KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1926, Page 8

KAPONGA TOWN BOARD.

THE MONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kaponga, Aug. 18. The -monthly meeting of the Kaponga Town Board was held on Tuesday. Present: Crs. R. A. Law (chairman), D. .1. Keliely, C. E. Betts, P. Herbert, R. 13. Williams, J. Dawson, Messrs. T. H. Merson (electrical engineer) and G. I‘. 'Cook (town clerk). The engineer reported as follows: — Broken Lines.—The stormy weather experienced during the month caused two poles to break on the country reticulation—one on the Mangawhero Road and the other at the intersection of the Eltham and Lower Duthie Roads. These poles have been replaced, but owing to the severe hailstorms at the time it was necessary to-isolate a section of line on the Eltham and Upper Duthie roads for one evening, as it was impracticable. to complete the work until next morning. Line Extensions.—No new work han been commenced, as the staff have been fully occupied with alterations to consumers’ services as well as carrying out necessary line maintenance, it being essential to attend to the requirements of existing consumers before making a 'start on new construction. ‘ The Kaponga Dairy Company, Ltd., decided to erect a garage workshop on the board’s easement at the rear of No. 2 powerhouse, and local contractors have the work in hand and should complete in a fortnight’s time. In connection with the provision of the extra car for the use of the electrical department, the clerk advised the purchase of a ear on certain terms.

Cr. Williams mentioned that the elec ! trical department of the board’s reve- ' nue should carry the expense of the car. | The clerk explained that the electrical department last year had a cash bali ance of about £lBO, and the position 1 had been improved by about £7OO. I Cr. Dawson considered that owing t> ! the electric power plant the town ! streets and footpaths were suffering. The clerk explained that there was no burden placed on the rates through i the electric power plant. ' He pointed out that the overdraft had j been reduced by about £5OO. This would

have eliminated the overdraft in two years but for the .trouble over the pow-erhouse and the generating station Cr. Williams said he was quite satisfied that the accounts were kept separate, but he would like, as a member of the finance committee, to see them tabled separately. He moved that the question of purchasing a car be referred to the finance committee, Cr. Betts seconded. Power to act was added to the resolution. Touching oh the matter of staff, the clerk reported that a great deal of work needed to be done. The revenue was steadily climbing, and it was necessary to obtain more day load. The engineer was instructed to obtain the services of a competent fitter. The revenue for the month was itemised as £649 Ils 6d, which included £414 2s 7d from the sale of electricity. Cr. Dawson brought up the nuisance of motor-cycles racing through the streets with open cut-outs. One specif!-: ease was mentioned, and it was decided to draw the attention of the police to the nuisance. Cr. Kehcly approached the board with a view to obtaining a concession fron the board, on behalf of the school committee. It was agreed to grant the committee the use of the hall on the same terms as List year.