BOROUGH COUNCIL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4812, 19 July 1939, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

LOAN NEGOTIATIONS.

WATER AND STREETS.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS.

The monthly meeting of the Te Kutit Borough Council was held in

the Borough Council Chambers on

Monday evening, the Mayor, Mr. H. T. Morton, presiding over Crs. W. Rundle, A. Dobson, E. M. Innes-Jones, A. D. McLennan, C. C. Harris, G. B. Johnson, H. Higgins, G. Cameron, and the Town Clerk, Mr. M. J. Strange.

The Prime Minister wrote stating that the Council’s representations regarding hospital taxation would be placed before the Government.

The Mayor of Auckland wrote regarding the raising of money for the cancer research campaign. Though very sympathetic towards the object of the appeal the Council felt that this was a matter for the Government rather than the local bodies, and decided to reply accordingly;

Centennial Commemoration.

The Hamilton Borough Council wrote forwarding certain information in regard to the commemoration of the Centennial. The cleric stated that the plans for Centennial Park had already been forwarded for approval, but the Council were being urgently asked to forward particulars of Centennial celebrations, as apart from memorials, and this matter had not been discussed at the meeting to consider the most suitable form of commemoration for Te Kuiti.

After some discussion this matter was referred to the Centennial Committee for consideration, a suggestion being made that there be a week of celebrations culminating in the Easter Saturday sports meeting.

Minimum Area By-Law.

An application on behalf of Mrs. Lawrie to subdivide an area into five sections, one or two being 2£ perches under the Borough building by-law regulation, was opposed by Cr. Harris. The line had to be drawn somewhere, he held, in advocating that the Borough by-law be strictly enforced. Cr. Cameron asked why should this be refused when the Government was permitted to build on 24 perches. Councillors pointed out that the Council had no real opportunity of opposing the Government in this matter. After further discussion a division was taken on the matter. The voting was even, the Mayor giving his casting vote in favour of the application being granted. He stated that in doing this he felt that the hbuses built by the applicant were, in view of the housing shortage, an asset to the town.

Current Year’s Rates. To resolution was carried striking rates for the year 1939-40 in accordance with the notice recently advertised in the Chronicle. Viaduct Shingle Contract. The contract for the shingle royalties at the Viaduct reserve was discussed upon it being reported that the contractor had encroached 1% chains up the stream beyond the point permitted under the contract. Cr. Dobson said that as yet no harm had been done, but it would not be wise to permit any further encroachment. After a discussion this matter was relegated to the Works Committee,

Condemned Buildings.

Works Committee matters were dealt with as follows: — The recommendation that an old five-roomed house owned by the Zobel Estate, situated by the side of Messrs. Holah and Hedley's garage on the bank of a stream, be closed, was adopted. The Health Inspector had stated that the dwelling was in a dangerous state. A Councillor said that the state of this five-roomed house could be visualised by the fact that it was rented at 2s 6d a week.

The Council is to apply for a closing order on the property. Plans were submitted by Mr. J. F. Lever for the renovation of his condemned storeroom on the western side of Rora Street. Arrangements are to be made to thermit a report to be submitted on these plans.

Waterworks Reserve Replanted.

The Railway Department wrote advising that the planting of the waterworks reserve, which had been swept

by fire, had been completed. The Committee reported after inspecting the area, that exceedingly small trees had been planted, but that the Council were protected in that a certain “strike” had to be obtained.

The recommendation that the stock route between the Te Kumi Road and Carroll Street be closed to motor vehicles was adopted.

Lawrence Street Bridge.

A considerable discussion ensued upon the Works Committee recommending that the necessary repairs be carried out to the Lawrence Street bridge. The Public Works Department had been approached in regard to the replacement of this some time ago, but the Government’s proportion of the £4OOO required for the concrete structure that would be necessary could not be made available. Subsequent reports were to the effect that if certain repairs were carried out the bridge would stand a little longer. New decking and stringers, it was understood, would be required. Cr. Cameron objected to a contract for replacement of some of the decking having been let without the Works Committee being cognisant of the matter.

Cr. Dobson said this probably resulted from the engineer spending the money provided by the Government for repairs in conjunction with the P.W.D. engineer, but he felt also that the Works Committee should have been acquainted with the position.

The matter was referred back to the Works Committee, and on Cr. Cameron holding that the bridge was dangerous in its present state, the Council decided to erect notices limiting the load and speed of vehicles passing over it.

Waterworks and Streets Loan. The State Advances Corporation wrote stating that money would no longer be available at 3% per cent. It was unable to consider the Council’s application for £IO,OOO for water at the present time, and advised it to endeavour to secure the money from private lending institutions. The clerk reported that he was in touch with lending institutions in regard to raising £IO,OOO of the water loan and also the balance of £4OOO of the streets loan. His action in this regard was endorsed, and he was authorised to proceed with inquiries. The State Advances Department also stated that the swimming baths loan had been finalised and the £2OOO loan money was being remitted.