HAWERA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 November 1925, Page 4

HAWERA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

The monthly meeting of the Hawera Borough Council was held last evening, when "there wore present: The Mayor (Mr E. A. Pncevj* and Crs W. Page. W. C. Gilbert. H. N. Lester. E. Morrissey, J. M. Townsend, tl T . G. "Walklev. W. R. Butler and A. Reid._ The Taranaki Cricket Association wrote asking riermission to charge for admission to the sports ground on the occasion of the Taranaki v. Wanganui match.—The application was granted. The Hawera Amateur Swimming Club wrote thanking the council for its assistance during the past yeaT. A further letter ma'de apnlieation for nermission to hold a swimming carnival at tbe baths on the evening of December 16. —The application was granted on tbe usual conditions. Tbe Hawera Amateur Operatic _ Society wrote stating that it had decided to donate £SO to charity. Tt would he pleased if the council would nominate the direction in which the money should he spent. Councillors snoke warmly commending the society for the fine spirit it had displayed, and suggested that the monev should go to the Women’s National Reserve, which bodv was closely in tonoh with cases of distress that were never heard about outside. Tbe Mavor remarked that the society’s action sewed to emphasise bow worthy if, was of support bv the townspeople. Tt bad been very nleasing to see the large attendances at the recent opera season. aniV be honod that future efforts would he similarly patronised. COMMITTEE BUSINESS. The Works Committee recommended: That with regard to the dangerous corner at the Collins street-South road intersection the matter of erecting signs be left with the chairman and the inspector, with power to act; that the Hospital Board’s request that Mr J. Rowe be allowed to act for the board as foreman in connection with the work of connecting the drainage from the new hospital to the borough sewers be granted. The General Committee recommended : That application by Chas. Blake for refund of £25 16s Bd, proportion of license fee in respect of lorry recently destroyed, be granted; that George Roberts’ application for second-hand dealer’s license he granted; that L. Duggan’s explanation re wandering horse be accepted,, and that he be requested to padlock or otherwise secure gate; that the Health Committee be empowered to prepare and forward to Municipal Conference remit with regard to suggested additions to health regulations re milk; that Australian Ladies’ Pipe Band be granted permission to play at King Edward Park on Sunday afternoon next, also ,to take up a collection, but this to be done on grounds and not at entrance gates or at the cannon.

The committee also reported that Cr Morrissey, on behalf of Park and Reserves Committee, had visited park and found that shed next Macklam’s lake, if slightly altered and floored with cement, would he suitable for installation of gas meter to provide hot water for people visiting park, and that gas and water connections could he made direct 'from High street. The inspector was authorised to inspect and report as to all water troughs and taps on vacant sections, giving names of owners, state in which supplies found, whether ball cock and trough provided, and any other particulars which may assist the council when considering matter. That the P. and T. Department he notified that the council requires meters to be installed at the post office and postmaster’s residence, Hawera, on or before April I,' 1926, and that water will bo supplied through same at the usual charge of Is 3d per 1000 gallonSj The committee reports as above were adopted. OFFICERS’ REPORTS. The engineer (Mr J.. Sturrock) reported as follows: Patching of weak spots in streets and paths has been in progress and general maintenance preparatory to the annual bitumen work during summer. Half-inch metal has been collected from heap during any spells of sunshine in readiness for the tar macadam work of Albion street footpath. A small piece of water pipe has been altered at cemetery as desired* also a small piece of surface has been tarred at baths. A considerable amount of grass cutting lias been required. The usual maintenance work has been carried out.

The borough inspector (Mr L. Hunt) reported regarding building permits, issue of drivers’ licenses, inspection and licence of dangerous goods depots, and dog registrations. The sanitary inspector (Mr E. G. Coleman) reported as follows: During the month of October 55 premises were inspected and any necessary notices issued. Two plumbing and two drainage permits were issued, and three drains of a total length of 190 feet inspected and tested. A matter I would like to place before the council is one concerning Nolantown. I take it that the residents of Nolantown came into the borough for the purpose of getting better sanitary facilities as well as other considerations, and for this reason I would suggest that the council seriously consider the matter of providing a nightsoil service, and if possible a rubbish removal service in this area. There are approximately 122 dwellings and 10 other premises in the area, having 40 w.c.’s, of which _ four at the most drain through septic tanks, and the remainder into pits, 10 have straightout pit privies, and 74 have pans, the contents of which are buried on the section. It will probably he some appreciable time before the matter of drainage can be efficiently dealt with, arid with perhaps the exception of premises having efficient septic tanks (not more than four) the properly controlled nightsoil collection and disposal service is infinitely preferable from the sanitary point of view to the present methods of disposal. No cases of infectious disease were reported during the month.

The librarian (Miss M. Newland) reported as follows: I beg to report that 16 members left during the month and seven new ones joined, thus reducing the membership to 480; this number is an increase of 20 for October. 1924.' Thirty-six new hooks were bought. The extra shelving put up lately in reference room is proving a boon, and has eased the congestion considerably, but I can sec that a small room will lie necessary in the near future for students and others who want to read apart from the moving crowd of fiction hunters.

The borough ranger (Mr G. H. Blackwell) reported having impounded two horses during the month. In front of the Glover road saleyards on sale days there are several chains of cars both sides of the road for some hours, with barely enough room for two vehicles to pass. As it is the entrance for stock in and out of the yards, and being a particularly busy road, at times it is awkward and dangerous to both stockmen and drivers. The' reports were adopted, the matter of the disposal of nightsoil in Nolantown being left to the Health and Works Committees.