TE AROHA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5477, 20 April 1917, Page 2

TE AROHA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FINAL ORDINARY MEETINC OF PRESENT COUNCIL

The meeting of the above Council on Wednesday evening was attended by the following :—His Worship the Mayor (Mr T. Stanley) and Councillors W. Maokie, J. M. Bell, J. Brown, J. D. Morison,J R. Coulter, C. Rayner, and W. Barrett, PATRIOTIC FUNDS

The officer-in-charge, War Funds Office, Department of Internal Affairs acknowledged receipt of the monthly returns from the To Aroha Belgian Relief Fund. The Citizens’ War Work Committee, Auckland, asked for financial support for the Y.M.C.A. National Councils’ war work.—The clerk reported that £SO had been forwarded. The secretary Serbian War Relief Fund, Auckland, acknowledged the receipt of £1 8s 7d towards the fund from Te Aroha school. The Auckland Consul for Belgium acknowledged a cheque for £22 14b on behalf of the school children and residents of Te Aroha.

A FAULTY RRAIN Five residents of Somerstown enquired when the Council intends to clear the drain running through their properties, pointing out that with the wet season coming on serious damage is likely to result. His Worship expressed surprise, as one of the signatories was the main cause of the trouble through his neglect to clear noxious weeds. It was decided to write to each of the petitioners calling attention to their own neglect. Cr. Coulter said a property adjo:ning was also a nuisance, and the admin'strator, the Public Trustee — will alsj be written to in the same terms.

TERMINUS STREET Mr G. Hodge called attention to the bad state of Terminus street, Somerstown, and the fact that there is a considerable deposit of gravel at the mouth of Lipsey-street, near by, so that repairs would not be expensive. The borough foreman said there was not much traffic on that street, and the gravel mentioned was not obtainable at present. As soon as the water subsided the gravel could be placed on the worst parts. The request was referred to the Works Committoe, with power to act.

CREEK CAUSES DAMAGE Mr C. McKinley drew the Council's attention to damage done to Ihb property in Whitaker-street by the creek which runs through the property. His Worship considered this was a matter the new Council should deal with, and the Works Committee was requested to present a report to next meeting.

A LIGHTING CHARGE Mr McGirr, Tourist Agent, referred to the electric current account for the tea kiosk, and asked that a meter be put in. The present charge was considered excessive.— Referred to the Electric Light Committee, with power to act.

TEMPORARY BUILDING Mrs M. Dalton applied for permission to erect a structure on skids at the rear of her premises, to be used for storage, washing, etc.— Granted subject to the structure being in accordance with the bylaws.

GOLD REVENUE

The Treasury advised that £239 6s goldfields revenue, for the period ended February 28th, was now credited to the District Fund Account. NO OBJECTION

The acting Postmaster-General advised that his Department had no objection to the conveniences erected by the Borough Council on the site of the old Post Office building remaining on the section. GROW MORE CEREALS ! The Wajpara Oouuty Council's circular resolution re the growing of wheat and other cereals and potatoes to assist in the prosecution of the war, came up for discussion. “ Plough np the Pound Paddock !” “What about the racecourse !” “And the bowling green !" were remarks from councillors, and it was suggested by Cr. Rayner that the letter be referred to the local Press with a view to publicity being given. TELEPHONE CONSTRUCTION

Correspondence was read re the Council’s request jto the Telegraph Engineer that the opening np of the footpaths for laying telephone cables could not be abandoned in favor of opening up the roadway just outside the channelling. The engineer reported that it was contrary to general practice to place the cables undei the roadway. The clerk was instructed to write to the further protesting.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SOUGHT It was decided, on Cr. Morison’s motion, to again draw the Government’s attention to the need for improvements to the watercourse crossing Rewi-street, near the Masonic Hall, and offering £IOO towards the cost if the Government would grant £2OO.

His Worship supported, saying the Hon. Mr Herries had already been approached, and the Counoil should press for a satisfactory reply, as the request was reasonable. Discussion followed on the position as regards the Pound Paddock, and it was decided, on the motion of Crs. Coulter and Bell, to proceed with having the area converted into a public reserve under the Bridge Domain jurisdiction.

■ NOXIOUS WEEDS The district Fields Inspector, Department of Agriculture, drew the Council's attention to blackberry growing on borough lands and in structed that same must be cleared by 30th April. The Mayor remarked that blackberries were becoming more and more a nuisance, and it was time some drastic action was taken.

Cr. Bell proposed that the Works Committee have the blackberries in the streets sprayed. It was pointed out that all the ratepayers were liable to keep the weeds cleared in front of their properties np to the middle of the road. Where the Government owned the land the Council must keep the streets adjoining clear. The Government departments were mentioned as the worst offenders.

REPORTS The borough electrician reported that tho plant has run satisfactorily during the month, supplying a total of 13,400 units. He asked for authority to procure a stove for the power house, a* the cold weather is now setting in ‘ and the old stove is worn out.—Adopted.

The quarry foreman repdfted that the quarry has run well since last report. As labor is very scarce a big output could not be. obtained. The metal crushed was yards.— Adopted. The borough foreman's report on the month’s work was also adopted.