MANAIA TOWN BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 November 1926, Page 3

MANAIA TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Monthly meeting of the Manaia Town Board was held last evening. Present: Commissioners N. C. Innis (chairman), H. Mead, E. J. Massey, J. Hickey, H. Holmes, and J. A. G. Cosgrove. An apology was received from Or. V. H. Hobday. Prior to the commencement of business, a vote of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr. E. H. Lowe was passed. In proposing the motion, the chairman referred to Mr. Lowe’s faithful service during his long period as an employee of the board. The motion was carried in silence. WORN OF THE MONTH. The foreman, Mr. J. D. Borrie, reported that during the month there had been several heavy downpours of rain, which had played havoc with metal, especially on Riangauri Street, ft would be a good idea to put the grader over the streets to cut the turf off the edge of the metal, and so let the water, off easier. Some of them really required scarifying and re-form-ing, the v wheel tracks all being well worn out. The maintenance metal was becoming scarce, it having taken a fair amount to repair the roads after the rain. During the month three lamps had been replaced, and in this connection the foreman recommended that Mr. Rees inspect the connections and make any adjustments that were needed, as some of them seemed faulty. The settling tanks had been cleaned out during the month, having been in a bad state.

The report was adopted. It was decided that the Works Committee and the foreman should make a tour of inspection of the streets and discuss the advisability of obtaining from the county council the loan of a scarifier and roller. SUBSIDY TO LIBRARY. The secretary of the Waimate Plains Public Library Committee, Air. J. H. Forrester, made application for - the board’s usual grant to the library funds. The clerk remarked that a copy of the' oalance-sheet had not been forwarded.

“Then they will get no subsidy yet,” remarked Or. Hickey. “Personally I think we should hold a special meeting to consider'the subsidies. We pay out. three subsidies, to the library, the fire brigade, and the band.” He went on to say that the band received £35 last year, the fire brigade £25, arid the library £2O. Alter further discussion it was decided to allow the matter to stand over until an audited copy of the bal-ance-sheet was received.

SEWERAGE LOAN. Ti.e Minister or Agriculture (the Hon. 0. .J. Hawken) forwarded a cop., of a letter irom the Public Trustee in connection with the board’s application for a loan of £'oGGO to complete the sewerage scheme, and in doing so regretted tnat it was not of a more favourable nature, lie suggested that the board make application to the Government Life Insurance Commissioner, and promised to write to that officer. The Public Trustee’s letter stated that the application had received the careful consideration of the Investment Board, but it was regretted that the desired assistance could not be granted.

It wss decided to adopt the Alinister’s suggestion and to advise the latter accordingly. ALLOCATION OF HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES. Referring to the allocation of heavy traffic fees, the chairman said that last year the hoard received about £ls from the lees collected in Taranaki. Sime then a different scheme had been (suggested, which was likely to produce a less sum for the board. At the recent conference he had placed the position of the board before the delegates or the borough councils and town hoards. During the conference Air. Skoglund had submitted a scheme whereby borough councils and town boards were divided into groups consisting of county areas, it being left to the constituent parts of these groups to arrange for division of tlie funds. He suggested that members of the board express their opinions of this system, in order that the executive of the association could be advised of the board’s attitude.

Gn the motion of Or. Massey, how ever, it was decided to hold the matter over until the next meeting. IMPOUNDING WANDERING STOCK. The chairman said that the present system of impounding wandering stock did not appear to be satisfactory. The poundkeeper and the ranger did not seem to work together, and consequently very few stock was impounded. He suggested that the works committee should deal with the matter of having the notice at the pound repainted and the pound put in repair. It was decided to insist upon the keeper producing his book at each monthly meeting. GENERAL. A copy of the balance-sheet of the Manaia Brass Band, showing a credit balance of £ll 19s 7d was received. A copy of the circular issued by the Department of Internal Affairs with regard to observance of Armistice Day. was received. The treasurer reported receipts during the month, amounting to £9S 11s 7d, and accounts totalling £lO7 Is 6d were passed for payment.