PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 74, 7 March 1913, Page 1

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD.

MINUTES

Monthly Meeting.

Those present at Monday night's meeting of the Papakura Town Board were —Messrs A. Willis (chairman). W Richardson, Dave Wilson, Godwin Smith and D. Stewart. The newlvappoin.ed clerk, Mr H. M. Geissler, «as also in attendance.

Minutes of meetings during the mo' th recorded that Wedtesday had been decided upon as the half-holi-day; that a Kunciman resident'insisted upon carti'g sand frcm Young's beach; that the manager of Ihe Bark of New Zealand h?d written stating that they would send r. man to look round the district re opening a branch of the bank at Papakura; that aT a meeting of the Pahurehure Domain Board the name of the Market Reserve, Lt 1, section 1, hid been changed to Domain. CHAIRMAN'-i REPORT.

Touching various matters arising from the minutes A.r Willis statea that the elerk had reported th» matter of sand carting to the Auckland harbour-master, who came up and thought the evidence insufficient to justify the Board in faking the case to court. However, the two offenders (who were named) had been written to warning tharn that a lookout was being kept and that if they took any mote sand they would know what to expect

Mr Richardson: Can't the local body take sand frcm there? The Chairman: Oh, no. I don't think so.

Mi Richard on: It has stuck up my tarring and sandiag altogether.

Mr Stewart: I had to bring my sand from town.

Mr Willia and other members pointed o"t th"t the bca'h had teen almost spoilt for recreatiun purposes by this sand having bear taken away. It was regarJed as unfair that while the loc-tl body could rot get the sand fo> its own purposes, outsiders came in and took it away.

Resuming his statement, Mr Willis said tne Board had joined the Municipal Association, and he was sure they would get g..od value for their money. The Bank o: New Zealand had not yet sent their officer pp to "look round" as promised. RAILWAY CROSSING. With regard to the railway crossing, on Railway-road, Mr Willis reported that Mr Mcintosh was willing to move the cattle crossing back to the new fence line, but tie thought the Board should pay for it. Putting in a r.ew cattle-stop, moving the fence, etc., was t stimated by Mr Mfliitosh to cost £3O, but he (Mr Willis) aid not think it would cost nearly as much as that. Mr Willis, on behalf of the Board, asked: "If the Board metalled the crossing would the Railway Department do the rest?'' But the reply in effect was that the Board should do the lot.

Members were unanimously of the opinion that the Railway people should do the crossing. They agreed, however, that in any case it was neces'ary to have the work done, as unless the aossing was put in the right place it would mean that £3OO or £4OO that had been spent would be wasted. It was decided to interview the engineer, Mr Wilson, before takirg any further action in the matter. 'IHE W A IRQ A FALLS. A firm of land agents ofFered to sell th° Southern Wairoa Falls, and RQO acres surrounding them, for £2700. The Chairman reported that he had replied saying that arrangeme its had already been made for Papakura water supply. QUESTION OF LIABILITY. lhe question of (compensation to property-holders, in connection with the cutting down uf station road, was discussed. The Board were of opinion that so long as the foundations of the buildings and verandahs were not interferred with, no liability would attach to the Board for cutting the read down to its permanent levels. One claim, verbally made, was particularly referred to, but no action was taken. PROPERTY DESTROYED. It appears that a lot of Town Board property has lately been destroyed, boards, turnetiles, posts and other goods having been destroyed.—On 'he motion of Messrs Willis and Stewart it was decided j to offer a reward of £2 for evidence that would lead to b conviction. A "POUND" SUGGESTED. When the Chairman mentioned the straying cattle he was enthusiastically seconded ey the members, and instances of damage done by tho straying stock were recorded. "A pound," they said, "was t';e thing that was needed." Mr Stewart added that a pound would save prosecutions. It was decided to let the matttr stand over until r.ext meetit g, the Impounding Act to tie looked up meanwhile.

FIXING THE ROAD LINE. The Chsiiman suggested that a surveyor be engageJ to fix the road line, oi the continuation of Railwayroad, so as t'i complete the deviations io» in course of progress. From what was said it appears that no great opposition will be met from the property-ownrrs affe.ted. MISCELLANEOUS. Wtih regard to the cemetery ground it was de-ided to plough it with a rotary now and leave the permanent laying down until next year Percy Hoit wrote saying he noticed with thankfulness that the road between James Walker's ar.d Hay's Creek bridge had been formed, and he recommended that the gravel be rolled in before traffic was allowed on the road.

S. Feilding, clerk of the Drury Road Board, wrote suggesting that the Town Board should finish the whole pieca of the Boundary-road and charge half cost to the Drury Road Board.

The Chairman moved, That the Papakura Ro-d Board be again asked to change the name rf that body to, say, Alfriston (that being ihe name of the Post Office), on account of correspondence going aritray.— Mr Richardsn Seconded the motion, which was carried.

It was agreed to till up the hollows in Elliot-street, using the spoil for the road cutMigs now in progress Footpaths are to be former! and a fence to be shifted. The work is to be done by day labour. Mr Richarcso", who said he had not been in good health lately, asked for six mon'hs' leave from the Board meetirgs.--The leave was granted, the Chairman expressing the hope that Mr Richardeon wouli return in improved health.

On the motion of the Chairman it was decided to write to the Franklin and Manukau County Councils, d awing attention to the splendid metal supplies in this district—met>l t hat was in abundance, close to the railways and easily quarried. Mr vVillis asked if they would call another meeting of ratepayers in connection with the water supply, and it was unanimously agreed to do so, Wednesday, 26th inst., teirg fixfd as the date.

Several otner questions of metalling. etc., were discussed and othar general business transacted. Mr Wilson was appointed to sign cheques in place of Mr Richardson, during the laiter's absence. After a Grader. FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY. Recently Crs G. Campb: 11 (hunua) and H. Wikox (Pukekohe) visited to inspect our Town Braid's road grader in order to help them form an opinion upon the merits uf the work which this class of machinery performs. The grader was worked through clay, stiff and soft, drawn by an oil tractor. The grader used here is a light one, costing about £4O, but after witnessing the trial the Councillors appeared to think that this class of grader would suit the requirements of the Franklin County, as it would enable three light ones to be purchased and distributed in different parts of the district at the cost of one heavy grader.