WAITARA BOROUGH CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1932, Page 3

WAITARA BOROUGH CONTROL

SUPERVISION OF COUNCIL STAFF. APPOINTMENT OF A COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Waitara Borough Council was held last night. Those present were the Mayor (Mr. J. Hine) and Crs. E. A, George, H. Wakely, T. Wilson, T. P. Ewens, W. J. Reeves, W. B. Glasgow and H. Spurdie. A complaint was made by a ratepayer that an application for a water connection had gone astray in the town clerk’s office. It was decided to reply , that the council regretted that the letter was lost but that the letter was delivered too late to be dealt with at the Jast meeting of the council. Following a complaint by the same > ratepayer that the council had taken an extraordinarily long time to have the work asked for done Or. Ewens moved that a committee of the council be appointed to supervise the inspectorial and waterworks department. Cr. Reeves seconded the motion and in giving his support the Mayor said there had to be a tightening up all round. - 1 Other councillors supported the motion, , which was carried, and Css. Ewens and ' Reeves were appointed a committee. A deputation of four headed by Mr. H. J. M. Wells waited on the council on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers’ Association to seek relief from the dust nuisance. Before their withdrawal they were assured the council would do all it could. Mr. Wells said the dust poured down the side roads and proved very inconvenient to shopkeepers and probably keptt people away from the town on windy days. It might not be possible to tar-seal all the side roads at once but other measures might be taken such as the use of oil or water. .Messrs. W. R. Johns, A. Rawles and H. West supported by Mr. Wells! > After the deputation had withdrawn the matter was referred to the works committee for investigation. The district engineer of the Railway Department, Mr. I. J. Howell, notified that the department was unable to transfer the wig-wag signal on the main road near Waitara to Cracroft Street, as requested by the council. There were many other level crossings to be dealt with before the Government could provide a signal for Cracroft Street. A license for a social hall above his petrol station was refused Mr. A. J.' Kibby until he had complied with the requirements of the Health Department and the Fire Board and had plans approved by the council. The ’ Mayor and Cr. George, were appointed to represent the council on the north committee of the Egmont National Park Board. /- !' ‘ v-' The works committee reported that ; the school grounds were visited and representatives of the school committee met in connection with, drainage. The work required could be done by unemployed labour. It was recommended that the footpath in North Street ascending Manukorihi hill be recurbed. ’Noxious weeds were prevalent in many, of. the back streets and warranted close attention by the inspector. The electrical engineer, Mr. G. D. ■ Smith, reported.- that one stoppage occured on February 10 caused by the heavy wind. Otherwise the supply was maintained continuously, the pressure was good and maintenance was normal. Two street lights were renewed, two new installations connected, one disconnected and one re-wired. One range was -installed. Stocktaking was being carried out and the material being costed, after which the department vi'ould be in a position to carry on with the system as outlined by the Public Works Department after March 31 next. In the meanZ time it would be necessary to have print- ; ■ ing done to allow the department to keep the system going. The electric light committee reported that stores accounting was being attended to on the lines suggested by the audit department. The overseer, Mr. L. T. Kendrick, reported that two water mains were repaired and three water services laid. The four inch main at the camp reserve was completed. The settling tank and race at the intake was cleaned out and general work done at the intake. The scour gate at the race at the intake needed renewing and a 12in. valve instead o£ a . wooden gate would be stronger and better. Five drivers’ licenses were issued and carriers’ licenses collected. The streets were becoming overrun by stock, reported the ranger, Mr. O. Jury. The staff had been occupied in cleaning footpaths, water-tables and blinding roads, reported the foreman. Unemployed were engaged painting, screening metal and cleaning drains. The council staff was granted a holiday on March 17, the occasion' of the / annual athletic sports. ' A petition from residents of Nelson Street asking for a part of the- footpath of Parris Street to be formed was referred to the works committee. No action was taken in the matter of a request made by Mr. E. S. Allen for a reduction in his water rate.