KAPONGA TOWN BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1929, Page 8

KAPONGA TOWN BOARD

DAMAGE TO POWER LINES. ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR. The monthly meeting of the Kaponga Town Board was held on Tuesday evening, there being present Messrs A. R. Bates (chairman), J. P. Gibson, A. Herbert, E. L. Abbott and R. A. Law. The Kaponga Band’s social committee wrote asking if the board would make a reduction of hall hire in view of the fact that the receipts of the recent concert were not sufficient to meet expenses owing to numerous counter-at-tractions. It was decided to make a reduction of 50 per cent, in the hall rent. A letter was received from the band offering to make amends foi’ the loss of a table which was taken from the town hall during the carnival. It was stated that although it ’was removed without the authority of the committee they were responsible. The secretary of the band forwarded a copy of the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year, together ■with a copy of the rules. The total receipts in hand at the commencement of the year was £25 6s Id and at the end £2O 2s Id. The assets and liabilities account showed a debit of £63 Is sd. The foreman (Mr. A. Melville) reported as follows: —During the month I attended to the septic tank and during the fresh in the river I let it go and cleaned it out. I noted then and since a tremendous amount of water is coming into the sewers; I do not know if it is caused by the earthquake until I make further tests.

The electrical engineer (Mr. T. B. Merson) reported as follows: — • The plants have operated satisfactorily during the month, though a good deal of attention has been necessary, due to excessive debris brought down by the recent floods. The plants are carrying their present load without recourse to the bulk supply. On June 19 the district experienced a northerly hurricane which did extensive damage to the reticulation. Poles and conductors were broken in many parts of the area, the sections to suffer most damage being the Eltham Road East, Palmer and Duthie Roads. So much damage was done near Mr. Bentley’s property that practically two days expired before the service was restored. A good deal of the trouble was caused through falling trees and branches. Replacement poles have been erected on the Upper and Lower Palmer Roads and the Rowan Road. A small 400-volt extension remains to bo done on the Upper Palmer Road, the completion of which finishes the reconstruction programme for this season. A number of inspections of existing installations have been made and those responsible have been advised to put them in order in accordance with the 1927 regulations where necessary. The estimates for the current financial year were submitted as follows:— Receipts. —Rates, £1421 9s 8d; extraordinary supply, £B9; Government subsidy, £6O; highways subsidy, £80; Eltham County subsidy, £4O; library subscriptions, £4O; library subsidy, £l2; town hall rentals, £6O; cinema, £950; electric power, £4500; housing, £315; sundries, 175; total, £7742 9s Bd. Expenditure.—Salaries and administration, £1435; electric accounts, £2770; interest and sinking fund on electrical loans, £1629 Us lOd; town hall, cinema and library, £850; interest accounts, £677 0s 2d; administration and general, £400; total, £7731 12s. The monthly statement of accounts was presented as follows:—Accounts for payment, £239 17s 8d; receipts, £llll 14s Id; debit balance, £2lBl 12s 6d. The resignation of the town clerk (Mr. Cook), owing to ill-health, was received, the engagement to terminate at the end of three weeks.

The chairman said he regretted that Mr. Cook’s health was not satisfactory and expressed appreciation of his services. Other members voiced similar sentiments.