PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 256, 6 March 1917, Page 3

PAPAKURA.

Mr E. G. Jones, 8.A., Papakura, has received cable information that he has passed the B.Sc. examination held last November. During the thunderstorm on Sunday last two valuable cows belonging to Mr J. Carpenter were struck by lightning and were killed instantaneously The top of a chimney on the residence of Mr T. McCarthy was also knocked off, the house being damaged. PAPAKURA town board. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Papakura Town Board was held last eveniDg when there were present Messrs R. M. Gillespie (chairman), P. Holt, T. H. Markwick, T. D. Campbell, W. Richardson, W. Linstrom, H. Lloyd, with the clerk (Mr H. W. Geissler). THE SEXTON. Mr Peter Grant, the sexton at the cemetery, wrote tendering his resignation, but it was decided to ask him to reconsider the matter as it was thought conditions might be made such as would probably induce him to contiDue in the position. EXPERT ADVICE. In reply to a communication from the Board. Mr Lockie Gannon, Consulting Engineer, wrote that he would be prepared to report to the Board in regard to road works, etc , and would wait on the Board next Friday. XIGHT-SOII, REMOVAL. Only one tender was received for the work of night-soil removal, viz , that of Mr H. J. Hawkins, of Paerata. On tho proposition of Mr Markwick, it was resolved to accept the tender, the service to come into operation on the 4th of April next. It was also agreed to have notices printed, to be delivered by the contractor. TELEPHONE FOR OFFICE. So as to keep abreast with the times, the chairman proposod that the telephone should be installed in the Board's office for the convenience of the public. Mr Campbell, while in favour of the idea, said he could not support it as the office expenditure was already very heavy and out of all compari son with the income. ■The motion was carried, Mr Campbell alone lifsenting. SANITARY INSPECTOR.

■Sanitary by-laws having been adopted at the la«t meeting it became necessary "to formally appoint a Sanitary Inspector" and Inspector of Nuisances. Mr Markwick proposed that the surfaceman should be appointed, ho being acquainted with the district and this was agreed to. BUILDING INM'ECXOK. The clerk (Mr H. W. Geissler) was appointed Building Inspector. (O'CRE'IE BKIIiGE, HU>'l'A KOAD. In regard to this bridge Mr Campbell reported that he considered the lepairs to the bridge could bo satisfactorily done by moans of stringers being used (provided Mr Walker would provide the timber required) for the sum of £lO. Mr Markwick thought that reinforced concrete pipes would be better than wood, which on a heavy flood would be seriously affected. He also considered that the bridge should ber raised two or three feet.

Mr Holt concurred as to the bridge raised and widened. The chairman suggested that as it [ had been decided to get a report fr< m Mr Lockie Gannon on the bridge they should await that report Mr Campbell moved that Messrs Holt, Linstrom and he should be a committee to inspect with power to act in the event of the concrete bridge being too costly. It was ultimately agreed that the Works Committee, with the addition of Mr Campbel, should visit the bridge but should await the Engineer's report before acting NOXIOUS WEED IXSPKCTOR It was resolved that the clerk be nominated for this position. ACCEPTED WITH THANKS. An offer by Mr Holt to give to the Board a set of 2in stencils, which he thought would be useful in various ways to the Board, was accepted with thanks. " A BREEZE." In accordance with notice of motion Mr Campbell moved that the Works and Finance Committee should be abolished. He said that the Committee had been a failure from a practical point of view and tended to prevent the best talent of the Board being used on behalf of ratepayers. The bringing forward of this motion caused a little breeze refer ence being made to the " stagnant " past Boards and to the " progressive " present Board Mr Richardson, as an old member, spoke in favour of the chairman's policy, adding " we are on correct lines now and do not want to go back." Mr Markwick intimated that he would vote against the motion. Works Committees, he said, were in operation throughout New Zealand and he approved of them. Some discussion across the table then took place between the chairman and Mr Campbell as to the use of horses and men to move the old bridge and as to the cost of the cutting.

Mr Linstrom se.onded Mr Campbell's motion because he regarded himself as a " dummy," as far as the Finance Committee was concerned. The chairman explained that the reason for the Finance Committee not meeting was in consequence of Mr Campbell having stated that he would not keep any of the business of the Committee confidential. That being so no meeting of the Finance Committee had been held. After this explanation Mr Linstrom withdrew his support to the motion. Mr Lloyd regarded the motion as very " infra dig." No seconder being forthcoming the motion lapsed. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The Works Committee recommended as follows : —East Street: That a footpath bo formed along Mr Widdowson's frontage 12 feet wide and a brick cesspit sunk at the lower end.—School Footpath : That this be levelled in front and formed where necessary. Mr Holt reported on the inspection of the gravel at Mr Walker's property, the quantity available being approximately about 500 yards. He stated that Mr Walker would require a royalty and that he would wiite as to the conditions. That communication had, however, not been received by the Board. Speaking to this report, Mr Holt said he regarded it as very important to get an option as to the gravel and he would be prepared to financially assist the Board if necessary. Mr Eichardson remarked that whilst he appreciated Mr Holt's recommendation he thought that it would be cheaper to purchase broken metal than negotiate for the gravel. The report was adopted except that the Board is to await a communication from Mr Walker relative to the gravel.