TUAKAU TOWN BOARD

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 511, 5 March 1920, Page 4

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tuakau Town Board was held on Tuesday last, when there were present: Messrs Dynes Fulton (chairman), Jas Pirret,' B. G. Geraghty, Geo. S. Lapwood, J. M. Mungall, Chas Finch, together with the clerk (Mr. A. H. Tapper}. Sanitary Requirements. The district health officer, Dr. If. G. Monk, requested the board to serve notice on the owner and occupier of premises in Tuakau to have traps fitted to the sink, bath and tubs at the house, the present arrangement being unsatisfactory.—lt was pointed out that the matter referred to had been attended to.— Received. Timber for Culvert. The engineer, Mr. John Routly, advised that he had ordered jarrah planks for some culvert work near Mr. Dromgool's. —Received. A Request Declined. A request that the 10 per cent, penalty to overdue rates be remitted was made by Mr. A. J. Prescott. He pointed out that he overlooked the matter, but said a ring on the 'phone, and the cheque would have been there. —Members were of the opinion that as other ratepayers had paid the penalty, it could not see its way clear to refund any money, Mr. Prescott to be notified accordingly. Noxious Weeds. A request was made by Mr. W. G. Glasgow for the board to compel property owners to cut blackberries on their road boundaries- It was decided, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mi - . Mungall, to request ratepayers within the Town Board area to cut all noxious weeds. Application for Increse in Salary. The foreman, Mr. H. Wilson, made an application for an increase in salary. He pointed out that the men under him were getting more than he was.—Members were of the opinion that the foreman, who was receiving £4 per week, was well paid. —The chairman suggested that when there was a rush to get George Street completed the board could increase the foreman's salary. He stated that the foreman's hours would be much longer during the rush.- Mr Pirret moved that his salary be increased to j:4 10s per week. - Lapsed for want of a seconder.— Mr. Mungall moved that the salary remain as at present. Mr. Geraghty seconded.—An amendment was moved by Mr. Finch, seconded by the chairman that Mr. Wilson's salary be increased 10s per week during the completion of George Street. On the amendment being put it was declared carried on the casting vote of the chairman. The voting was: For the amendment, Messrs. Finch, Pirret and the chairman; Against, Messrs. Mungall, Geraghty and Lapwood . Claim for Compensation. A claim for compensation under the Public Works Act was made by Mr. Charles Dromgool, who had an interest in allotments 83, 86, 183 and 181, each containing 1 rood, and section 129, containing 2 1 -. acres, also the adjoining allotments 286, 287 and sections 127, 128, 128 a, each 1 rood more or less, which he claimed hail been injuriously affected by alterations on the permanent levels of George Street, between the Church of England corner and Roman Catholic Church corner, through the access to the lands having been destroyed. He also claimed that the excavations made by the board had not been left with sufficient batter to support the land immediately adjoining the street and the hedges and fences on the boundary, where the level of his land lies below the present level of the street; such land had been injuriously affected by throwing the batter of the street over his boundary, and by turning storm water out gi its natural course over his land" He claimed £202 as compensation for all loss arising out of the construction of the public work. Members contended that Mr Dromgool did not have entrances to his land, and were of opinion the board had no liability in the matter at all. Mr. Mungall thought the Works Committee should see Mr. Dromgool and ascertain where the sections were, and to see if any damage had been done. Mr. Geraghty thought the Inurd should take immediate steps to have the matter cleared up by bringing it under the notice of its solicitors and asking for legal opinion. The chairman thought a committee should be set up and ascertain by viewing a plan of the county, and find out exactly where the sections wore, and who owned the ones referred to. He moved that Messrs. Lapwood, Pirret and the chairman bo a sub-committee to go into the whole matter, and if necessary a special meeting be called to deal with it.

Mr. Pirret seconded the motion which was carried, Mr. Mungall dissent ing. ho being in favour of interviewing Mr. Dromgool. Workers' Dwellings.

The chairman submitted a letter he had received from the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, with reference to his enquiry as to whether town borads would have the power to borrow money under the Housing Act for the erection of workers' dwellings. The Premier advised that a town board could apply to th° State Advances Office for money foi the purposes mentioned. It would be necessary for the board to first obtain the consent of the ratepayers for the raising of a loan. Until the board was in receipt of application from people in urgent need of housps, it was decided to defer the matter. Estimate Wanted. It. was resolved to ask the engineer In submit an estimate of the cost to the board for shifting earth from Ca •!• Si reel to (ieorge Street . Wci(|M)ritl<jc. The rhait'man reported the weighbridge had been completed and tested. and was now in thorough order. Finance. Accounts amounting' to l! 145 2s 3d were submitted, approved of, and passed for payment. The overdraft on the general account was shown ta (1385 16s lOd. There was a credit balance of V 550 Ss lnd on the loan account.