TAIHAPE BOROUGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 42, 20 February 1939, Page 10

TAIHAPE BOROUGH

COUNCIL MEETING HOUSE ERECTION OF REST ROOM | LOAN FOR ROADS AND STREETS. (Own Correspondent'. TAIHAPE, Feb. 18. The Taihape Borough Council met on Friday evening when the Mayor, Mr. L. B. de Lautour, occupied the chair. Also present were Crs. E. Loader, A. M. Ryan, P. Kearirts, H. Bowater. F. Robinson arid C. A. McLaren. The town clerk (Mr. W. G. Holloway), the electrical engineer (Mr. W. J. Dellow), the borough foreman (Mr. J. M. Scott) and the caretaker (Mr. E. A. Abbott were also in attendance. A letter was received from the Government inspector of Scenic Reserves advising that the Main Highways Board had decided to contribute £lOO towards the cost of fencing the main highway frontage of section 62 (Main North Road). The board desired the fence to be placed on the outer edge of the road formation so as to best meet the requirements of traffic safety, while at the same time adequately dealing with the stock nuisance. The Mayor remarked that the donation would be most welcome and would go a long way towards the cost of the fencing. On the motion of Cr. Loader, it was decided to write to the Main Highways Board thanking it for the donation. The Rangitikei A. and P. Association wrote thanking the council for permission to erect poles on the Domain for broadcasting purposes on show day. The association also explained that the deputation appointed to wait on the council in connection with the matter had made a mistake in the date of the meeting, and this accounted for their non-appearance. Rest Room. The Taihape branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union wrote asking for information in regard to the erection of a Rest Room at Taihape and<pointing out that the sum of 1900 had been raised by public subscription, to which had to be added the council's contribution of 1450 representing the proceeds of the sale of a section so that the sum of £1350 was in hand, and the W.D.F.U. thought that something should be done towards erecting the building, especially as three years had elapsed since the money was raised. The W.D.F.U. wanted to know when the erection of the building would be proceeded with. The Mayor explained that it was proposed to put forward a scheme to the Central Committee regarding the application of a subsidy on the Rest Room as a centennial memorial. A committee had been formed and it was proposed to make an effort in 1940 to raise the balance of the moneyrequired to build the Rest Room. If however, a subsidy could be obtained on the building this wold solve the committee’s difficulties. The original cost of the building was estimated at £l2OO, but building costs had risen to such an extent that it would now cost at least £l5OO to erect the type of building required. The job had to be done properly or left alone and he thought that it would be a pity to spoil the Rest Room for a “ha'worth of tar.” Cr. Ryan: These people must cut their suit according to their cloth. The public gave £9OO and the sale of the section amounted to £450 making a total of £1350, and the best thing to do is to erect a building costing this sum. You cannot expect to put up a £l5OO building for £l2OO. The Mayor: If we have a prospect of getting another £3OO by way ot subsidy or other means, we should try and get it. I think that it would be a pity to spoil the building for lack of finance now that we are so near our objective. A meeting would be convened shortly to discuss the matter. Cr. Robinson moved that the W.D.F.U. be advised that the Mayor was calling a meeting at an early date to consider the matter. The motion was carried. Baseball

The Taihape Baseball Association wrote asking for permission to use the Domain on Thursdays. A councillor moved that the application be granted provided that the baseball players use the area stipulated by the borough caretaker. Cr. Ryan: All sports bodies should be given a fair deal and no particular body should be given preference over the other. The Mayor: I agree with Cr. Ryan. We should treat them all alike.—The request of the Baseball Association was granted. Cattle in Reserves. A letter was received from an officer of the Department of Lands and ■Survey advising that no cattle were to be allowed to graze in the scenic reserve. Cr. Ryan: I have pointed out previously that cattle destroy the bush. I will move that no cattle be allowed to graze in any reserve under the control of the Borough Council.—The motion was carried. Waimarino Licensing District. A letter was received from the Under-Secretary to the Department of Justice advising that the Taihape Borough Council was appointed the controlling local authority for the Waimarino Licensing District which included Taihape which was the only town with licences in the district. Cricket Association’s Request. The Taihape Cricket Association wrote asking for permission to take cars in the main gate on days that matches were played so that supporters of the game could park their vehicles under the trees and watch the matches in comfort. Cr. Loader moved that permission be granted provided that the cars were parked under the trees, and not left in other parts of the Domain. — The motion was carried, members remarking that it was unlikely that motorists would park anywhere but under the trees. Proposed Loan for Roads and Streets. The matter of making application

to the local Government Loans Board for authority to borrow £4OOO for the purpose of laying down in bitumen Kuku, Hula, Tui and Kokako Streets, was held over till the next meeting. The Mayor said he was not in favour of the loan and explained that there was every probability of the rates being raised. The streets were that bad that they required bituminising at the present time, though he thought that later on the council would have to consider the matter. The finances of the borough were in a bad state at present and the utmost caution had to be exercised. With the prospect of an increase in the general rate the time was certainly not opportune for raising a loan for tar sealing the streets. Cr. Loader: I can put up a good' argument at the next 'meeting in favour of raising the loan, but as we have not a full attendance here tonight I think that the matter should be held over. The Mayor: And I can put up a good argument why we should not raise a loan. The discussion then lapsed.