BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 193, 24 April 1915, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The erdfeaiy fort&igfetly meeting of the Taihape Borough Couneil was held in the Council Chamber last evening, there boing presoat: the Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsaiith), and Cre. Betas, ©oherty, Wrigktson, Healey, McCoriaiek, Aldridge, and Wilson. The minutes of the previoHs meeting were read and confirmed, and outward correspondence verified. Correspondence was received from Messrs. Meldrum, Mac Lean and' Daviee, solicitors for Mrs. E. E. Wilson, in answer to a previous letter, claiming to have various reductions in an account for work done by the Couneil in connection with the installation of water and drainage, the charges being considerably in advance of the estimates submitted by the Council's offioials. They offered to pay an amount that was less than the account by £ll 1/3. The Mayor proposed and Cr. Healey seconded that the offer be not accepted. Carried. From Mr. A. J. Jeblin notifying the Couneil that ho was again offering himself as tho district's representative on the Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and asking the Council for its support of his candidature T'he Mayor siad they could not very well pledge* the Couneil; it must bo left to individual members. On his motion the letter was received. Prom Mr. A. C. Nicholls with respect to the Council's officers having cut off the electric power ono night during tho week and having notified that it would again bo cut off on Saturday night from his two picture theatres. Ho pointed out that he had been at very considerable expense in making' installations and that he had been one of the Council's best clients during the past , three yers, having paid an averago or £8 or £9 a month during that time, in addition to paying high rates for the theatres. He understood that the trouble had been brought about by tho Council undertaking to supply another hall with light and power. It is evident tho Council is quite unable to supply this additional power. Previous to the third hall being supplied there was no difficulty; he therefore had a right to be supplied in the future. ATI his capital had been invested in the two halls, consequently this closing him down was a very serious loss to him He trusted the Couneil would net fairly to him by continuing his supply. The Mayor moved and Cr. Wrightson seconded that Mr. iSTieholls be informed that the Couneil had no intention of acting otherwise than fairly to him; they wished to act fairly to all consumers, and they had but treated him the same as everyone else was treated. —Carried.

From Mrs. Barbara R. Spence, asking for the authorisation of a cart entrance being made to sub-division 1 of seetion 8, on Kaka Road; also that the Council agree to lay on water and electric light to the same section. On the motion *f the Mayor, authority was given to form a roadway, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the Borough Foreman; and that the question' of laying on water and electrio light be deferred. From the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce, advising that that body had under consideration the question of carrying through a great central highway from Atiekland to Wellington, somewhat on the lines of that built in America between IsTew York and San Francisco. To enable through traffic it was proposed to utilise existing roads, linking ihem up and bridging streams —principally between Taumarunui and Taihape—and building the missing stretch between Taumarunui and Te Kuiti. They asked the Council's cooperation and support by writing to the Government on the subject. The Mayor thought it would be very nice to have such a road put through, but ho could not say that he agreed with the proposal that individual bodies should approach the authorities. On his resolution, seconded by Cr. Aldridge, it was resolved to inform the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce that the Couneil would co-operate with them in securing the road, but the Council thought that a deputation should bo arranged representative of all local bodies interested to wait on the Government.

The Borough. Treasurer's report, showing the. finances to stand as follows, -was adopted: District Fund Account (Dr.), £2,(582 0/8, as against £2,951 14/- at last, mooting; Interest Aeaount (Dr.), £l2O 17/11; Loan Account No. 1 (Dr.), £6(31 15/0; LorAccount No. 3 (Dr.), £lOl 8/8: Oval Domain Account (Cv.), £52 8/7. Accounts amounting to £20(3 18/- were passed for payment. ißorcTigJb. Poremsi?. 's Re/not*, The Borough Foreman reported on work done during the p?.st fortnight "- follows: In addition to the ordinary general mninteimnco, the construction f footpaths adjoining Blocks. XV nnd XVTn hnve novr l)ecn completrd. The ]"> - 't". ridjo'ning tlie Technical P'-hoo] will he flnshorl in the course of n dny or ?'.••••. \"r. •■•; is pt presevt proeeodir.fr on t] )C widn«-rg re-forming, rnd metallin<? r.f the nppro'jcli (o the Trninc }l.'r,-j,> over the Gsaihane Creek.

As T«que»t«4, I have interview** Mr, Oldham, of tho Auctioneers' Association, r« footpaths, •*•., at the saleyards. Arrangements have boon made and are now is hand to havo tho footpath adjoining gateway a-ophalted, also extra fencing, and st-OEBt. water culverts installed. Forty-eight yards of metal and 35 yards of sand havo been taken from the pits during this period. Five men ara at present being employed. Electrical Sagiaeer's Repor:. The Electrical Engineer reported as follows: I have the honour to report that the 'river is again very low, and consumers have had to be eut off at various times to enable the plant to be kept running. The proprietors of thes picture shows have been adyised that no supply will be available for picture machines on ; Saturday night. Pumpiag operations can only be carried out on Suadays, and the reserve In the reservoir, of half a million gallons, is now being drawn upon. I have to request seven days leave of absence as from Saturday, the 24th inst.'' It was mentioned that members of the Fire Brigade had reeently bee» filliag tanks at private houses from the Borough supply. The Mayor thought it was all very well for the Brigade t 0: do so when there was plenty of water, but when those who were connected with the system and paying rates for it had to be cut short it was a different matter. The Council should first find a supply for those who paid for it before allowing others to take it. On the Mayor's resolution, secondecr by Cr. Wilson, tho engineer's report was adopted. • Tho Mayor moved and Cr. Doherty seconded that the Fire Brigade be informed that they must not suppry water to anyone from now onwards without first having the consent of the Borough Foreman. —Carried. Or. Boherty moved, in aeeordane» with notice givon, that all previous resolutions passed by the Council with respect to the presence of Firemen being in attendance at public entertainments in the Town Hall to safeguard public property, bo rescinded with a view to substituting a more satisfactory arrangement. Cr. MeCovmiek seconded.—Carried.

Cr. Doherty moved that when anyone engages the Town Hall it, be one of "the condition! that four Firemen in uniform be admitted free. Cr. Wrightson seconded pro forma. The Mayor thought, as this was the last meeting of the Council, it would be well to leave it as j* recommendation to the incoming Council. It seemed to him that the whole of the rule:* for letting the Town Hall needed revising and bringing more up-to-Sate. Cr. Wilson said there was one objection to delay; they had rescinded nil previous resolutions, and this would leave the Hall unprotected while engaged. It was resolved that the matter Tie. left to the incoming Council to deal with. Health Inspector's Report. The Health Inspector reported that there has been a severe outbreak of both measles and chickenpox amongst the children attending Crofton School, near Marton. In this case about 40 were affected. The eases were not attended by doctors, so no notification* have been received except from gchooTs where the children were attending. 'No deaths from infectious diseases had occurred in teh Taihape district since the last report. In Taihape district two cases or dipthoria were reported and one oi" hydatids; one had been sent to the hospital for treatment. There are no cases in the Waimarino district. In Rangitikei there were three cases of diptheria, one of typhoid, one of consumption, and four receiving hospital treatment. General. After discussion of the subject of Government property contr.buiing To wards the special rate for water an;T drainage, it was resolved triaT the TSGyirtmcnt should be asked to pay a sum equivalent to the amount of the special rate in the adjoining drainage area. Cr. Doherty said he was sorry that he had found it necessary to withdraw from the Council, fie did not think a better body of men could be got to-, gether. He congratulated the Mayor on his re-election. Crs. Hoaley Wilson, Aldriago, ana McCoi'mick also congratulated tTic Mr,yor on his unopposed return Tor another two years, all stating ttia; thoy believed lie was the right mar: I i. '"'.l •*• ' j for the position. The* Mayor, in acknowledging Councillors' compl'mentaray remarks. sa!-r he was sorry two of them were- not stcndiuT for ! .'-election, and there wan H:e nospibilitv that others might nci come back. T r ; > hoped he would get on with the new Council as well'as he had : with the old.