TOWN BOARD MEETING.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 200, 30 September 1896, Page 2

TOWN BOARD MEETING.

The usual monthly meeting of the Town Board took place in Mr Malfroy's office on Thursday afternoon last. Present Messrs Malfroy (chair) Dansey, Brent, and Dr Graders. Mr Mueller sent an apology for his absence. CORHESrOXnEXCE. From tho Colonial Secretary forwarding warrant for removal of body from cemetary. Tbe warrant stated that permission was granted subject to such sanitary conditions as may be prescribed by the trustees of the cemetery. Tho chairman stated that tho warrant had been received three or four days after the removal had been effected. They would lniuv. now to deal with such cases in the future. From C. Birss asking for copy of his agreement with the Board for the lease of Pukeroa. Received. From T. C. Ilrquhart calling attention to the condition of the road between the Pukeroa Hall and the TJtuhrna Bridge and pointing out mat thoro was every probability that during the approaching season the Koutu slation would be more extensively used than formerly. He asked that the road might be repaired forthwith. —Resolved that the surfacemen bo instructed to do tho work. From R. Wake asking the Boiurd tc level and form Pukuatua street between Fenton Mid Hiiiemariistreets. The footpath was overspread with pinus insignis roots and the closeness of the tre )3 deprived his house oi the sum. Ho suggested that each alternate tree be .euroved, and asked that ono in front of his shop be taken down as it prevented his carrying out. certain improvements.—The Board decided to visit and inspect the place before coming to a decision.The Utuhina I'.uddo'ck. The chairman stated that Mr Reid who owned the paddock adjoining thivt belonging to the Board and which had been leased to the proprietors of the Grand Hotel, had complained to him that on tho Kith inst between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning be had been wakened by a dreadful smell and that his man heard or saw someone with a

cart empty:..is- night soil or other refuse on the adjoining paddock. Mr Bdulton, of the Grand Hotel, who was in attendance, in reply to the Chairman, stated that no night soil or refuse had been emptied there as alleged by Mr Reid. No cart from any of the hotels under his charge had gone there after nightfall or at that hour of the morning. Mr Reid had mentioned the matter to him and he had told him he or his man was mistaken. He had made every inquiry and bad examined the ground himself and could find no trace of nigbtsoil being deposited there. He had faithfully adhered to the agreement entered into with Mr Reid and he was surprised that in spite of his assurance to the contrary Mr Reid still adhered to his statement. He was prepared to drive the members of the Board to the paddock so that they might make tlieir own inspection. He might add that stable manure had been taken out in the daytime from the hotel stables. Mr Dansey thought it was .advisable that before complaints of that nature were considered they should be submitted in writing. Resolved that Air Reid's complaint be not entertained until it is specifically placed before the Board in writing. The Ngongotatxa Drive, etc. The Chairman stated that it would be advisable to again urge the Government to proceed with the construction of the carriage drive to the summit of Ngongotaha. Mr Brent coincided and thought it was most material that it should be completed before the season opened. The track already surveyed and cleared had been grown over. Resolved accordingly. Mr Brent stated that he understood Mr Reaney would proceed with the reopening of the Wairoa road before the season opened. The Chairman stated that some necessary repairs were required to the track leading past Lake House to the shore, and that, it would be done as soon as opportunity ottered. The natives had also asked that a stand pipe be placed at tb:;t end of the settlement but be was afraid the Government would not consent to this in the present unsatisfactory state of the water rate. With a view to facilitate the impounding of cattle etc., found on the streets it was decided to erect a fence across Hinemaru street near the pound gate and that notice of the Board's intention be advertised. The Towx Squaw:. The Chairman referred to the present condition of the Town Square and asked if it would not be advisable to remove the fence altogether, trim the undergrowth, from the trees and so allow the public to enter where they pleased. Mr Dansey thought the idea a good one as the people could then cross the square from any point. He thought it would lie well to plough the whoie place up and lay it down in grass as it required too much labor to keep the paths in order. Dr Ginders thought the work should be done at once. At present the square was simply a place of assignation. Resolved accordingly. Tin-: Slough 01? Desvond. The Chairman referred to the bad state of the road after rain at the bottom of " Prog Alley" or where Tutauekai Street anil the Esplt-nade join. He would advise that a dram should bo cut to take away the water. The clerk of works stated that it would require a pipe-drain under the road and a box-drain into the lake. Resolved that the existing drain be opened towards the Esplanade. Miscellaneous. It was decided that the clerk's commission on the water rate collections should be o per cent instead of 2.1 per cent. Resolved that application be made for a reserve for gravel pit purposes on sections lo or 7S) near the old Taupo road. The Board having inspected the garden seats supplied by Messrs A. & T. Birt of Dunediu it was decided to order one ton more —equal to about 28 scats. The clerk having reported that no payment had been made by Mr Birss in regard to the arrears in the rent of Pukeroa it was decided that a demand should be made for the keys and that the Board reserve possession. The Cemetery. Mr Webber was appointed sexton at the following scale of charges for interments :—Adults 10s, under 14 years 7s Gel, children under 6, ss. Mr Malfroy explained what had been done in regard to the laying out of the cemetery reserve. A conversation arose as to the charge to be made for plots taken in perpetuity. Mr Dansey considered that if any charge were made it should be a small one and that no foes should be imposed for permission to fence, .erect tombstones, &0., as was done in some places. It would be sufficient to exercise supervision over the manner in in which the work was done. It was eventually resolved that the charge for plots in perpetuity should be as follows: —■ L plot 2Us, 2 plots 40s, exclusive of ordinary burial foes. Mr Malfroy referred to those graves lying outside of the portion of the cemetery lately fenced in. As it would not be competent to remove the bodies it was deeided that the graves in question should be securely fenced. Bath and Bath Attendants. Mr Brent stated that there had been frequent complaints regarding the nonopening of the baths in the evening. He thought the summer hours should begin on Ist October instead of Ist November. Mr Dansey said there were constant complaints from people who could not get a bath after the arrival of the train. —Resolved that Dr Ginders be requested to make arrangements accordingly. Mr Brent stated that it had been resolved by the- Board some years ago on the motion of Mr Kelly that all the members of the Board and their families and the clerk of the Board and his family should have free use of the baths- He would propose that tickets be issued in accordance with this resolution. The motion was cuvricd unanimously, Mr Brent thought that the batbkeepers should be prohibited from soliciting subscriptions from visitors for any purpose whatever. It had come to his oars that subscriptions were solicited by them and tickets sold for Church and other purposes ind ho did not think that be ihers should be subjected to such annoyance. Resolved that Dr Ginders bo requested to instruct the huthkeepcrs that they are to desist from soliciting subscriptions or selling tickets for any purpose whatsoever. The Sanitation of the Town. Tho Chairman thought they should again urgo upon the Government tho

absolute necessity of at once proceeding with the proposed drainage system. Summer would lie round before they knew where they were and all that had beea heard so far was that Mr Napier Bell was going to do something. Dr Ginders said it would be a great point to have tlio drainage work commenced before the season set in. It would give visitors confidence. Resolved—That the Government be urgently requested to commence the drainage system as the Summer months are approaching and that the work cannot possibly be completed in time unless immediately tuken in hand. Finance. The treasurer's statement showed ,-is follows :—Receipts: Balance brought forward, £240 (is 7d; bath fees, £2/ 0, !i,l • other fees, £2 10. Total, £275 17 S 4,1' Expenditure accounts passed last meeting £l7l 2s 2d. Balance in hand £lOl 15s 2d. Accounts amounting to £49 15 s Id were passed for payment and the meeting closed.