ELTHAM BOROUGH

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 31 January 1933, Page 2

ELTHAM BOROUGH

— ——v MEETING OF THE COUNCIL REPORTS FOR. THE! MONTH (From Our Own Correspondent.) At the monthly meeting of the Elt'ham Borough Council those present were the Mayor (Mr I. J. Bridger) and Crs. Richardis, Kemp, Rickett, Coward, Peebles and Trask. Apologies for sence were received from Crs. Whiting and Peppered. The Auckland Local Bodies’ Association wrote asking the council’s support to the protest against “the undemocratic principle” contained in the proposed Union of Local Bodies’ Act to be dealt with at the present session ol Parliament. The “undemocratic principle” referred to concerned the procedure to be adopted when a local body desired to absorb another local body in close proximity and which provided for a poll of tiie ratepayers in the larger area ns to whether the smaller borough or town board was to be absorbed.

The Mayor, m moving that the cotiu-l cil support the protest, said that usually the principle was for the local body which was suggested to be included in the larger local body area to have the opportunity of expressing its wish m the matter/ The council decided to support the protest. The recommendation of the works committee that in connection with an application for reduction of extraordinary water charges tJ*e applicant be informed that this year’s charges cannot be disturbed, but that the annual fee for next year vdl bo fixed at £3 was adopted. Recommendations of the finance committee were adopted a.s follow: That half the cost- of the street lighting! agreement be paid by the council; that the resignation of Miss M. Donnelly be accepted; that the appointment of Miss Una Mitchell to the borough staff be confirmed. The committee ‘ also reported that the procedtire in . connection with the raising of the I £32OQ municipal buildings Joan had been, completed and that an offer has been made by the Kltlinm County Conned to pay a, third of costs of repairs of the Mangawhero Bridge. The finance committee also, reported that it had no recommendation to make in connection with an application for a- reduction in! fees for the use of Tauniata. Park.

The overseer (Mr J. H. Williams) reported that during December patching with tarred material was carried' out on Bridge Street and Gollingwood Street. Metal patching was done on the Clifford Road and Bridger Street. Water-tabling was being attended to on the Mountain Road, Mojir Street and London Street. George Street path had been cleaned and sanded, also Meuli Street. Bridger Street and Bedford Street were receiving attention. A sewerage connection wfis laid to a property at Chiselhurst. A new fireplug rider was installed at the bacon factory. The tail race from the filter beds at the York Street and Castle Street tanks were cleaned out. Several drain blockages were released, all dead ends flushed and manholes inspected. Relief work was being found for 29 men under the No. b scheme in different parts of the borough. The grass on street sides was being cut and disposed of. The long grass on certain areas of Taumata Park was cut and removed. Growth on vacant sections of the main streets was scythed and carted away. A general clean-up of rubbish from the residential areas was carried out. The paths and plots in the cemetery grounds were cleaned up also the path through the plantation. Two rubbish receptacles were erected at the cemetery for the depositing of waste-paper, flowers, etc. The terraces on the 'hill ,side near the bridge in the children’s park had been turfed and the grass is now growing. Yarding pens were erected at Taumata. Park for the calf judging, which took place there and the facilities provided were greatly appreciated. A temporary paddling pool was made in the .river at the park for children while picnicking and holi-day-making. All the usual routine duties were attended to.

The traffio inspector (Mr A. El. Lethbridge) reported that during December the traffic on account of the Christmas celebrations was very heavy in the borough and considering the holiday season it was very satisfactory. On New Year’s Eve it was necessary to close a portion of Bridge Street to divert motor traffic around to London Street. Drivers of cars assisted by carrying out the request. Only two persons broke the rule by coming down the street. Information woaild be issued against them. During the month he made an inspection of portion of the borough and issued 4b notices to have noxious weeds cut. Three notices were issued to people to have leaky taps and ball cock repaired. He suggested that where the borough water was laid on for stock and people failed after due notice to do the necessary repairs, the water he shut 'off altogether, as there were hundreds of gallons of water wasted yearly. Heavy traffic fees were collected and ten drivers’ lieensdh issued for the month. During the month one permit was issued for the building of a shed. During the month the streets were fairly free of wandering stock, only two. head being impounded. Fees were collected and paid to the treasurer.

The reserves caretaker (Mr W. 11.. Reynolds) reported that during the month work carried out at the park consisted of weeding flower beds, trimming hedges, cutting grass along the river bank, and through the bush. The grass in the oval was cut every week, also the hockey ground, grandstand lawn, camping site, and from Collingwood Street entrance around to the swings. A table and seat was built around the tree near the gas room, and two movable tables were placed on the camping site. The penny in the slot gas meter was very unsatisfactory during the holidalys. Camping fees amounting to £l. 3si were collected and handed into the office. Campers were very pleased with the camping site, and conveniences. During the holidays a. full size tennis court was pegged and marked out between the swings and the oval fence, and was made good use of. The gas room and sheds were kept clean, also camping site. At the Soldiers’ Memorial Park work carried out during the month consisted of trimming the hedge on the Conway Road frontage and cleaning around small | trees. The lawns on the railway re-! serve were cut every week, flower plots weeded and the hedge from the railway station to Bridge Street trimmed. The health, inspector (Mr Rl, Gooding) reported that during December one case of diphtheria, was reported. The patient was removed to hospital and precautions incidental thereto were taken. In sanitary inspection work visits were paid to nine habitations and three requisitions were served. Eire visits to food-sellers’ premses were made and one requisition was served. A new sewer drain laid by the borough stall was seen at Ohiselhurst and passed.

REDUCTION INI VALUATION In a. further report the finance committee recommended; (a) “That it be represented to the Government the necessity of making a general re-

dnotion in the valuation of all lands within the Hawera hospital district, by 25 ner cent, on the basis of the capital value as existing on the date of the last general revaluation of each contributing local authority, and that such reduction be made effective as from ApriO, 1933.” In moving the adoption of the finance committee’s report, the Mayor said that he had attended the conference of Local Bodies included in the Hawera hospital district and had supported the resolution asking the Government to make a 25 per cent, reduction in the valuation of the area. Subsequently the finance committee had considered the matter and the recommendation was the outcome. The decision was largely actuated by the fact that one local body in the area had obtained an independent valuation and if a- ,reduction'll! the total value was obtained it would militate against the other local bodies in the hospital district m the matter of hospital board levies. Or. Trask .said that he did not .like the principle of making a, 25 per cent, general reduction, as it- would be unequitable in .some cases. C’r. Rickett .said that although it was not just what he wanted, lie intended to support the suggestion... The recommendation was* adopted; Cr. Trask voting against it.

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