TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 212, 22 May 1915, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY FORTNIGHTLY MEETING, The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council was held : last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. ; A. L. Arrowsmith), and Crs. H. D. Bennett, W. McLennan, G. Wrightson, R. Healey, F. W. Somerville, A. J. Joblin. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and outward correspondence verified. Cr. McLennan apologised for his absence from last meeting of the Council. He informed the Council that an apology had been written out and an employee had been instructed to deliver it but had not done so. The Mayor apologised for the unavoidable absence of Dr. Barnctt. Apologies were accepted and leave granted in both cases. The Health Inspector's Report was received. Correspondence. From Messrs. Meldrum, Maclean and Davies, solicitors for Mrs. E. E. Wilson, asing for details of an account, the amount of which was in dispute. It was resolved that details be furnished as requested. From the engineer of the Rangitikei County Council, stating that he had examined the Hautapu Bridge near the concrete weir, and found that it was in a very unstable condition, and that it was imperative that either extensive repairs be undertaken in the veTy near future or the proposed new birdge in concrete be constructed. Unless something is done, loads passing over it would be limited to three tons, including vehicle and horses. Also notifying that a deputation from the County, consisting of Crs. Doole, O'Callaghan, and Randolph, would wait in the Council on Friday evening. The Mayor said the he had instructed the Town Clerk to inform the County Engineer that this Council would receive a deputation on the subject at this night's meeting. Further discussion was deferred till the deputation was in attendance, report of which appears in another column. Finance Committee's Report. The Mayor moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's report. He said there was nothing in it needing comment.—Cr. McLennan seconded.— Carried. Works Committee's Report. The Works Committee reported as follows: — Re Alterations at Picture Theatres. —That failing the sliding doors at the side of the Station Street Theatre. being made to swing out by the 2Sth May, and the fire escape being erected at the Three Stars Theatre by the 29th May, the licenses for these buildings as places of entertainment be cancelled. ' Re Drainage of Houses to be erected on Mr. J. P. Aldridge 's property.— That the cesspits and system of drainage as provided for in the specifications be not allowed, and that the following proposal be made to Mr. Aldridge: "That if he is prepared to connect with the sewerage system, and enter into an agreement to pay the Special Drainage Rate of No. 3 Area, the Council will undertake to extend the present sewer to the boundary of his property or to such point as the Borough Foreman may consider advisable." In the event of Mr. Aldridge not agreeing to such proposal, your Committee recommends that the drainage of the houses must be carried out in accordance with the Borough Bylaws and connected with a septic tank.

Cr, Joblin proposed that the report be adopted. Cr. Wrightson, in seconding, said, for the beneiit of councillors who wore not in the Council when these questions came up for consideration, he might mention that it was eight or nine months since the theatre owners were ordered to have the work done. They had been told that if it was not done their licenses would be cancelled. All that wanted doing at one theatre would take but a few hours, and that at the other two or three days at the most. The theatre proprietors seemed to think they could postpone the work indefinitely. With reference to Mr. Aldridge's drainage, he had a talk with Mr. Aldridge, who seemed to agree with what the Council required. With reference to the widening of Moa St., opposite Cody's Brewery, by another six feet, repairs to Tui St., and Main South Eoad, the question was one of finance with the Council, and they would have to decide whether the work should be done. They were matters that required attention.

Or. Bennett said it was to cost £24 to widen the corner. He thought this particular work was not nearly so pressing as many other things that were required in the Borough. If the report was adopted this work would automatically be passed and the £24 would have to spent. He merely wished to make a formal objection. Cr. McLennan said it was a very necessary work as it was a particularly dangerous corner. Gr. Joblin agreed that it was a dangerous place, and ho thought that the Borough Foreman would not have put it in his recommendations if it had not been very necessary. It was all very well for councillors to get up and object to such works being paid for out

Cr. Bennett said he wished to impress upon councillors the well-known fact that the Council was not able to carry out other urgently required work mider the heading of capital expenditure. He was, however, quite prepared to let the item stand. The surfaces of roads were bad; the state of Tui St. was of greater importance than the proposed alteration to that corner. He did not desire to press his views but it should be a general instruction to the Borough Foreman that it was advisable to withhold such works. The Mayor said there was one thing they were overlooking. The Borough j Foreman submitted that Tui Street should be metalled with a better class of metal. Cr. Healey said they had a lot of good metal at the back of the Hall. It was pointed out that this was being held in reserve for the main streets in winter. On the motion of the Mayor the report waS adopted. Special Report. ?*" The Borough Foreman reported, as instructed, on the damage alleged to have been done on Mr. Sep. Reid's property as follows: —"In company with the surveyor (Mr. Truebridge) I visited this ground, and met Mr. Reid. Tt was found that nine holes had been dug out, ranging from one foot square to three feet by two feet, and up to three feet deep. ' The soil and clay therefrom thrown over the surrounding turnips. The digging of these holes was rendered necessary, owing to. the pipe line, leading to the reservoir, changing its direction in two places on its course through this field. I have been given to understand that no more digging will be required, as the line has all been located. On condition that no.more holes arc dug, and the existing one filled in in a proper manner, Mr. Reid is quito agreeable that the survey be completed through this ground." Plan of Borough. The question of having a plan of the Borough of Taihape was discussed. It was shown that this matter had been under discussion some time previously, and as a result the Council had communicated with Mr. K. M. Ballanatyne, Wellington, and asked for an estimate of the cost. Mr. Ballantyne replied that the cost of executing a plan would be £4O, and would occupy two months. Cr. McLennan recognised that it was important, but was of opinion that it was too expensive at this juncture. They had got on for years without it, and he expected they would manage without for a while yet. The Mayor moved that the plan be not received at present, and that Mr. Ballantyne bo so informed.—Carried. Light and Water Report. The Committee reported:— That the Council endeavour to obtain the services of Mr. H. Parry, Chief Electrical Engineer, Public Works Department, for the purpose of furnishing a report on the question of extending the water and electric light supply to the western portion of the Borough, and that a deputation consisting of His Worship the Mayor and one Conucillor wait upon the Minister in regard thereto. In view of the difficulty in supplying power for the purpose of picture entertainments in the Town Hall, a special committee be set up to review the agreement with Mr. [ H. Bailey. The report was adopted.

With reference to the second clause in the report, with respect to power, the difficulty to be overcome wia the supply of lighting power to Mr. Bailey. It was thought by the committee that it would be better to review the posiion and see if any concession conld or should be made to Mr. Bailey. As the report of the committee had been adopted, they would have to appoint a committee.

Cr. Wrightson said he would suggest that the Mayor, and Crs. Bennett and McLennan be appointed. The Mayor requested that he should not be included, as other councillors were more conversant with electric lighting. The Council had the scale of charges of other Borough halls before them, and Taihape compared very favourably with regard to a moderate charge. After all, the people who chiefly use the hall came for only one night. They took out of the town all they possibly could and left as little behind as possible. It was suggested that for dramatic and comedy companies appearing for more than one night a reduction of £1 for the second night should be made.

Cr. Bennett said the only rate he thought they should alter was that for charitable and local functions. He was pleased they had not suggested altering the rates for travelling companies. Cr. McLennan said that about twelve months ago the price had been reduced to £2 10/- for a local affair. The Mayor said it was bad to make precedents. It was better to make a refund. The resolution appointing the committee proposed, with Cr. "Wrightson's name added was then adopted. A letter was read from the Conciliation Board/ afiking that- representatives of the Council meet members of the Board at Taihape on June 3. The Mayor said he did not think he should be on the deputation, as he did not employ labour.

Cr. Soniervillo said be . understood other Councils were objecting to it. The Mayor said as Cv. Somervilte lft#' to deal with awards he would be &. suitable man. Or. McLennan proposed Board be written to, stating that June 3rd was a public holiday, and that the. Council would suggest the meeting bo held on June 4th. This was seconded by Cr. Wrightson, and carried.