TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 203, 8 May 1915, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night, there being present: the Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith), and Crs. H.D. Bennett, G. Wrightson, R. Healey, F. W. Somervile, Dr. Barnett, and A. J. Joblin. The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed and outward correspondence verified. Correspondence was reecived from tho Wanganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Board advising that the Board had accepted the Council's offer of £SO a year for the services of a second Health Inspector within tho Borough, and that as soon as possible the Board would accept responsibilities in that direction.

The Mayor pointed out that the Council offered £45 on condition that the new inspector reside in Taihape, but the Board did not agree to this, so an amended offer of £3O v/as mn.de. The letter was a notification of its acceptance. On the Mayor's motion the letter was received.

From the same Board, notifying that the Board had decided to levy a rate of 9/6 per £IOO on the capital value of the rateable property in the district under the Board "s jurisdiction for Hospital maintenance, Charitable Aid purposes, Inspection of Public Health, and capital expenditure, for the year ending 31st March, 1916. The contribution from Taihape Borough Council, on

the valuation of £275,446, as given by the Valuer-General, is £l3O 16/9. The time for payment therefor is fixed for Ist June, 1915. Also enclosing estimates and a statement of the apportionment of the levies between the Board's contributory authorities. The Maj r or pointed out that the amount levied was in excess of that levied last year. It was £74 last year and it had risen from that to £l3O 16/9. Cr. Joblin said that when the matter came up before the Board he expressed his dissatisfaction; there were items on the estimates that could very well be done without. The levy per £IOO two years ago was 5/9, last year it was 7/6, and this year it had been put up to 9/6. On top of that the capital rateable value had been raised. He moved that the letter be received, but that the Council view with alarm the rapid increase in assessments made by the Hospital Board.'—Carried. From Arnold G. Rogers, secretary to the Taihape Military Ball Committee, asking for the Town Hall on 24th June, and, as the nett proceeds were to be given to the Belgian Relief Fund, if a reduction of tariff would be made.

The Mayor explained that when the hall was let the Council had to refund to Mr. Bailey the sum of £1 1/8 per night owing to it being closed for pictures.

Cr. Bennett thought the Council should be guided in a matter of this kind by what had been done in the past.

Cr. Wrightson said' the course the Council had taken was never to reduce the rent in any charitable object, but they might consider giving a donation. He thought the charge of £8 was ridiculous and it had been before the Council but nothing had yet been done. It would be far better if the various committees were appointed and the question be relegated to the Hall Committee to report on at next meeting, with a view to the revision of the whole tariff.

Cr. Bennett proposed, and Cr. Jeblin seconded, that the matter be held over pending a report from the Hall Committee.

The Mayor was of Cr. Wrightson V opinion, that there should be a revision of the whole tariff. The resolution was carried. From the Devonport Borough Council, enclosing the following resolution passed by that Council:—-"That the Government be strongly urged to remove the restriction governing the fishing industry to enable fish being purchased at a reasonable price." The Devonport Council, in passing the above, was of opinion that the present method of procuring fish was obsolete and inadequate, and consequently approved of trawling for same. The price of fish was at the present time prohibitive, and they would respectfully Bolicit the Taihape Council's support in approaching the Government in terms of the above resolution. On Cr. Joblin's resolution, it was decided that the letter be received, but that this Council had no recommendation to make. From the Hon. W'. F. Massey, Minister for Labour, notifying that the hour for closing fish-shops in Taihape would be extended to 11.30 p.m., except on Saturdays, when the closing hour would be 12 (midnight).—Received. From Sep. F. Reid, stating that a surveyor had come through his lane? looking for the water main, and that some difficulty was experienced on account of a crop of turnips being on thr land. He stated that his paddock hat! been torn about in a disgraceful man ner an<s a portion of the crop spoile' without his sanction. He had ibrder©' the inan .oS his property.&H&he-wool' de«dinfe itf a.ny: : further e'vaciu lion until the ertfp was-taken off '£'' compensation allowed for- .crop, spoiled The Mayor said there was ao plan

showing where the pipes were laid from the pumping station to the resevoir. To get a plan it was necessary that a survey should be made and a man was authorised to do the work. He understood that holes had been dug in various places to locate the pipes. He moved that the letter be received, but that the reply thereto be held over unil the Borough Foreman had visited the land and his report was presented at the next meeting. —This was seconded by Cr. Wrightson and adopted unanimously.

The Treasurer's report was adopted, showing the statement of the various acounts as follows: —District Fund Account (dr.), £2,720 16/6, as against £2682 1/7 at last meeting. Interest Account (cr.), £l3O 10/2, as against a

debit of £l2O 17/11 at last meeting. Loan Account No. 1 (dr.),, £661 13/9; Loan Account No. 3 (dr.), £l9l 8/8; Oval Domain Account (Cr.), £52 8/7. Accounts amounting to £124 6/10 were passed for payment. Cr. Barnett asked whether any statement had been prepared showing details of loans and other liabilities. The Mayor said councillors had a rough statement before them, but the balance-sheet would shortly be in their hands. FOREMAN'S REPORT. The Borough Foreman reported as follows: /The weather during this period has been exceptionally fine for outdoor work, and advantage has been taken to push on with all general maintenance. The widening of the corner ad jacent to the-Otaihape Creek bridge is now completed'and metalled; the approach to the bridge has also been put in order.

A considerable amount of work hr been done in cleaning waterholes, and storm water culverts. The roadways at the intersections of Moa Street and Main Road, and Birch's Road and Main Road, have been widened and metalled. The cleaning of the watertables, etc., on the hill roads will be put in hand during the next week. One hundred and forty-two yards of metal have been taken from the .Council's pit during this period. .Five men are at present being employed. A considerable number of plans for proposed new buildings have recently come to hand for approval, and I would respectfully ask the ruling of your Council with regard to a portion of the specifications as submitted 'o

us. ,The Mayor, referring to the request of the Foreman for the Council's ruling with respect to some specifications that had been submitted to him, quoted the by-law governing the question raised. Cr. Wrightson asked when the drainage system would be available if carried into that area. He thought it would be a payable proposition to bring these houses within the sewerago area. It would be no more costly for Mr Aldridge to connect with the Borough drainage system than to make a separate cesspit for each of his twelve houses, or at least, very little more. The Mayor said it was doubtful whether they could compel these people to come into the sewerage area. Every man had a right to say whether he would have drainage or not. The Council could not connect them with the system without their consent.

Cr. Healey said they hadn't the money to extend the system—it would mean raising a loan, Cr. Bennett said he thought such matters should come up with a report from the Borough Foreman;'it* would be better to have such a report before discussing the question. They could not adjudicate without some data to go upon. He suggested that the Borough Foreman report for next meeting's consideration. The Mayor said he thought this matter should be standardised, as if they dealt with houses individually they would soon be in trouble. Cr. Joblin proposed that the matter be handed over to the committee to be' dealt with.—The Mayor seconded.Carried. With regard to an interpretation of the by-law in connection with the amount of building permit fees, the Mayor moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to inform Mr. Aldridge that the by-law applied to each individual building.—Carried. COMITTEES. The Mayor said it would be necessary to appoint the various committees and he had prepared lists that he thought would be found to" work well. In the past they had four committees — Light aud Water, Works, Finance, Hal!, Reserves, etc., and just by way of putting the matter under discussion he proposed the following: Light and Water:' Crs. Wrightson, McLennan, and Bennett; Works: Crs. Healey, Joblin, and Wrightson; Finance: Crs. Bennett, Barnett, and Somerville; Hall, Reserves, etc.: Crs. McLennan, Somerville, and Joblin.

Cr. Joblin thought the Mayor had made * very good selection; he seconded the proposal. Cr. Bennett said the Water tfnd'Light Committee had a good doalof import•nt work to deal ■•with ftn'd it might oave been to have it forger. - ' '• ■ '-; ■

'., The Mayor said he hSd. nd'objeetion ■i an increase in the number" on the : ommittee, but lie a!v, aj.- 'ifoiuftl- that % ; rge together. • ; ''J'"

Cr. Bennett asked what the duties oi the Light and Water Committee woulct be. J The Mayor explained that thgjL would have to consider all cxtensiona of the plant and new proposals and schemes. A petition had eeeived by the Council a short time ago from people on the other side of the hill, asking for light and water. It was resolved that an expert should be seat to Teport, but as it was in the dying hours of the last Council, no action had been taken, and the motion still stood. The Mayor added that the light and power question was a very tight cm but would have to be attended to at once. After discussion, it was eventually decided to act upon the suggestion thrown out by the Mayor, and the committee stood as proposed. The Mayor said that with regard to date and time of meeting, he would ask ! that they consider the convenience cf the staff." He would suggest that Council day be omitted, as the Town Clerk was unable to get his reports typed. Cr. Joblin asked whether they could not hold the Council meetings monthlyinstead of fortnightly. The Mayor said he thought they were too infrequent as it was, and ho felt sure Cr. Joblin would be of tho samo opinion after attending one or two meetings. Cr. Joblin proposed that Thursday eevning be selected for the WorksvCommittee meeting. Cr. Wrightson thought 4 p.m. •on Wednesday would be better. Eventually it was decided that the Works Committee meet at 7 p.m. on

Thursday evening before Council day. The Town Clerk suggested that the Hall Committee meet at 4 p.m. on the Friday on which the Council meets. The Mayor said that would be rather awkward, for the committee had a great deal to do. The library was in R very unsatisfactory state. Cr. Bennett thought it would always be better to have the meeting near the day of Council-meeings. He suggested that the Water and Light Committee meeting be held at night when they could appreciae the light. After further discussion, it was decided to hold the meeting on Monday I nights at 7.30 o'clock, on the motio*

of Cr. Bennett. GENERAL. The Mayor said he had had a rough statement drawn up to show councillors how the finances of the Borough stood. He had heard rumours that the ratesshould come down, and further that there was no reason why they should not be lowered. The only rate which he considered might be reduced was the Town Hall rate. Of course, he was referring to special rates. The question of the rates to be levied was not fore the Council now. but he thought it would show.what they had to face. It was not honest finance to pay special rates out of the ordinary revenue. Perhaps it would be possible later to get the rates out of light and water. In his opinion it would not be necessary to

levy the Town Hall rates during the coming year, on account of the hall being leased for pictures. Of course, dur* ing the next year they would be allowed more scope by the bank. At the beginning of the year they had temporary loans amounting to £775 and this year they were £650. Cr. Bennett proposed that the Council go into committee, so that the/ could have a little free discussion. The Council "'Jicn went into committee.