TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, 18 January 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (A. L. Arrowsmith Esq.), Crs. Joblin, Healey, Wrightson, Dash wood, Turnbull, and Reid. Mr. G. S. Mabin the newly-appointed Electrical and Waterworks Engineer was also present

The necessary resolution fixing Thursday as the statutory half-holi-day was carried.

The Borough balance-sheet for the last financial year was laid on the table.

Leave of absence was granted to Cr. J. R. Cunninghame. Permission was granted to the Rangitikei A. and P. Association for the use of the Oval Domain to hold their annual show, on the usual conditions. A letter was received from the Napier Borough Council drawing attention to the serious loss of life by the late influenza epidemic and asking the Council’s support in getting a Royal Commission set up to enquire into all the circumstances concerning the epidemic. On the Mayor’s motion it was resolved that the Council agrees to the letter of the Napier Council, and suggests that the order of reference be extended to inquire as to the possibility of any hospital district dealing with the epidemic. In moving the resolution the Mayor said he did not for a moment intend to suggest that the Hospital Board in Wanganui did not do all that was humanly possibly to meet the necessities created by. the epidemic. It was utterly impossible to do all that was necessary when the epidemic reached Wanganui. They could not get nurses to do the work.

The Hastings Borough Council wrote for support in. an endeavour to strengthen the powers of the Health Department to deal with epidemic.— Letter received.

The Hawera Borough. Council also wrote with reference to the epidemic, and stressing the “want of proper administration of the’ Health Department during that strenuous time. The Hawera Council pointed out the necessity of having one Health Inspector for each district. The local Council was quite in accord and sympathy with the Hawera body and decided to support them. An application for permission to create a right of way between Messrs Noagle’s and Shanley’s premises was referred to the Borough Solicitor.

Tno Works Committees report was then read as follows;

Cr. Reid has sold the grass cutting rights on the Borough Roads fo J. Boyd for the sum of £5, which amount has been pnd. Having interviewed Mr Savill, (poundkoeper) who states that ho is prepared to carry out the duties of poundkeeper and ranger for £2 10s per month, plus such statutory driving and poundage foes, etc., as received by him previously. It was explained that Mr Savill’s engagement was only temporary, subject to termination at a week’s notice. The report as adopted. The Electric Light and Water Committee’s report was read as follovA's and adopted:—

Your committee submit herewith the Acting Electrical Engineer. Reports that it has been advised by Messrs. Lawrence and Hanson that the new 15 h.p. motor is expected to arrive in New Zealand about the end of February next. That owing to the epidemic and the Council being unable to. fill his position, Mr Dunn temporarily withdrew his resignation. A successor to him now having been appointed recommend that in view of the arduous duties recently performed by Mr Dunn and his conscientious labours in the Council’s interests that Mr Dunn 's resignation be accepted as from the 3rd prox. and that he be given three weeks leave of absence on full pay as from the Ibth inst. Mr G, Dunn, Acting Electrical Engineer, sent in his monthly report,

which was as follows: — Dam for Power House. —The cleaning of the dam was carried out on Sunday December 22nd, with the assistance of members of the Fire Brigade. The bank of silt etc., previously reported, was mostly composed of sawdust, etc. This was thoroughly cleaned out, and a good supply of water is now available. Installations.—Very little installation work' has been carried out this month, the time having been mostly occupied -with the upkeep of the plant and running repairs. Low Lift Pump.—At the present date several parts of the pump needed repairs, these repairs are being undertaken at the Taihape Foundry on completion of which, the pump will be in good order. The motor has not yet arrived. Enquiries are being made in regard to same. High Pressure Reservoir and Pump.-—This pump is at present running well and ia good supply of water is being kept up in the reservoir.

The Finance Committee’s report stated that Mr. L. Daws be informed that as the notice in respect of Mardon’s property (Arcadia Hotel) docs not comply with the previsions of “The Rating Act, 1905,” in that it exceeds the time stated in Section G 4 (b) as the period in which notice

should be given, that the Council has no power to comply with his request for an allowance of half rates. The statutory annual meeting of the Council as the Domain Board was fixed to be hold on Fobruarjfy2l, at 7.55 p.m. \ Cr. Joblin brought up the question of the supply of metal by the Borough for the hospital,-stating that about 100 yards would bo required. — On inquiry It was discovered the Council could not supply the metal, and the hospital will hove to look elsewhere. On the call of ‘Liny other business,” Cr. Joblin brought up the question of the Council’s representation on the executive of the Taihape Public Hospital, and Cr. Dashwood and other members relieved themselves of some opinions regarding Taihape’s principal streets, which are reported elsewhere. The Council then adjourned.