MATTERS MUNICIPAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4463, 13 August 1941, Page 4

MATTERS MUNICIPAL

THE TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH. MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The adjourned meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council was resumed on Monday night, when there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) presiding and Crs E. R. Olsen, W. J. North, Les. S. Armstrong, C. J- Spiers, V. A. de Coek, A. R. Hill, F. Parsons, and G. Dalton. THE YEAR’S RATES. A formal motion confirming the levyinp- of rates for the ensuing yeai was duly passed. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. In reply to a question, Mr R. H. Close (foreman) stated that he was preparing a schedule of property in possession of the Municipal Band. He still had a few things to find, and when this was accomplished he hoped to present “ a clean sheet.” On the motion of Cr Dalton, seconded by Cr Olsen, it Was decided that Mr Close report on the matter at the next monthly meeting of the Council, to be held on Monday, September 1. AUCKLAND ORPHANAGES. The secretary to the Auckland Orphanages’ Committee wrote asking permission to take up in Te Awamiutu on Friday, September 27, or other appropriate date, a street collection in aid of the funds of his committee, which he* pointed out controlled 14 orphanages in the Auckland province where numerous orphans and neglected children were cared for. These homes were founded on the Christian principles of “Faith, Hope, and Charity.” The present was a provincial effort, and he sought the co-operation of the Mayor and Councillors in making the appeal a huge success. On the motion of Cr Dalton, seconded by Cr Olsen, the request was granted. MARKET STREET CORNER. Messrs Newton King Limited forwarded their valuation of portion of land which the Council desired to purchase from Mr W. G. Bedford so as to improve the corner at the enu of Market Street on the way to the sale yards. Councillors generally regarded the cost as excessive, and, on the motion of Cr Spiers, seconded by Cr Dalton, it was agreed to take no further action in the matter. The Works’ Committee was, however, empowered to effect some minor improvements in the locality. RUBBISH COLLECTION. Cr Les. ,S. Armstrong mentioned that under present arrangements there was no rubbish collection, for the houses on the western side of the railway line. He thought such service, at a cost of 12s 6d per annum per house, should be made compulsory in all parts of the Borough. The Town Clerk remarked that the residents in the locality mentioned did not come under the original scheme, as they contended that their areas w’ere large enough to permit of the burial of rubbish. Cr Armstrong reiterated his view, and moved that the rubbish collection be made compulsory throughout the Borough, and that the foreman make the necessary arrangements for the collection of same. This, he declared, should be don© in the interests of public health. Cr Dalton second the motion, which was carried. PUBLIC NUISANCES. In reply to Cr Dalton, thq foreman reported that, since his appointment as inspector of nuisances, he had been around a large number of premises, and had found a ready response to his request to clean up the backyards. He did not think he ■would have much trouble in the future. Cr Les. S. Armstrong thought that a lot of this work came under the fire regulations, and that the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade should see to it. Cr Dalton: No ! ■Cr Armstrong: Why ? Cr Dalton: It is a volunteer Fire Brigade. Cr Armstrong: And they get remuneration for their services ! Cr Dalton retorted that Cr Armstrong wjas wrong in his view. The Superintendent did not take any part till a fire started —< when the bell went. It was the Council’s business to see that the fire-plugs were kep* clean, so as to give the brigadesmen a fair chance when a fire occurred. Cr de Coek remarked that he would say that the onus was on the Borough Council to see that everything was safe. The Mayor said that in other places where he had been in business, if cases became packed up in the backyard, he would be “ pulled up ” by the insurance representatives as they desired to protect their own interests. - The discussion on this matter then ended.