HAWERA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1928, Page 10

HAWERA CIVIC AFFAIRS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEET. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Hawera Borough Council was held last evening, the following being, present: The Mayor (Ml- E. A. Pacey) and Councillors! A. Reid, W. It. Butler, G-. J. Bay ley, J. M. Townsend, E. Morrissey, W. G. Simpson, R. H. Lecce, AV. G. Strange. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The borough engineer, in his monthly report, stated: New flank work in Princes Street lias been completed in metalling. Bitumen work will follow later. Cracks in paths over entire borough have been weeded, and dosed with weed killers. Sundried shingle has been collected m readiness for replacing 'badly cracked portions of paths. Repairs of paths ajt fence lines are in progress. The greater part of the town ishomld be completed this summer. Probably the work will be entirely completed next isommeir. Repairs ot‘ paths at back of kerbs should be completed over the whole borough within a few weeks. fire method adopted last year has given good results as a whole. A wire fence has been erected at camping site. A temporary bandstand has been built at the Park. Grass on flanks is being cut Nolantown. Repairs at AVnibi Beach are proceeding: Gratia at Channels. —We have a man engaged most of the , year, chipping gr.ass from edges of concrete channels to" prevent overgrowth, which closes up the channels. 1 have been interested iin the American flame burners for destroying weeds. On a large •scale these have been used, for destroying heavy growths near railways and have been really efficient. On a small scale they have" been adapted to other classes of work. From what I can gather, the small size would be quick and efficient in burning a groove three or four inches wide alongside the channels. Three application® are said to entirely destroy all seeds where applied. The price varies from £9 to £l6, according to size. I have written the New Zealand agents stating my requirements, and enquiring whether they are contain that the plant is entirely suitable for the purpose. As there is lust a small chance that the plant may be not quite so suitable asi we imagine, although I see no reason why it jshoiild not be successful, I am consulting the council before! placing an order. There is then the small chance of non-success, in which caise the loss would not he devastating, whereas, if successful, the cost would be paid by itself in a month or two and it would isave considerable sums of money every year after. It. iseemis to me that the risk_ is worth! taking, in view of the possible great benefits. T believe that, in addition to its use for street eahwnels, it miglit be found use full in several other departments. I have had many suggestions for improving our methods in this matter, few of them really practical 1 , and have bad in mind 1 myself a design for a small roller plough. It would be horse, drawn. I think, however, that the flamei method should be quite clearly in advance of other ideas.

BOROUGH INSPECTOR’S' REPORT. The borough inspector reported that six eases of scarlet fever were reported and received attention, and one case of puerperal fever. Fourteen plumbing jobs were inspected, and there drains of a total length of 154 feet were inspected and passed. Seventy-two premises were inspected, the utsual notices being sent-to owners or occupiers. Building permits to the vs,rue of £340 wero granted. During the month eight drivers’ licenses were issued, and there were two prosecutions, fines totalling £1 15s, GENERAL.

The King Edward Park Tennis Club wrote protesting against the pupils of the Hawera High School making use of the club courts. It was pointed out that pupils had the exclusive use of the two back courts, but they encroached on the club’s courts. Owing to the heavy membership and the extra play entailed through daylight paving, and the insufficient number of courts, the club was reluctantly’ compelled l to disallow pupils the use of same. The letter further stated that the headmaster had been advised of the position by the club, and ryt the present time it looked as if the club’s request was being ignored. The Town Clerk was instructed to writ© to the headmaster of the High Schoojl asking that terms of the original arrangement respecting the use of the Park courts be adhered to.

The borough ranger reported that two horses and one cow had been impounded during the month of November. Mr J. S, Murray wrote, enclosing plan of subdivision of 3 and 4 of section 23 in the town of Hawera, and asking, for permission to subdivide for residential purposes. The application, which was on behalf of Mr C. Goodson, was granted.

It was decided to grant the outlaid® staff the usual annual vacation, to take effect from December 22 to January 7.

! Tho statement of estimated and I actual expenditure 'for the- period endino- November 30 was shown, thus: liisti- ! muted -expenditure, £21,235; actual expenditmxs £10,445; balance £10,790.

BOROUGH FINANCE'S. The financial statement as at Novernber 30. 1928, was as under: — Account. Hr. Or £ s d £ s idi General 4093 7 6 Water ... • • • 3192 15 0 Cemetery ... 30 10 2 Hospital 1068 10 6 Special Rate — Original area 4701 4 0 Added area 167 4 7 Power Board ... 4 4 3 Deposits 10 0 0 £30 10 . 2 13,237 5 10 £13,206 15 8 District Fund. Or. as per Pass Book 4156 19 8 Amt. in hand 62 16 3 4210 15 11 10/S oheouets 38 6 6 Deposits Bank N.Z. (two of £3000) 6000 0 0 (Deposit P.O.S.R. (£3000 a-nd interest) 3025 6 3 £13,206 15 g