TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 581, 5 November 1920, Page 1 (Supplement)

TUAKAU TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tuakau Town Board was held fan Tuesday evening, when there were present: Messrs. Dynes Fulton (chairman), Jas. Pirret, G. S. Lapwood, C. Finch, J. B. Sim, G. Arrowsmith, W. J. Taylor, and the clerk (Mr. A. H. Tapper). Mr Geo. Booth requested the board to notify owners, who had fences, buildings, machinery and waste matter of every description on Ryder's Road leading to his property to remove same, pointing out that the obstructions interfered with stock when being driven along the road, and which were likely to cause an accident.—lt was pointed out that the road was only threequarters of a chain wide, and that there were no buildings erected on the road. Machinery and a vehicle were on the road. —The clerk was instructed to request those concerned to remove any obstacles that were on the road.

The Presbyterian Church Board of Managers asked the board to construct an approach to the church property from George Street, and also requested the board to repair a damaged culvert in front of the Manse.— It was decided to accede to the former request, but the latter was declined.

With regard to the erection of a police station at Tuakau, the Prime Minister, Right Hon. W. F. Massey, advised that the Police Department had the matter in hand, but in view of the high cost of building and shortage of labour and materials there did not seem much prospect of getting the building erected in the near future. The house which was rented as a police station was sold, and the Department's tenancy terminated, and the efforts made to secure another house had so far been unsuccessful. In the meantime an unmarried constable would be stationed at Tuakau.—Received.'

Mr. James Mungall made application to have a crossing constructed into his property in Henderson's Road, and he agreed to pay cost of .same.- The chairman . said he had giveh instructions to have the work done, and his action was endorsed.,

'-The Education Board intimated that owing to illness the contractor had withdrawn his offer to erect the l'cw school buildings on Glasgow's site. The architect now proposes to erect the building by means of the board's workmen. The order for material has been placed, and as soon as il; has been delivered on the site he would arrange for the work to be commenced.—Received.

With regard to thfe board's application for the balance of the i; 12,000 Tuakau Loan, 1917, amounting to £3OOO, the solicitor of the Public Trust Office advised that at the time the loan was raised the ruling interest in the office was 5*4 per cent., and the ratepayers' consent was given to the whole of the loan being raised at that rate. The present rate of interest on loans from the office was per cent. This being so, the board would have under ordinary circumstances no power to raise the loan at a higher, rate of interest than that sanctioned by the ratepayers without referring the matter to the ratepayers again. The Premier, however, had stated that legislation was being introduced authorising local bodies who have already taken polls to raise loans at a lower rate of interest than 5% per cent., to raise the said loans at a higher rate of interest without further authority from the ratepayers. Until the necessary legislation has been passed, no further steps could be taken in the matter. —Received. —Members were of the opinion that the necessary legislation would be passed within a week if it had not already been done. The Franklin County engineer intimated that the riding foreman had been instructed to attend to River Road, Tuakau. —Received. It j was pointed out that a commencement had been made with the work.

With regard to the board's 'ipplieation to the Prime Minister and the Insurance Department for a loan of £7OOO for the erection of a town Hall. Mr. Massey replied stating he would put the matter before the Minister concerned, and would commend the implication to his favourable consideration. He trusted it would be possible for the Insurance Department to «ntertain tho proposal.—Received. Mr. Arrowsmith moved that the clerk make application to the District Engineer, Public Works Department, for the balance of the £1 for £1 s'lbsidy due on the George Street works. It was pointed out that .miple money had been expended to warrant the payment of the subsidy. Mr. Sim .stated that from the station to the boundary the amount allocated was £5700, while altogether £6610 had been expended and the work not yet actually completed. He seconded, and the motion was carried.

With the object of making an early start on loan works, Mr. Sim moved that the engineer be instructed to call tenders for all allocation works, loan account, where metalling is not required. Mr. Lapwood seconded.— Carried.

It was agreed to take steps to hire a small grader with a view of improving the waterworks on the roads in the board's area, it being pointed out that pick and shovel work was far too slow and costly.

The engineer, Mr. J. Routley, in his report stated that as far as he could see the formation work between Pirret's corner and the English church would exceed the sum allocated by at least £IOO. George Street, between Messrs. Morgan's and Dromgool's properties, urgently needed attention by extending the present cutting slightly, and laying a coat of metal for the length of the cutting about 10ft. wide. This work would involve providing 60 yards of metal and earthworks. In the loan allocation there was an item of £3OO for Gibson's Road, and he suggested that the money lie spent mainly in luying, say, 10ft. of metal commencing from George Street end. Last winter the road was cut up badly, showing that it carried a fair amount of traffic. This section of the road previously graded required considerable attention before it could be put condition for metalling. There was about £l5O. of the allocation for CanStreet unexpended. This sum should cover the cost of laying a light coal of metal, and further improvement in the formation, etc. He did not' see any reason why the work should not be proceeded with during the summer. Owing to the steady increase of costs which had oeen experienced during the last two years, he thought an additional amount of 5.1500 should be allowed for on the overhead bridge scheme. Cement was now £7 per ton plus freight, metal chips lis a yard at the quarry, and iron work, timber, wages and horsefeed considerably higher than when estimates were submitted 20 month? ago. He understood that there was a probability of Mr. W. A. Smeed disposing of the whole of his crushing plant, and in view of the serious delays experienced during previous years.through not having a crushing plant in readiness to work, he suggested that enquiry be made "and if the rumour was true that an endeavour be made to have the crusher kept in the district..—The chairman mentioned that the position regarding the supply of metal for board works was not at all promising, and something would have to be done to procure supplies of metal for hoard works. The report was received.

Accounts amounting to £354 15s general account, and £79 17s 3d loan account were passed for payment. The overdraft at the bank was shown at £827 5s 3d, special rates (credit) £ll3 0s lOd, while the loan account showed a credit balance of £l2B 3s 2d.

The Tuakau Domain Board, in reply to the board's letter asking that a conference between the Domain and Town Boards be held to consider the advisability of selling a portion of the Domain Reserve, the proceeds from which to be expended in acquiring a more suitable site, stated that the board was not empowered to dispose of any portion of the Domain Reserve, and also that it would not recommend to the Minister in charge the advisability of disposing of any portion of the reserve. The board pointed out that the Domain was within easy distance of the town, and under the present roading scheme of the Town Board, would help to popularise the Domain grounds, which at the present tipe was appreciated by those who love to get away from the township. The board had always been willing to throw the Domain open for all kinds of sports. They were of opinion that if the grounds were properly put before the sports of Tuakau they would make more use of them, and it would help to bring about a united effort to further the interests of the district. The chairman said the Domain consisted of about 37 icres of land, and he was sure the part known as the Outer Domain was not suitable for any sporty, excepting that a cricket pitch may be found. Mr. Sim, the mover of the motion asking the Domain Board to meet the Town Board to discuss the advisability of ootaining a suitable domain, said the Domain Board had absolutely slighted the Town Board. From a public point of view the Domain was useless, and unless the Domain Board sold a portion of the present Domain ::nd assisted to obtain another suitable ground, the Town Board would have to take steps to provide a suitable site for the purpose. Mr. Arrowsmith said he was also disappointed at the action of the Domain Board in the matter. The chairman said upon receipt of the letter he had taken steps to put the matter before the Prime Minister with a view of having a clause inserted in the Washing-up Bill to have the Domain included in the Town Board area. At the pre-

sent time they had no suitable ground for the purpose of holding a sports meeting, and no g?ound for cricket and football purposes. In** 4 view of the fact that the sports meeting was shortly to be held, something in the way of procuring a ground would have to be done. Mr. Lapwood said that if the Domain Board would not meet the Town Board, the board should purchase about 10 or 15 acres by public subscription. He for one would give £25. Mr. Taylor moved that the chairman's action in communicating with the Prime Minister on the matter be endorsed. Mr. Arrowsmith seconded, and the motion was carried, Mr. Lapwood dissenting. The chairman moved that the clerk write to the Prime Minister pointing out that the Domain' Board was not prepared to meet the Town Board in connexion with the Juakau Domain, and the B<»ar(W respectfully asks that special legislation be passed this session to bring the Tuakau Domain within tht Town Board area, and placed under the control tff the Tuakau Town Board. Mr. Sim seconded. Mr. Arrowsmith said he believed that Parliamentary procedure provided that such a matter had to be brought before the House by petition, and not by letter. The chairman in reply to Mr. Taylor said if the Domain was brought in the Town Board area, the board would not suggest that the whole of the Domain be sold, ohly that a portion—the outer paddockbe sold, and the money be expended on the acquirement of a domain in a central position. <j»The motion v as carried, Mr. Lapwood dissenting. It was also decided to petition Parliament on the matter.