HIKURANGI TOWN BOARD

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1927, Page 4

HIKURANGI TOWN BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. j i The ordinary monthly meeting of I the Board was held in the Board’s I office on November Ist at 7 p.m. Present: Commissioners Lomas, Latham, Nesbitt, Hamilton, Rickard and Mcßeth, and the clerk (Mr C. E. j O’Callaghan). In the absence of Mr • Clicrric, it was resolved (Comms. Ham-1 ilton and Ncsbit) that Com. Lomas be | acting chairman, i DEPUTATIONS. | Air H. Colo attended as President of j the Tennis Club, to object to an | “order” being made against that body j to clean out portion of the Maunga- j Avhcro crook, as the property did not abut on same, the boundary line between them and Hamilton Bros, being on the cast side of creek. Com. Hamilton agreed that this Avas so, and it avus decided that the “order” as against the Tennis Club be withdraAvn. STOP-BANK EXTENSION. Messrs Dawson, Hawkins and Gager attended on behalf of the property holders concerned in extending the stop-bank across the back of hotel premises and on toAvards the concrete bridge. Mr Dawson said that Avith a A’ery small outlay in extending the stopbank the scheme would be a great success, whereas if left in its present unfinished state it jvas useless, and the expense already en.tailed Avas of no benefit ivhatevcr. Messrs Gager and Hankins also supported Air Dawson’s contention, and Avere sure that the completion of the Avork recommended Avould stop further flooding of the town. He considered that the cleaning of the creek Avould not haA r e any influence on same.

The chairman said he Avas of the same opinion as the deputation regarding the stop-bank extension, but not so lu connection with the cleaning out of the creek, as the blackberries and noxious weeds must be cut out, Avhether in the creek or otherwise. It Avas essential that the creek should be cleaned out. Commissioner Latham said that' no matter Avhat stop-banks Avere erected, there Avould be flooding until a clearance AA-as made for the Avater to get. aAvay. The only Avay to do that was to open up the creek, and he was fully convinced that this Avas the first necessary step. Until this Avas done a. stopbank would only have the effect of forcing the Avater on to some other person’s property, with the possible result of the board becoming involved in an action for damages. This aspect of the ease had to be carefully Avafclied.

The clerk stated that the matter had been discussed at a previous meeting, and if the-’work'was undertaken, the board would like to -have a definite assurance if the cost —or Avhat portion of it—Avould be forthcoming from the property holders; concerned.

The chairman and Air Hawkins 'both assured the board that the property holders on the Avest side of King Street Avould. donate liberally . One offer of £5 had already been mentioned.

Commissioner Nesbitt said that the property holders already involved had not given- the board much encouragement in this respect. The job, which was caried out in accordance with plans agreed to by all concerned, was now completed over seven months, and so far only one had paid his proportion of the cost. Mr Gager said the reason of the delay was that the assessment of the cost was not in proportion to the area held by each owner. There were thirteen lots, and he considered that the cost should be apportioned out accordingly. The chairman said the board would go into the matter. The deputation then retired. On the motion of Com. Nesbitt, seconded by Com. Rickard, a committee consisting of Comms. Cherrie, Lomas and Latham was appointed to meet the property owners and go into the matter with them. CHRISTIE ’8 ROAD. A letter was received from Mrs Christie regarding the state of the road and bridge leading to her property, and she asked that repairs be effected. It was stated that Mr J. Eeyburn was responsible for putting this road in order when he ceased carting coal nearly a year ago. Although he had been written to on various occasions he had entirely ignored the request. It was decided (Coins. Nesbitt and Latham) to place the! matter in the hands of the solicitors. FIDELITY POLICIES. A letter was received from the secretary of the Municipal Association asking for certain information with a view of approaching the State Insurance Department to get an assessment of rates on which it would issue policies giving greater security than at present, on the condition that the whole of the affiliated local bodies would place all their guarantee business iu that office. The clerk was instructed to send the required information and the necessary i assurance. STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY. It was resolved (Coins. Nesbitt and Latham) that a remit be sent to the Municipal Conference urging that Saturday bo made the universal statutory half-holiday throughout the Dominion. EXPLOSIVES AND DANGEROUS GOODS. A letter was received from the Un- j der-Secretary of Internal Affairs stat- i ing that the board’s application to be j registered as a Recusing authority un- | der the Explosives and Dangerous.; Goods Act was receiving attention. 1

ARMISTICE DAY. A letter rc the arrangements to be made for keeping Armistice Day was leeeived from the Prime Minister, and asking that the usual observance be carried out. It was resolved (Coins. Latham and Meßeth) that notices be posted accordingly. IT EE DISTRICT. A reply was received from the Un-der-Secretary of Internal Affairs suggesting that the Order-in-Couneil constituting the Fire District be held over until January, thus allowing sufficient time for the appointment of members before .‘list March, which is the earli est date the board can fully function. A letter was also received from Mr C. H. Chissell, the Superintendent of the Whangarei Eire Brigade, advocating an early Gazettal so that the necessary preparatory work can be proceeded with. It was resolved (Coins. Latham and Hamilton) that the Department of Internal Affairs be written to urging the early Gazettal of same, also that Mr Allen Bell, M.P., be asked to interview the Minister with ] a view of expediting the matter. ELECTRIC LIGHT. Tire secretary of the Hikurangi Coal Go., wrote in answer to inquiries as to the possibility of a definite arrangement being entered into with it for the supply of electrical current. The secretary stated that a new generator was being obtained, and the directors hope to give the Board a reply in February next. — Received. MOTOR BUS TRAFFIC. A letter was received from the Under-secretary of the Public Works Department asking for further particulars in' connection with buses in the district and their present and probable routes in the near future, so that full consideration can be given to the matter of appointing the board a licensing authority under the Act. It was resolved that all necessary information be forwarded. WATER METER CHARGES. A letter was received from Mr Makinson, Manager of the Hikurangi Coal Company stating the arrangements come to between the Waterworks Committee and himself, but as there seemed to be a difference between it and the committee’s report, it was referred back to the committee to come to a definite decision in writing. BUILDING PERMI'JS. The following permits to build were granted (Commissioners Hamilton and Meßeth) subject to the board’s by-laws and the Heatlh Act, and to the satisfaction of the Inspector. —Mr M. Telfor, shop in King Street, opposite the hotel; Mrs Oherrio, additional room to dwelling in View' Road; Mr T. Burley, erection of bathroom and alterations to dwelling. BUILDING COMMITTEE, Gome discussion took place as to whether the board should enforce the by-laws and insist on only brick buildings being erected within the “brick area” as defined by the by-laws. It was fully recognised that a considerable improvement in future buildings within the “central area” should be demanded, and it was resolved (Commissioners Hamilton and Nesbitt) that a building committee consisting of Commissioners Lomas, Rickard and Latham be appointed to approve any further buildings within the Town District before granting permits for same. MAIN HIGHWAY The question of further attention to the Main Highway was considered, and it was decided (Commissioners Latham and Lomas) that the Works Committee be instructed to have the grader put over it. OLD WATER TROUGH. It was resolved that the old water trough taken out from in front of Beale’s Store bo disposed of to Mr J. Ayton at his offer of £l. CLEANING OUT CREEK. The clerk stated that he had sent out the necessary notices to all property holders on the Maungawhero creek informing them that an order to clean out same would be made at this meeting, and requesting them to attend if they had any objections to make, when the board would be prepared to hear and decide on such objections. Only one had attended (Mr H. Cole, on behalf of the Tenuis Club), whose objection was upheld. It was decided (Commissioners Latham and Meßeth) that notice be sent to the property holders mentioned below: “That in the opinion of the Hikurangi Town Board the obstructions in the Maungawhero Stream, being a watercourse within the Hikurangi town district are likely to cause damage to property within the said town district, the Hikurangi Town Board order them to remove from the said stream to a distance of not. loss than 10 feet from the nearest mar- j gin thereof all blackberries, weeds, growths, logs, rubbish and other obstructions of any kind calculated to impede the free flow of water in the said Maungawhero Stream, and that such work be completed to the satisfaction of the Board by 3.lst December next: Hamilton Bros., E. A. Cunningham, D. Jackson, J, W. Kerr, S. Hogg, Hancock and Co., Jas. Croft, R. Snowden. ' i SANITARY CONTRACT.

Five tenders wore rccicved for carrying ont the sanitary contract. The tender of Mr B. Dawson at 2/9 per pan per month was accepted. He is to he asked to start as early as possible. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £243 Cs 9d were passed for payment.