PATEA BOROUGH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 April 1929, Page 6

PATEA BOROUGH.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Patea Rorough Council was iielcL last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr P. S. Finlayson), and Councillors F. Ramsbottom, .I'. Scott, G. Pettigrew, C. JUoneyfield, and A. T. Christensen. The streets overseer reported that the following streets bad been trimmed j and water-tabled: Bedford, Cambridge, Lincoln, Richmond and Middlesex at I the northern ends. The stock route in j Stafford Street had been clayed and | trimmed to prevent some of the trouble from loose sand. Tno electrical engineer (Mr D. Fraser) reported : The hydro plant ran 446 hours generating 11,290 units. The head of water is still, very low, even * though the rain was considerably more I than last month. This plant could not 1 take the load for one day without the I assistance of the Diesel. On March 29, i while this plant was running unattended ,a large eel got through the grating at the intake and finished its career in the turbine. The weight of the eel immediately put the rotor out of balance, with the result that the speed of the turbine and the pressure on the lines was greatly reduced until the load was changed over to the Diesel. The eel was removed and after an inspection it was found that no damage had been done. The armoured cable which is to connect the high tension line from the top of the tunnel to the first pole has- come to hand, and will be connected during the month. FIRE BRIGADE. Tlie Diesel’s running hours were 323 and the units generated 14,582, making tile month’s total for both plants 25,852 units. Although this engine is 1 giving every satisfaction, it is advis- I able to order a piston to hold as a j spare. 1 Alrising out of the recent ] conference between the council and the . fire brigade, the secretary of the brigade wrote submitting that the council take over the cars and maintenance of all fire plugs; that a new hydrant be purchased at a cost of £7 iLUs, the brigade to supply in exchange a quantity of second quality hose and an early pattern hydrant; that the coun-; oil consider the installation of an elec- ' trie siren at a cost of £lB, the installation of an appliance for the washing and scrubbing of hose at a cost of £4, and the purchasing of five more helmets at £2 10s; that a verandah be built over the back clcor of the station at a cost of £7 7s; that the brigade’s district extend from the borough boundary on the north to include the whole borough, Portland Quay and to the corner of Wilson Road oil the Main South Road, and that the council consider the question of insurance. The brigade noted with pleasure that the council had made a recommendation to the incoming council to wipe off the debit in the general account and the increase in the annual grant to the brigade to £25. The fire brigade’s letter was referred to. the incoming council with a strong recommendation in favour of the brigade’s requests. GENERAL. The Main. Highways Board advised that tliey would be in Patea on Saturday, --April la.—lt w T as resolved tnat members of the council meet the board and discuss roacling matters. The borough solicitor advised that the purchase of the council s property in Egmont Street by Mr A. Holden had been completed. The Wanganui City Council advised that Patea’s share of the heavy traffic license fees for the year ended March 31 amounted to T2B 19s lid, being an increase of £3. on the previous year. Mr Salt, bridge contractor, waited on the council in connection with the reconditioning of 'the watei; tower. He .stated that the concrete-coated rods .stabilising the tower against wind pressure were badly pitted by the action of salt spray. He submitted samples of Iho concrete chipped, from a rod clearly showing that corrosion had taken place. Mr Salt submitted an estimate for .overhauling and re-conditioning the structure (£135). It was decided to accept the quotation, the work to be put in hand at once. Permission is to be asked from the county council for its- engineer to act in an advisory capacity. The honorarium qf the Mayor was I fixed at the same amount as last year, £4O.