DISTRICT NEWS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 462, 1 April 1919, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

TUAKAU. TUAKAU TOWN BOARD A special meeting of the Tuakau Town Board was held on Tuesday of last week. Present: Messrs Dynes Fulton (chairman), B. C. Geraghty, C. Finch, W. Barnaby, G. Lapwood, J. Mungall,, J. Pirfet and the Town Clerk, Mr A. H. Tapper. APPROACH TO A CHVBCH In accordance with a resolution proposed by Mr Mungall at a previous meeting, the Engineer (Mr J. Boutly) submitted a plan of double steps from the road up to the bank to afford an entrance to the Roman Catholic Church. Through the new road work in the locality a steep bank about 10 feet high had been left and consequently it is difficult to enter the church grounds. It was stated that the two rows of steps, north and south and the front bank concreted would cost about £75. but without concrete the cost would be about £4O. The Chairman and other members thought that as the Board had taken away the entrance something should be done towards a new one, though it was not legally responsible. Mr Pirret believed a flight of steps in front of the gate to the road would be the cheapest and most satisfactory. After discussion, the chairman proposed that the board donate £25 for the purpose. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

Mr Barnaby then moved that the Board contnbute £4O towards the proposed work. This was seconded by Mr Finch. MrPirrett moved as an amend* ment that the amount should not exceed £SO. Mr Geraghty seconded. The amendment was lost, Messrs Pinret, Geraghty, and Mungall voting for it, and Messrs Barnaby, Lapwood, Finch, and the Chairman against. The motion that the Board should contribute £4O was then put and carried. SALE OF MSTAI The Chairman stated that there had been comment about him sellieg some of the metal lifted from George street to one of the ratepayers. He explained that Mr Strachan had asked him for a few loads of the metal for filling-in purposes, Mr Strahan being prepared to pay for it. Mr Fulton added that about 40 loads had been delivered, and he thought it was goad business as clay could have been procured much cheaper. Mr Mungall, he said, had rang him up about the matter, and had objected to his action. As Chairman he did not intend to consult the Board over every little matter. He asked that his action be endorsed or otherwise. Mr Mjmgall stated that he failed to see how the Chairman had power to sell such a quantity of metal without first consulting the Board. He added " Where does the pow»r end ? It must end somewhere." To the Chairman: "Can you sell the the whole street from under the ratepayers'feet ?" Mr Fulton: I object to you saying I sold the whole street under the rateyayers' feet. Mr Mungall remarked that he thought any ratepayer should have a few loads, but the onus of selling such a quantity rested on the Chairman. Mr Barnaby moved, and Mr Finch seconded, that the Chairman's action be endorsed. Mr Mungall moved as an amendment that 41 loads was too much metal to sell without first consulting the Board. The Chairman said he could not accept the amendment in that form. He did not sell 41 loads, although that quantity was delivered and would be paid for. Mr Mungall refused to alter bis amendment, and the motion was then put and carried, Messrs Mungall and Lapwood voting against. KHDKMIC RELIEF FtTHD. Mr Mungall drew the Board's attention to the fact that a widow with six young children, whose ages were under 14 years, and whose husband succumbed during the influenza epidemic, had been awarded a pension of £42 a year. That he considered totally inadequate. On the motion of the Chairman, the Board resolved to recommend the Health Department to increase the amount. COTTAGE HOSPITAL. It was mentioned that a proposal was on foot to establish a cottage hospital at Pukekohe The Chairman said local bodies interested had been asked to send delegates, but not that Board. The matter required watching, as their rates might be taken to maintain an institution that might prove inadequate.