TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, 21 September 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting o£ the Borough Council was held lastt night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (A. L.. Arrowsmith, Esq.), Crs., Joblin, Champion, Wrightson, Healey Dashwood, Turnbull, and Reid. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Taihape Band asking the Council to appoint three Council representatives on the band executive, and Crs.- Ghampion, Dashwood and Joblin were appointed as requested, and the Town CleiK to act as treasurer.

A communication was received from the New Plymouth Borough Council with reference to a decision previously arrived at not to hold the annual municipal conferences owing to war conditions. The New Plymouth Council was strongly of opinion that the conference should be held, as matters of consequence were always arising that should be dealt with. The support of the local Council was asked in the direction of the resumption of the annual conference. —The Council decided to support the New Plymouth Council's attitude in the matter. The Hastings Borough Council Council again brought up the alien question in a circular letter, stating they were not satisfied with the action of the Government in dealing with enemy Sliens, and allowing aliens to work on wharves without liceses, instancing the sinking of the Wimmera to give point to their contention. The Hastings body advocated the internment of all enemy aliens and their employment on works of national importance.—The resolution of the Hastings Council was unanimously endorsed. The Taihape Tradesmen's Association forwarded a petition from SB out of the 40 business men affected in regard to the closing of shops in the borough at 5.30 p.m. on four days a week, at 1 o'clock on Thursday, and 8.30 on Saturdays.—The Council decided to certify that the signatures on the petition constituted a majority of the business men affected.

The Council'refused, to consent'to a request from Messrs. Husscy and Ongley for a right of way from Baird and Mcintosh to the Convent Trustees, the Mayor pointing out that technically at was a right of way, but actually it was a road. The Borough had set out not to take over a private road unless it was properly formed and metalled, and they should not depart from that decision. The poundkeeper sent in his resignation, and it was decided to invite applications for the position. The Works Committee report was read as follows:

Your Committee reports: Having received a communication from the District Health Inspector, relative to an alleged defective drain in Main Street, and have held over consideration of the matter until next meeting of the Committee. 2. Having gone carefully into the matter of procuring name plates for streets, and now recommend, that owing to the high cost of same, that the matter he held over until prices are easier. Your Committee recommends: 3. That the suggestion of the i foreman of works, to have relaid, ±1 chains of the sewer in Kuku Street, from Kokako Street, towards Main St., be aproved of. 4. That the foreman of works be authorised to procure 100 yards of Ohingaiti metal required for necesary maintenance of Mataroaißoad (approx cost 8/6 per yard). 5. That all occupiers of premises which have enamelled iron signs projecting over the roadway from the verandah posts, or electric light poles in front of the said premises, be requested to remove same forthwith and failing" compliance with the request, that legal proceedings be taken to enforce the Council's wish in the matter. 6. That the Oval Domain be closed for grazing purposes as from the 10th Octolber with the view of saving the grass for hay-cutting in December.

Cr Joblin referred to work authorised two years ago for footpaths in front of Aldridge Terrace, and asked why the work had not been completed. The Mayor explained that the work had been placed on the schedule of the loan.

Cr. Joblin: But why was "not the work done during the previous eighteen months? The Mayor: Cr. Joblin is just as responsible for that as I am. 'Cr. Joblin: I did not refer to the Mayor's responsibility. The report was adopted. The Electric Light and Waterworks Committee's report stated infer alia, that Mrs. Hurley be informed that the Council regrets that it cannot depart from its previous decision in respect to connecting outside the lighting area. In response to a councillor's query it was stated that there were more consumers than there was current for, which position would obtain until more machinery was obtained. The acting-foreman's report was read as follows:

I would respectfully draw you attention to the sewer main in the northern end of Kuku Street. This portion of drain has given considerable

trouble for some time and last summer the blockage became more frequent. In some places- where I had it opened the pipes appear to have sunk down, leaving no fall to the outlet end. about 65 chains of this main is 6inch concrete pipes. The most defective portion appears to he from the junction of Kokako St. for a distance of 45 chains. I. would suggest that this portion be relaid at once in Cinch earthenware pipes and a man-way at the junction of Kokako St., in place of a square junction which exists in the present main; the cost of this 45 chains of drain and man-way would be approximately £75. Provision has been made on the estimates for this and the work was practically approved of when same were made. I have been informed by the Rangitikei County Council's Engineer that during the next month he will Ibe carting metal by rail from Ohingaiti tc Taihape. I would recommend that the Borough Council order 100 yards of metal to spread on the western end of Mataroa Road; the approximate cost of this metal in depot would be 876 per yard. In reference to the road mentioned I have not seen Mr. Prouse, and I found it necesary to fill in some bad holes that had broken through!. This work will have to be done in any case and I consider that by purchasing Ohingaiti metal and having it thrown, off at the County Council's depot, a better and cheaper job will result than by carting from Beban's pit. The electrical engineer's report stated that the pump was running satisfactorily, and the' water supply at present is up to requirements. With regard to electric current, the -weekend load is being kept within capacity. Several additions to house lighting have ibeen made during the past month.

The treasurer's report staTed that he had received £oo from The Fire Brigade, being the proceeds of the sale of the chemical engine. He consideed the Brigade was to be congratulated on getting rid of the engirjo for this sum, and suggested that the £3O be expended in procuring additional plant for the Brigade.

Cr. Reid said he would like to seb this sum put into something that would benefit the town in the shape of 8 niotor fire engine. They could procure a Ford car, without the top portion, and arrange it to carry 1000 feet of hose, hydrant, and six men. With this equipment in case of a fire they could go to the furthest 'boundary in ten minutes, in contrast to from 20 to 40 minutes with present reel. He would suggest that with this end in view the Council could subsidise the amount received for the chemical engine, and the Brigade had some money in hand which could be uevoted to the same purpose. He said the best time to fight a fire was during tne first ten minutes, and the possession of a motor car on the lines of his suggestion would enable this to be done.

The Mayor suggested the Brigade should put some concrete proposal in this, matter (before the Council, and then the Council cojald see their way to help. He spoke in very high terms of praise of the manner in which the local brigade had devoted their time to their work, and had endeavoured to raise money for their funds. Cr. Reid said he would see that the' Mayor's suggestion was carried out.

Mr. Fookes' application for permission to erect a signboard, held over from last meeting, was discussed at some length, and eventually a motion was carried in the following terms: That the Council sees no objection to those signboards that . the Borough foreman does not consider in any way dangerous or obstructive, the height of such signs to be nine feet clear of the footpaths. A further motion was carried that all signboards at present under nine feet from the footpath be removed to nine feet clear

The municipal reserve in Kuku St. at present tenanted by Mr. Edwards is to be offered for lease forthwith, at the same upset rental, the value of improvements to be considered.

Cr. Turnbull said he understood an auctioneer proposed erecting saleyards on the section next to the Tiki Brewery. "He considered the site was too near the town to be either sanitary or pleasant, and Inquired if nothing could be done to prevent ft. ■ The Mayor said he knew no statutory provision to prevent it; but if ft became a nuisance action could" be taken.

The councillors, though they had no desire to block the saleyacds, agreed that on the spot indicated they were neither desirable, nor pleasant. The Council then adjourned.