TE AWAMUTU NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU NEWS

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING (Special to Timc.rj TE AWAMUTU, Tuesday. The Mayor, Mr G. Spin-ley, presided at the monthly meeting- or the Te Awamutu Borough Council last night. Also present were Messrs W. J. North. C. J. Spiers. A. C. Brookes, L. S. Armstrong-, J. Sierrett. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs J. C. Monteflore and J. A. Maxwell. The town clerk reported that Traffic OlTlcer F. Cook had prepared a plan for, the erection of the telephone box for the taxi stand. It was decided to confirm the plan. The Mayor reported that negotiations were proceeding' with the Anglican Church trustees for the acquisition or a smaii area adjoining the s'tock route from George Street to Arawata Street. It was decided to procure a set of traT tic “eyes” for the Market Street pedestrian crossing at a cost of fis fid each. It was reported that arrangements ha J been made to improve Selw.vn Park by lu\ elllng and discing the area. The construction or a concrete rootpath in Mangapiko Street Tor a distance or 30 chains was authorised. The engineer’s estimate was £S 10s a chain. Drainage Work In connection with the proposal to amalgamate the various drainage boards affecting the Mangapiko Stream, Mr Spiers thought that the proper procedure was for the boards to amalgamate and have a borough representative appointed to waten the council’s interests. The Mayor explained the proposal and said that from the point of view or the borough, clearing the stream for a couple oi miles would help the 'borough. He thought amalgamation was the fairest and most economical method of dealing with the problem. rt was decided to appoint the Mayor to represent the council at the conferences. _ 3took Route The borough solicitors forwarded a copy of a letter from the New Zealand Dairy Company, Ltd., asking the council to reconsider its decision not to grant the company a water easement in the process or constructing the new stock route. The Mayor considered that the company had given away nothing and wanted £3O an acre for a bit of swamp. Now the company wanted something Tor nothing, the council was not holding up the matter. The cFrk read correspondence on the matter, and Mr Spiers pointed out that the council’s decision was to advise the company that the present council could not commit a future council though the present council saw no objection to it. On the motion of Mr Brookes, the council confirmed, its previous decision. Footpath Policy When an applJcati\n by Mr 11. P. En•sor for a concreite path' In front or his property in Wallace Terrace was considered, Mr Spiers raised an objection to the policy adopted by the council. The case In point would cost £3O, or which the ratepayers as a whole would contribute £"2fi 14s. The path would he used by ■> pei- cent of the population. Another councillor pointed out that another path on Wallace Terrace cost £lou and was used for parking cars. The Mayor thought that people who were prepared to help themselves should be encouraged. Concrete paths should be encouraged, and the council was paying £3OO a year to spread sand about Mr North moved that the application be deferred lor three months. Mr Spiers seconded the motion. The Mayor thought that a definite answer should be given so that the applicant would know where he stood. other jobs would be done.

Mr Armstrong moved an amendment that the work be done at the discretion of the works commit »e in due course i> payment of the applicant's share or the cost be made. i.Mr Sterrlitt seconded t-;i amendment, which was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. The Mayor reported on the Inspection or properties in College Street wltlcn would be afTected by the proposal to give access to Goodfellow street from College Street. It was considered that the price asked by one or the owners was too high. Another owner had been approached, but his reply had not come to hand. it was resolved to leave the matter to the same committee with authority to make a certain offer to the first owner.

Fighter Fund The Mayor brought up the question or contributing to the fighter plane fund. The New Zealand Dairy Company had launched an appeal and this affected a large number of suppliers in the Te Awamu'tu district. rt was a fine gesture, but it rather cramped local efforts, as the same people would be asked twice. After some discussion it was decided to ask the Patriotic Committee to take charge of an appeal.