Taihape Borough Council

Taihape Daily Times, 15 March 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, Dashwood, Turnbull, Reid, Wrightson, and Cunninghame. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Healey. No reply had been received from the Wanganui Hospital Board with reference to the Councils’ appointees to act with the local hospital executive. A lettter was received from the Tauranga Hospital and Charitable Aid Board with regard to Maori pahs, stressing the desirableness of bringing about more sanitary conditions therein, and advocating more stringent sanitary inspection,Letter received. The Devonport Borough Council wrote with regard to considerate treatment of ailing prisoners of war.—Letter received.

A letter w-as received from the Department of Intenral Affairs with regard to subsidies being granted to Eire Brigades from the Government, Fire Underwriters, and local authorities, stating that the necesary legislative measures were being prepared to that end.

The Main Trunk Brewery wrote with reference to the metalling of the end of the Ruamai Road, and reminding the Council of a promise made some months ago.—Letter referred to the Works Committee.

With regard to the provision of proper accommodation and better treatment of returning soldiers on transports, the Acting-Prime Minister wrote stating that every effort is being made for thep comfort and attention to returning men on the long and tedious journey. Applications were made by Messrs. Ryan, Robinson, and Beban for billiard room licenses. The police report was . read, stating that in the case of Messrs Ryan and Robinson the billiard rooms were properly and quietly conducted. With regard to Beban’s saloon the police report stated that the place was much frequented by Maoris, who were often boisterous, and complaints had been made. ' It was decided that the licenses be granted, and that Beban be warned to exercise better supervision over the frequenters of his saloon, and mitigate the language used therein.

The Works Committee’s report was read as follows:—That the Rangitikei County Council be asked if the grader recently used by the Wangaehu Road Board is for hire or for sale, if so, on what terms. That the Tradesmen’s Association be requested to draw 7 the attention of its members to the practice of leaving eases on the footpaths, thereby infringing the Borough Bylaws. That the charge for clearing blocked private drains be 5/ per hour in future.

With reference to the Borough employees clearing private drains, Cr. Dashwood said it was about time the practice was discontinued. There was plenty of work on the roads for them to do instead of attending to private drains.

Cr Turnbull said the price previously had been 1/6, and the charge was raised to prevent the time of the borough men being wasted. Cr Dashwood said the practice was taking work out of the hands of private firms.

Cr. Reid said the people would have to get their drains attended to whatever the price. Cr Cunniughame thought they should not make the charge too drastic.

In reply to a question, it was stated that only a licensed drain layer could touch this class of work.

The Mayor: Prom the borough foreman’s report it would appear that blocked drains w y ere in most cases caused by people putting rags into the drains. This was a use the drains \.ore never intended for.

Cr. Dashwood moved that the clause referring to private drains be deleted, and that the following bo added: That the borough employees be instructed not to attend to private drains in the future. The motion was lost.

Cr Reid wanted to know in case licensed plumbers were too busy, wbo was to attend to the drains.

The report as read was adopted

The Electric Light and Waterworks Committee’s report was read and adopted. The report was as follows: That Mr Mahoney be offered ~£3 10s per week of 48 hours; the present war bonus paid to him to cease if he accepts the above. That G. Durham's wages be increased to £2 10s per week. That S. Ridley’s wages rdinain as at present, i.e, £2 7s per week. That in future the maximum wages to <be paid to the Power house attendants be: Ist attendant £3 10s per week; 2nd attendant £2 10s; 3rd attendant £2 ss. That the requisition of the Electrical Engineer and Waterworks turncock for tools estimated to cost £ll 19s 6d be approved oh

The Finance Committee's report as under was adopted.

That Mr C. N. Mardon be informed that the counsel to the Municipal As-

sociation of N.Z. having advised that the Council has no statutory power to allow a rebate of rates. The Council regrets that it cannot accede to his request. That the Council replace the lamps and shades damaged at the temporary hospital, and that the damage for the same amounting to £1 7s be written off. That the Commissioner o^| Crown lands bo requested lo make the permit for the removal of buildings lately occupied by Mr Langstone (deceased), to the mont of arrears of rates. That in** the*

event of the loan proposal being carried that application ho made to the Minister of Finance under Section 7 of “The Appropriation Act, 1918,” for

a subsidy. The Borough Foreman was appointed to act as inspector under the bylaws.

The question of complaints by the nightsoil and rubbish contractor was brought up by Cr Joblin. He stated the contractor complained of being called to remove rubbish, and being unable to find it; also that he had to spend a lot of time collecting accounts varying from 2s to os. He considered the time was coming when the payment for, this class of work should go into a rate, and the contractor could get his money from the Council. The Mayor said the collection of accounts had been before the Council some time ago, aud the contractor had been informed that if he did not gotN paid the Council would enforce paypayment. The contractor had entered into the contract knowing what he had to do.

Cr Cunninghamc thought if the work was controlled by the Council it would be more satisfactory. i The Mayor said there was nothing; to prevent :a sanitary raft 1 , being levied. But this could only be done when the rates for the year were being allocated—in May or June. Cr Joblin said they would then have a further opportunity of dealing with the matter before the contract ran out in August.

Cr Reid; The contractor might turn up his job; it was just as well to look ahead.

Cr. Dashwood said something should be done to have the large hole in Kiwi Road attended to. People using the road had to take the watertable to get past.

The Mayor reminded Cr Dashwood that this road was provided for in the loan proposals. Cr Turnbull said It would take 30 or 40 yards of metui lo fill the hole

and make any sort of a job. Cr Dashwood said a lot of people were complaining about tin; matter.

The Mayor pointed nut that had been provided :n this year’s estw mates for street and road works, and the actual sum expended had amounted to £llOO.

The Borough Foreman said it was very little use doing anything to remedy the matter during the dry weather.

Cr. Dashwood said he brought up the question so that the Council should" be a-ware of its responsibility if any accident occurred.

An application was made and plans submitted by Mr. Mardon for building additions to Mr Bashford’s office.— No action was taken, the plans not being in accordance with the by-laws. Mr Maben, Electrical Engineer, consented to act as Building Inspector. Notice boards regulating motor speeds in the borough are to be placed on the Mataroa Road at the corner of Goldfinch Street, Hautapu bridge on Papakai Road, Moawhango Road bridge, and on Bohan’s Hill. The speed fixed is 15 miles an hour and 6 miles an hour round corners. The Council then adjourned until April 11th.