ELTHAM CIVIC AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1928, Page 15

ELTHAM CIVIC AFFAIRS

REPORTS FOR PAST MONTH. MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Eltham Borough Council was held last night. The Mayor (Mr. Ira J. Bridger) presided, and there were present: Councillors L. Nairn, A. C. Sorenson, A. C. Ricketts, G. W, Peebles, R. C. Garden, G. W. Tayler, J. O'Hagan, A. Kemp and E. L. Thomas. Before the commencement of business the ■ Mayor referred sympathetically to the death of the council’s late employee, Mr. L. Thomson, who had had 18 years’ faithful service to his credit. A circular from representatives of the engineering industry was received stressing the necessity for local bodies to obtain all machinery supplies locally if possible.—Received. A local solicitor forwarded a copy of an application made to the magistrate for a rehearing to support the application. The council decided to oppose it, favouring the matter being deferred for six months.

In discussing the financial position of the bo-rough in detail, the Mayor said that on the whole the position was good.

Cr. Nairn said that as the council had bad a good year he intended to move that the general rate be reduced. The Mayor, however, thought it was too early to make any definite statement, but he hoped that in the near future the council would be able to make some reduction.

The gasworks’ manager (Mr. C. J. Bagby) reported that during the month figures for the manufacture of gas, with those for the corresponding month last year in parentheses, were:—Gas made, 483,200 feet (583,900 feet); coal used, 39 tons 10 cwt (45 tons); make per ton, 12,233 feet (12,975 feet); sold per meter, 456,300 feet (473,700 feet). Sales for the month totalled £135 10s 4d, comprising fittings £99 as 7d, coke £22 12s 9d, and tar £l3 12s. 'Five gas cookers and three boilers had been installed during the month. Coke to the value of £2l 4s had been made and an amount to the value of £9 14s had been sold and of £9 had been used.

The borough inspector (Mr. A. Lethbridge) reported that most of his time had been taken up with general inspection and dog tax collecting. Five notices were served to trim hedges, one to repair a verandah, one prosecution for breach of a by-law, and 10 head of stock had been impounded and released. The borough overseer (Mr. J. H. Williams) reported on work carried out on the roads in Mills Street, Bedford Street from Bridge Street to King Edward Street, Graves Street, Glentworth Street, Railway Street, Clifford Road and Conway Road, Moir Street, Cornwall Street end King Edward Street. Footpaths had received attention in Mountain Road, London Street, Bridge Street and Tayler Street.

All water leaks and drainage blockages were attended to. The water service still remains good both in volume and purity. With the surge tanks continually overflowing the supply proved to be greatly in excess of the demand. The average pressure for the past twelve months, maintained in the water mains, has been perfect. With the full load of demand during day-time 751bs per quare inch was recorded, and at night 901bs per square inch was available.

The tar boilers and tanks were clean cd out and minor alterations effected.

The sanitary inspector (Mr. R. Gooding) reported one case of tuberculosis. Fly-proofing of premises where food is prepared for the public is being insisted upon. No plumbing was reported for inspection during the period under review.

The reserves caretaker (Mr. P. J. Willcock) said in his report:—"During the month of March my time was taken up as follows: Taumata Park 15 days, railway reserves 6 days, Soldiers’ Memorial Park 5 days, cemetery, 1 day. My duties at Taumata Park have been mostly maintenance work. At the Soldiers’ Memorial Park all grass and fern has been cleared from around the shrubs. One day was spent on the paths at the cemetery.” Stock slaughtered at the abattoirs during the month comprised 101 cows, 2 bullocks, 2 calves, 326 sheep, 19 lambs and 42 pigs, while one cow and one sheep were condemned, reported the manager, Mr. M. Bourke. Recommendations of the works committee were adopted as follow: — That the council accepts dedication of the extension of roadway in Graves Street west as requested by the Eltham Co-operative Dairy Factory Co., Ltd., the company to form the road 12 feet wide and metal same to a depth of eight inches to the satisfaction of the council.

That the application of A. 11. Turner for permission to erect a eurbside petrol pump in front of his garage premises in High Street be granted.