ELTHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 June 1931, Page 7

ELTHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING HELD. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. The monthly meeting of the Eltham Borough Council was held in the council chambers on Friday evening. Those present were:- The Mayor (Air I. J. Bridget-), Crs. Richards, Kemp, Ricketts, Coward, Whiting, Peebles, Trask, O. Hogan, and iPepperell and the town clerk (Mr A. J. McPherson). The overseer reported that widening of the tarred surface on Mountain Road, a distance of about five chains, was carried out. Tar patching was done on the tarred surface in York and Loudon Streets. Loose all Ip metal was *»pt. off 'Stunners Street and nso-J. 0:1 the footpaths in London. York and West Streets. A water table was dug f)r a distance of four chains m Gloatweith Street to wain ihi water from tlio bend. Wato.-tabling was being a one rnicnghout the uorougn. The forming of paths was be.ng done on Kegworr.h, Mills and King Edward Streets and Mountain Road.

Unemployment relief work was being done in various parts of the borough and the number to date on the books was 36, they being engaged cleaning the reserves, water-tabling and forming footpaths. The traffic inspector reported that one information for breaches of the motor regulations was laid. Drivers’ licenses issued numbered 161. Buildbig permits to the value of £SOO wore Issued. The places had been inspected and they complied with the by-laws. The sanitary inspector stated that three cases of diphtheria and one of scarlet fever were notified. Since February 8 thirteen eases of diphtheria had been reported. Ten wore in lower Castle Street. Since the last council meeting a number of swabs had been taken by Dr. Mecredy, and subsequently by the writer. The last case occurred on May 15. The disease seemed to have spent itself.

The caretaker recommended the following works: Attention of the grandstand at Tauniata. Park in the way of repairing woodwork and painting, painting outbuildings and renewing spouting, and the painting of gates and renewing of old gates. Soldiers’ Memorial Park:- To consider planting a barberry hedge on me west side of the olantation, and the qolanting of more gum or other trees to fill up vacant ground, about 1500 plans being necessary. Children 's park: About 601 bof ’awn grass seed will be required for sowing the new portion of this reserve. Other material c-equired will be wire or fencing around the boundary.

TKe reservesTcominittee recommended hat the caretakers report he amended L o provide for 2000 maeracarpa trees, •nstead of gum trees; that the barberry hedge suggested by the caretaker be .‘ontinued along IComvay 'Road Erontige from the borough cottage to the ailway reserve; that the purchase of naterial and grass seed had been referred to the chairman with power to ict; that the shifting of the cottage from the (Soldiers ’ Memorial Park to Taumata Park had been held Over till lext meeting; that repairs to gates in Taumata Park had been left in the 'lands of the chairman with power to act; that trees in the children’s park be removed; that the necessary fencing it the children’s park had been refer■cd to the chairman with power to act; hat. the matter of removal and repairs to the sexton’s shed at the cemetery bo referred to the chairman with powder to ict.

'The works committee recommended that the arrangements made with the lirectors of the E'ltham Dairy Co. for a uipply of water to Mountain Road fairy factory be approved; that in connection with the complaint from Mr C. R. Johnson regarding a reply be forwarded stating the council cannot undertake liability as he has his own ! egal redress; that the matter of bounlary roads had been further considered, but the council had no recommendations to make.

The town hall and pictures committee recommended that in view of all circumstances an application for reduction of hall hire by the tennis club could not be granted; that a benefit licture night had been granted the Red Cross Society in connection with unemployment relief; that representatives from Ivemball '.Theatres Ltd, waited on "he committee regarding leasing of the town hall and their representations were being considered.

FURTHER RATE REDUCTTONIS. The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the fuil list of estimates for the borough, stated that a further reduction in the rates for the year was being made, amounting to £544. As it was the third reduction in live years it was particularly satisfactory and would be appreciated by the ratepayers. The streets and roads were not being in any way neglected, and the works department was allocated approximately the same as on previous years, and the whole list of works suggested by the overseer was to be done this year. 'Some new work was on the estimate, but the main programme was top-dressing already tar-sealed roads and paths. The estimates were approved as submitted, but the exception of the subsidy to the brass band, was increased from £2O to £25.

With regard to the new scale of charges for the abattoirs the Mayor said that there would be an increase

in the killing fees under the new agreement, but the committee were not yet prepared to report as negotiations were proceeding between the council and Messrs J. C. 'Hutton and |Cb., Ltd. The abattoir manager (Mr -M. Bourke) reported that 175 head of stock had been slaughtered at the works during the month of May. The treasurer (Mr A. J. McPherson) reported that the sum of £1129 was received during the month and accounts amounting to £1067 were approved ajid ■ passed for payment. lOn the motion of the Mayor it was 1 decided to place on record the long and | .faithful service rendered to the/ borough by Mr John Gower, who un-1 til recently was a member of the road \ staff, but who, on account of ill health, 1 was forced to resign.