ELTHAM CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 June 1928, Page 6

ELTHAM CIVIC AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. I. J Bridger) presided over the monthly meeting of the Elthain Borough Connoil last evening, when there were present: Councillors E. H. Thomas, J. O’Hagan, G. W. Tayler, G. W, Peebles, A. C. Ricketts, A. C. Sorenson, L. Nairn, A. Kemp and R. L. Garden. THE AVAILABILITY RATE. Mr. W. J. Tristram, secretary oi the Taranaki Electric Power . Board, wrote advising that the council’s request to set "off the street lighting current charge, against the availability rate had received: the consideration oi the hoard, which has no power to grant the request. The letter also advised that at next meeting the- imposition of the 10 per cent penalty would Ire dealt with. — Received. RAILWAY CROSSING SIGNS. Mr. T. M. Ball, district representative on No. 7 District Highways Council, wrote advising that the Main Highways Board had noticed that many of the railway crossing signs are placed in positions that were deceiving to traffic, using the main highways, as in many cases the signs refer to side-roads. This matter had been brought under the notice of several county councils, and in some cases the notices had been olaced in better positions. The council was requested' to instruct the overseer to look over the length of highway under control and. if necessary, place the signs to better advantage. The signs for main highway level crossings were to he placed on the left hand side of the road, and at least 300 feet back from the crossing, and- not- more than 15 feet from the centre line of the road, and in any case should- stand out- boldly, well clear of the line of telegraph and electric light poles; they should also he repainted if necessary. The cost of removal of signs, if necessary, was to be subsidised at 30s in the £ as maintenance. The council was asked to carry out any necessary work in this direction as promptlv as possible. The Mayor said he understood the ;Automobile Association was attending to this matter.—The letter was received. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 1 Responsible heads of departments reported ns follows: Borough Overseer. —Roads: Conway Road from Railway Street to North Street was scarified, metalled and rolled. Patching work was done on the' metalled portion of Clifford 1 Road west. Cutting hack the bluff on Mountain Road north is being attended to. The spoil is being used l to- I widen , the filling nearby. Footpaths-. Two chains of path were formed oh

the western side of Derby Street and the eastern side cleaned. Grading with clay and sanding iias been done on Railway Street, 15 chains, Conway Road, 8 chains; King Edward Street, 6 chains; and High Street south, 9 chains.., CoLlipgwood Street eastern side), Hath Street (eastern side), and Meuli. Street (both sides) were cleaned'ready, for clay: building'. General: Relief work has been undertaken on the Mountain Road north, and a, number of men are employed two days a week. All the usual routine. duties have been attended to. Public Health. —The inspector, reported one case of scarlet fever. The borough has been singularly free from infection at a time when scarlet fever has been prevalent.in the district. Sanitary Inspections. Habitations inspected, 10; requisitions served, 2; food sellers’ premises inspected, 7; plumbing and drainage inspected, 1. Sanitation.—Sewerage- connection in Eltham Road is no: further ahead. So tar only one dwelling has been connected.. Railway Cottages.—Trouble is being experienced at two of the cottages in regard to. drainage. At present the soak-holes are choked. This would seem a good time to raise the question of sewering these properties. The inspector- stated that not a great deal had been done in regard to me inspection of buildings. Since the Hawera county and Waimate West district had been embodied in bis: area he found it difficult- to devote much time to this worn, and suggested it be assumed by the borough inspector, who could reier back to him any dihiculty encountered. The borough inspector reported: The usual inspection of the borough was carried out and found satisfactory. The loadnieter had been in use for a week and thirty-five unladen lorries were weighed. Eleven head of stock were impounded and released, and five notices were served to- remove hedge clippings from the roadside. Abattoirs.: —The manager reported that the following stock had been slaughtered : One bullock, 114 cows, 5 heifers, 271 sheep, 6 lambs, 44 pigs. One cow, one sheep, and one pig were condemned. The reserves, caretaker (Mr. P. G. Willeoek) reported preparation of the Soldiers’ Memorial Park for tree planting 1000 pinus insights trees came to hand during the past week, of which number 850 had been planted. Disposal of the balance was left in the hands of the chairman, FINANCIAL MATTERS. The sunf.of £1392,,16s lid was received during the month, the principal sources of revenue being: Rates . £l2O 4s 5d,, gasworks £269 Is 4d, town hall £212 4s 6d, main highways grants £638 10s 6d, workers’ dwellings £SO 16s 6d. Of -the total amount £1389 5s 5d was banked to credit of the district fund.. Expenditure totalled £624, the main items of which were on general account £247 10s Bd, _g as works £177 14s, i and. town hail £l6B ,1s _lod. , I Credit' bank 'balances on? various ae-j

counts' were reported by . the treasurer as follows: District fund £IB3O 15s • lid. domain £3 4s lOd, cemetery £2B ;0s 9d;, sewerage loan £37 Is 7d; on : fixed deposit £IOOO. Accounts amounting to i£loo7 18s 9d were passed for payment. GASWORKS. - A comparative statement of receipts and expenditure over the periods April 1 to A lay 31, 1926,- 1927, and 1928 showed : —Receipts: (1926) £619 16s, (1927) £535 2s lid, (1928) £551 15s sd. Expenditure: (1926) £665 2s 4d, (1927) £484 15s Bd, (1928) £287 10s lid. GENERAL.

On the reoommenadtion of the works committee it was resolved that the council, ; subsidise a grant from Poppy Day funds to the extent of £lO for the purpose of providing work for unemployed returned soldiers on the children’s park. The works'" committee recommended that no immediate action be taken in the matter of enforcing property owners in Bridge Street West to connect with the sewerage system. Oh the recommendation of the works ! committee the overseer was given auth- | ority to purchase bitumen requirements for ..the current year through the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association. Cr. Kemp paid, a high compliment to the Mayor and town clerk for the part they, had played in connection with the complete arrangements made for the reception and entertainment of the’ vice-regal party on the occasion of the recent visit to Eltliam. Cr. Ricketts drew . attention to the Jack of facilities to adequately deal with a crush of people at the doors of the town hall, such as had occurred on the second night of the competitions iestival. It was decided that the town hall committee consider remodelling the hall entrances, which had been designed at a time when attendances were not as large as at present. It was resolved that the programme of expenditure on relief work at the children’s park in Stanners Street be left to the reserves committee and the chairman of the works committee. An announcement was made by the Mayor that the borough inspector would shortly submit a draft plan for the better parking of cars on the main thoroughfares.