TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, 21 December 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Taihapc Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (A. L. Arrowsmith, Esq.), Councillors Joblin, Wrightson, Dashwood, Turnonll, and Reid. A letter was received from the Town Clerk Auckland, regarding the Health Act, pointing out the deiira. bility of asking the Government to widen the powers of municipalities especially with regard to licensing dwellings, and asking the Borough Council’s support in the endeavour to get the Government to do this. —The Council agreed to act in the direction indicated.

The Borough Solicitor wrote outlining the methods by which the damage done to the streets by heavy truffle could be recovered. A letter was received from the Town Clerk, Waihi, with regard to health matters, stating that race meetings were a prolific means of spreading infectious diseases, and asking ihe Council's support to an endeavour to have all race meetings at Christmas r„nd New Year postponed. —Letter received.

The secretary of the Tajhape Band requested the Council to appoint a treasurer for the band funds. The Town Clerk said he had to decline the position, as he had really mere than he could attend to for the next six months, and had therefore no time to do anything in this connection. In any case he would like to see the affairs of the band straightened up first. The Mayor said he would not like to see the band dissolve through any apparent want of interest by the Council. The want of a band was greatly felt at the~ late celebrations. A band would be a very necessary adjunct on a future occasion, which would be the real peace celebration. Cr. Joblin suggested deferring the matter for a phile to see what could be done. The Mayor could not see that any good could result through deferring the appointment. Cr. Reid said a Land would he indispensable at the Peace celebration and at the welcoming home of returning soldiers. He proposed that Cr. Dashwood be appointed to the position. r, Or. Dashwood proceeded to object, but His Worship put the motion and declared him duly elected before he could formulate any reasons for declining. The Minister for Internal Affairs wrote stating that each local body would be given a free hand to make its own peace celebrations. A lead would be given later. —Letter received. Two letters were received from the Under Secretary of the Lands Department, offering the control of the cemetery to the Council, the title to he vested in the Council. —It was decided to undertake control of thq cemetery and have it properly vested from the time the present Cemetery Board’s accounts arc audited by the Government.

A communication was received from the Fire Underwriters’ Association in reply to the Council, re classification of fire risks, stating it was unable to grant the request for a reduction in premiums.—The letter is to be sent to Taihape Tradesmen’s Association. The Marton Borough Council is to be informed that the local Borough Council has the purchase of a roadroller in contemplation. 'Mr A.B. Swedlund’s application for a rebate on the Town Hall rental during the time the hall was closed owing to the epidemic was granted. Permission was granted to Mr A. C. Nicholls to show pictures on Christinas Night. Auctioneers’ licenses were granted to the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Company and Messrs Ward and Co. The Works Committee’s renort, as f'Mows, was read and adopted: That the matter of ranger and poundkeeper be held over until next meeting of the Works Committee, the chairman to make temporary arrangements in the meantime. Re Mataroa road, that notice be sent to Mr Prouse, claiming forthwith damage done to Mataroa road, as recommended by the Borough Solicitor That the matter of harvesting hay on the Oval Domain and procuring a mower to cut same be left in the hands of Crs. Turnbull and Reid with pWer to act. That the matter of disposing of grass seed cutting rights on Borough roads and streets be left in the hands of Cr. Reid, with power to act. That the dog registration fee for the year 1919 be fixed at 10s each for sporting and ordinary dogs and 2s "53 each for sheep and cattle dogs. That Mr A. T. Duncan be appolStecT'clog-tax collector for,the year 1919 at the same rate of commission as paid to' Mr Savill for the year 1918, and that the Town Clerk be given authority to procure dog collars and necessary books for the new year’s work. That Mr W. J. Coutts be written to and advised that it is the intention of the Council to kerb and channel the footpaths in Kuku street, itST in the meantime, if Mr Coutts requires the three culvcts to be put in, the Council will undertake to do the wmrk at his expense.

The Electric Light an?T Waterworks Committee’s report was read as follows: — v That F. Bird be paid the sum of £5 for extra services rendered during the prevalence of the influenza epidemic. That the members of the power-house staff (Mahoney, Ridley,, and Durham) be paid half ordinary wages for the period they were absent from their duties as the result of influenza. No payment to be made for any period after the 16th inst. That Mr Dunn be relieved of Kis duties a:, the earliest possible moment, as requested by him. That the tender of ;A. W. Gunson and Co. for iron fence and gate for the Town Hall frontage be accepted. Your committee reports having received 49 applications for the position of electrical and waterworks engineer, and submit four names for the Council’s final choice— M. Watson-Munro, Ghas. Hubbard, G. S. Mabcn, R. J. Reardon.

A ballot resulted in the selection of Mr Charles Hubbard, of Feilding, as electrical and waterworks engineer, Mr G. S, Maben being second choice. Cr. Reid made certain inquiries as to the condition of certain parts of the power-house plant, which he had been told were not as they should be. A somewhat lengthy discussion took place, during which it was stated that with one or two minor exceptions the plant was in good working order. The Mayor deprecated the statements of the man in the street being repeated. They were asked to accept the ipse dixit of some irresponsible person as against the opinion of an electrical engineer of Dominion-wide reputation.

The Finance Committee’s Report was adopted as under: — That a penalty of 10 per cent, beadded to and charged on all rates due and unpaid after the 14th day of February, 1919, and that public notice of the Council’s intention in the direction be given in accordance with the provisions of section 28 of the Rating, Amendment Act, 1910. Further, that the Town Clerk be authorised to take proceedings against all persons whose rates and the penalty thereon is unpaid on 28th February, 1919. That a special meeting of the Taihape Borough Council be held on January 17th, 1919, at 7.55 p.m., for the purpose of deciding what working day. in the■week shall Be the statutory closing day, and that public notice'or such meeting be given in accordance' with the provisions of section 12 of the Shops and Offieds Act, 1908. That Mr Howens be offered the position of winding and looking after the town clock at a remuneration of £l2 per annum. That the public offices of the Council be closed from 24th inst. to 3rd January, inclusive. iTiat the salary of the assistant clerk be increased by 5s per week as from 20th December, 1918. That a pro gross payment of £SO be made to Mr E. A. Williamstowards the settlement of his account for report on town itnprovements, the balance to be piad in February. Electric-light accounts incurred during the recent epidemic by the Presbyterian Hall and Church, Nurses’ home (Air D. Mitchell’s house),, and Town Hall, amounting to £5 5s 6d, were written off. Several other matters dealt with during the evening are reported elsewhr. ' j The Mayor thou wished the councillors “A Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year,” free from ail epidemic and war, and trials of that nature. These good wishes were heartily reciprocated by the councillors, and the Council adjourned.