Around the Borough

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7438, 13 April 1934, Page 8

Around the Borough

MEETING OF COUNCIL,

Tho Fcilding Borough Council met last evening, when there were present: The Mavor (Mr. C. E. Taylor), Crs. E. Pair, S.’d. Pearce, AV. AV. Andrews, A. C. MeCorkindalc, A. J. Kellow; D. Fairweather, J. Corpe, G. Darragh. Cr. G. Kilvington forwarded an apology. Power Board Charges. AVlicn a letter was received from the Manawatu-Oroua Electricity Consumers’ Association asking if the council would join in a deputation to the Power Board in search of a reduction in minimum and lighting charges, the Mayor said the deputation had already gone to the Power Board. In any case, it would not be proper for the council to join a deputation to another local body unless it had the data before it. Mr. Guy was representing the town on the Power Board and if the finances of tho board warranted a reduction, lie was sure Mr. Guy would conic iorward to make representations on behalf of the town. Earthquake Risks.

The Town Clerk was instructed to obtain a copy of the new earthquake by-laws and ascertain the council's right to make by-laws in respect of existing buildings. The Mayor observed tiiat he was glad to see that already steps had been taken by certain property-owners, to rciuovo parapets and ornamentations that were considered unsafe. He hoped others would follow the good example set. There was doubt as to whether the council could cpmpcl alterations to existing buildings, but no doubt the council could insist on adequate precautions being taken against earthquake risks when issuing futuro permits. On the recommendation of the finance committee, the Town Clerk was instructed to communicate with the Treasury in connection with the council's loan conversion scheme and ascertain: (a) .llow and when the sinking fund under the proposed conversion scheme shall be paid, suggesting two half-yearly payments on March 1 and September .1 in cacli year; (b) that the clause in the Ordcr-in-Council icgarding the issue of the new securities so worded as to provide for the issue of the new debentures in multiples of £10; (c) that the Town Clerk obtain continuation from the Treasury regarding the payment of interest for the broken periods fur each loan to Ofeober 1, the date of the commencement of the conversion'loan. The committee also recommended that the council pay all balances of principal under £lO in cash when paying premiums. The committee further recommended that if necessary, the Town Clerk proceed to Wellington to finalise the above matters and also the gazetting of the necessary Order-in-Couneil. General. The borough engineer was requested to bitumcnise main street intersections wherever possible. The Main Highways Bt-ard advised that it approved of the sealing of the Awahuri road inside the borough and that it could bo done by day labour by the council instead of by contract.