BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 551, 23 July 1920, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers, Hall Street, on \\ -,U c.v Jay evening, when theix were ])resent: The Mayor (Mr. C. K. Lawrie), II R. Hamilton, Geo. Armstrong, A. P. Daysh, R. McGough, H. Keith, J.'. Morrow, R. Bilkey, J. Patterson, the clerk (Mr. J. F. DeaneJ, the engineer (Mr. W. Wyatt), and the foreman (Mr. S. Clews). The Mayor related the deputation work at Auckland, re railway bridge and subway matters (previously published in the '•Times''). Cr. Hamilton moved that the Minister for Railways be written to, urging that the matter of widening the road to the station, as promised, be expedited.—Carried. Building Materials.

A pamphlet was read from the Board of Trade re permits for l!.t supply of building materials. It was decided to write urging the board to advertise the same in the "Franklin and Pukekohe Times," so that all builders and others- interested would be made conversant with the conditions.

Asiatic Immigration.

. A circular letter protesting against the immigration of Asiatics into the Dominion was supported. Cr. Hamilton supported the view that they should be admitted on the "man for man" policy, namely, one" Chinaman fur each New Zealander resident in China, and Indians to be similarly restricted. Hunua Proposed Electric Supply.* The council, while wishing the promoters of the Hunua electric supply scheme every succors, refrained from taking any action in the matter, as asked in a letter from the Hunua Farmers' Union, because the council had its own scheme to look after, and would not require any other. * Housing.

The Deputy-Housing Superintendent wrote stating that only one house had been applied for in Pukekohe. Members thought it would be advisable to forward a batch of applications the council had in hand to the Department, asking it to purchase the land and erect the Louses. Cr. Keith moved that the matter of the applications be placed before tlie Government right away, with a view to reaching finality and getting something done.- Carried. The State Advances Office wrote stating that if the council wished to raise a loan of £IO,OOO for housing the monev would be available. A , Edinburgh-Han is Streets./

Tho attention of the council was drawn to the SUite of Edinburgh St. 'where it junctions with Harris St., and also of the footpath.- To be attended to in a few weeks' time, in conjunction with other fork to be done in that area. The Rou!ston Cift, Drafts >f agreements ii reference to the gift by Mr. Wm. Roulston of his private park and tennis court to the borough were received. One condition was that a war memorial, to cost not less than fcsoi>, be erected within two vears. Another report contained Mi. Roulston"s offer of his section at the corner of Edinburgh Street and Roulston Avenue as a town hall, site, at a cost of U2OO, on the condition that a town hall was erected within throe years, at a cost of not less than 1:5000. Roth drafts agreed to, Bctizitse Sforane and Explosive Magazine. The foreman presented a report stating that a storage place for benzine and a magazine for explosives could be erected for >:150. Ci\ Hamilton suggested that door space could be.rented at annual rates to (lie varices firms reqi/ing 3tor-

It was reported that one firm had obtained permission to erect a storage place right in the middle of the town, adjacent to big buildings. -J Finally it was decided to obtain information as to what other towns had done in the matter. Additional Engine. Mr. Wyatt reported that the additional engine for the powar-house had arrived, and would shortly be installed. ' ' Stone Crusher. The Mayor and works committee wov deputed to make enquiries with a view to purchasing a stonecrusher. Rates. *The finance committee reported that there was no opening for a ;e duction in rates, because labour and materia's were mounting up in; cost all the time. The Mayor regretted not being able to make a reduction n.l present, but at least there would be no increase except that for hoi pital and charitable aid rate, over which the council had no control, ["he general rate would r,e l'-jd, out ; '.-- loi.-e-l i, wi.uld be possible to res' ';.■■' rates another vear.

General. Cr. itoU-jr-so!' referred to the state of the crowing- a t Seddon and Albert Street--. The fore-man sah] the work had b?en put in hand. The works cunimittee were deputed id arrp.njre_.for :\ dearir.g-up week. The-Engineer. Tie clerk reported that the consulting; engineer (Mr. U. W. McAr- ■ luir) was coming up within a few days in connexion with the drain- : aire problem.

'<'■■. Armstrong said it seemed a? though the council was liable to become a de.id-letter in regard to an\ thing comprehensive. The Health i Department were holding the council I i;p in regard to its bore for sewage, | which it quibbled at, but did not offer any other solution. t'r. Hamilton urged that the lines of the proposed drains and all othe; airangcmenls could be made in readiness to carry out the work. j The Mayor moved that Mr. McAi 1 - thur be written to, stating that the, louncil was dissatisfied with the very ' ■ slow progress made with the works, | and that it was desired that hep should expedite matters. / i

Cr. Patterson moved that the co cil should advertise for competit designs for a town The matters of < morial were referred tothe dom committee. - Cr. Armstrong considered thi*|| hall should be planned to suit's town for the next ?£ years, thou it need not all be built at once. Al if, as some people said, there w UOOO a year revenue from pictui the Borough Council should ran own pictures in the new hall:----. The clerk was congratulated on v t amount of rates collected, there I lug only about £6O outstanding. g