TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 August 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

i The ordinary monthly meeting of ithe Council was held last night. Pre‘sent: His \Vorship the Mayor (A, J lJoblin_. Esq.), Crs. Turnbull, Fookes: Kcunninghame, Eteveneaux, Timbs, Reid. Apology was tendered from Cr. ;Davies owing to having been called }away on business A letter was received from Mr Gor-« don Forbes asking that the proposed licensee fee which the Council intended to place on heavy motor vehicles. using the borough roads be made as low as possible. The loads he could. carry were small owing to the stateof the county roads, and pointing out. that he only used the borough roads. as a means of access to the railway station.—lt; was decided that he should be charged £2 for the year ending December 31st. ~ The Rugby Union asked for permission to make a eharge|of one shilling per -head for _admission to the Oval Domain on the occasion of a senior cup match on August 23, 1919.——Granted

The N.Z. Automobile Unidn wrote asking that the approaches to all bridges be painted white, and that where ne'cessary boards painted white be erected on each ‘bridge; also that local authorities should have power to trim hedges and lower trees on; corners of roads where the View was obsti-ucted.—Received_

A connnunication was read from Hon. G. \V. Russell stating that any expenditure incurred’ by local bodies in connection with the visit. of H.M_S. New Zeulaild would be vali«lated.—Re-cc-ived.

The Public Trustee wrote in regard to the £17,000 loan, outlining the procedure usually followed in the payment of intcrest.—- The letter was re--ceived, the opinion ' being expressed that the position was quite sa.tisfao< tory. '~

Mr R ‘.W.- Smith M.P., -wrote < acknowledging receipt” of the CouhCil’S letter re land for wo'rker’s homes, and s_tating~'he would submit the matter tothe Minister of Lands" "The‘ subject matter of the correspondence was in’regard to the removal of the reéerva-‘ tion_ of="se‘ction'Bo. Mr Smith pointed out that it would be necessary to have the I'esefVation ‘l'emoV'ed before ‘it could either be vested in the Council or exchanged for section 81_ This will necessitate a clause in the Washillg Up Bill. Mr Smith stated he had sent a copy of the Council’s

letter to the Minister, and asked him

‘to see that all expedition was made {in having the reservation lifted. Meantime Mr Smith suggested that theCouncil should submit a proposal of exchange to the Agricultural Depart’‘ment, so that the Council would be ,lable\ to state definitely that the ex‘change had been ‘agreed to before the 'Minister completes the exchange. I The Mayor said it was proposed to‘ exchange the scenic reserve, on which the timber was dying.~off, for - the» Agricultural Reserve just on the op--’ posite side of the road_ He ‘recom[mended that the Department be approached offering suchexchange. ' -It was resolved to offer the Department the exchange of sections. The District Health Inspector Wrote with regard to notices sent some time ago to Mr Bray and Mrs Barsby to instal drainage works to properties of which they are the owners, stating‘ that as yet nothing had been done, and suggesting that final notices be sent out requiring satisfactory arrangements be made in regard to same Within one Week, failing which they will be prosecuted.‘ Mrs Barsby explained there were at present legal difficulties in the Way, but when these were surmounted she would immediately endeavour to carry out the requirements_

In the case of Mr Bray the explanation was that he was quite prepared’ to carry out the work, but was waiting for sanitary arrangements, andwas prevented by the railway restrictions ill getting material. Cl'_ Reid Wanted to know Why two

people were sdrted out in this man‘. ner. - '

Cr. Fookes-said in the dying hours of the last Council a list of people who had not completed connections had been furnished. He asked Why these “two cases had been picked out of about 60 others.

Cr. Cunninghame said everyoné should be notified now "that street. improvements were to be done.

The Town Clerk explained it would not do to send the notices out at once, as there were only ‘two plumbers in the town.

Cr. FoOkCs said it was true there were only two plumbers in the town, but what was there to prevent the borough doing the work, and chargv ing the people for it. The Mayor said the Council did noi :« appear satisfied with the Health Inspector for picking out two persons. Cr. Turnbulf was of opinion that none of the connections could be gone’ on with until the pipes were procur-~ ed. ..

Cr. Reid suggested that everyond be notified to connect up, as cel‘tain'Works were to be done_

Mr Timlféi thought it would ye 2: good plan to see the plumbers and as-§ certain what work they could Co!‘-6 with. . '

C.r Fookes considered that under the circumstances of the water sl'lp~ Ply and the railway difiiculties, the matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Council, and the position may be improved by them. Cr. Cunninghame held that every~ one should receive a. notice to give them warning about the matter. C:-_ Fookes moved that the matter stand over till next meeting, and the Health Insepctor be asked to report.

Mr R. W. Smith, M.P.., wrote expressing his willingness to assist the Council in getting a clause inserted in the “Washing Up Bill” giving the Council the power to substitute asrhalt for Tconcerte in the loan proposal, and trusting the Council would get the ratepayers’ consent to the proposed alteration_

In inoving that the letter be received the Mayor said Mr Smith could rest assured that nothing would be done without the consent of the ratepayers.

The stationmaster’(Mr I-I. Mercer) wrote with reference to the complaint of the glare of the lamp on the overhead bridge south of the station_ and stating that instructions had been given to have a large shade put over the lamp, which should stop the glare complained of.——-Received. A letter was received from the secretary of the Municipal Association -of New Zealand stating that the ‘Annual Conference would be held in Wellington on September 10th, and that special permits would be issued to delegates to attend the Confer» er.ce.——The letter was received, and the Mayor was appointed delegate The Council applied to the Valuation Department asking for a. revaluation of‘ the borough of Taihape, and a reply’ was received from the Department that ,appl'ieations received during ;.th_e last three months had been so numerous‘ that it was impossible to comply; with the whole of them this year, but priority would .be give.u.to« boroughs‘ having the greatest movement in uniniproved valifes. Taihape’s .._r-elquest wouldggreceive consideration,in due course. ,

The opinion was expressed by the Councillors that it was very essential to -have the re-valuations made be-Sore April of next year. It was decided that owing to the valuations in the borough being so low, it was desirable to have re~va‘.uations made this year. Rev. W_ F. intent, wrote that a meeting of citizens had been held in reference to the public library. and that a resolution had been carrieo: “That the control of the library be handed over -by the Council to .21 committee elected by the subscribers with the proviso that all public bodies contributing V £lO or more per annum may appoint .a delegate thereto and that In the meantime those present. form a= temporary committee to place the affairs of. the library on a sound foot.ing.”

Cr. Fookes said the meeting had been a very enthusiastic one. Money would ‘be required, as the books at present in the library were in a deplorable state. The meeting suggested the Council should make a grant of £lO and have a representative on the committee_ Until consulting the borough treasurer the speaker thought the amount ‘of the Council’s contribution should be much larger; but new he had altered his mind. He suggested the Council should strike a library rate, which would probably bring ,in about £l4O or £l5O per annum.

The striking of a special rate found little favour with the Councillors, some of whom thought the rates were quite numerous and heavy enough at present.

After some discussion it was decided that the Council Hand over tlie management of the libarary, during the pleasure of the Council to a committee of citizens, subject to the Council having a representative on the committee.

A subsequent motion was carried that £lO be granted as a. donation from the Council up till March 31st next. '

A transfer of lease from Donovan and others to Abraham and Williams was granted subject to certain signaturcs being‘ completed.

It was decided that Mr Bicknell be gitren one month’s notice of the termination of his lease of a borough I'o- - Mrs G. Brown is to be left in possession of the reserve till the end of October, wlien the position will then be. reviewed in‘ terms of her letter. A letter was received from Mr Williams c ‘eulting engineer, in connection witgthe loan proposals, stating that he would be in Taihape on September 2nd, and giving suggestions for some of the work to be done.

The Mayor said Mr Williams must be met by the Whole Counéil. It was very important that they should meet him, and go «very carefully into every matter in connection with the Ic.a2i proposal. . «..

YVORKS COMMITTEES’ REPORT. The Works Committce’s reports were

I considered, as I’-ollo‘vVs‘:——-~ 1. Having instructed the Foreman of Works to erect a tu'fii's‘tile at the top of l the steps leading to Mr R. W. Smith’s property. ‘ .2. Your Commlttce lecomnlends. i That a referendpm of ratepayers be taken 011 the 28t'h Inst. on the quesltion of forming footpaths in asphalt, instead of concrete, as provided for in xthe loan'pro_posals carried on the 26th March last. 3. That prices be obtained for a water-ballast hand roller, 30in. by 30in., 1 weight about 7 cwt., cost to be charged ‘to £17,000 Loan Account. - 4:. That: a nlan—hole be placed over ‘the sewer leading from the sanitary shed to the septic tank. ’ 5. That subject to the consent of the owner of Section 5, Block XIV. being obtained, and him Doole paying half ‘cost, that a drain be constructed lacross the said‘Section 5 to give an outfall to a -drain proposed to be laid | down on Section 6, Block XIV. 6. That a brick; area be defined in the ‘new by-laws as follows:—Main street: [From Weka Street to K-otara Street. . Kuku Street: From Robin Street to [Kokako Street. Tui Street: From Robin Street to Kokako Street. Huia Street: From railway turnstile to Kokako Street (west side. Robin Street: From Tui Street to overhead bridge, Matarrota Road from Main Street. to Linnet Street. 7. That subject to the N.Z. Farmers’ Co-op'era:tiv,e .lDi:strib§uti;ng 30¢, Ltd‘.;, obtaining in Writing .’tTl'é consent of the [owners of the Tiki Brewery prop-erty, to the diverting of the st-orm water drainage across same, from the boundary of the Distributing Company’s land, "that the offer contained in the letter dated 12th July, from the N.Z.F. Coop. Distributing C-oxnpany, Ltd., be accepted. The; drain to be not less than I 15 inches ir_i_diam'eiter._ _ _ g _ I _'B. That s‘ubjectito_Mr"’ A._-Brorvn - ‘(contractor‘for'th~e ‘new saleyards), un—' i dertaking (pl) =that no explosive‘ shall be [used in the course _ of his open-atiions,‘ . (2) that ihe will ‘insure all his, men i working in the gravel pit against. any accident arising out‘of, or in the course of, that ernplo'ymen.t, and produce the necessary evidence of having done so. to the Town Clerk,‘_that he be permitted to remove 60 yardsof shingle from a position in the=pit -to be indicatedgby the Borough Foreman, on his agreeing top-ay 2/6 per yard royalty on ‘same, and such previous quantity re- ‘ moved by him. ‘ i heport of special meeting of the ;Works Committee held in the Town §Clerk’s office, on the 12th inst., at i Your Committee’ reports:— ‘ 1. Having met Messrs Salmond and i Coutts in connection with the proposed [dedication of a road through the lat.-' I ter’s property. 2. Your Committee recommends: ' That if Mr Coutts enters into an agree- ’ ment to keep the road b'et.we'en pegs 17 = and 19 free of slips, and Ina.intains..the batter to a proper grade, that the grade of the batter previously fixed by the Council (i.e., lin. to lin.) be reduced to Eiin. to lin. 3. That the portion of the road through through the cutting and round ' the bend of the deviation be 20ft wide. 1 The other portion of the road deviation to bé ion. wide on both sides of the [proposed park, and mctalled as near full width as possible, but not less than I 15 feet. -1. That a gully trap with suitable lgrating, be fixed by Mr Coutts at‘ a ‘point about half way down the devia!tion_to Goldfinch ‘Street (larte Birch I Road). Such gully trap to be connected ‘to a piped drain, to be laid to carry 1 water over cliff. Provision also to i be made for trapping and loading water to the water course at end of the read- ! way near Goldfinch Street. u 5. That Mr Coutts be asked to subI mit a specification and plan of drainage, full ‘dmtails of the method proposed to H be eniployed to dispose of surface water ion the east side of the deviation coninecting with water channel leading to 5 Mon. Street. I 6. That the offer of Mr R. W. Smith, i Esq., ;\I.P.. to supply ornamental shrubs and fencing wire to plant and ‘fence a portion of the road (U 1111803) fronting his property (OE Ellis Road) ‘subject to the Council supplying the !necessary posts and labour for carry- ' ing out the. work, be ‘accepted. t The report was adopted. ELECTR-IC LIGII-IT AND NVATER

COMMITTEE ’S REPORT. The Electric -Light and Water Committec’s report was read and adopted, as follows:Your Committee recommends: 1. Having instructed the Engineer to procure quotations for bare copper wire, also cable‘, and recommends that the Chairman and Town. Clerk be empowered to purchase the quantity required Your Committee reports: 2. Having held over consideration of the Engineer’s report of lllth inst. for consideration at a later meeting. 3. Have no recommendation to malic re bringing bed plate of motor up from Wanganui by motor lorry. 4. Have held over the Engincer’s report re pumps. pemiing replies to enquiries at present being made. .

5. Having authorised {he Electrical Engineer to proceed t'o Wanganui to inspect the generator whilst being packed, and arrange, if possible, for «the purchase and delivery of a ton of cement. V

FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The report of the Finance Committee was read as under, and ado—ptcd:——-

. Your Committee recommends: 1. That accounts and Vouchers amounting to £554 9/ be passed for paymelrt.

2. That 111‘ Swcdlund’s offer to take a lease of the Town Hall for another three years be. not accepted.

3. That. tenders be invited for “the lease «of the Town Hall for a period of three years, under conditions submitted herewith. Tenders ‘to close at 4 p.nl, on =the 4th September, 1919. 4'. That. the charge‘ of £2 5/9 for elcctric light used at the Peace Celebrations in the Town Hall be Writfen OE.

5. That the Taihape Vohmteen Fire Brigade be granfed la. rebate of 50 per cent. on the a.moun!tJcharg'cable for rent on the occasi6n of the‘ Brigade ball“, '6O beheld on September 4th, 1919.