MATTERS MUNICIPAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5944, 17 May 1944, Page 5

MATTERS MUNICIPAL

FINAL MEETING OF COUNCIL FOREMAN’S REPORT ADOPTED The curtain was rung down on the activities of the Te Awamutu Borough Council as at present constituted on Monday night when the final meeting of the three year term was held. There were present: The Mayor, Mr L. G. Armstrong, in the chair, Crs V A. De Coek, F. Parsons, E. Hopping. E. R. Olsen, W. Jukes, A. H. Roberts, and G. S. Clarke. An apology was received and sustained from Cr C. J. Spiers on account of ill health. The Town Clerk, Mr D. Bockett, was also present. Foreman’s Report The report of the Foreman, Mr R. H. Close, was as follows: Since my last report we have concreted Brady Street footpath. Cleaned up one section of Young Street. Cleaned part of Roche and Mahoe Streets. Erected a post and rail fence, and put in a deal of filling of Mr De Coek’s boundary. Cleared tl'<e rubbish off section at Railway Station. Concreted 4 chains of footpath in Laurie Street. Put on sewer ip Raikes Avenue. Repaired several water leaks. The rotary hoe has arrived, and we will soon be ready to use it continually. A start has been made to-day on the tree-planting. lam taking the whole gang up for awhile, to get most of them in, then the rest will be left to the caretaker to plant. I am having a lot of difficulty in getting assistance up there this year in the way of getting a sledge for sledging the trees, and a horse. I had to get a sledge made, and hire a horse from down here. While the men are working up there this year I am going to cut enough posts and battens to do the dividing fence between the Park and Loder’s property, and other fences that need repairs. There is plenty of Black Enu and quite a lot of dry Rimu logs. I would suggest that when we clean the ground each year we cut battens and posts out of any dead trees lying on the ground as these logs become a danger, if they catch alight, they may burn for a week, and sparks flying from these fires may set the surrounding fern on fire. The general maintenance work has been attended to regularly. This being the last meeting of the present Council, I would like to thank them for the help and assistance they have given me during their term. It makes the work so much easier if things go along pleasantly, and hope those standing for re-election will be successful. The report was adopted without discussion. Correspondence The Department of Health, in approving the proposed rubbish tip, said that the tipping must be carried out in the approved Bradford style of controlled tipping, which provided for the complete covering of all rubbbish every day with at least six inches of clean soil..—Received. Mrs J. H. Ansell, manageress of the Empire Theatre, asking the Council to consider the advisability of defining a pedestrian crossing in Sloane Street from the Empire Theatre to the opposite street. It was pointed out that after every performance at the theatre people regularly crossed the street at that point, and the risk of accident on the open roadway was very great. After matinees the position was most difficult as many children were affected. Members of the theatre staff had endeavoured to watch the traffic, and accidents had been narrowly averted.—Referred to the incoming works committee. Ralph P. Worley, consulting engineer, wrote thanking the Council for its co-operation during the past three years. He wished all those councillors seeking re-election good luck.— Received. T. Bowden wrote pointing out that he had offered to pay his share of concreting his portion of the footpath in front of his house, but nothing had been done. Other footpaths not used so much had been attended to, “ and the more we do the less the Council will do,” were the concluding sentiments of the writer.—lt was decided to inform him that there was a roster of those footpaths aw’aiting attention in the manner asked for. C. Roose wrote in reference to his candidature for the Auckland Harbour Board, pointing out his qualifications and experience in regard to Harbour Board matters.—Received. Municipal Band The Municipal Band forwarded a copy of its balance-sheet, which disclosed a credit balance of £l5 19s 3d. —On the motion of the Mayor it was decided to congratulate the Band on the balance-sheet submitted. Municipal Orchestra The Municipal Orchcestra asked that it be recognised as a separate body as distinct from the Municipal Band. —On the motion of Cr De Coek it was decided to recommend the incoming Council to call a conference of the Orchestra, the Band, and the Council to discuss the matter. Application Declined J. E. Harper applied for grazing rights of a paddock at £3 10s per year.—Declined. Sunday Pictures The Society for Closer Relations with Russia sought permission to screen a Soviet film on Sunday, 25th June, the proceeds, less expenses, to go to the patriotic funds. Cr De Coek considered That the programmes should conform to a standard when screened on Sunday nights. The Mayor said the Society had worked hard for patriotic purposes and had obtained tangible results. Permission was granted, Cr Parsons asking

that his vote be recorded against the motion as he objected to Sunday pictures. Copper Trail The same body asked permission to conduct a copper trail in connection with the Allied national appeal week on a date to be fixed by the Patriotic Committee, which was arranging the appeal.—Granted. Public Library Te Awamutu Public Library Committee forwarded the annual balancesheet, which disclosed a credit balance of £lBl 3s 6d.—The Mayor said the balance-sheet was before the Council for its information. Mrs Neilsen and Miss Hawke represented the Council on the Library Committee during the absence overseas of Dr Roberton and the Rev.' M. G. Sullivan. They, with Mrs Swarbrick, represented the Council, and they could not have better people on the Committee. The balance would not have been there were it not for the reduced market for books. The purchasing committee was tireless in its efforts to buy suitable books.—lt was decided to continue the present system of representation.