MANAIA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 December 1925, Page 4

MANAIA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK. TOWN BOARD MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Manaia Town Board was held last evening. There were present: Commissioners L. G. Nielson (chairman), H. Mead, J. Hickey, 8. H. Greaves, N. C. limes, and V. H. Hobday. An apology for absence was received from Or. J. A. G. Cosgrove.

WORK OF THE MONTH. The foreman (Mr. J L. Lett) reported that seven burnt-out bulbs had been replaced during the month. The school path had been completed. Two ball rubbers had been renewed in fire plugs.' Patching had been done on the sewer cuts in the main street. Work on the sewerage connections had been commended on November 13, since when 13 connections had been completed, with the exception of the filling in of three trenches, which had to be left open for three days. When this was done, the sewer services required in the business area of the town would be completed. The report was adopted. Appreciation was expressed concerning tho efficient services rendered, by the foreman whilst he had been engaged in' the sewerage connection work, and it was decided to grant him additional pay of 35s a day during the period. SEWERAGE CONNECTIONS. A letter dated November 21, received from Mr. J. Sturrock, consulting engineer to the board, stressed the necessity for the exercise of care to guard against the possibility of the proprietors of houses or shops connecting yard or roof water drains to the sewer connections. The letter pointed out that the Manaia sewerage scheme was designed .upon the ‘‘separate jp system,” -dealing only with proper, and that roof water and all surface and rain water must not be allowed into the servers or connections. The system mentioned permitted the use of smaller sewers and made a scheme possible for a small town as regards cost. The letter was received. " The sanitation of the hotels in the town was refererd to by Cr. Hobday, who moved that the Health Department be informed that the hotel proprietors had ignored the notices served respecting connection with the sewerage system, and that the department be asked to enforce - the regulations relating thereto. Cr. Innes seconded and the motion was carried. RATEPAYERS’ REQUESTS. An application received from Mr. A. Franklin* to have his premises connected with the sewerage system was approved and referred to the foreman to be dealt with in sequence. Mr. G. W. Barleyman made application for four water connections to sections on the Manaia Road —three on the northern side of his residence and one on the side nearest Manaia. At present he had only one connection to the residence. —It was decided to reply stating that as there was only one house on the property referred to the board could not arrange for any further connections. The clerk reported that a verbal application had -been received from Mr. L. Beelar for extraordinary watersupply! The clerk had explained to the applicant that the terms were £2 per annum for 32,000 gallons and Is 3d per thousand gallons in. excess of that amount. —The application was granted. EXHIBITION SUBSIDY. A letter dated November 12 was received from Mr. R.. S. Johnston (Weil- / lington), secretary of the associated provincial court of Wellington, Nelson, r Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay at the Dunedin exhibition, intimating that the court was then nearing completion, all parts of the provinces being represented, irrespective of whether they had contributed or not. To ensure the success of the court, however. it was necessary to raise an additional £ISOO, and the committee appealed to the board, as one of the non-contributing bodies, to. grant its . quota or a portion of it. As tlie boards’ quota was not indicated in the accompanying list showing the amounts requested of the various local bodies, no action was taken. WATER SUPPLY. Cr. Hobday referred to the complaints received concerning the discoloration and tainted flavour of the town water supply at intervals. He suggested that the settling tanks and the pipes should be poured more frequently. The foreman said the tank had been cleaned once recently, and Cr. Hobday replied that he did not wish to find fault in the matter with the foreman, who had been fully occupied with other duties. Cr. Innes agreed concerning the more frequent cleaning of the system and said he understood that trouble similar to that mentioned by the previous speaker had been experienced in Hawera

After further discussion the matter was referred to the foreman for action.

TOWN HALL PROPERTY. Referring- to the stage scenery in the Town Hall, Cr. Hobday drew attention to the damage caused to the side, screens. He intimated that the committee had taken action to have the screens repaired and he • considered that stricter control should be enforced in future to prevent recurrences of the damage. The action of the committee was confirmed and it was decided to instruct the caretaker to inspect the scenery after entertainments etc., in the hail, users of which would be held responsible for any damage. GENERAL. As the result of a discussion relating to the finances of the water and sewerage works, the clerk was instructed to communicate further with the State Advances Office with a. view to arranging for a further instalment on the original loan, it being intimated during the discussion, that should the application prove unsuccessful the possibility of sending a deputation to Wellington would he considered early- in tiie new year. The necessity for replacing the broken netting appended to the ceiling of the pavilion in the Domain and also general repair 'work and painting of the front of the building was stressed by Cr. Hobday.—Crs. Hickey and Mead agreed that the work indicated should be undertaken, and the matter was referred to the Domain. Committee for action.

Prior to the close of the meeting the chairman extended the season’s greetings to members of the board and expressed his appreciation of the manlier in which they had co-operated during the present term of office in the administration of the board’s affairs.