PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 484, 24 June 1919, Page 1

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wednesday's Meeting The monthly meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council was held en Wednesday night, the Mayor (Mr C. E. Lawrie) presiding. Others present were Crs J. Dent, K. Bilkey, F. J. Morrow, Hodgson Keith, R. McGough, A. P. Daysh, Geo. H. Armstrong with the Town Clerk, (Mr J. F. Deane)the Fore man (Mr 8, Clews) and the Engineer (Mr W. Wyatt). An apology for absence was received from Cr D Hamilton, who was in Palmerston Nortn. The Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notified that the Council's contribution for the year would be £309 15s 10d.—Received. LET THERE BE LIGHT Mr J. J. Coady, on behalf of the residents of Albert street, requested the Council to grant them the benefit of a lamp in this street. He pointed out that the street was not metalled, and although it was provided with a very good path on one side, it was sometimes necessary to cross the street. To make a crossing at night time was almost impossible, and the erection of a lamp would bonefit all concerned.—The matter was n-ferrod to the Lighting Committee, with power to act. ANZAC I>AY The Napier Borough Council forwarded the following resolution and asked for the Council's cooperation in the matter " That this Council endorses the action of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association in requesting Cabinet to declare Anzac Day a statutory holiday, inasmuch as it marks the entry of the Dominion into the great War."—Cr Dent said he thought the resolution should be supported, and added that it should be a day set aside for thanksgiving for the boys who laid down their lives for the Empire. On his motion it was agreed to support the resolution. OHEAT SOUTI ROAD. The advisability of utilising the old railway track between Buckland and Pokeno as the best route for the main South road, as it would give a better grade, was advocated by the Pukekohe' Chamber of Commerce, The Mayor stated that some time ago the local bodies had moved in the matter, but nothing had been done. If the road could bo got it would be a good thing for the district, as all the traffic from the Waikato would pass through Pukekohe. He thought that the matter was purely for the County Council, and moyed that the Council accord the Chamber of Commerce its hearty support in the matter. Cr Dent, in seconding tbs motion, said if the road was got as suggested, it would be a decided acquisition to the district. The motion was carried.

A DISPUTE.

With regard to the collision between a motor-cycle driven by Mr W. Eaylor and the Borough's nightsoil cart, some time ago, Cr Dent reported that he, Lr Armstrong, and the Engineer, as instructed by the Council, had inspected the damaged machine. They fouadi that the sidecar was badly smashed, and that the forks of the motor-cycle had been bent, and the lamp broken. The Engineer estimated the damage at £ls. With a view to settling the matter, the Committee otiered Mr Taylor £2O as damages and £2 to cover any legal expenses Taylor would not accept the offer, but offered to close at £UO. He felt that £3O was too much of the ratepayers' money tc spend, in view of the fact thit Taylor was as much to blame for the accident as the Council, and ho thought he should bear at least half of the cost. Eventually they agreed to let Mr Taylor go to the office and accept a cheque for £22 or else turn it down. Taylor had viaitod the office, and had turned the offer down. As the owner of the cycle had fust of all claimed £6O, and had offerod to close at £3O. he thought the wisost action would bo to let him go ahead, and make a case of it. Othpr Councillors thought likewise, and tho Committee's action was endorsed. TUK CIMETERY. Tho Cemetery Committee Crs Bilkey and Dent) ropoited that improvements were being made at the cemetery, and good work was being done. They also reported that some (if the picquet fences surrounding tho graves were falling down. The latrer matter was left in the hands of the Clerk to attend to. Tho report was adopted. EFFICIENT RANOF.U. It was reported that the ranger waR carrying out his duttes in a more efficient mannor. OHSTKI'CTINO HEDGE. Tho Council's attention was drawn to a dangerous corner where the road to Puni branches off, owing to a hedge which obscured the view of travellers —It was decided to request the owner tc cut tho hedge in order to avoid ati accident. A WARM Ot'T. Or Bilkey pointed out that a washi out at Foy'a corner, Kitchener iioad, from 10 to 16 foot deep, was very

dangerous. As the matter was one for the County Council to attend to it was decided to draw the Council's attention to it. STAFF CHANGE. The Clerk reported that his assistant, Miss Brown, was shortly severing her connection with the office.—He was empowered to make application for an assistant, the Finance Committee to make the appointment. SANITATION. Cr Armstrong reported that the Sanitary Committee had decided to erect conveniences on the Domain, in concrete or brick.—The matter was left in the Committee's, and in the Works Committee's hands to arrange for a site. CHARGES QUESTIONED. Cr Dent asked if the Council had any control over the charges made by the taxi proprietors. He pointed out that it had come under his notice that the charges made were excessive. Other Councillors supported the remarks and the matter was referred to the By-laws Committee to look into. WATERTABLE. Cr Daysh, in answer to the Mayor, said that the Foreman had been instructed to construct a water-table near Mr Hewlett's place, on the main road to Waiuku. DEPUTATIONS. Mr J. McCormick waited on the Council withia request that his property, situated about 14 chains from the present water main, be connected up with the Borough service. He offered to contribute half cost towards the object—A little discussion followed, in which Councillors expressed themselves in favour of the request.—The Mayor moved that the Waterworks Committee be empowered to make the connection, on condition they make arrangements whereby half cost should be borne by Mr McCormick.— Cr Dent seconded, and the motion was carried.

Mr A. Berryman, requested the Council to complete the work of forming the road in front of his property opposite the railway station—the work the railway department intended to complete before the War. Mr Berryman said the approach to his residence was dangerous. He pointed out that the work would have been completed if the Council had not taken the work over from the Department. Cr Daysh said the Council had £ll7 on hand for the work. The Works Committee had looked over it and thought the money should be spent to improve the road. He moved that the work be done. Cr Morrow seconded and the motion was carried.

The paysheet amounting to £7OO 8s 7d was approved and passed for payment. The debit balance of the District Fund acoount was shown at £2537 16s 4d