TUAKAU TOWN BOARD

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 555, 6 August 1920, Page 4

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tuakau Town Board was held on Tuesday night, when there were present: Messrs Dynes Fulton (chairman), Jas. Pirret, B. G. Geraghty, Chas. Finch, G. S. Lapwood, J. M. Mungall and the clerk (Mr. A. 11. Tapper), An apology for absence was received from Mr. W. Barnaby. Alleged Nuliance. Mrs. M. A. Madill, Dominion Rd., wrote asking the board to request Mrs. Craig to remove her pig paddock, which was against her boundary fence. The chairman pointed out that he with Messrs. Pirret, Barnaby And the clerk had inspected the locality, and had recommended to Mrs. Craig to erect a pig-proof fence. Mrs Craig was quite prepared to comply with the request. They found no nuisance, and therefore had no jurisdiction. Mr. Pirret moved that the clerk reply stating that the board could not take any action in the matter as regards pigs running in the paddock in question, but if she thought a nuisance did exist she could bring the matter under the notice of the Health Department, Auckland.—Carried. Overhead Bridge. Railway Department's Delay. For some considerable time past the board has urged upon the Railway Department the urgent advisability of having an overhead bridge constructed at the George Street railway crossing, but the Department has been more or less asleep to the need of such an important structure. In reply to the board's representations soliciting the intentions of the Department the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) intimated that he would make enquiries into the matter, and would reply at an early date. The chairman stated that the Premier's reply was unsatisfactory. The board had written three letters urging the matter be proceeded with. The summer weather was approaching, and something should be done immediately. Mr. Fulton moved that the clerk telegraph to Mr. Massey stating that the board would be commencing the road work on Harrisville Hill immediately, and desired to know definitely if the Railway Department intended to make any alterations to the Tuakau railway station, and whether the Department had any intention of meeting the board as regards the overhead bridge. Mr. Mungall seconded the motion, which was tarried unanimously. Shortage of Cement.

The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) advised that the board's resolution urging the Government to remit the import duty upon cement had been forwarded to the president of the Board of Trade (Hon, E. P. I,*e) for consideration.---Received. £7BOO Town Hall Loan. The chairman moved that the

board take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £7OOO for the purpose of erecting a town hall to be known as the Tuakau Memorial Town Hall. Mr. B. G. Geraghty seconded. The motion was carried unanimous-

The clerk was authorised to take the necessary steps of submitting the proposal to a poll of ratepayers on September 15. In connexion with the Town Hall question, the chairman mentioned that he thought it may be possible to obtain a Government subsidy. On his motion, seconded by Mr. Pirret, it was decided to communicate with the Prime Minister asking if it was at all possible for the Government to grant a subsidy. George Street Works. It was decided to apply for a further progress payment from the Public Works Department in connexion with the George Street grant of £ISOO.

Light Railways. In connexion with the correspondence received from Messrs. Dansey and Gavey with regard to a light

railway from Tuakau to the Raglan County via Onewhero and Pukekawa, the chairman said he had met some of the prominent residents in these districts, and all quite agreed the proposal was a good one. They were all willing to attend a meeting with reference to the matter. A light railway, concluded the chairman, would be the means of opening up acres of the back country. The clerk was instructed to write to Messrs. Dansey and Gavey asking them to submit a date for a meeting, when the board would call a meeting and arrange for all in the northern portion of the Raglan County to be invited to attend. Claim for Compensation. The chairman reported briefly on the result of the Compensation Court held at Tuakau on Monday to hear the claim of Mr. C. Dromgool against the Town Board for alleged damages to a number of his sections in George Street, a report of which appeared in our last issue. He regretted the board had had to go to court over the matter, but he contended it had successfully fought the case. He »tiov- I

Ed that a letter of thanks be forwarded to Mr. W. Claud Motion for his efforts on behalf of the board. Mr. Mungall said he would have rather seen the board meet Mr. Dromgool and arrive at a settlement amicably. He preferred Mr. Dromgool to have got the expenses paid to the assessor for the board and the board's solicitors. Mr. Fulton said Mr. Mungall's method of settling the matter in interviewing Mr. Dromgool would have landed the board in trouble. An interview was at once admitting liability. Mr. B. G. Geraghty said he was one of the movers in bringing the matter to a head. He was pleased it had been brought to a head and settled in the most satisfactory manner. He had great pleasure in seconding the motion, which was carried unanimously. Finance. Accounts amounting to £278 13s '2d ivere passed for payment. The overdraft of the general aclount was shown at £731 14s 3d. The credit balance of the loan ac:ount was shown at 5:332 18s Id.