PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 458, 18 March 1919, Page 2

PAPAKURA.

(See also page I ) PAPAKURA TOWN BOASD. LAST NIGHT'S MEETING, The fortnightly meeting of the Papakura Town Board was held in the Town Board's office last evening, the members present being -Messrs D. W. Jones (Chairman), R. M. Gillespie, E. D. McLennan, S. Evans, T. D. Campbell, and W. N. Mcintosh, with the Town Clerk (Ife Harold Wilson.) An apology for absence was received from Dr A. W. P. Broolrfield. WELLINGTON STREET. A petition signed by Messrs P. Smith, A. E. Roseman, H. T. Markwick, and K. McLennan, was presented, drawing the Board's attention to the deplorable state of Wellington street. The petitioners considered that the formation of a proper footpath, adequately fenced to keep off cattle, was a necessity if during the coming winter they were to be able to get to their homes dryshod. *They also drew the attention of the Board to the advisability of draining the road, which they pointed out had been under water as the result of last Saturday night's rain The Chairman said he understood that the fencing of the footpath had been considered previously and thej£* work authorised, but so far it had*f '*' not been done. As regards the ~, watef-hole, he thought the matter « shou|d be attended to Messrs Markwick and lioseman ~. were in attendance at the meeting, aid urged upon the Board the absolute necessity of having the work done before the winter set in. On the motion of Mr Giltespie, seconded by Mr Macintosh, the petition was referred to the Works Committee, who will inspect the locality and will report at the next meeting of the Board. BEAUTIFYING THE STREETS . In reply to the -Board's letter regarding trees for planting in public reserves as is projdkd in Papakura, the superintendißßbaurseryman of tha State forests Prach of tin Department of Laads advised that the ;ffeees rawed, by the Department wer%**ily for planting o. State plantations and for sale on certain conditions to farmers and it was only wh >n they had a surplus that trees were available for disposition to domains, etc. It was not at all likely, he added, that they would have any surplm trees this season. The Department of Internal Affairs advis-1 the Boil that the New Zealand T ,w.i L'. irr.ing Conference and ExlitbiiioQ would be held ia Wellington, from tfay 19th to May 25th. -Mr R. M. Gillespie thought the nntter one that would be beneficial to Papakura pored that the Chairm in M Mfi» be the Board's delega'e t;i thjjgggference This was seconajjHl|jflL Mcintosh and carried BUILDING PERMITS In accordance with notice of motion, Mr S Evans proposed that a setof by-laws*be drawn upregulating the conditions under which buildiug permits should be issued and also tnat plans and specifications of proposed buildings be considered by a aub-committee before a permit was granted. The motion was seconded by Mr Mcintosh and carried without discussion. The Chairman and Messrs Mcintosh and Brook field being appointed a sub-committee to deal with the matter. LOAN' PROPOSALS In connection with the meeting of ratepayers to be held .m Friday next to consider the r.tidinj proposals designed by the Burd the Chairman urged upon m* m'i >rs "he necessity of being present i• tin meeting Tie question, he mi I, wms a huge one and of great iiUm ->■ us far as the progress of the district w>is concerned, Apart from that he did not wish to say anything further at present as members had previously hoarl his views on the sul>j >et Mr Gillespi > asked whether the Board was una limous on the proposal to construct the Great S-mth Road in concrete, 16 feet wide, and the Chairm in replied in the affirmative. Mr Gillespie intimated his intention of, If p>s.-.ible, being present at the ratepayers' meeting as he was Btrongiy ia favour of the proposal. LEAVE 01' ABSENCE GRANTED Mr Gillespie, who is at present temporarily jesUing in Auckland, applied for three months' leave of absence He stated that at the present time he could not see his way clear to attend the tneftings of the Board twice a month. When he was re-elected at the last election, he said, the Board met onoe a month, i but since then they had agreed to meet twice a month. He proposed to again take up his. residence .at Papakura, and for that not wish to tender his resignation af| a'taember of the Board % Mr McLennan thought the Board should meet Mr Gillespie's request Mr Gillespie, he said, had been Chairman of the Board for two - s

years, and his kuowli dge of public affaire wuuM prove v;t! ■ i;i'»Io to the Board H 0 mov.; i tlm: leave I f absence bo granted or tin,,» months Mr Evs,jAseci'ii Vvl ?! niotio", which vrai e^riKl M'O'l I 'A'! II iAli'ltUV IMtNTS. The ([ueation of ordering sooria for laying down on footpaths was introduced by the Chaiimau Mow was (be time, he paid (while the weather was fine), to do such work. On the motion of Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Gillespie, the matter was referred to the Works Committee, with a recommendation to order sooria as required. OLD SALIYAKiiS COKNEK, The Chairman advised the Board to consider metalling the old saleyards corner with uie'.al six inches deep. Mr Campbell said that in view of the large amount of traffic, he did not think six inches suffioient, and he suggested th it eight inches of metal would be more advantageous. Mr Gfillespie moved, and Mr Mo Lonnan seconded, that the matter be left in the hands of the Works committee, with a rccon.mandati >a that the corner be metalled eight inches deep.—This was carried. ELLIOT STREET. The absolute necessity of c meeting the metalling of £lliot street was mooted by the Chairmau, who said ' tl at there still remained a a.rip of about five chains to the junction l with Great South road to be attended to. Mr Gillespie supported the Chairman's idea, and on his motion, seconded by Mr Mcintosh, the subject was left in the hands of the Works committee, with power to act. " CLEANING l*P." In vie,v <>f the state of the footpaths in the Town district, and the not that the surface man had amp'e work to keep his time fully occupied, th* Chairman thought it would be a wne policy far the Board to employ ai. assistant surface-man for a period. Bl tck-berries and weeds, he said, wire in existence on the footpaths. Hi 'ice the Board had not ces on property-owners to clear irxious w»eds off their properties it rested wi h the Board to keep its own property clean. On the motion of Mr Campbell, seconded by Mr Gillespie, the engagement of an assistant surfaceman was left in the hands of the Chairmiu. WOOD STItEET The need for forming and metalling Wood street was once again brought under tbe Board's notice by Mr Mcintosh. He asked if there was any chance of having the work done before the winter set in because it was absolutely impossible for vehicular traffic to gain access to the twelve residences on the street. He instanced the occasion of the influenz* epidemic when he was ordered to be removed to the hospital. On account of the state of the road a car or the ambulance oould not get to his rotidence and consequently he was a day late in being admitted to the hospital. The same thing, he ■aid, might happen to others and he pointed out that it would be money wefl'4wnt if tbe street was formed 4pd metalled with scoria. He ex■hined that there was a portion of ling and with metal about nine finches deep the cost would be about *45 Mr Campbell Said he had received oompUinte about the street and like Mr Mcintosh he thought the work should be put in hand. Mr Mclutosh moved that tenders be called for the formation and metalling af Wood street, tenders to be returnable bv next meeting. Mr Campbell seconded the motion, which was ca ried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS Mr Mcintosh said that he had a lamp, which could be used for streei lighting purposes, and he offered to donate it to the Hoard —On the motion of the chairman tbe offer WM accepted with thanks, and the tffrurman remarked that he would rind a place for its erection. The Clerk, Mr Harold Wilson, made application for an increase of salary or in the alternative for a reduction of (iffice hours —After lengthy deliberation in committee Mr Gillespie moved that the Clerk's hours be from 9 a.m. till 5 p m on four days a week, viz on Monday, Tu°sdav, ThurndiV and Friday. Mr Mclennan seconded the motion which was carried An amendment by Mr Campbell that the hours remain as at present but that the Clerk be relieved of his duties on Saturdays lapsed for want of a seconder. Papakura's Loan Proposals* (To the Fditor ) Sir,—l, would ask your space for a matter that concerns the ratepayeis of the Papakura Town District. I saw in a recent issuo of your paprr that a tender had bt-en accepted for work in Cook Street by the Board This I think is the firHt work done iu the " new area " since enlarging our boundaries. I saw in au earlier issue regulations concerning roading when cutting up property. The question I raise is that the property on the south side of Klliott Street was never sold in town lots. At the sale of the lots 50 odd years ago between Elliott Street and the tidal creek, there whs a fair demand bu' that ceased and the block known a Manning's was given is an endowment "en toto." Although there were odd enquiries for south of Elliott Street lo*s 'V" Government withdrew the uhole ~f that Mock which was t»ken ,i, ; Mr Willi,mi Ai'knn a !■>' 'i. e .li'iTWud", the '■l'-n'lit r»" * ? i■' ii-iMiig from him !• :'l i'i I•> i ids ori:.„'i'ii(lly surVf. •■li .. h:11< n» r u ere not '! ' 1-. i, J . w ' 'hill tliev were v t deii'i »!-mil I (jiiote the fact til l' !' uly r> cent'y tiiir. Welling ti Street, and more recently Ka*t rttreet wre dedicated. There is !i great amount of roading to he done through ih it property, as originally surveyed, or in any cutting up pro position.

A considerable number of allotments have been sold recently and naturally buyers will want something done to the roads. The i point of my question is this, viz., who is to pay for the roading-the ratepayers or the sellers ? It is just as well to have this matter settled at once, for if the roads have aheady been dedicated the ratepayers pay ; if they have tot been dedicated, the property 1 therefore aek the Chairman of the Board, through your columns, to let us know next Friday night, if possible, there being a meeting of ratepayers the legal position, 1 would also ask the chairman of the meeeting to be held next Friday who is to fixe the " big guns" in connection with the loan proposals—the Board or the Fngineer so t'lat questions may be defined accor d ingly However, tlureneed he little feai ihut every facili y will not be given to thraOi the matter out. Yours, etc., E S COLE Papakura, March loth. P.S.—Since the above was dratted I see that the Government are not favouring couutry districts burdening themselves to form concrete roads, which tends to raise the cost <>f living, as well as affectiug " big finance."— E. S. C At last night's meeting of the Papakura Town Board the matter of constructing the Great South lioad in concrete was once again brought under the Board's notice by Mr Gillespie asking if the Board had taken into consideration the fact that water would be required for mixipg the concrete. He asked if any arrangements in that raspect had been made. He pointed out that to mix such a quantity of concrete as would be required to do the 1£ miles of the Great South Road it would take thousands and thousands of gallons of water. In view of the fact that there was to be a public meeting on Friday next to discuss the proposed roading scheme, he thought the Board should make arrangements for a water supply. It appeared to him as if the cart had been placed before the horse.—The Chairman (Mr D W Jone's remarked that surveyors were at present taking levels in connection with the Hunua Gorge water supply scheme. As regards obtaining water for mixing concrete he had discussed the matter with the Board's engineer, who had informed him that bores could be constructed here and there along the route and pipes could be run to wherever the water was required. Thus an ample supply would be obtained for mixing the concrete In connection with the water supply scheme submitted by Mr Mark wick at last Monday's meeting of the Papakura Town Board Mr Markwick again waited on the Board last evening and stated he had received an ffer of a suction gas plant capable of developing 35 break horse nower and a Tangye engine of 21 horsepower, which would be capable of pumping ample water for a large population and which would also he sufficient power for lighting the town with electricity.— Mr Uillespi > asked if the water pipes suggested by Mr Murkwick would give adequate pressure to ext nguish an outbreak of fire—Mr Mhrkwick replied that he thought it would with a 2 inch hose. However, he added, it would lm far better than buckets of water fn m tanks, but what they really aimed at was a water supply for drinking purposes - The Chairman ..greed with Mr Mnrkwick and said flint it the ratppayera ihrow out tinUnnuit (ioig'i scheme the Board would consider Mr Markwick's propositi In n. " I have a small scheme t.-o u> |ut beh.re vou, ' 'aid Mi Campbell —V' iv weil. Mr <'aill|. bell, the bofud wi I ensider \ouiand Mr M ik w iek's scln-n.'s on tie it n.eri's when tecv know what al'titud • the r.i'epay"rs t'dtn regarding tl. Hill.uu Ooiye KC'.eme " nri'! 11.■ I Chairman