PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 567, 17 September 1920, Page 2

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary monlhly meeting of the Borough Council was held on Wednesday ii'L'ht, when there were present: 'if!*- Mayor (Mr. C. K. Lawlie), (Vs. I. Patterson, Robert Bilkey, F. J. Morrow,*J. 11. Keith, R. H. McGough, Ceo. 11. Armstrong, D. U. Hamilton, A. P. Daysh, the town clerk (Mr. J. F. Deane), consulting engineer (D. W. McArthur), the electrical enngineer (Mr. W. Wyatt).; Mr. E. Roose wrote offering the council about 10 acres of land situated on Doctor's Hill for domain purposes at i :lo'i per acre. The terms to be SIIOO cash, balance at at rate of interest to be agreed on, for a period of five years. He pointed out that the land was nicely elevated and contained some beautiful native bush. Before arriving at a final decision it was decided to inspect the property. The Mayor, Crs. Armstrong, Daysh and Hamilton were appointed a sub-committee to inspect and report on at next meeting. ' The Kennelly Town Hall Site.

With regard to the Kennelly site as to whether under the agreement of October 10, 1911 between the Town Board and Thomas Kennelly the latter is entitled to enforce the covenant contained in clause (f) of the agreement, making it obligatory to use the section transferred only as a town hall site, or for municipal purposes. the council's soJicitors intimated that it appeared to them there was no provision of the law which entitled the counncil to escape from the obligation imposed by the clause. This stipulation was not embodied in the transfer of the section, the only consideration expressed therein being the making of the road by the board. However they did not think this would prejudice Mr. Kennelly's view of the case, seeing that an obligation of the nature contained in the clause could not be registered on the title under the Law Transfer Act. They saw no reason to prevent Mr. Kennelly from protecting his interest under the clause in question by placing a caveat on the title. They prefe: red to go into the matter more fully, and would be pleased to give the council a more considered opinion at an early date as they had been unable to go into the question as fully as they wished up to the present.- Received. A firm of Ngaruawahia land agents intimated that they had a supply of fresh-water _ sand for disposal.—Referred .to the works committee. Messrs. A. E. and J. T. Morris, Wellington Street, requested that the town water supply be laid to their boundary line.—Referred to waterworks committee to deal with.

In reply to the council's letter forward in« resolution passed at the last meeting asking that in view of the fact that the associated banks have raised the rate (f interest on advances to local authorities to 6 per cent., provision be made in the Municipal Corporations Act now before Parliament for all finds being placfed in the district fund account, thus ensuring interest being paid only oil actual amounts owing to the banks, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. P. Massey) intimated that he would place the matter before the Minister for Internil Affairs and would furthtr reply to the council at a later date.—Received. In connexion with the matter of Hickey's dam, which at some future flute will be utilised for the purposes of a town water supply extension scheme, Mr. J. Hickey's solicitor wrote stating that before the council embarked on its scheme his client required the council to erect a bridge or culvert above high-water mark at the creek in Spring's Road to enable I.lr. Hickey's cattle and implements to be taken across. He requested the council to expedite the settlement of the deed at the earliest.- On the motion of Cis. Bilkey and Keith it was decided to accede to the request.

With reference to the proposed new Health Rill, tlie Chief Health Officei explained that the new Bill would in no wise interfere with the present system of inspection in vogue in the Auckland Province, except that in place of tie inspect : on for infectious disease work being done by the Hospital Board Inspector it will, if the council so wishes, be done by the Health Department Inspector. There is nothing in the n< w Bill which depa; ts greatly from the existing conditions, but the Bill sought to systematize the working arrangements that have beeji evolved out of the chaos of existing health legislation. Under a clause in the Bill provision had been made for a small local authority obtaining from the Department the services of a sanitary inspector in place of themselves appointing such an ofl.eer.— Received.

lii connexion with the resolution passed by the council at a previous meeting and forwarded to the Prime Minister, Mr. Massev replied stating he would put the matter before the Minister for Public Health for consideration.- Received.

In reply to the council's request if it would be possible for the council to obtain a piece of crown land in Seddon Street containing about one and a-half acres on which to erect workers' dwellings, the Premier stated he would have pleasure in discussing the request with the Minister for Lands, and would reply again. Receive/]. Messrs. Perkins and Brown requested the council to attand to a culvert at the" foot of Reynolds' Hill on Last Pukekohe road. They pointed out that vv/en heavy lain was experienced Ui-eir propei ty became Hooded through water banking up on account'of the pipes across the road being too high to carry the water away.- Referred to the works committee to inspect and report on at next meeting. Works Committee Report.

The rhaiiman of the works committee, Cr. A. P. J)aysli, reported as follows: -

A general clean-up has been made with the borough's teams and men throughout the congested area of the borough. Tlie teams and men are engaged in Nelson Street at formation work. Concrete kerbing and channelling work has been completed | as far as the junction of East Street ! from Prospect Terrace. These men ! are now engaged on kerbing and | channelling work in East Street. 1 Your committee has inspected a , stone-crushing plant and are to in- | spect other plants within the next ' few days, when a decision will be i arrived at as to the of a i plant. Regarding scoria, the forej man reported the result of his interview with the Railways District Trallic Manager. The Department assured him tl.at it would if at all possible forward the amount needed, and at the same time it promised to try and forward the council from 10 to •JO trucks weekly. The report was adopted. Engineer's Report. I I o engieer (Mr. I). W. McArthur) reported that he had now laid down a scheme for drainage of the central , portion of the borough at an estimated cost of £9222, allowing fully, for present prices «£ labour and ©a-1

terial. He would be pleased to go over the ground with the councillors, and point out the different lines and the reason for adopting the courses laid down. He had seen Dr. Hughes (health officer) with reference to drainage matters, and from what he stated he ieH sure no ob- a jections would be raised. He subinitted several designs for municipal buildings as a general guide as. to what Cvjild he done, and after going iiito the matter and considering it from all joints, he suggested the erection of two buildings, one on the corner to all borough offices, library reading-room, etc., while the other" should be the public hall to include theatre dressing rooms, lounges, etc. He was sorry he had not more time to give more details. The drainage comfnittee was appointed to go round with Mr. McArthur, while as regards the buildings, the finance committee was empowered to confer with Mr. McArthur. Cr. Armstrong congratulated Mr. McArthur on the estimate for the drainage, which came within the £IO,OOO borrowed for the sewerage system. The report was adopted. Lighting Committee.

The chairman of the lighting committee, Mr. G. H. Armstrong, pointed out that unnecessary delay had been occasioned in connexion with the lighting extension scheme through the engineer, Mr. Walker, not submitting the specifications. He thought some steps should be taken with a view of expediting the matter. It was decided to communicate with Mr. Walker, pointing out the unnecessary delay and requestig him to expedite the calling of tenders for the electric lighting extensions. Mr. Armstrong also reported that the new crankshaft had been installed at the power-house, and was now in good working order. " Cr. Patterson again drew the council's attention to the fact that so far the council had received no definite reply from the Government in connexion with the widening of the East Street traffic bridge. He understood the Telegraph Department had removed a large telegraph pole from the corner, and he thought this was done with a view of effecting the desired improvements. He wanted to know who gave the Telegraph Department the instructions. If ahy were given the council were unaware of them. He moved that the Mayor and town clerk communicate with the Premier at once demandig a reply as to what was being done in the matter. The Mayor and town clerk were also authorised to make representations to the Premier to ascertain whether anything further had transpired regarding the subway at the southern end of the railway station, the new Courthouse, and the road leading to the railway station. With regard to the subway, it was pointed out that the autumn show of the Franklin A. and P. Society was approaching, and the subway was required then. It was resolved to urge upon the Department to, expedite putting into operation the work in connexion with these matters. The town clerk was authorised to expend £25 on the purchase of new books for .the library. Owing to the enormous amount of business transacted at the meetings and the late hour in which meetings terminated, on the motion of the Mayor it was decided to meet on the first and third Wednesdays in each month at 8 p.m., in lieu of the thirdWednesday in each month at 7.30 p.m., during the summer months. The Mayor and Cr. Hamilton were authorised to sign the agreement between the council and Mr. W. Roukt ston relative to the Roulston Gift; Park, Cr. Patterson pointing out that the council was not leasing the park, ; it being a gift. The district fund account showed a debit balance of £2072 lis 6d, while the public service loan account was stated to be in credit £824 5s 4d. The paysheet amounting to £7BB 4s 6d was passed for payment.