TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, 15 December 1917, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly - meeting of the Borough Co.mcii was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (A. L. Arrowsmith, Esq.), and Crs Joblin, Champion, Wr-ightson, Dashwood, Turnbull, and Reid.

A letter was received from the Railway Department with reference to tie supply of electric current, stating the agreement had been forwarded for completion. —Document to be completed when date of installation of meter is assured.

The Fire Brigade wrote askiug tbe Council to dispose of the chemical engine, for which the Brigade had no further use; also pointing out that the stairs and landmg nf theFue station were in need of repairs.—It was decided that efforts be made to dispose of the engine. Mr G. Parker asked for permission to erect a 3-stall stable at the rear of his premises.—Referred to the Health Officer for a report.

The Dutches Depot wrote offering to treat the floor of the Town Hall to enable it to be used for dancing, for a consideration. —Nothing doing. Mr R. Swedlund wrote asking for the use of the Town Hall for one extra night a week when not otherwise engaged, and offering to pay £1 for the privilege; also for permission to sell sweets and soft drinks. —The Council, after some discusion, tacked 10s on to the amount offered, in addition to cost of lighting, and granted the necessary permission. The agent for the Public Trustee in Higgens' estate applied (for the thtrd time) for permission to construct a right of way at the back of Messrs. Bennett and McLaughlan's shops. The Council decided to adhere to its former decision, and the valid reason for refusal was that the right of way was too narrow.

Auctioneers' licenses were granted Messrs Ward and Co. and the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Co.

Formal petitions were received from Messrs Aldridge, Bradley, and Gibbs Birch Road) and Messrs Begg, Stone, and the Public Trustee in Stone's estate (on the other side of the railway line), asking for connection with the Borough .drainage system. decided that the necessary legal steps be taken to give effect to the prayer of the petitioners. The Foreman's Report -was then read as follows: —I have to report that the trees on the western side of the Domain have been cut to a sufficient height to allow foot traffic to pass thereunder. Two-inc-h planks could be made fast between the trees on the side of the path to serve the purpose of seats at an estimated cost of 5s each. I would respectfully draw your attention to the cost of, cleaning . the grass off the footpaths in the side streets of the Borough each year. The average cost of this work, including the carting is £1 2s 6d per chain. To spray the paths with tar and sand would cost approximately £2 7s. per chain, plus the Cost of a portable spraying machine, £65. Suitable sand per rail would cost 15s per yard. I would therefore ask the Council to consider the purchase of a portable spraying machine. The Works Committee's report asamended below was read and adopted —That the foreman's action in arranging with the Domain Board to pay 5s per week for the privilege of grazing three horses in the paddock at the south end of the Oval Domain be approved. That Mr Kincaide be informed that the walls and roof of the addition to his premises (erected contrary to the provisions of the Borough by-laws) must be rebuilt to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector, and provision made for the drainage of surface water and air space underneath the floor of the building. Thstt Mr D. Kirby be paid £l2 per annum in future for cleaning and winding the town clock. Recommend that the Council favourably considers the suggestion of the Borough Foreman, made to this committee in regard to placing seats between the trees on the Oval Domain. That a portable tar spraying machine be obtained for use on fho Borough footpaths, subject to such

expenditure b«ing approved by the.

Council's Finance Committee. Cr Wrightson said he objected to procuring the tar- sprayer, for thing, on the score of want of economy; and again the Council was doing work and charging it against rates instead of out of loans. He considered the present system would have<4f6~be changed. Expenditure for works, should be placed on the estimates and. a loan raised to meet it. If this wasdone the rates, which were now lja, would drop to id. He was decidedly opposed to the procuring of the tarsprayer. Cr Reid said at present it cost SI 2s 6d per chain per annum to clean the streets and footpaths. With the sprayer in two years the footpaths would be properly made. It was more economical than chipping off the grass with spades. The Mayor said he understood the sprayer was a success, and after twoseasons they would have fairly permanent footpaths. Every Councillor surely must be sick unto death at seeing the footpaths hacked about with spades. The Electrical Engineer's Report was read as follows and approved: In accordance with instructions I submit the following report in connection with electric light supplly. During the past winter the peak load on Saturday evenings reached 80 per cent of the total capacity of the generators. With the consumers who have been added since then and those who •have made application but have not been connected, together with the Railway Department, I estimate the generators will be loaded to about 90 per cent full load when the low lift pump is taken off, as it might be during the period of the peak load. Although in ordinary times to run with such a small margin is not advisable, under the circumstances I have to recommend the committee to continue to connect lighting consumers until the present stock of wiring material is exhausted. Power and heating consumers might be connected for some time, as this load does not affect the peak load. The report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted as follows: That the Town Clerk procure the dog collars for 1918, and the Council considers the question of appointing a collector. With reference to the

matter of procuring a tar spraying ! machine as recommended by the Works Committee in its report , we recommend that a sum sufficient for the purpose be placed on the Estimate for next year. That the sum of £6 0s 2, being the amount due this Council to the Waimarino County Council as its proportion of tie Licensing expenses for the year ending 30th June, 1917, be passed for payment. Recommend that the sum of £76 8s 9d be paid to the Wahganui Hospital and Charitable Aid Boardas half the amount of levy payable for the year 1917-18, and that the balance be paid some time in March. A vote of appreciation was passed to the Town Clerk for his~efforts in connection with certain financial matters of benefit to the Council. A sub-committee consisting of the Mayor, Crs Wrightson, Reid, and Joblin, was appointed to draw up a schedule of hire charges for taxi-cabs plying for hire. The Council then adjourned.