PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Patea Mail, Volume XLVIII, 13 January 1926, Page 2

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

OKDINAKY MEETING. The ordinary monthly mooting of the x’atea Borough Council was held -on -Monday, His Worship tho Mayor presiding. Councillors Bamsbottonij Ghristensen,- . Honey Held, and Book were also present. Councillor Thomson was granted leave of absence from the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read as under:— The Audit Inspector wrote stating chat it was impossible to say when he would bo able to' visit the town and audit the council's books. His Worship explained that the letter Was in reply to one sent asking when the audit would be undertaken. The letter was received.

The registrar of incorporated societies wrote stating that as the Patea Brass Baud appeared to bo defunct it was proposed to disband same in accordance with the Act, so as to keep the register of incorporated societies (dear. His Worship said if anyone was prepared to revive the band he was prepared to assist. The band was like many other institutions, it flourished for a time and then died down.

In reply to Councillor Christensen His Worship said the instruments were accounted for.

It was decided to agree to the disbandment.

An application-for a remission of 10 per cent, penalty was received from a ratepayer on the ground of ill-health through ■ a serious accident sustained some time ago. It was decided that the request be acceded to.

The agenda for the Municipal Conference to be held at Dunedin ou February i was laid on the tabic.

Mr. W. It. Kennard applied for an increase of 10s per week to salary. In reply to Councillor Christensen His Worship said Mr. Kennard was paid £2 10s per week with 12s for meter reading and 5s for extra time. The request was unanimously granted.

Aii offer was received from Messrs. John Burns and Co. offering to supply a 132 h.p. Euston vertical oil engine, etc.

Mr. fcstewart waited on the council with regard to the artesian bore, and stated that he had not been as fortunate as he had expected. They had gone 50ft through quicksand and boulders and at present they could not get the pipes cither down or up. He thought it would be advisable to cease boring. In reply to Councillor Christensen Mr. Btewart said there was 100 gallons a minute obtainable. He did not think this would bo increased. His recommendation was to slot the Oin pipe to the water-bearing strata. The bore was down 482 ft.

In reply to Councillor Christensen the engineer stated that the old bore was giving 27 gallons per minute. His Worship said the water from the new bore had been keeping the town going of late. In reply to Councillor Christensen Mr. Stewart said that for the past three or four weeks only half the supply of water available had been used. There was any amount available for the present ‘ requirements of the town.

Mr. Stewart said dhc council's next step ought to be to increase the underground reservoir. His Worship said he could not see that anything would be gained by going any further with the boring. Ho thought Mr.. Stewart's recommendation should be followed. Councillor Christensen moved that the suggestion of Mr. Stewart be carried out. It was practically Hobson’s choice, he said. This was seconded by Councillor Honeyfield and carried.

Messrs, i’ainveather and Jenkins waited on the council with regard to the amalgamation of the Domain Board with the borough. The revenue, Mr. Jenkins stated, from rents was £B3 per year, whilst the Cricket Club paid £5, the Tennis Club £lO, and Croquet Club £2 per annum for the use of the ground. The Football Club had paid £3 10s 7d in the past three years. Repairs to the mower and insurance on the large shed had accounted for a fairly large sum, leaving too little for expenditure on the ground. His Worship said the- board was struggling along, and like the Borough Council got little for their services except abuse. * Councillor Christensen said if the council took the work over it might not succeed as well as the board.

Councillor' Eamsbottom suggested a subsidy from the council instead of the council taking the board's work on.

Councillor Christensen; “ Where are you going to get the subsidy from? n

Councillor Eamsbottonr moved that a subsidy of £2O per annum be granted the board.

His Worship seconded pro forma. His Worship said he was not sure that a man to be employed on borough and Domain Board work would bo suitable. One might be got who was suitable for domain work but not suitable for street work, and vice versa.

After a brief discussion the motion was put and carried, His Worship remarking he would only be too pleased if the borough could grant £100; still, the subsidy would be taken as an indication of the council’s goodwill. The deputation thanked the council and withdrew. Councillor Rook; “ Don’t you think you could get some of the local “Press’s” progressive ideas to assist the Domain. No answer urns given. GENERAL PURPOSES REPORT. The General Purposes Committee’s report was read as under and adopted. (1) That a borough tenant be granted an extension of one month in which to square up his accounts with the council by the payment of £BO as previously

agreed upon. (2) That the letter from the Labour stating that the council must call a public meeting during the month of January to. fix the day on which the weekly half-holiday will be observed during 1920, be received, and that such meeting be held on January 11.

(3) That the formal notification from the Public Trustee’ regarding an increase in the rate of interest to be paid in respect of sinking fund investments be received.

(4) That the letter from the borough solicitor covering a report of the communication received by him from Mr. JBectham’s solicitor be received.

(5) That the report of tbe streets supervisor be recommended to the council for adoption.

(G) That the Domain Board be asked to furnish the council with a copy of its last balance-sheet, together with a list of all- endowments, in order that the council may obtain information therefrom that would facilitate a decision in regard to the board’s request for assistance in the maintenance of the Domain. That the delegates from the Domain Board be invited to attend the next meeting of the council and again discuss the board’s application for assistance.

(7) That the borough offices bo closed for the holidays from December 24 to January 3, inclusive.

(8) That the next meeting of the council bo held on January 11, 1926.

ELECTRIC LIGHT, WATER, AND DRAINAGE.

The electric light, water, and drainage report was read as under, and adopted:—

(1) That the electrical engineer’s re--.port be recommended to the council for adoption.

(2) That the letter from Messrs. Boving and Co. concerning the automatic starter installed at the hydro bo received, and that the same be referred to the electrical engineer for reply. (3) That Mr. C. Tucker, representing John Burns and Co., waited on the committee in person and submitted a proposal to finance and supply a 105 h.p. Ruston oil engine, coupled direct to a 90 k.w. Crompton generator.

(4) That the council be asked to give every consideration to the proposal outlined by Mr. Tucker, and that the electrical engineer be instructed to go fully into the matter with Messrs. John Burns and Co., and report at length to the council at its next meeting.

ELECTRIC LIGHT EXTENSION.

A report from the electrical engineer was read with regard to additional plant.

His Worship said shortly after the engineer’s return the hydro system had failed, and the gas plant had to be utilised. The hydro failed at nine p.m. and the gas plant was started on the following morning, and in 13 hours the plant was in full working order, which was good work considering that -16 hours was usually allowed to get the plant started. A full report on the hydro would be submitted by the engineer later. The cause of the stoppage was a bearing giving out, together with an inside part which had to be sent to New Plymouth to be electrically welded. He was sorry to say the belt at the gas plant had carried away. There was no spare belt. Councillor Christensen said they had spent £2OO one year in new belts. A lengthy discussion ensued in the course of which His Worship remarked that during the last three years the output of current had practically doubled.

. The engineer's report was adopted. Mr. Tucker, representing John Burns and Co., waited upon the council in support of the firm's offer to supply the additional electric lighting plant.

lu reply to Councillor Honeyiield Mr. Tucker said the plant would be delivered in about four months. the price quoted was for installing in full running order. Every guarantee would be given with, the plant. After Mr. Tucker had withdrawn Councillor Christensen said he had every confidence in the makers of the engine offered. He would move that the offer of Messrs. John Burns and Co. be accepted. Councillor Eamsbottom seconded the resolution, which was put and carried unanimously. STREETS REPORT. The following report on the work done on the streets during the month was received: — (1) Scotland Street has been trimmed up and rolled and the surface is now very fair, and should hold until the tree-felling is completed, when the road can be reformed. (2) Water-tabling has been done in Richmond Street, York Street, Chester Street, Cornwall Street, Rutland Street, Middlesex Street, and Egmont Street North and South. (3) Lupins have been cut down in Livingstone Street, borough boundary. (-1) Tar patching has been done in Egmont and Bedford Streets. (5) Some formation work and filling of bad holes has been done on the beach road. (6) Town cleaning and sumps have had the usual attention. Work Eor Coming Month. —The tar heating tank has been ordered from Messrs. McCarty and Hunger, and is in course of construction. Tarring will commence as soon as this is completed. Meanwhile ordinary maintenance work will be carried out. GENERAL. On the motion of Councillor Christensen, seconded by Councillor Rook, His Worship the Mayor and Town Clerk were appointed to represent the council at the conference of the Municipal

x\ssoeiation held in Dunedin on February 20 next. It was unanimously resolved on the motion of the Mayor that Miss Smith, office assistant, be granted os per week increase in salary. Councillor Christensen asked if His Worship did not think it advisable make some pronouncement with regard ; to the council’s loans that were authorised to be raised. His Worship had no doubt seen a letter in the local Press from a ratepayer asking how the council was getting on with regard to its loans.

His Worship, in reply, stated that when he had returned from Wellington he had reported fully to the council with regard to. the result of his efforts in connection with the raising of the loans, and his remarks had been duly reported in the 1 ‘ Wanganui HoAid', ’ ’ the local “ Press, ” and the “ tuSwera Star. ” The ratepayers took a very lively interest in the council’s buslines to judge by the number who took Bp trouble to attend the council’s meetings. A Councillor: “ We had one once, the late Mr. Emanuel Baylcy. ” Continuing, His Worship , said if any ratepayer had £3OOO to invest the council w T ould be glad to receive it. When he visited Wellington recently the first thing he was met with was the statement that a Government loan was shortly to be raised, hence money was short. In order to test the feeling of the meeting he moved that the loans of £llOO for water extension and £2OOO for streets be placed bn the open market, the period to be not less than 20 years. Seconded by Councillor Chris: tensen and carried. Accounts were read and passed for payment, and the council rose. PATEA CEMETERY BOARD. The council then sat as a Cemetery Board. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The transfer of a section from Mr. Nicholson to Mrs. was granted. Accounts were read and passed for payment, and the board rose.