PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 577, 22 October 1920, Page 2

PUKEKOHE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the Pui.ekone Borougn Council was held on Wednesday nignt, wnen there were present: The Mayor, Mr. C. K. Lawiie, and Crs. i>. K. Hamilton, Ueo. .irmstrong, A. P. Daysn, K. McH. Keith, D. Morrow, R. Bil-i-ey, the consulting engineer (Mr. W. l). McArthur), waterworks and electrical engineer (Mr. \Voods Vvyatt), cue clerk (Mr. J."F. Deanej, and foreman (Mr. S. Clews). A motion of condolence was passed with the relatives of the late Mr. (Jsher, who had been one of the early public men in Pukekohe. The Money Market. The controller, mortgage division of the Public Trust Omce, in reply to tie council's application for a loan of £20,000, regretted that the Investment Board was unable to give the implication consideration at present, oat suggested it be renewed pn January 1 next. The Assistant-Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, advised that the Minister was prepared to introduce the necessary legislation this session to -ejiable the council to raise its loan of £84,000 at a rate of li terest not exceeding bM per cent, l.i reply to the same matter, the iVime Minister advised that a clause v. ould be inserted in the Washing-up Bill. Proposed Scenic Reserve. .

The Prime Minister, Right Hoh. W. ]'. Massey, in reply to the council's application for a grant to enable the acquisition of a piece of land in Pukekohe for the purpose of a scenic reserve and public domain, stated t':at he would confer with the Minter of Lands on the matter, with a view of ascertaining- whether anything could be done in the direction desired. He would reply again later.

Domain Drain. The matter of the drain through the Domain was asain discussed. Mi*, lonkin waited cji the council, pointing out that thte.dtain was dangerous to schoolchildren as it held about three or four feet of water at times. Most of the adjoining ratepayers had contributed towards th£t drain at times, and it was not fair to ask them to do so again. Mr. Bilkey said he had always urged that the drain should be piped. Jr..- Education Board should eontri-, buie £IOO, as it would improve its property immensely. «'Jr. Armstrong made a strong plea fui. something effective to be done, especially in view of the formation oi an athletic club, because the Domain could not be made full use of L<\ the sports' bodies until the drain was remedied. J-tr. McArthur thought the Health 1), partment should compel the Education Board to drain its property ac joining. Park Upkeep.

The matter of caretaker for the lio.ilston War Memorial Park and tennis court was discussed. It was tt.ited that a man had .offered to do the work for £75 a year* The Mayor tald £75 was altogether'too much to puy for looking after less then two acics. Finally the job was" Bonded over to Foreman Clews for one i.ionth, he to report on the prooable cost of upkeep. Roose's Bush.

The foreman estimated that it would cost £SOO to form, scoria, kerb ri d channel the road leading up to Rise's bush.

The Mayor said the matter was one ovor which there had been much agitation by the public for years past, i as the present opportunity was tie last one before the bush was cut dewn, it was well to give the ratepi vers an opportunity of sanctioning a loan of £2500 for the land, and £1 ;00 for roading. Cr. Keith supported, stating that it was better to take a poll, and if the poll were not carried, the public to Id never blame the council for tl e loss of Roose's bush. •

Cr. Daysh condemned the proposal to put a road through, helping the owner of the land to cut up his sections.

] t was decided that arrangements be made for the taking of a poll on the motion of the Mayor, seconded b\ Cr. Daysh. Councillors were of the opinion ti it the price of the land even with t! ■ cost of the road added was well u- <ler its market value.

Ir. A. J. Walker (Auckland) was ei -.aged as consulting engineer in co :nexion with the extensions to the el ctrie lighting and power system Accounts amounting to £I7OO 19s I!-I, including £3OO odd for interest a- I £ 100 for" a new engine were p <sed for payment. War Memorial.

When the question of the collects n day for the proposed war mer.'oriiil came up Cr. Bilkey refused to take any part in it. If people could iv t be grateful enough to come fo* v. rd with donations he woultf never a-k them. He had deposited £2O with the ;!erk towards a memorial on the lc-re; 'ion ground, but as that site was discarded lie would withdraw his where in Pukekohe. ■ Jm*"