PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 253, 23 February 1917, Page 4

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council was held on Wednesday, the members present being : The Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason), Crs E. Bilkey, 0. Clarke, I. A. Motion, A. B. Barter, J. Patterson and J. Beatty, together with the Town Clerk (Mr J. F. Deane). MOTORS AND|ROADS

A circular letter was read from the Mackenzie County Council forwarding a copy of a resolution passed by that Council to the effect that the Government shoull be asked to impose a Customs duty of 10 per cent on motor tyres, the money collected to be refunded to local bodies for the upkeep of roads on the basis of capital value as the Government might deem equitable. The letter pointed out that the advantages of such a tax would be that those most using the roads would have to pay for the upkeep of such roads. Cr Barter, as a motorist, said he would not object to a tax provided the roads were put in a good condition first.

Cr Bilkey said he thought it a good idea and the Council should support it. Cr Motion : Probably such a tax would mean that the Government would take over the selling of tyres, and then we might get them cheaper than now. (Laughter). Cr Patterson thought that there was a difference between a man driving for pleasure and for his livelihood, and a tax as proposed would be unduly felt by the trader using motor conveyances in his business.

Ob the proposition of Cr Barter, seconded by Cr Motion, it was resolved to support the proposal of the Mackenzie County Council.

A. AND P. SOCIETY'S BEQUEST.

A letter was read from Mr J. 11. Baxter, secretary of the A and P. Society, asking that the Council's traction engine should be placed at the disposal of the Society for the Show on Saturday for the purpose of supplying hot water.—lt was agreed to grant this on the same terms as last year.

KLECTBIC LIGHT INSTALLATION. Mr E. J. Fenn, Consulting Electrical Engineer, wrote that permission had been given by the Public Works Department for the Council to charge a maximum of 5d per unit for motor power for the first two years. He added that the Department advised that the Council could supply electric current at certain hours during the day until accumulators could be purchased.

HYDBO-ELECTRIC SCHEME. Mr K. F. Bollard, M.P., wrote acknowledging the resolution passed by the Council relative to the Government providing hydro-electric power. He stated that he would have much pleasure in supporting the resolution referred to. FLOOD WATER DAMAGE. A letter was read from Mr B. Jeff ares relative to the Council declining to admit any liability with regard to the flooding of his property by storm water. He intimated that if he again suffered he would be compelled to take legal proceedings against the Council.—The letter was " received."

Mr Herbert florrocks wrote calling attention to the flooding of his property at the corner of Tuakau road. He complained that the culvert was half filled with silt, and as all the water from Pukekohe Hill found its way over his property he asked that some steps should be taken to divert the water and prevent such flooding.—The Town Clerk was instructed to reply that the work suggested would involve a greater expenditure than could be sanctioned but the foreman would inspect the site and do what work he regarded as necessary.

Mr W. Y. Kirkman, manager of the New Zealand Dairy Association, again complained of storm water overflowing from the road on to the factory property, and on the motion of Cr Clarke it was resolved to refer the matter to the Works Committee to report. BETTER APT-ROACH WANTED. A letter was read from Mr S. W. Luxford renewing his request fir the Council to metal the road leading to his residence on top of Pukekohe Hill. He stated that he could not agree as suggested by the Council to pay half the cost but asked if the Council would allow his rates to be debited for the purpose. On the motion of Cr Clarke it was resolved to adhere to the previous arrangement made by the Council, viz., that the work, as in previous similar cases, i would be carried out if Mr Luxford paid half the cost.

MILITARY SERVICii CLAS3IiTC.IT lON A circular litter was read from the Hawera Borough Couucil forwarding a resolution " That before the men of the Second I >ivision are calle 1 up the Minister be requested to classify them."

On the motion of Cr C larke, seconded by Cr Motion it was resolved to support the motion. WATER SUTTLY The Waterworks Committee reported on the works in progress (inter alia) as follows: The walls and floor of the new reservoir are now completed and the plastering will be started at once. A delay in plastering has been caused through the non delivery of sand as promised. The Mains have been lifted and placed over in the footpath from the Police Court up to Vaile and Co 's premises with a minimum of inconvenience to the consumers. All the pipes have come up in excellent condition with the exception of two short leugths. Extra fire plugs have been put in where necessary and new rubbers have been put itto all connections thereby increasing the life of the joints. No further pipes will be lifted for a few days pending the Show on account of the heavy traffic expected. Provision for a constant supply to all consumers has been provided for in the meantime.

A letter was read from Mr D. W. McArthur, Consulting Engineer, stating that he had inspected the works and found that the reservoir and other works were being satisfactorily carried out and the materials used were of the best.

QUAERY EOAD. Authority was given for a sum of £lO to be expended on repairing Quarry road, Cr Motion reporting that the County Council was prepared to do the work and also to expend £lO on their portion of the road.

FINANCE. Credit balances of £442 on the General Account and of £lO7l on the District Fund Account were reported and accounts totalling £2631 were passed for payment. It was explained that the accounts for payment included some £I3OO for electric wire and also items for metal and cement for roads and water. BUILDING AND SANITARY INSrECTOB Three applications were received for the above appointment and it was resolved to offer the post to Mr L. C. A. Potter, architect, for a term of six months.