HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 234, 15 September 1922, Page 6

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The council met last night, the Mayor (Mr. YVm. Hart) presiding. There wore also present: Crs. A Garnett, M. Cohr % J). E. Davis, G. A. Maddison, F. Perrin, C. Duff, T. Clarkson, and R. Baker. Leave of absence aws wranted to Ct. Cook. CO R RESPON DENOE. Minister of Internal Affairs called attention to sections 6 and 7 of the Ixical Bodies Ixians Amendment Act, the former giving rhe bodies power to borrow for the relief of unemployment and the latter, authorising the borrowing on the cost of raising a loan to pay antecedent liability, in cases where the bodies have raised or propose to raise, the necessary loan outside of New Zealand.—Received. A ratepayer, writing on behalf of his wile, said that it was impossible to piay the rates, owing to a long spell of sickness, but they would try to pay interest due on the sewer loan. The Town Clerk said that judgment had been obtained for two years’ rates, and the balance of the loan, which was long overdue. The Mayor said the man had been in the hospital for some time, and the wife was a confirmed invalid. On the motion of Crs. Duff and Baker it was decided not to take any steps to enforce the judgment. Municipal Association asked the council to renew the removal of rubbish from the Post Office without prejudice to the proposed test case, and until tli* decision of the Court is given.—Approved. Mr. Clutha Mackenize, M.P., informed the Mayor that a bill will be put before the House to validate sub scriptions by local authorities to the funds for the blind.—To be informed that the council could not entertain tile proposal to subscribe at the present tune. The County Council stated that the probable estimated quantity of electric current in three years had been ascertained, and they asked that a delegate be ready to wait on the Minister of Public- Works in Wellington on a date to be arranged.—The Mayor was appointed delegate. The btate Advances Office said the Department could lend money to local bodies for “the purchase of land, either with or without buildings thereon, for the purpose of workers’ dwellings, and the erection of workers’ dwellings. At present the applications were limited to not more than £5OOO in any one year. This £5OOO was distinct from the £5OOO available for other purposes.”—Referred to the Housing Committee. The Borough Engineer, re complaint of Lands and Survey Department, rutported that the street trees are planted on or close to the standard survey lines, and will obstruct the view when fully grown, but po’nting out that the standard line is on one side only of the street, and suggesting that a plan u* obtained from the Survey Department, showing on which side of the said streets the standard lino is placed with a view to shifting tiie trees one foot nearer to the kerb next winter.— plan to be obtained. District Railway Engineer said that the Department could not see its way to remove Holt’s fence to open up the new street, until the conditions as n fencing, under which the land was handed over to the council for road purposes, are complied with.—Referred to No. 2 Committee. No. 2 COMMITTEE (FINANCE AND ELECTRICAL). Mr, Harman Reeves (Dunedin) submitted the following proposal with regard to obtaining a loan to pay off the antecedent liability, viz.—To find the loan at 5 3-4 per cent, interest, currency of loan 20 years. The interest be paid half-yearly in Melbourne, free of exchange, and the principal on maturity to be paid in Melbourne, and also free of exchange. The purchase money, however, will be paid at par in Hastings or Wellington in exchange ior the debentures.—The committee recommend that the council accept Mr. Reeves’ offer for £25,000. on the terms stated, and that the balance of the amount required to pay off the antecedent liability be obtained locally. Applications from Air. T. L. Burden, Karamu road, and Mrs. Alary Wall, both outside the borough, for the supply of electric light, were received, and the committee recommended that the applications be granted, subject to the applicants paying the total cost of the extension, and also to the council having the necessary legal authority to make such extension in the county. The committee recommended that authority be granted to order T.B. cable, at a cost of £lBl 17/6, 30 gallons of Deisel oil. subject to the price being satisfactory, and 200 pole type fuses. £B7 10/. The Electrical Engineer reported that two shut-downs of the power station plant had occurred since last meeting of the Borough Council. Both were caused by fires, and would have been avoided if pole fuses had been in use. Regarding the connecting up of premises, the Electrical Engineer recommended that extensions be put up free of charge to consumers within the town boundary, but should he consider that the extension would not be likely to produce sufficient revenue to warrant the expenditure, the matter shall be then referred to the committee to apportion the costs, or otherwise deal with the matter. Regarding Air. J. H. Campbell’s claim, madq to the Borough Council, for medical expenses and loss of lime (£l4 15'). resulting from an accident that he met with, by tripping over some boards placed on the footpath in Heretaunga street to protect the surface of a newly-constructed crossing, the committee reported that they die not admit there was any liability resting on the council, but recommend that a grant to Air. Campbell of £5, without prejudice, be made. Regarding Cr. Maddison and the Borough Engineer’s report on the proposed footpaths and roads works, the Finance Committtee were in favour ol submiting proposals to the ratepayers for raising a loan for necessary public , works, provided that a suitable schemtis brought down by the sub-committee. In the meantime the balance of the loan, amounting to xoOOO, be obtained for road and footpath construction. No. 2 Committee’s report was adopted.