STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 59, 15 July 1913, Page 2

STRATFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

At the meeting last evening there were present His Worship the Mayoi (Mr W. P. Kirkwood), and Crs. N. King, J. Masters, F. Arden, J. W. Boon, J. Fredric, R. McK. Morison, J. B. Richards, B.'Dingle, and J. H. Thompson. RAILWAY CROSSINGS.

The To Awamutu Chamber of Commerce wrote asking for the Council s support in representations to the Go vemment regarding the danger of railway level crossings.—The Mayor said it was a matter in which the Council could co-operate. In Stratford there had been no fatalities, but there had been many narrow escapes. —It was decided to endorse the resolution on the matter passed by the Te Awamutu body. STRAYING STOCK. The secretary of the Hospital Board (Mr T. Harry Penn) wrote: —I am instructed to ask that the by-law against allowing horses and cattle to wander oa the streets be stringently enforced. The Hospital grounds are constantly being damaged by the incursions of wandering stock. It is, from the nature of the institution, not always possible to ensure the gates being kept closed. It is, besides, alleged that the gates are at night purposely opened for the sake of obtaining grazing that the streets at this time of year do not afford.—The Mayor said the Inspector had been instructed to see what could be done. HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The District Health Officer forwarded wall sheets containing extracts of the regulations under the Sale of Food and Dings Act concerning the protection of food from contamination. The Council’s co-operation with the Hospital Board in the matter was asked for.—lt was reported that the Borough Inspector had been instructed to distribute the posters. THE FIRE BRIGADE;

Tho Secretary of the Fire Brigade notified that Foreman Burgess had bpen appointed custodian of the Fire Station.—The appointment was confirmed. l RAILWAY DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION. The District Engineer of Railways riotified that the batik of earth south of Ropioo Street would be removedThe Town Clerk drew attention to. the fact that the Engineer made no mentiori of the request to have the road properly repaired.—Cr. Richards said complaint of tjio chairman of the Wo.rks Committe,e, as to the ; class of. metal used shmild-b© respected.—The Mayor said the 1 Engineer' had assured him that' the work Would bo carried out as desired. THE LEWERS RIGHT-OF-WAY. i Mr! HP E. Lawrence W'rote asl'follows :—1 have been requested by Milt. D. Lewors to bring under the notice of your Council for favorably considerjfjCjon the matter of the drainage of. bhe leasehold premises’" in Broadway, owned and occupied by Him, and also the valuation, particularly of the righrioi-way adjoining the Council’s property., I understand that the whole frontage (including the right-of-way) has been valued at so much per foot (£6U), and that rates are charged on this valuation. I submit that this valuation is not in accordance the provisions of the “Valuation of Land Act, 1908” or tiib “Rating Act, 1908,” both of which define “unimproved value” as the sum which land might be expected to realise if offered for sale on reasonable terms. 1 submit that the right-of-way would not, under any circumstances, realise a tenth part of the sum at wdiich it. has bcou valued. In addition to the fact that the valuation is not in accordance with the Valuation of Land Act and the Rating Act, I submit that it is not equitable to ask my client to pay rates on the right-of-way on the same basis as the rest of his frontage. A more passage-way should not be valued and rated at the same rate per fool as a show window. At the present time the passage is of no more value to Mr Lowers than it is to the Council’s tenants, who pay no rates for it, while he is charged the same rate as on the reproductive part of his frontage. The Valuation and Rating Acts contemplate valuation and rating on reasonable market values, and in the present case 1 submit that the intention of the Acts has not been carried out. Another matter which requires your Council’s attention is the drain running through tho right-of-way. Mr Lewers is prepared to pay a fair and just proforfcion of the cost of repairs recently undertaken by the Council, if the Council will make concessions in tho matter of the rates, etc. I am informed that this drain is Used roughly in the proportions of one-third by Mr Lowers and two-thirds by the Council and its tenants. Mr Lewers asks for some adjustment here. There is only a partly open drain taking surface water running through the right-of-way, which needs attention, as it is sometimes offensive. Your Council is asked to consider: (1) Whether current year’s rates can be reduced so as to be levied on an amount equal to a valuation properly mado under above Acts. (2) ‘Whether the Council will apply to the Valuer-General under section 27, subsection 3, of the Valuation of Land Act to alter the values under his powers in that section and in section 9. (3) Whether the drainage rate cannot bo more equitably levied. I trust that the Council will favorably consider these mat-' ters and shall be pleased to wait upon tho Council to explain anything not made sufficiently clear.—The Mayor said Mr Lewers had complained of an offensive smell from the drain.

Ho (the Mayor) instructed the Overseer to remedy the drain, the intention being to charge Mr Lowers a share of the cost.—Cr. King moved that a committee consisting of the Mayor and Crs. Richards, Fredric, and the mover be set up to go into the matter with power to act. —Cr. Morison moved that the committee mentioned go into the matter with the help of the Borough Solicitor.—The Town Clerk said there was hardly any need to consult the solicitor. The Valuation Department had made the valuation and they should know their business. Also Mr Lewere had the power to object to the valuation when is was made.—Cr. Morisou’s motion was carried.—Mr Lawrence, who was in attendance, was giveil permission to address the meeting. He'asked if anybody would agree'to pay £6O per foot for 3 feet arid a half of right-of-way. There was nothing to indicate that the right-of-way had not been valued the same as the window apace. Other properties which had not rights-of-way, were valued at the same price per foot. His (the speaker’s) idea was that there had been a blunder iri the Valuer-General's department, and it was a duty of the Council to see that no citizen paid excesisve rates. REQUEST FROM ARIEL STREET.

Three residents of Ariel Street North drew attention to the almost impassable state of the road.—Cr. Boon asked if the Council had' no jurisdiction over the Extension.—The Mayor said the roads had not been dedicated to the Council. —In reply to a Councillor, the 1 Town Clerk said residents on the paid rates. —Cm Richards thought something should be done to determine the exact position of the ro.vK—Cr. Masters thought the Borough had any amount of roads already to look after without taking over roads to benefit private property. —Cr. Boon said it seemed hard that residents should pay rates and that their roads should'he left as hogs.— The matter was referred to the Works Committee for report. ABATTOIR, REPORT.

The following is a table of number and ages of the stook slaughtered:— Cows Heifers Oxen. Average age.

Stock slaughtered: Cows 49, heifers 43, oxen 9, calves 2. sheep 269, lambs 23, pigs. 39. Slaughtering fees £54 6s ' 9d, paddock rent 16s, Bd, total £55 3s sd. Stock condemned: Twp cows wholly and’4 ‘partially, one heifer wholly, and one partially, two. sheep wholly. twelve loads pf gravel have been put r i .■ ;i; - .n~r ** ,;o ; n .of ou. the races , and ropd, A pian^was employed four ,days spreading improving race, diverting stream, etc. A concrete floor for coal has been put down. The stove in the cottage is in a bad state of repair. The copper-stand which has been supplied to the Abattoir is not a very substantial one. During the month, Young, 'Veterinary supervisor, paid a .visit -nli n-iV! /! 'llMnj 'hi' of inspection to the Abattoir, andwas well pleased with, itSj condi|ipp.j — Adopted. C , .. fk&l® ; ;; ” |*s

The statement of accounts for the month ending June 30th showed: — Debit balance at May 31st, £2f)sß 3s lid; expenditure tq June 30th, £442 18s 4d; total, £3lOl 2s 3d; receipts, £31.3 18s; debit balance at June 30th, r £3037 4s 3d. WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT, biio Works Committee reported:(1) -vlr J. C. Montehore has placed iris crumiing plant, consisting of a No. 4 Aits tin crusher, .elevators and rotary screens under offer to the Council at £335. His Worship the Mayor, chairman of the Works Committee, and the Overseer nave inspected the plant and >our committee would recommend that Mr Montehore be offered £3UO for the plane, subject to same being in good order and condition. (2) Mr C. Jackson has applied to have a footpath made to his house in Portia Street near Pembroke Hoad, and your committee recommend that the request be granted. (3) A request from Mr Tiros. White to be allowed to take two yards of earth off the street in front of Jus property in Juliet Street was not granted. (4) Your committee recommend the Council .to purchase a tar sprayer. (5) We beg to recommend that footpath be made on the east side of Miranda street from Regan Street northwards to give access to a few houses in that locality. (G) The Overseer has been instructed to prepare estimates ,of the cast of the work required by Mrs Hassall and Mrs Patterson, and to call tenders for 600yds. of gravel, tenders to close on the 21st inst.—ln reference to the crusher, tiro Mayor said it had been found in good condition. It could deal with 200 yards per day. The Overseer strongly advised the purchase. He was of opinion that the crusher could be more easily hired out in view of its big output.— Cr. Masters moved that the clause referring to the tar sprayer should be deleted. It was not right for the Council to commit itself without knowing the cost. He thought there should be a report on the matter of upkeep, etc.—Gr. iFredrie said he hoped the committee who inspected the crusher were quite sure that the plant was quite up-to-date. It was no use buying a cheap plant if it was not a modern one.—The Mayor said the committee were sure of the plant’s up-to-dateness. The method of feeding was a . great deal better than in the case of the crusher now hired by the Council.—Cr. King knew a good machine when he saw it, and he advised the purchase of the plant.—Cr. Boon thought it was hardly wise to rush the matter of buying a crusher. He thought it should he referred to next meeting. —The Mayor said full information

would bo available at the present meeting. If consideration of the offer was deferred they would probably lose the chance.—After discussion in committee, it was decided to leave the matter of the stone crusher in the hands of the Works Committee with power to act.—Cr. Boon considered that Mr White should be granted permission as ho was assisting the Council in forming the street, and it was only a small matter.—ln reply to Cr. Boon, the Foreman said the earth was not required particularly in that locality, and it could be spared.—Crs. King and Richards supported the motion, the latter pointing out that in the event of Mr White being granted permission, that he would feel inclined to also, make a similar application.— The clause.was adopted.— : Clauses 2 an: 5 were adopted, and on the motion of Cr. Masters, clause 4 was deleted.— In respect of clause 6 the matter of work for Mrs Patterson was left in the hands of the chairman of Works Committee, the Overseer and Cr. Masters, with power to act. The work for Mrs Hassall was authorised.

OVERSEER’S REPORT. The Overseer reported: The work of scarifying, re-metalling, blinding, and rolling Opunake Road has been completed. The authorised works in Re gan Stfeet west and Pembroke Road west are completed. A concrete pipe culvert has been inserted in Pembroke Road at. its junction with Hamlel Street. A culvert has been put in at junction of,.Miranda street to diver.' water from Pembroke Road. A watertable has been made on Pembrok' Road from Broadway to Mrs Pren tis’ property. A culvert has also heei inserted in Swansea Road at its junc tion with Fenton Street. Metal patching has been done on Swansea Road

Juliet Street north and MirandStreet. The watercourse in Broadwaj near the Bank has been successfulh completed. A total of 243 cubic yard; of boulders, and 52 cubic yards oi shingle has been crushed, 154 cubic yards of shingle have been carted from the river at a. cost of 2s per yard, 72 yards of which was put on Fentor Street west and 76 tipped in Julie Street. W. Green has completed hi boulder contract for 704 cubic yard at the Pembroke Bead site, 1138 o: Fenton Street site and 300 on septa tank site. Details of cost of flip above works will bp' placed before .you ai next meeting. Cost of work done : Foot path "Retail iStreet west £3. 10s. 4d, footpath 1 Pembroke Road £2, Opuhak Road “£255; .13s *6d ’ Brecon 'Road £94 ,17s 3d, Broadway tunnel ££s 4s ,3d . 1 I'llo (Overseer presented the'follow- ( ing estimates :' To 'fdrjh 1 pnd gi;ave), ' ie’ven chains of '’Portia Street south'., £6b'; Pembroke Road east, fbrmatidv ’ HS^-chain's,' 'gravelling 'chains, 1, £8( 10s.

Cr King said the work in Pembroke Road east was highly important. He tiidughd 0 af least*' half of ' the work should be done this year. He moved that £43 be spent on the work thi ‘year.—CrfMasters secbnded.”The p6o 'pkf’in ’tlip street.' fed been ''there; r’dong time.—Phe .Mayor' ' sai|d * there* ’Wth-e only two houses oh. tjife of road. Ho, was not ip favor of spending quite sd much, money as suggest' 'OVdrsber. 1 said that ‘ all the rartiaation add half • thd ( metalling could bo' done for £s4.—The 1 Mayo r movdtl thhf'the'only work Undertaker be the whole : of the formation!—Cr Thompson seconded.—This was de ' feated.—Cr. Morison then moved tha* tthe whole'm'atter be held over till the dry weather came in.—This amend' ment was not seconded, and the motior to spend £43 was carried.—The work in Portia Street south was held over, the Overseer stating that the possibili ties were that even if authorised the work could not be done this year. WATER CHARGES.

The committee set up to consider the question of water charges (the Mayor, and Crs. Masters, King anc Boon) reported : (1) Your Committei beg to recommend that the 'waterworks by-law be amended in the direction of making a specified charge foi the following extraordinary suplies; Water closets 10s per annum, hose taps 2s 6d for each tap with a minimum charge of 5s per annum; troughs os per annum, stables 10s per annum, aerated water factories £l, ornamonta’ purposes, such as fountains, ponds etc 10s," photographic studios or anj other trade purposes 10$, and that charges for .the-following supplies be made by meter: Railways, manufactories, machinery-, public baths anc washhouses, laundries carried on as or in connection with, a business. (2) That a by-law be made charging own ers or occupiers of premises that arc not and can be connected with the sewers 10s per annum. (3) That the revenue derived from the new charge? proposed to be made be set aside foi water and draining extensions. (4' That the proposed new and amended by-laws be made so as to become opera five as from April Ist, 1914.—Cr. Richards asked what procedure would ; be necessary to make the suggested amendments in the by-laws. There were many by-laws which might web be amended, and it might bo advisnbb to amend the whole of the by-laws ir the ope operation at the one cost. He would like to see the whole matter of water by-laws deferred to next meet ing. Ho moved in this direction and the motion was carried. SPEED OF VEHICLES.

The committee set up to report on the question of furious driving reported:—Your Committee beg to recommend in order to have better control over drivers of vehicles that steps be taken to have the Borough Inspector appointed a special constable within tho limits of the Borough in accordance with section 38 of the “Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, 1010,”—Cr. Masters thought it was not right to deal with the by-laws b'

means of small committees. —Cr. King thought it was not necessary to make the Inspector a special constable. The uniformed police should he able to deal with controlling the traffic. The Inspector did any amount of work at present.—Cr. Masters said they could not get the police on the street —they had tried for eighteen years and always failed. If tire Inspector were a special constable he would have more power to stop furious driving.—The adoption of the report was carried, Crs. King and Dingle voting against it. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Borough Inspector reported:— During June I impounded 21 head of cattle. The number of persons convicted in the Court for breaches of bylaws was: Driving vehicles without, lights 16, riding motor bicycles without lights 2, riding bicycles without lights 5, riding bicycles on footpaths 2, driving vehicles over footpath 1, driving loose horses 2, chimney on fire I. I put in the following lights during the month: In streets 14, Town Hall 11, Municipal Chambers I.—Adopted.

5 21 _ 3 10 3 4 5 6 2 ■ — 6* 11 7 - 4f 10 5 '' 5 ' ’ 5 7 ' 5 ~ 3J . : f ' 4 I \ * The Abattoir Manager reported: —