MANUREWA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 313, 25 September 1917, Page 3

MANUREWA

MANUREWA TOWN BOARD LAST NIGHT'S MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Manurewa Town Board hell last, evening, the members present were Messrs T. J. Coiin (chairman), E. Pegler, F. W. Woods. C. (Jox head, C. H. Lupton, and H. V Burton, with the Town Clerk (Mr T W. Bell). RI'SSELL ROAD In a letter to the Board Mr F. E. White, on behalf of the owners of Martin's estate, sought information as to the Board's requirements for the proposed road leading from the railway station to Russell road. He pointed out the great advantage the road would be to the ratepayers of the district living on the west of the railway line and mentioned that as there would be no wheeled traffiu thereon to the station it would not be used so much as other roads. The parties interested, he said were paying the cost and he asked that the requirements should be reasonable. Mr White attended the meeting ftnfl submitted a plan of the proposed road as prepared by Messrs Harrison and Grierson, surveyors He explained that the road for ■ome years would be very lightly used but the plan had been prepared in the interests of future developments.

After considering the plan the Chairman remarked that the metalling of the road would have to be over a width of 12 feet, Continuing, the Chairman said that roads to be constructed should be in accordance with specifications so that they would be a credit to the district. Mr White was informed that the Board would make certain concessions and would communicate with Messrs Harrison and G/ierson on the matter.

CATTLE TROUGH SITE t In reply to the Council's application for permission to erect a cattle trough at the railway station the District Engineer (Mr D. T. Mcintosh) wrote that the Department could not agree to the suggestion as the supply of water was not sufficient for the Department's own requirements. COUNTY RATING IN TOWN DISTRICTS Mr G. Carr (Olerk to the Raglan Town Board) wrote that he had been in communication with Mr T F. Martin, Counsel to the Municipal Association of New Zealand, on the subject of county rating in town districts. Mr Martin, he said, had pointed out that counties were under certain legal restrictions as to their powers of rating over town districts If those restrictions were enforced town districts would be relieved of considerable burdens in the way of rates aud would be in a better position to raise money for town develop ment. The writer added that his Board were considering the question of seeking a Supreme Court judgment under the Declaratory Judgments Act and as such action would benefit all town districts having a population under 500 he asked if the Manurewa Board would be willing to bear a share of the expenses incurred. No action was taken.

tiliz ROAX). The Chairman suggested that Hill Rtfad frottt the Great Soiith Road to the bend should be foTffied and also that a footpath should be provided. Now that the summer was coming on he advocated that new formation Works should be carried out. Mr Pegler expressed the opinion that the restrictions placed upon the Furiri Park Syndicate were somewhat severe and it was only fair that a proper road should be formed. As it was now it was not a road but a track,

The Chairman pointed out that he strongly advocated a high standard as regards roads and in support of that idea such specifications Were prepared as would Warrant good roaas being formed in the district. Mr Woods expressed the opinion that good roads should be provided rather than footpaths. The Chairman said the majority of people were foot passengers and good footpaths ought to be provided as well as roads.

Mr Lupton agreed with the Chairman and stated he was not in favour of neglecting a road to make a footpath. The Chairman then moved and Mr Lupton seconded that Hill Road from Great South Road to Holder's corner should be formed its full length according to the Board's specification. -This was adopted and it was also agreed that the County should be asked to do the work. OLD RAILWAY TIiACK.

In accordance with notice of motion given at the last meeting Mr Pegler proposed that on condition that the owners adjoining the old railway track, Messrs Aspden and Vood, each contributed £IOO and Mr C. U. Lupton £SO, such sum to be sffont on the road, the Board should make application to the Sailway Department for the old railway track and reserve from the South Road to Station Road to be given to the Board, the consideration being that the Board would absolve the Department from any liability to build a bridge. The Chairman suggested that as the Board had not yet received a reply from the Railway Department that the matter should te deferred. After some informal discussion it was resolved to defer the question and Mr Pegler agreed to temporarily withdraw the resolution and to bring it forward at the next meeting.

DAY OF NATIONAL PRAYER A letter was read from the Premier intimating that Sunday, the 7th October, was the day set apart for national prayer in connetion with the war. INSPECTION OF ROADS

The Chairman reported that lie, in company with five members of the Board, had inspected Brown's road. One poit'oi, from the Great South road, was in a very bad state and they rec< m tended that the County Council fhould be to carry out the repairs. Mr Pegler drew atention to the bad state of the portion of Oram's road within the Board's area. Me asked that the road should be reformed and metalled —lt was agreed to request the Council to carry this work out if possib'e. RECREATION GROUND Mr Lupton referred to the need for the provision of a recreation ground and reserves in the district and expressed the opinion that the Boaid should make mch provis oa when consideiing plans submitted to them. Sone years ago he brought before the notce of the then Road Board a proposal for the purchase of land for a recreation ground, but it was turned down. The Town Boaid at present owned no land and he urged that some provision should be made to provide for a recreation ground. Mr Lupton added that in accordance with powers conferred upon the Government he had recently been called upon to reserve not exceeding five per cent of land now being sold to pro vide for a reserve in connection with his land at Takanini. If the Government was adopting that principle in connection with private owners he thought Town Boards should also make some suitable provision. On the Chairman's motion it was resolved to communicate with the Surveyor-General enquiring what powers the Board possessed to provide for reserves.

STATION ROAD With reference to the kerbing carried out by the Board on Station road Mr Lupton enquired if the work was finished and on being answered by the Chairman in the affirmative Mr Lupton commented on it and said in its present state it was a disgrace. He considered that the kerbing should be cemented.

On Mr Lnpton's motion it was resolved that cementing should be carried'out. Mr Pegler asked for the footpath for half a chain in front of his office and around the corner of Maesey Eoad to be formed and kerbed for which he was piepared to pay.— This was agreed to. ACOOUXTS. Accounts amounting to £OB 4s lOd were passed for payment.