WAIPUKURAU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 70, 6 March 1923, Page 2

WAIPUKURAU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The AVaipukurau Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. A. Goodger) and Councillors AVarren. Staines. Leigh, and Harker. In answer to the Council’s inquiries regaruing the formation of a River Board Mr. AV. J. Pallet, secretary of the Hawke’s Bav Rivers Board, wrote that his Board was constituted under the Hawke's Bay Rivers Act, 1910, ana that a Bill would probably be necessary for the formation of a Board in Waipukurau. A petition signed by settlers affected or a resolution passed by a meeting of settlers would be the first step.—The matter was held over, the Mayor and the Town Clerk in the meantime to make themselves conversant with the position. The Fire Brigade wrote in reply to the Council’s letter concerning aiiegjd overcrowding and non-provision of fire escape facilities at the temporary Town Hall on February 9. The aisles were 2ft 2in wide instead of 3ft Gin, report- i ed the brigade, and it had not been able to do anything in the face of the manager’s declaration that he hud a Council official’s permission to put seats where he liked. The Brigade had passed a motion that in future the Council should s.ee and approve the box-plan before a performance and give the Brigade instructions to see that the plan was adhered to. In regard to the Fire Brigade Social Hall, it was advised that a special effort would be made to complete the building before the end of March. —Th© second poition of the letter was considered satisfactory, apd in regard to the hall overcrowding it was decided that the seats be not allowed to be arranged otherwise than as the Council had placed them in the hall. The caretaker and Fire Brigade to be instructed to that effect. Mr. H. W Climie advised that work on the septic tank was being pushed on as fast ag possible. Mr. W. A. Chambers wrote complaining of a sewer proposed to be passed through his property. —It was decided to reply that the sewer was being laid according to plan, and that no> objection h,ad been previously raised to tho plan. Repairs needed at the pound were referred to the AVorks Committee. Various recommeindations from Messrs Hay. Vickerman and Lancaster regarding supplies for the electricity scheme were adopted. Messrs Hay, Vickerman and Lancaster wrote that after the third block of house wiring under the contract system had been completed the block system would be discontinued, and houses not included in the block would have to be wired by private firms. — The Mayor emphasised the advisability of householders coming under the block system, this being cheaper and more efficient than private enterprise. It was decided to effect temporary repairs to asphalt footpaths on the main street, pending permanent work when the Post and Telegraph Department had completed work on the metallic circuit telephone system. Th© Town Clerk reported that £136 13s 7d was outstanding in rates. —It was decided to place the accounts in the solicitor’s hands for collection if a final effort to collect by tile Mavor and Town Clerk was not successful. Estimates for electric lighting installation in the Borough offices and Fire Brigade station were approved. The manager reported that 57 cases of benzin© were used for gas during the month. Three building permits had been issued during the month at an estimated value of £lO5O. Fees paid amounted to £1 12s 4d. One connection was inadu with the water main during the month. The contractors for the removal of the supper room from the late Town Hail site to the Borough yards expected to complete their contract in a few days. There was enough match lining left over to erect two partitions. He suggested that these be erected at an approximate cost of £4. Accounts amounting to £1665 10s were passed for payment. A special meeting was after'wards'’ held to check the municipal electoral roll.