PAPAKURA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 300, 10 August 1917, Page 1

PAPAKURA

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD MONTHLY MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Papakura Town Board, held last Monday, there were present Messrs R. M Gillespie (chairman), P. Holt, W, Richardson, H, Linstrom, T. D. Campbell, T. W. Markwick, and H. Lloyd, with the Clerk (Mr H. W. Geissler).

NIGHT SOIL SERVICE Mr H J. Hawkins, sanitary contractor, in a letter to the Board drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of his contract as there were a number of householders who refused to have the sanitary services carried out. He asked that the Board should subsidise him for the loss sustained and that the Board should declare a certain area compulsory for the sanitary service. The letter *as referred to the Sanitary Committee. Mr J. H Bates wrote complaining that the sanitary contractor was not only irregular but had charged for four weeks wben only three Services were rendered.

Mr W. J. Bates, in a letter, com plained that it was 14 days since the contractor had called and the result was he had to carry out the duties himself. He stated he had had more sickness duritg the past four weeks than in his previous fourteen years' residence.

The letters were referred to the Sanitary Committea to deal with. FLOODS ON SCHOOL GROUND A letter was received from Mr S. Evans, Chairman of the School Committee, complaining of the quantity of storm water lying in the school ground near the South Road. He suggested that if a pipe was put under the footpath the Committee would make a drain at the lower end of the basket-ball ground and by that means a large quantity of the water could get away. He also suggested that the Board should lower the watertable at that point, so that the water could drain away.

On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved that the surfaceman should be instructed to do the work. TUE PREMIER'S TIIAXKS Theßt. Hon. W. F. Massey, M.P, in a letter to the Clerk, expressed his thanks to the Board for a letter sent him welcoming him back to New Zealand. He stated that he hoped to have the pleasure of meeting the members of the Board and residents of Papakura during the recess. GAS PLANT Tho Town Clerk (Mr J. F. Deane) of the Pukekohe Borough Council wrote accepting the Board's offer of £3-1 for their acetylene gas plant which, it was stated, would be put on rail early in August. RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIATION'S GRIEVANCES Mr R. W. Mears, secretary of the Papakura Ratepayers' Association, wrote drawing attention to the early houre at whicn the sanitary cart appeared on the roads and suggested that it should not be out before 11 p.m. He also referred to the growth of gorse on the northern side of Broadway and protested against cattle being allowed to graze on the roads within the town area, asserting that such action was illegal. The Ratepayers' Association further urged the necessity of having the water removed from the sections fronting Onslow road as they regarded the same as injurious to the health of the district. Complaint was also made of water accumulating between the library and Court House and also at the southern end of Stock road. Mr Mark wick criticised the attitude of the Ratepayers' Association who were well aware of the difficulties the Board had to contend with. There were only, he said, 20 or 30 members of the Association out of a population of 500 or 600 and they were continually sending in complaints to the Board. The objectors were really "rejects." Continuing, the speaker said the Board was only too willing to improve the district and do what they could when they had sufficient money to spend. It was not a fair thing. The members of the Association were not representative of the ratepayers fts the Board held that position. Any reasonable request ho felt sure would receive the consideration of the Board. Alluding to the water on the, sections facing Onslow road Mr Mark wick contended that it was not the fault of the Board but the fault of those who built in such low places. Mr Campbell strongly objected to the reference to the members of the Association as " rejects." The members of the lute Board, he said, laid the foundation for the work of the present Bornd. With regard to ihe reference that the Association was not represent alive of the ratepayers lie disputed that assertion as tho Board would find that if there was an election many of the so-called " rejects " would occupy position* on tho Board. lie did lut think it a difficult n.attor to have the water on Onslow road dealt with.

i Mr Holt, speaking from a public standpoint, rather objtcted to the I word " rtjecls." He looked upon i the Association representing only I touic cf the ratepayers. The Board

were the ratepayers' representatives. Mr Markwick at this stage withdrew the word '' rejects." Mr Richardson said a good many of the complaints in connection with water on the roads arose through bad engineering in the past. Mr Linstrom, speaking with re ference to the Association's complaint as to the water existing on Onslow road, asserted that no fault was attaching to the present Board. The letters were referred to the Sanitary Committee. FUTURE WORK. The Chairmau drew the attention of the members to the necessity of having the work of the Council distributed more amongst the members and with that view he advocated that two members should constitute a Committee and that the various Committees to be appointed should have power to act. Committees were then appointed as follows: Lighting, Messrs Linstrom and Richardson; Reserves and Cemetery,' Messrs Holt and Campbell ; Sanitary, Messrs Lloyd and Markwick.

The Chairman, referring specially to the Sanitary Committee, said the Committee would have full power to sue for and recover Sanitary rates and also issue notices where ratepayers offered any opposition to any of the officers of the Board entering premises for the purpose of sanitary service or otherwise. SANITARY BY-LAWS In connection with the Sanitary by-laws the Chairman reminded the meeting that it was out of consideration to Mr Campbell's wishes that persons owning one acre were exempt from the operation of the Sanitary by-law. Yet, said the Chairman, he (Mr Campbell) was the first to oppose the sanitary arrangements of the district. The Chairman then suggested that a special meeting should be held to consider the Sanitary by-laws on Wednesday the 15th August, at 10.30 a.m. Mr Campbell denied the allegation and said, his objection to the sanitary service was because in his opinion and in the opinion of others there should have been a meeting of the ratepayers called so thit they would have been more acquainted with the intentions of the Board.

The Chairman : You certainly objected to have the service ? Mr Campbell: Yes.

The Chaiiman : Did you not use your influence also with your neighbours ?

Mr Campbell: I did not. The Chairman explained that the question of calling the ratepayers together had nothing to do with sanitary business. When the Board was elected one of the planks of their platform was a sanitary service for the district.

Mr Campbell: The sanitary contract as far as the Board is concerned is broken. The Chairman: That is for the t'oard to say. It was agreed to hold a special meeting as proposed by the Chairman. REVALUATION SUGGESTED The Chairman drew attention to the anomalies existing in the matter of valuation of properties and he suggested that there should be ft revaluation of the district. Mr Campbell objected to the same being done and thought it should be deferred until after the war. After some discussion it was decided to defer the question. STREET LEVELS The Chairman mentioned that a great many Jcomplaints forthcoming relative to the roads were due to the fact that proper levels had not been taken and as it was in the interest of the district that that should be done —and be done soon—he moved that the permanent levels of the roads on the western side of the railway line should be fixed and that Mr Lockio Gannon, the Board's Engineer, should be asked to carry out tho work at an early date. Mr Campbell agreed that the work was necessary but was not in favour of it being carried out because of the expense which a future Board might have to bear.

On the motion being put the resolution was carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS It was docided that seven days notice should be givon to defaulters to clear their sections, failing which the matter would be placed in the hands of the Board's solicitor. THE HO.VKIj's STORE Mr Linstrom said a lot of comment had been passed as to the building of the Board's store. Tenders wore called and two were received but neither were accepted. The Chairman explained that Mr Markwick was asked to submit a plan and as the piice at which lie could have the work done was lower than either tender and also included a larger building than was tendered for, the work was proceeded with. Mr Linstrom expressed himself satisfied with the explanation.

l'LANi' WANTED The Chairman said that a horse and dray were wanted as thoro was a gojd deal of carting to be doue. He iolt sure a considerable saving cuuld bo effected by the purchase instead of h ring, 110 intimatod that he would bring the matter forward at thi! next meeting.

FINANCE The Town Clerk reported that contrary to the co mmon rumour that the Board's account was overdrawn the Board had a credit balance of £■s7 7s lOd, while a subsidy of £BO from the Government on rates was now due would and make a total credit of £lB7 7s lOd. Mr Holt thought the clerk's report a very satisfactory one. Accounts amounting to £Bl 9s were passed for payment.