WHANGAREI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Northern Advocate, 28 April 1915, Page 7

WHANGAREI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FINAL MEETING

The final meeting of the Whaugavsi Borough Council before the electious was held in the Borough Chambers on Monday night. There wore present: The Mayor (Mr D. W. Jack), Crs. F. Cutforth, J. S. Dent, R. H. Harrison, L. T. Pickmeve, J. E. Holuies and D. A. McLean; with the town clerk (Mr A. L. Dixon) and the borough engineer (Mr J. D. Whitmore). CONDOLENCE. Before opening the business of the meeting, the Council, standing, passed a vote of condolence with the relatives of late Mr John Mann. BAND -APPLICATION. Mr R. H. Allan, secretary of the Municipal Barfd, asked what were the terms of the Council for the hire of the Town Hall on Sunday evenings from 8 till 10 o'clock for sacked concerts. The town clerk said he had been struck by the fact that several times recently the band had given concerts in halls and sometimes in the open, a notification stating a fixed price of admission. He was. not sure that they had any power to do so. They could charge a silver coin but not a fixed amount. He had forgotten the exact wording of the notice, but it was a demand for money.

Cr. Pickmere said there was a box placed at the entrance, but the band had no control as to what amount should be given. It was decided that the letter be held over for the Town Hall committee to make a report. MAUNU EASEMENTS. The town clerk said that some time ago he was instructed to write to the borough solicitor asking the reason of the delay in forwarding particulars regarding the Maunu easements. The delay had cost the Council over £UOO. He asked for instructions. There was no motion proposed and the matter was allowed to drop. ELECTRICITY LICENSES. Messrs Reed, Bailey and Towle submitted a draft deed of license in respect of the electricity scheme. The draft was referred to "the electrical committee for report, with power, to consult the borough solicitor and an electrical engineer if necessary. PROPOSED ALTERATION. Mr R. Finch supplied a plant of proposed alterations to Lots 12 and 41 on behalf of Mr C. Eccles. It was proposed to giy.e Lot 12 an area of 19 perches and a depth of 126 feet instead of 16 perches and 110 feet. Lot 41 would take the remainder. The proposed alterations were approved. COPPER FLUCTUATIONS. - Mr S. I. Crookes wrote, respecting the National Electrical Company's intimation of the increase in the price of copper, that it' was clearly stated in all the tenders that the prices quoted were for immediate acceptance, otherwise subject to market fluctations. It was a matter of fairness to both sides. During the past three or four months the price of copper had not been stable for more than 24 hours at a time. It might have happened that the price had di-opped. With regard to the insulated copper cables the contractors would only be entitled to charge any difference that might arise in the price of the copper itself. They could not charge more than £150 for the insulation as it was their definite price.

The National Engineering Company wrote to a similar effect, stating that they would adhere to their fixed price for insulating the street lighting mains. It was decided to agree to the claim respecting the extra price of copper. MELDRUM'S HILL. The County Council wrote asking if the Borough. Council would roll the metal on Meldrum's Hill as a contribution towards, the improvements. The northern local bodies, feeling the improvements would be realised not only by those in the immediate neighbourhood, but by all who travelled through the North, had decided to contribute £70. The Kamo road, it pointed out, was one of the main roads leading into Whangarei and, it' was hoped that the request to the Borough Council would be favourablyreceived. It was resolved that the engineer report on the advisability of rolling at the present time. CARTAGE ROYALTY. The County Council requested payment of £40 on account of royalty chargeable on pipes and material carted over county roads in connection with the borough water scheme, as agreed. , It was decided to comply with the j request. [ NEGLECTED JAMES STREET. Mr H. Gregory complained of the neglected state of James street. Several accidents, happily without serious results, had occurred owing to the street's uneven surface. He hopeJ that the Council would make provision to continue the footpath from the intersection of Robert street to the Victoria bridge. The letter was left, with flic works committee and engineer for report.

WATERWORKS COM t'EXSATIOX. A letter was re tan , id ou behalf of Charles Stevens and another statins that preparations were being made for compensation. It was necesasry to refer to the former and present the engineer's waterworks reports of the data incidental to the taking of the land and the claim. Permission was requested to peruse the report and ail records of the Council bearing on the case. It. might be that such inspection as of right was not allowed, but application to the Court, would obtain it. In view of the claimant Stevens having permitted the Council to enter upon his land and start work before being legally entitled to do so it was hoped that the Council would extend the requested courtesy to claimant. A formal application to the court would mean extra expense and delay. The town clerk said the borough solicitor had advised that the permission be refuesd. Cv. Pickmere moved that permission be given to inspect such things as the borough solicitor agreed upon. Cr. Dent seconded and the resolution was carried. RATES REBATES. Mr R. P. G. Foote supplied dates when two houses of his were empty over six months, in respect of which at the last meeting of the Council he claimed a l'ebate of half rates. Respecting water rates on the property owned by H. S. Hill and himself,Kamo road, he stated that the rate had been adjusted for 1915, but not for 1913-14. When that was done he wou.d pay the balance.

The town clerk pointed out that Section 64 of tiie Rating Act, under which Mr Foote applied for rebate, was virtually, repealed, so far as the Council was concerned, by their having adopted the unimproved rating system, la .regard to the water rate, the Council had no power to refund a rate once paid, unless it was paid under protest, which did not apply in the present case. The clerk also quoted opinions in support of his statement respecting rebates. Cr. Harrison said it did not seem quite rig>ht if the rates had been paid in error that the Council could not refund, them. It was decided that the town clerk point out the position respecting rebates to Mr Foote, and obtain an opinion as to whether or not a refund of water rates could not be made, if the circumstances justified such action.. BEAUTIFYING PROPOSAL-' Mr G. L. A. Hutt wrote asking if ■ the Council would permit the Whangarei Scenery Preservation and Beautifying Society to take in hand the beautifying and laying, out of Mander Park and the Triangle.' In Feilding, Wanganui and other places it was the practice to so hand; over certain works. In Feilding a representation of the Beautifying Society attended the meetings of the Borough Council's reserve committee. It was decided to agree to the request, provided that plans of any proposed works be submitted to the Council for approval. BUILDING PERMITS. The building inspector (Mr T. J. Medland) submitted applications for building permits as follow: —Mr F. Cutforth, for oar shed, Bank street; Whangarei Gas Company, addition in brick, Water street. The inspector recommended the approval of Mr Cutforth's application, but the gasworks application was not according to the schedule fixing the thickness of the walls.

The applications were approved, the second one subject to the schedule being complied with. ABATTOIR REPORT. The annual report of the abattoir manager showed that 960 cows, 537 bullocks, 33 calves,.. 322 swine, 48-19 sheep, and 607 lambs —a total of 730S —were slaughtered. Fifty-one animals were condemned. Slaughtering and inspection fees amounted to £838 13s.

The report was approved. PLANS APPROVED

Mr R. S. Finch wrote submitting a proposal for the sub-division of Bedlington's property in Percy street; and a plan of Cairrifield road. Both were approved. STREET WORKS STOPPAGE. A recommendation of the finance committee, that in view of the state of the streets loan finances the Council do not proceed with any further street construction works, was approved. MONTHLY CONCERTS. The Town Hall committee, mended and it was approved, that the Whangarei Municipal Silver Band be allowed the use of the Town Hall for one concert per month and the right to use the stage only for one rehearsal per week during the month, for the sum of £(G. ERECTION OF MORGUE. The County Council wrote that they were agreeable to accept apportionment of,the cost of the erection of a morgue, provided that their liability did not exceed CI SO. It was agreed to accept the 'offer, the plans to be submitted to the Health Department for approval, and the work to be commenced as soon as possible.

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