HAWERA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 December 1927, Page 7

HAWERA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. REVIEW OE ADMINISTRATION. The monthly meeting of the Hauer a, Borough Council was held last evening. .Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. A. Pacey), Crs. A. Reid, \Y. Butler, IV. G. IValkley, J. M. Townsend, E. Morrissey, and W. G. Strange. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. G. J. Bay ley. The Mayor extended a welcome to Cr. Townsend, who had just returned from a visit to the Old Country. Thanks were expressed to Cr. Simpson, who had tilled Cr. Townsend’s position of chairman of the Reserves' Committee. Mr. Pacey said it was pleasing to see Cr. Townsend back at the council table, and hoped that lie had completely recovered in health. Cr. Townsend briefly' replied expressing his pleasure at being back, and said he had quite recovered. ENGINEER’S REVIEW. The borough engineer (Mr. J. Sturroek) reported as follows concerning tne work of the month of November: The lake at the park Iras been cleaned. Different methods were tried, such as stirring up the silt in the hope' that it might drain off along with the water. It was, however, useless. The outlet to the pond is too sluggish, and most of the pond itself too far off from the outlet. It was found best to brush, the mud up into banks with cross ditches and let it drain, and theii barrow it away. Somewhat similar problems are met with in dealing with sewage sludge, which is usually dried out on percolation beds before it can be dealt with. The Tiiruturu Road kerbs, channels and bitumen path are completed. The usual trouble with depressions from cattle was met. Price data' is not complete, but cost is about right. A night valve has been fixed in Naumai Park. The work at the camping site is now completed, in so far as our part is concerned. A large amount of grass removal lias been in hand. Our programme i-s being held back a little through non-arrival of the season’s bitumen. It ought to be here shortly. The edges of Glover and' South Hoad, the repairs of backs of paths, the Tawhiti Road railway crossing repair, and some other matters will be commenced when the bitumen arrives. Connecting up of the Caplen Estate roads, paths, sewers and water pines is about to commence. The sewer connection to the South Road end will be held up jjending instructions later. A considerable amount of removal of grass from fence lines has been done this year. It lias helped the appear- } ance of the town. The drays are being painted, also the flushing tank. This tank was jocularly- called the “white i elephant.” It has, however, greatly- ( reduced the constant troubles we used to have from sewer blockages, to saynothing of the less unhealthy condi- 1 tions of the sewers, due to their Ireiiig C flused clean. It must have more than paid for itself. The season’s bitumen work will commence after New Year’s Day. The results of years are interesting in that 1 they tend to show that, so far as our j' borough is concerned, tar—or bitumen •*' macadam—is cheapest in the end. The () bitumen carpet certainly lasts longer * on the better formed roads. It may 11 be due to- that where stone- is mixed 5 with hot bitumen it does not move 1 about beneath the surface when heavy J 1 vehicles pass over. In ordinary macadam roads surface painted the stoneprobably moves- and the carpet suffers, 'j. It takes years to prove such matters, ■ hut records are tending to show that in this town the carpet lasts about six F years on South Road and about three years on an average in the differently " constructed roads. In either case the a results from bitumen are much better It than those from tars. v

In a later report the engineer stated that the cost of kerbs, channels and path at Turiituiu Road, which had been estimated at £270, had been £250. The cleaning of the lake at the park had- cost £l2 5s 9d.

Reporting concerning a blockage in the How of storm water through the chain in Rowe Street. Mr. Star rock said that he had had the drain opened in one or two places, and found it to he quite clean. It was probable that the blockage had occurred at the sumps. Men had' been sent out as usual to clear away chokages, but the circuit of the borough took a considerable time. Mr. Sturrock also reported concerning a leak in the road opposite the Hi eh Street gates of the park. He stated that the road had again been opened up, hut the leakage could not be traced at present. It would be ne essary to wait until February, when the ground would be dry. before any further investigations could he made. (1 EX ERA L R EPC >RT,S. The sanitary inspector (Mr. E. (1. Coleman) reported as follows: During the month of November three plumlH •tig permits were issued. Four drains of a total length of 380 feet were inspected and tested, and one plumbing job was inspected. During the month 184 premises wore inspected, and included in this total were two butchers’ and four fruiterers’ shops, two bakehouses. six eating-houses, two dairies, one seller of ice cream, and two food auction marts. Eight samples of milk and one of ice cream were taken for analysis. One case of scarlet fever, was notified. The librarian (Miss M. F. New la nd) reported that seven new members had joined during the month and I*2 had left. The number of 527 remaining ivas 47 more than that of November, 1926. Fifty-seven new books were bought. y It was reported that the special committee set up to consider the construction of the motor camp had met representatives of the Automobile Association. and had decided that the £1U() remaining be applied to the proi i s ion of lava tory accommodation, shed, soak pit, water and gas. It had also been decided to make a charge of 2s 6d per car, and that one of the park employees be appointed to collect fees and keep the camp site clean. The works committee made the following recommendations: That with regard to the benzine service station being erected at the corner of Princes and Riddiford Streets, Messrs Duff ill and (Jibson be informed that a 12it. crossing in each street will be accepted < during the pleasure of the council, hut , if any part of footpath is damaged cost of repairs must he paid, and also cost ul such extension of permanent crossings as the council may hereafter ' from time to time require; that, seeing J there are already three bowser pumps 1 for the Princes Street premises of the Farmers’ Co-op. Society, the commit- 1 tee does not recommend that any fur- 1 ther bowsers he installed there; that , J. Moloney’s request for removal of extraordinary water service from va- * cant section to that on which his j. house is situated be granted on usual terms, but if water is to be laid on to , house, the usual conditions as to night v supplies must be complied with. (

The special committee consisting of Crs. Morrissey, Reid and Walkley, appointed to propose remits for the municipal conference, recommended that the folloYving matters be submitted, not as remits, but for consideration and handling by the executive: That coun--1 oils should be empoYY-ered to erect shops or offices in conjunction Yvith buildings authorised under the Act, subject to the approval of some speoit tied authority; that the road patrol system lie instituted by the Government for the prevention of accidents by more efficient control; that in view 1 of the fact -that a determined effort is C being made to alter the existing system of hospital contribution by oeal bodies, Yvhich Yvould detrimentally , affect municipalities, any neeessary [ steps be taken by the executive to prevent any alteration of the existing ’ legislation. | FINANCE. ’ The statement of balances as at November 30 yvhs submitted as folluyvs :

In the course of a report concerning the proposed . investment of inter,m -surplus, the town clerk (Mr H. S. Elliott) stated:—‘‘J lmvei made inquiries and tiud_that bank interest on fixed deposits 7s as follows: three months. 3* per cent. ; six months, 4 par cent.; one year 41 per cent. ; and two years, d per cent. The Post Of-ii-ce Savings Bank pays (for each complete calendar month) at the irate of 4 per cent., up to £SOO, and thereafter Hi per cent, on a total n«£» exceeding £SOOO. The credit balance in the District Fund on November 30 (al'owiug for cash in hand and outstanding cheques) was £11,534, which, after allowing for amount payable to Power Board (£370) leaves £11,218. On November 30 last year, the balance was only £4280. J.oaiu interest, etc., payable- this month, and in January totals £2754. and in February £B9O, or a total for balance of financial year of £3650. I would suggest that aw no further interest is payable until June 20, say £3OOO he placed on fixed deposit for six months at 4 per cent., and say £3OOO be deposited Yvith P-O. Sav-tings Bank, so that if part was required it would be* available, and %et any- portion which remained in .account for not le-siw than one calendar month Yvould be sure to earn interest as against loss of all -interest in the ca-e of a broken fixed deposit. •On the recommendation of the general committee, the- suggestions Yvere agreed to. WATER FOR TAWHITI SCHOOL. Messrs J. B. Laurenson and W. McDonald, representing the Tawhiti School Committee, waited on the Council'. in reference to the Yvater supply to the school. Mr Laurenson stated that the school had been connected Yvith the town supply, but when the NolantoYvn area, yvuw connected on the night supply system it was feared that lack of pressure Yvould be suffered and l trouble would be experienced rvith the- drainage system.

The- Mayor assnumd the dr’putatioi that the, matter would receive atten I km.

After the deputation had withdrawn, the Mayor expressed himself in favour of the matter being referred to the works committee. Cr. Morrissey said he believed that it would be advisable for the present system to lie continued. He moved that the present system be continued during the pleasure of the council. Cr. Townsend seconded.

Crs. Reid and Simpson maintained that the matter should be' referred to the engineer.

Cr. Strange .suggested that the motion be amended to read that the engineer be reconi mended to leave the system as at present. Cr. Reid moved us an amendment that tlm matter be referred to the engineer.

Cr. Simpson seconded. The amendment was defeated. th,e Mu yor, Crs Reid and Simpson only beino in "favour. The mot ion was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The secretary of the Women's National Reserve (Miss A. Ballantine) wrote asking the council to assist in rvccptrig in order the soldiers’ graves •tt the Hawera cemetery. The number of graves had increased and the membership being small they found difficulty in keeping the graves in good order.

The Mayor stated that some years aco the Reserve had made application to tlit) council for permission to look after the graves, but had apparently ton nd the tn.sk too great. On the motion of Cr. Wallcley, seconded bv Cr. Townsend, it was decided to revert to the original arrangement. On the recommendation of the general committee, Mr R. Flintoff was appointed abottoir manager a)n<l head sla ’ighterman in place of Mr Una, who ha‘u resigned. A request of Mr F. C. Bone for isupply of water outside the borough area war refused. It was decided to reply that the council could not accede to

the request, as it had been compelled to discontinue the grant of further supplies outside the borough. It was decided to advertise for letting available sections in sub-division 37 on the same conditions as previously. Writing on behalf o the butchers of Hawera, Mr W. G. Simpson requested mat the council assume responsibility or trimming and keeping in good order the hedges and fences at the abattoir, for which the butchers had contributed over £IOO. —On the recommendation of the general committee, the request was acceded toThe South Taranaki Cricket Association was granted permission to charge admission at the King Eilvard Park cricket ground on the dak? of the Auckland v. Taranaki cricket match. Permission was given to the Hawera High School Board to erect- a sti'e to the Park tennis- courts, work to be done under the supervision of tli? (mstod ia n of the park. At the conclusion of the General business, the (Mayor intimated that Cr. Walklev wished to bring a matter before the council in committee, and the Press representatives were requested to retire.

Account Dr. Cr. General 4360 2 4 Water 2315 10 10 Cemetery 8 2 8 11 Hospital 9Uu 10 0 Special Rate Original Area 3548 15 4 Special Rate Added Area .. 69 2 3 Power Board rate (Borough col lection charge £29 2 3d 405 1 11 Deposits 6 0 0 £4000 Loan ... 811 6 5 92 9 11 12488 1 7 82 8 11 12405 12 8 BANK OF. NEW ZEALAND. District Fund. Credit 11744 2 7 Cheques outstanding 149 10 4 £4090 Loan Cr. as per Pass Book ... 8116 5 £12405 12 8 'the Town Clerk submitted a statemailt of estimated •and actual expend iture as at November 30 as follows : — Accounts EsfciExpend- BatEtc. mate ed. ance. Public Works 8309 Vv*I • 4584 3785 Office .■ 1140 730 410 Printing, etc 250 172 78 Baths 255 142 113 Abattoir 1433 970 463 K. E. Park 950 819 131 Legal 200 — 200 1C serves 355 267 88 Library 850 489 361 burns Street Loan Instalments 13 7 6 Miscellaneous 1515 1014 501 Contingencies 3577 560 3017

18907 9751 9153 Water 899 (533 260 Cemetery 272 197 75 20078 10584 9494