Kaitaia Town Board

Northland Age, Volume 5, Issue 4, 25 October 1935, Page 5

Kaitaia Town Board

Monthly Meeting

The usual monthly meeting of the Kaitaia Town Board was held on Monday, when there was a full Board meeting, Cmr. J. T. B. Taaffe presiding. General A request was received from the Kaitaia Beautifying Society for the control of the unused portion of Redan road from Commerce street to the river for beautifying purposes. The Society also requested that the Board institute a clean-up week in the town area. The Board decided to acceed to these requests. The Board’s assessor, Mr. G. Rickard, reported that in regard to objections received under the Urban Lands List those of Mr. F. A. Brent, Mr. F H. S. Matthews and Miss S. Matthews Rad been withdrawn. Mr. J. L. Hester’s valuation had been reduced from £1370 to £IOSO and from £455 to £4OO, while the remainging objection, that of the Estate of H. Blen Matthews had gone before the Court, when the valuation had been substained.

Regarding the proposed alteration ol the allocation of heavy traffic fees among the Northern local authorities, the Board decided that it could not agree to the proposed alteration. The Chairman stated that no action had been taken in connection with the planting of trees in Sunray Park, as it was considered that the question of an entrance to the park along the embankment from Church Road should first be finalised. Financial Accounts amounting to £173 5/1 were passed for payment. Library Building The position of the sale of the old Library building and section was discussed in committee by the Board with its solicitor, and owing to certain proceedings that will have to be taken the finalisation of the sale may take some time. The position is that the transfer of the section and building from the Library Committee to the Town Board was not completed at the time that the assets of the committee were taken over by the Board, and this has to be completed Lefore the Board can deal with the property. Water Supply It is expected that an engineer representing a firm that would undertake the installation of the water supply for the town will be in Kaitaia shortly and that he could go into the whole proposal with the Board. It is anticipated that this scheme should, if approved by the ratepayers, be put in hand in the not far distant future. Electric Light A report on the conference of local bodies at Ohaeawai in regard to a Power Board for the North was given by Cmr. Peace. While regretting that it did not seem at present, that the Board’s own scheme for the generation of electricity for the area would be approved by the Government, members considered that the Board should take part in the initial steps to form a Power Board now being undertaken, and Cmr. Peace was elected permanent delegate to any conference that may be held. Bell’s Bridge A telegram was received from Mr. H. M. Rushworth, M.P., stating that in response to his representations the Minister of Lands had recognised his Department’s liability in regard the renewal of Bell’s Bridge, and he was conferring with the Minister of Public Works regarding the extent of the work. The Chairman stated that Mr. Jenkins, Public Works Enigneer, had inspected the Bridge with the view of reporting to his Department. He had

asked the Board what subsidy it was prepared to find for the re-erection cf the Bridge, and the Board had promised £SO. The Engineer had also gone into the question of the opening up of the road leading from Church Road to Bell’s property. Deputations to Board Mr. A. E. Hollay, Secretary of the Kaitaia District High School Committee, waited on the Board with the request that action be taken to prevent motor vehicles from speeding past the schoolgrounds, and so endangering the lives of the children. The Board decided to request the A.A. to erect signs on both sides of the school entrance.

As the wall in front of the school is now completed, Mr. Hollay also asked that the footpath from Commerce Street to the school be completed. The Board decided to inspect this proposed work before next meeting.