ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1918, Page 3

ELTHAM.

. c BOROUGH COUNCIL. 'From Our o\vn Correspondent). Eltham, Murch 23. The Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. T. 15. Crump), and Crs. J. Ballantine, A. JJeesley, (t Carman, G. Parroit. T. C. StanlU'rs, '3. \V. Taylor, M. A. Whitet'ord. The Mayor welcomed Cr. Staiincr;; on 'us return to, the council table. Auckland City Council forwarded copy of a resolution relative to the retention of Samoa. —To be endorsed. The Minister of Finance appealed for the council's assistance in connection with tiie war loan —lt was decided to appeal to the people of Eltham and district to assist to the fullest extent of their ability. The poundkccpcr reported that during the month 77 head of stock (74 sheep) had been impounded, and fees received, after deducting expenses, amounted to £1 Ss 2d. —Received. G. J. Marriott," manager, reported that during' February 304,000 cubic feel, of gas had been sold, the total' amount used for all purposes being 435,01-2 feet, against 431,802 for the month of January. Coke sold S tons, used 11 tons.— Report adoptedTile town clerk (R. 11. Irwin) reported that ho had made- an examination of the gas works accounts for the seven rears ending last March. Uo 'had met with some difficulty in arriving at a cor-. rect and equitable basis for the formation of the different impersonal accounts, owing to the fact that receipts and expenditure had been debited and credited to revenue and capital and vice versa, end also that stocks were credited with various amounts that were properly capital charger., notably meters. These matters had now been adjusted. He suggested that at stock-taking an outside man or experience be appointed, in conjunction with the manager. He appreciated the assistance rendered bv Mr. Marriott, the Mayor, and Cr. Carman.— Report receivedC. Burke, overseer, reported tliat two building penpits had been granted and one water connectfon repaired. Clifford Road, near the railway station, required some extra work. He thought the railway department might bear some of the expense. Crude tar was unprocurable, and the local tar. which was fairly satisfactory, had also been all used. A start will be made to tar-seal the Mountain Road near the bridge. Conway Road culvert required attention, and he H'ousht concrete pipes would be an improvement. By grading the road and cutting down the next rise the road would be much improved He suggested the re-surfacing of the grade from the Boys' Home to Castle Street, and topdressing with tar next spring. Water valves required attention. Once the valves were in order it would obviate cutting oil' tbe towil's supply.—Report received, and recommendations made to bo carried out as far as possible. * C. Burke, borough inspector, drew at'tent'on to tbe dangerous practice grow- ' ing in the town of placing sheet iron advertising screens over tbe roadway ami attached to verandah posts. Five sets of sanitary plumbing had been Tile sanitation of the borough was fair, but there were several knotty problems to be cleared up—ReceivedConsent \va s given to transfer a billiard room license from E. Drake to H. A. Nuttall. On the'motion of the Mayor a resolution was carried expressing the heartfelt sympathy of the people of Eltliam with the many settlers and residents of the districts along the .Alain Trunk line affected by the recent cvelone and bush fires, li tliier losses iuu! snO'orin^. Regarding damage to Colliugwood Street throrgh heavy carting, Mr. Hills, contractor, is to be notified that he would be required to attend to anv damage caused by him. ( T- Hodgson, employee, was granted Is per day war bonus during the period of the war and for six months afterwards. Prices were fixed regarding the use of tiie Athenaeum Hall for drill purposes as leqiiired by the Defence Department. GENERAL. Committees arc working hard to have everything in readiness for the big push they intend holding next month. Meetings have been held in various part;-, of the district, and the promises secured indicate that Jiltham and district will not lag behind other Taranaki towns in the ollorts now being made to build up the various patriotic funds. At Rawhitiroa the preliminary' meeting was presided over by Mr, C. ,T. Belcher, and when a subscription list was opened in the room he showed practical sympathy by donating £lO, a lead that was followed by Messrs Rleakley and Dawes, whilst others subscribed until a total of about £7O was secured. Tom Wilkie and Tris Williams are amongst the latest soldiers to return. Wilkie was a. fine cricketer in pre-war days, and young Williams was an ardent footballer. Both bear souvenirs of the fray in the shape of injuries that necessitated their return, and their only apparent concern i 3 that they werejuot able to take part in the fuial struggle.