TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 243, 3 July 1915, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The usual fortnighlty meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night,when there were present: Crs H. D. Bennett, W. McLennan, G. Wrightson, R. Healey, F. Somerville, Dr Barnett and A. J. Job-

'Cr Bennett said the Mayor (Cr Arrowsmith) had mentioned to him that possibly he would net be able to Attend that evening, and perhaps would have to resign entirely. As Cr McLennan had occupied the chair before, the speaker proposed that he be voted to the chair

Cr McLennan declined "but proposed that Cr Bennett be placed in the chair.

Cr Wrightson seconded and Cr Bennett took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence verified. Cr Bennett reported that the Mayor, Crs McLennan, Wrightson and himself had gone down to Wellington and interviewed the Minister of Public Works with reference to obtaining the services of Mr E. Parry, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, in regard to the extension of the electrical lighting scheme in the Borough. They recelvet a very good hearing, and were referred later to Mr Parry, who said that he would come up to Taihape when he had received a report on the matter from his officer. Cr Bennett also reported that they had interviewed the Chief Engineer of Railways with respect to a pedestrian's bridge over the railway at the south end of the railway station, also with reference to the supply of electric light and water to the Bail way Department by th e Taihape Borough Council. The deputation was informed that the Department would take their water from the Borough water system, as soon as.they were prepared to supply it. With regard to lighting, he was afraid they were a little late in this matter for the Department had made arrangement for the production of their own lighting pfower, and It was estimated that they would be able to produce electric light for 2d per unit. The Councillors pressed the matter, and while not committing themselves in any way, he thought they were fair in assuming that the Depai-t----ment would eventually take their lighting power from th e Borough Council if they were able to purchase it at a reasonable figure. Even if the Railway Department put in their iown wiring, it could be used later on if they were connected with the Borough scheme.

A letter was received from TMr J. R. Cimninghame, with respect to the proposal of extending a line for electric lighting to the west side of the town over the railway line, and asking that the charge proposed should be reduced.

f"r T'.blin said he thought they should

~, ,f »!■„,"! if possible in this matter. C» McLennan said he did not see vhy flvfv shmld meet them anv more *,„.-! ov.v o-.'o vopoppl. rsnfT they were net paying ■ --o- as {iioss-s in the lighting area were

.) r i„o : -pi 1o pvfva fbara'e outside was made to bear part of the cost of erection. He moved that the condition as given in the previous letter he adhered to.

Cr Healey seconded, and the motion was carried.

A letter was received from the Minister of Public Works acknowledging receipt of letter from the Council with respect to one received from the Taihape Chamber of Commerce, anent the Taihape-Napler road. The Minister, in his reply, stated that he had given it consideration when he was making up his estimates.—The letter was received.

A letter was received from the Wanoanui Hospital Board stating that the Health and Sanitary Inspector (Mr F. Swindells) was taking up his duties in Taihape.—Received.

The Health Inspector (Mr Fredk. Swindells) forwarded a letter, asking the Council to issue licenses to milk vendors, and asking that the matter receive prompt attention.

Cr McLennan said he thought it might inflict hardship. At the present time the people could not get milk, and with licenses and inspections in existence, th e milk sellers might have to dispose of some of their cows. Cr Bennett said they had got their (instructions in by-laws and so they would have to is.su e licenses. He did not think it would caus e any difficulty. Cr Joblin said he thought they might be licensed according to tile number of their customers.

Cr Bennett said the milk licenses should be enforced. Cr Barnett seconded the resolution.

Cr McLennan moved an amendment that by-law 59 be enforced, and to apply solely to thos e mdlk vendors who went round with carts. Cr Joblin seconded Cr McLennan's amendmeut.

Cr Wrightson, with* the consent of his seconder 1 , thsreiifcoffi T*fihdirew his motion, when the amendment becajaie the and **rae earned:. REPORTS. At last meeting of the ©oaneil reference was made to a telegraph pjol* at the corner of Mat at and Hautap»

source of danger owing to its position. It was decided to ask for a report from the Bsrough foreman, r*nd the following report was submitter to the Council last night: TELEPHONE LINE VOLE.

Gentlemen, —Agreeably with a resolution of your Council to report on the position of the pole recently erected at the corner of Matai Street and Hautapu Street, I hav e the honour to submit as follows:

The pole in question consists of a 24-inch steel rail, erected by the Post and Telegraph Department to carry telephone wires; the Department in this matter has followed the customary procedure, and put the pole hi at the intersection of the footpath in Hautapu Street with that of Matai Street. As th e width of the present path in Matai Street is not properly defined, the Department has assumed ,that the footpath, when permanently formed in Matai Street, would be of similar width to that at present existing in Hautapu Street, namely 12 feet. The formation of a path of this width would entail a heavy expenditure.and in my opinion would not be justified. / To obviate th e possibility of an accident occurring, I would suggest that your Council state what portion of Mata t i -Street on the 'western \y\. i would be retained for pedestrian traffic in th e future, and convey to the Post and Telegraph Department, a request that they remov c the pole to a site conforming with your resolution. Th e report was adopted. FINANCE - COMMITTEE. The report of th e Finance Committee submitted last night reads as follows: Gentlemen,—Your Committee has to report having met this day, and recommends as follows: 1. That the Treasurer's report submitted herewith, b c adopted, and that /the accounts stated therein be passed [ for payment. \ 2. That a Special Meeting of the Council be held on July 7th, at 8 p.m., to deal with the Estimates and Rates for the current year, and the proposed expenditure in connection with the metalling of the rioads of the Borough. 3. That the arrangements with the Rangitikei County Council for the hire of the Steam Road Roller be confirmed, in terms of the County Engineer's letters of December 18th, 1914, and June 19th, 1915.

Cr Bennett, in referring to the report, said there was a good deal of responsibility resting on the Financial Committee, and they were not prepared to come to an immediate decision with respect to fresh expenditure. As Councillors wer e aware, the Council liar] an elaborate scheme for the improvement of the roads, which it was estimated by the Road Commission would run into an expenditure of over £7OO. But as far as the Finance Committee was concerned, they would deal with th e matter at. a Special Meeting of the Council, which they suggested in their report should be held on July 7th. With regard to paragraph 3 of the report, they agreed they could do with the steam roller in any case, but the Special Meeting would decide to what extent they would make use cf the roller. On the motion r.f firs Bennett and Joblin the report was adopted. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The report of the Works Committee reads as follows: Gentlemen, —Your Committee has to report having met on the Ist inst., and recommends as follows:

1. That the Borough foreman's report submitted herewith, be adopted. 2. Letter from engineer, Rangjitikei County Council re opening of metal pit near Greatford railway station: That a reply be forwarded stating that the average amount of metal used by this Council is between four and five hundred yards per annum, and provided the metal is of good quality and th eprice is reasonable, the Council may take its suupply from the Rangitikei County Council.

3. Letter rfom Mr R, D. Wallace, asking for permission to take about 12 loads of shingle from the Borough pit:

That permission be granted on the usual terms.

4. Letter from District Engineer N.Z. Railways re drainage of railway cottages and buildings: That the charge suggested of 10/ per annum for each w.c. be agreed to, provided the capital value of each building does not exceed £SOO, over and above that sum, the charge to be at the rate of Id in the £.

5, Letter from Mr P. Kearins re leasing the unused portion of the metal pit in Ruru Road: That Mr Kearins' offer of £1 per annum be accepted, on the conditions stated in his letter.

6. Letter £rom Mr (J,. Hetnsjon 3re state of Ellis Road:

That a reply be forwarded stating that the ork of repairing this road was commenced, but had to be discontinued owiing to the bad weather, but will be gone on with as soon as the weather permits. Yosir Committee deeuiqpl to rcfe* to tfce Cotracii, th©. plao. prepared by Mr Ward, surveyor, sbxrwing. the botutdary lines of Sect Son 3, Block V. Your Committ«e, la (Scmfefffcnca with Cr Bennett, considered t&e proposed nxpetvS&are In connection vfiih the metalling of the- roads of the Borough,

and decided to refer th e question to the Finance Committee.

Cr Wrightson said that in reference to tli e unused portion of the metal pit r , which the Committee suggested should, be leased to Mr P. Kearnis, at <£! per annum, he might mention that the ground was of no use to the Council as there was no sand in it. Cr Bennett said he thought perhaps it would be well if they had a clause with respect to a three mouths' notice. Cr Jobl/in said that such a clause would prevent the lessee cropping thel land. 'J* It was eventually decided that the land in question should be leased to Mr Kearins from year to year. With regard to the survey of Section: 3, Block v, as mentioned in the report of the Borough foreman, discussion on this matter was held in committee. The report of the Works Committee was then adopted. j REPORT OF TOWN MALL, REi SERVES AND BATHS COMMITTEE

Th e report of the Town 1 ia!!,Reserves and Baths Committee was submitted as follows:

Gentlemen, —Year Committee has to report having met this day..

A letter from the Universal Films Supply Company, Limited, re leasing of Town Hall for Pictures, was considered, and your Committer decided to refer same to the Council.

This letter was dealt with by the Council in Committee.

Th e Borough Solicitor (Mr Loughnan) submitted for execution by the Council, the necessary documents in re. spect to exchange of municipal reserve held by Mr Davies for a section in Kaka Road.

Cr McLennan said that, pursuant to the usual resolution he would move that the Mayor, Cr Bennett and the Town Clerk tfe (aiuthc/rised to 'tf-gn th e document and attach the seal of the Council.

The plan of the pipe lin e to and from the reservoir was submitted for approval by the Council. After discussion it was decided to refer the matter to th e Electric Light and Water Committee for consideration.

Cr Barnett seconded, and the motion was carried.

This concluded the general business and th e Council then went into committee.