F. Deane). OLD BHOW GROUND ROAD. The Franklin A. and P. Society forwarded a dedication deed of the new road on the old showground and the seal of the council was attached thereto. ELECTRIC LIGHT. The consulting electrical eugkeei (Mr E. J. Fenn) reported that he had called for tenders for electrical material, tenders to be sent in by the 9th January.—lt was decided to hold a special meeting of the council on Wednesday, January 10th, to deal with the tenders. STATION APPROACH ROAD A letter was received from the Minister of Railways relative to the projected alteration of the present approach road from East street to the passenger station at Pukekohe stating that the Department was not prepared to go beyond the terms stated in his letter of the 18th September, 1915, viz, that the Department would provide a 2-chain wide road as far as the house now occupied by the stationmaster and suggesting that the council should purchase the necessary land to afford a road of similar width from that site to East street by widening the existing road. It was decided to await the return of the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. W. F. Massey) before dealing with the letter. TARRED ROADS. A letter was received from the agents for Union asphalt asking that such material should be used on the works in prospect in Pukekohe. The Mayor favoured an experiment being made with Union asphalt, pointing out that it was cheaper than bituco. It was, however, resolved to adhere to tarred macadam as being cheaper than any patented process. CHRIBTMAS DAY PICTURES. Mr J. J. Coady, proprietor of the Lyceum Picture Company wrote asking permission to screen a set of pictures on Christmas Day night.— Bequest granted. BOROUGH BOUNDARIES. A petition signed by Messrs D. E. Hamilton, J. Beidy, J. Harper and Jas. Roulston was received in regard to the recent alteration of borough boundaries whereby their properties were transferred from the county to the borough. The petition asked that the old boundaries should be restored and the properties of the signatories re-transferred to the county. The Mayor explained that the Commissioner fixed the boundary and the properties in question were unexpectedly transferred to the borough without the owners being notified in any way. It was decided to forward the petition to the Minister of Internal Affairs. WORKS REPORT. The Foreman of Works (Mr 8. Clews) reported that during the past month he had been chiefly occupied with the preparation of tarred material for King Street. The concrete kerbing and channelling in Tobin Street had been completed, also a portion of Edinburgh Street. He hoped to start with the laying down of macadam in King Street early in the New Year. WATER SUPPLY. The waterworks committee reported as follows:—The work at the new reservoir is progressing favourably. The floor of the reservoir has been concreted and the reinforcement round the walls is all in position while a portion of the concreting of the sides has been started. The pipes have been laid from the main at the Nursing Home to within two chains of the reservoir. A new concrete mixer hired from the Wilson Cement Company is doing good work and is saving the work of at least two men. All the material required for the first portion of the waterwork scheme is on the ground. All the stop valves have been placed in position in the main street and side streets. This work has been done at night so as to cause as little inconvenience to consumers as possible. Seven new connections have been made during the last month. The reservoir on top of Pukekohe Hill was emptied last Saturday aid thoroughly cleaned out. Owing to Mr Short leaving the employment of the council) another man has had to be engaged at the power house to assist the engineer while away superintending the works at the new reservoir. Mr Wyatt hopes that weather conditions being favourable the first portion of the waterworks scheme will be completed within two months. The supervising engineer, Mr McArthur, visited the works on December 6th and has reported favourably on the progress of the work. The report was adopted. LOAN MONEY. The Mayor reportod that arrangements had been made to issue debentures to the extent of £6700 for loan money and a further £SOO had been applied for. His Worship added

ihat the sum would suffice for presen requirements. HOLIDAY PAY. In view of the fact that Mr W. 1 Wyatt, the Waterworks Eogineer, and Mr S. Clews, Foreman of Works, would, owing to stress ol work, be unable to take their annual holidays, which were now due, it was agreed to pay each of them a sum representing a fortnight's salary in lieu of holidays. I'ROSPECr TKKRACE. Th- Foreman •»[ Works, in accordance with in.-i'ru tions rot* 1 \ -i .it the last meeting, submitted a r. } -r estimating the r-ost ••!' rofor'i.ru Prospe't IVrrnco, -vitli n g: i\el j..*th on une fide, at £"> [■">, iuolii'!.. kerling mid channelling, r>f wbict: sum £67 would I> D loxthcorning from owners' contributions towards kerbing and channelling. Cr Patterson, in moving that the work should be carried out, claimed that more rate-money was forthcoming from the road than from any other road of similar length in the borough, except King street. The Mayor seconded, and the motion was unanimously agreed to. DOG REGISTRATION. The dog tax for next year was fixed at 10s, subject to the fee for rabbit dogs and cattle dogs being 2s 6d each, and Mr W. H. Pratt was appointed Dog Registrar at a salary of 33J per cent on the amount of takes paid. In view of the fact that claims were general from owners that their animals were either rabbit or cattle dogs it was resolved to compel owners to sign a declaration to that effect, a false declaration involving a penalty of £25. COUNCIL OFFICES. It was decided that the council offices should be closed for Christmas and New Year holidays for the period between December 22nd and Wednesday, January 3rd. FINANCE. Debit balances of £IOO6 and £1621 on the General Account and District Fund Account respeotively and accounts totalling £B9l were passed for payment.