TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3388, 17 January 1920, Page 5

TAIHAPE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Coumii was held last night. PreSent: His Worship the Mayor (A. J. -Txblin, Esq.), Crs. Turnbull, Davies, Etevenearrr, Reid, and Timbs. Prevfous to the ordinary business being taken a special meeting was held at which Thursday afternoon was fixed as the Statutory half-holiday. 7..-raw of absence was granted to Crs. Foekcs and Cunninghame-. Auctioneers’ licenses, were granted to Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ward and 00., and N. Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. A letter was reaél from the Secretary of Labour re petition of fruiterers regarding closing hours. A letter was also received from the Minister of Justice re an extra eonstable.

A communication was read from Mr G, Bray, re notice to connect with sewer, ‘ asking that the same be withheld for the present, as his lease will expire in 1 July next. He stated that if success‘: ful in securing a new lease, he would? put up better buildings, which would‘ be fully connected up with the sewer. If these connections were now insisted upon he was doubtful if he would get adequate valuation for them. Cr. Timbg moved and Cr. Reid seconded, that the enforcement of connections be ‘held over until July Ist next.———Carried. The postmaster wrote stating that it was intended to put in underground cables, and asking that all available information be supplied regarding the proposed borough works and improvements to footpaths. Cr. Reid moved that all information be given to the department. Seconded by Cr. Timbs, and carried. A letter was received from the Department of Lands, re the annual meetings of the Domain Board,and reports of operations of the Board for the past: ‘year. It was decided that; the statutory -meeting of the Domain Board be held on February 20th. The Belmont’ Quarries, Ltd., wrote "submitting prices and samples of metal, which latter would cost 11/2.per cubic yard. _ Cr. "Reid remarked that the metal from our own quarries was very inferior to the sample submitted, but cost almost as much. The Mayor moved that the letter be referred to the Works Committee for a report to be submitted to the next meeting of the Council, This was seconded by ‘Cr. Timbs and carried. It was reported that an arrangement had been entered into with Mr Thos. Thompson for the removal of night soil within the borough limit, for which he is to receive £286 per annum. the Borough Council to collect the fees; from those people served by this system. The Council confil‘med the contract” and complimented the Town Clerk for the data‘ he had collected on the subject.

The Depart-mexvlt Qf /\g'l'lCll“l7!'€ wrote with regard to ‘UIO BXCIWUSO Of sections with the Departmerrtv for one required byflthe Borough Council for the purpose ‘of erecting wol'kers3Qhvel- - The Department, a.ftol- inspec-, fiififr decided the secfion proposed to be exchanged Was .alt:ogethcl' unsuitablr-. It‘ wag poimed out, hfifvevcr, that if

the Council would, in the case of one section, put the fences in order, carry out. drainage immediately, and undertake to reinovse the buildings, the matter would be further considered. The Town Clerk suggested it should be made perfectly clear to the Government that the application was not for the Borough -Council, but under the Workers’ Homes Act. The Mayor said he would be going to V\'ellington shortly, and would lay the matter fully before the Government. He moved that the matter be left over for further information. Cr. Reid Seconded, stressing the urgent need of something definite being done in the matter.———The motion was carried. Mr T. A. Williams, consulting engineer, Wrote on January 8, explaining certain matters in connection with the estimates for the work in connection with the loan proposals, in which he commented on the difference between his estimates and the tenders received. He explained that contractors had practically ceased tendering, and had gone in for work on a percentage basis. ,He also stated that he hoped to be in Taihape very shortly. ;» The Mayor referred to his letter in tthe “Taihape Times” of Thursday E last. He said he felt it was time the lratepayers should know the position {with regard to the work in connection , with the loan proposals, and he shouldi cred the responsibility for giving them ‘the information. Exception had been . taken to the figures being published belfore they were brought before the Council. He had asked the chairman of the Works Committee about the matter, who replied that he thought it advisable to hold over the figures until Mr Williams’ report was in. He (the Mayor) “'35 quit-e prepared to assume the responsibility for his action in the matter. *

The Council ‘then yvent into Committee to consider ficertain confidential documents in connection with the borough improvements, and on resum ing reported having satisfied itself up on the points under discussion. -

VVORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Works Commi‘t’tee’s report was ‘<n7mls*"-0!}, as .fOU'O-WS:- '

Your Committee I'eports:—l. Having received one tender for storm water sewers and one for concrete works, and » considered same too high, consequently instructed the Town Clerk to return the deposits and in conjunction with The foreman -of Works to prepare estilfmatcs for carrying out the Storm- , water sewers work by day labour. 2. :Recommend the following eondifions apply to employees in the roads and ‘streets Department. Such conditions \ and rates of pay to date from the 25th inst, but the above rate of wage to be paid to such men as are recommended by the Town Clerk and Foreman of Works. Uniform wages and hours reeommeneed: That after a period of ifwelive months any man employed in the usual works of the Borough, exleluding loan works, may apply for, and subjeet to the approval of the Council, be appointed to a position on .t-he permanent. staff of the roads and ‘streets depe.rtnlent, but shall -be subgjectfito appointment and dismissal by ‘the Town Clerk or other officer in ‘charge, provided, however, no man 4' should be engaged upon. or qualify for the permanent stafi who is over 45

years of age. ':1?§'1?-the wages of the permanent st.afl:', exclusive of the driver, be £3 18/ per week, for a uniform week of 47 hours, and that drivers be required to be on the job at the time the men are ready to start work. That the permanent staff receive full pay for all statutory holidays, and after ten years’ service fourteen days’ annual holiday on full pay. That for the purpose of determining sick pay, each case be considered on its merits by the Council. That the question of supplementing the amount of accident pay an employee was entitled to under the ‘various Workers’ Compensation Acts. be left to the discretion of the Counei-I and that each case be considered on its In'er'lts.r

Discussion ‘(J11-0131150 1 opened up the whole question of the works in connection with the town inlproVemen’r’S scheme. A

or. Davies said in the £17,000 loan schedules definite some were set aside for definite works. If owmgt to ‘incre-as-ed cost of zmaterial and labour "it was impossible to do with the money what was originally infiended, how were they going to make up the difl:‘erence‘l.?

The Mayor considered the most urgent work should be. done. The storm water dl'ainag“e must be gone on with. -

Cr. Davies asked ‘if they could clraw upon the balance of the fund to do the work. Could they do some of The works and leave others undone? He thought they should put it to the ratepayers to raise money to eomplete the works or do so as far as the money avafilable would go. They would then have an illclication as To what’ steps should -be adopted under the existing circumstances. He confessed he was much worried over the question. Cr. Timbs: We are all worried. We have been waiting‘ for a‘ lead as to what should be done. M a

The Mayor said the question raised by Cr. Davies -was a most fitting «one. It was in the 'in"tercsts‘of the town that they should proceed with the storm water drainage, and draw on the funds for what they were short. in this schedule. One n'*'ork should be completed at a. time. . Cr. Timbs said it was a question as to whether they“"shou]cl. consult the ratepayers now, or ,1 wait until they found the funds running‘ short. Cr. Davies stressed the importance of calling‘ a meeting of ratepayers and laying the position clearly before them. Cr, Turnbnll nag in favour of goiiiig on. with the stornrwater drainage. ’ The Mayor said the Council was committed to the purchase of pipes and the expenditure of £llOO. The Council should take the responsibility in regard to the storm water drainage. Cr. Reid considered the Council rS]loLli(] not go on with the work until Mr Williams personally explained the plans and -specifications. This gentlernan must. shoulder the responsibility, and not the Council oflicials. ’.l_'he ;\la.yor, after some further discussion, moved that the Council proceed with the drainage" and storm water by day‘]abour, as soon as the plans and specifications have been Ch(‘,C]\'(‘(i.--Tilis was carrier].

Cr. Davies sllgg'(est‘e‘fi ihe position be put to the ratepayors pretty soon. The Mayor agreed, stating that if Mr Williams did not come to Taihape soon they would go to him. Mr Williams would pl'ob_ably be here next Week, and he (fhc Mayor) would lose no ‘time in holding a. meeting.’

The report _was then adopted with the addition of the above resolution. A further report from The \Vol'ks Committee was read as follows: That the Manawatu Auctioneers’ Association we thanlmd for giving permission to divert the course of the stream passing tlfiougli section 11, block XIV, Taihape. That fenders be iuvitecl for the purchase of half the stack of hay at present standing in the oval domain, and the chairman‘ be empowered to act in the matter. That Mr Williams, the Consulting Engineer, be requested to visit Taihape ‘coconsuzlt with’ this Cominittee, re plans and specifications. Recommend that J. Smart and J. Anderson be appointed to the permanent stat]? of the roads and streets (lepartmenta Have left the nlat’rer of selling the grass Seed on the borough roads in the hands of the chairman, with power to act. It was decided that in the event of Mr ‘Williams not being able to come to Tziihape on or before .Talluary 25, the Mayor, Town Clerk, Borough l<‘oremam and Cr. Reid prom-e(l to Napier to interview him. The report was then adopted. l-JLECTRJZC LIGHT AND WATER COMMITTEES’ REPORT. The report of the fldleetrie Light and Water Committee was as follows:—— Your ’Com»m-i’rtee reports:—-'l.‘hat owing ‘FO the position of the water supply, have __instructed the Town Clerk not to do anything further in ‘regard to opening the public baths. Have inlstructed Mr Mahoney. acting-engineer ii“ ch3l'B'o Of the high-lift pump, to urimllge 1301' the pump to be visitfll between. 11 and 12 each night, and between G and? 7 o’eln~ek each mornillge t 0 fest the reservoir and pipe line fol’ lo&l<S,‘ as, for no appn.l*(*llt I'ea,.<<onl and despite the fact that the pump has run for 5] hours since the 22nd DeCCllll3(3l', and the reservoir has not been

turned-on to the town su_pi)ly the depth of Water in the reservoir is two feet less than it was on Bth December, and some two inches less than‘ it was on the 22nd inst. Have arranged for -the cleaning of the inlet to big -pump, and for the rcinstallation of the private telephone in the Town Clel~l.;’s office connecting with the power house. The power-house stafi‘ to notify the office as soon as possible after the high-lift pump comes off. Have also instruct» ed the engineer to have the lower dam and guide ‘cleaned out -as soon as the height. of Water in the reservoir reaches the 10f’6 markIt stated that the work of cleaning out the dam would be resumed on Sunday, after which there would be sufficient water to fill the baths. Cr, Turnbull drew attention to the trees and branches which had accumua lated in the dam; and Suggested that =1 barricade be erected to intercept these. ‘lt would go :1 long way to keep the * dam clean.

FINANCE COMMITTEE’«S REPORT. The Finance C-0-nlmitt.ee’s report was read as follows, and adopted:—- J That a penalty of 10 per cent be; added to, on all rates due and unpaid ~ after the 14th day of February, 1920, and that public notice of the Council’s intention in this direction be given, in accordance with the provision of section 28 of the Rating An'l.endm'ent Act, 1910. Further, that the Town Clerk be ‘ authorised to take proceedings against all persons whose rates, and the penalty thereon is unpaid on February 28th, 1920. That the sum of £lB6 18/9 subsidy due to the VVanga.nui Hospital -and Charitable Aid Board, be paid._ That consideration of a further I payment of £75 to Mr Williams be held over until after his visit t.o Taihape.‘ That a refund of £2 15/,p being half‘ rent and half piano ehrage, on the‘ 9th inst, be made to the Kiwi Concert i party of returned soldiers. That thel Maori Soldiers’ Memorial Committee? be allowed a rebate of 50 per cent on i amount of chargeable rent, for their‘ proposed social and dance (some time this month, in aid of the memorial funds. ' WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS. Cr. Reid said all the soldiers had now returned home. and it was up to the town to do ‘something in the way of an ofiicial welcome home. The Mayor said it was certainly time something was done to welcome the re-p turned soldiers, and he had not forgetten it, but the people of this town were forgetting it. He lia.dl:l.dvertised a public meeting in this connection for a fortnight, and nobody came. He would call a meeting‘ again shortly. This being all the bcusin'ess,'t-h.e Couneil adjourned at 11.5 pm. until "tlie 20th February. A C