BOROUGH OF PATEA

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1932, Page 12

BOROUGH OF PATEA

ADJOURNED MEETING OF COUNCIL. BEACH RATING DISCUSSED. Discretionary power to cut off the supply to property where the standard

of wiring was delaying the supply of ■ three-phase 230-volt current to other consumers was given the electrical engineer (Mr. .J. O. Cunningham) by the adjourned meeting of the Patea Borough Council on Friday. It was reported that ; several property-owners were preventing the reticulation of three-phase current by their failure to rewire, thereby making it necessary to continue to supply a 110-volt service on lines that should be carrying 230 volts. The Patea Fire Brigade applied for a reconsideration of the position determined 12 months ago regarding the attendance of a fireman at Saturday evening performances at the Patea theatre. The brigade desired a reversion to the original arrangement of having a fireman on duty at each performance. Cr. Scott said the present arrangement had. been satisfactory for the past twelve ’ months. Cr. Naismith: “But there has been no fire.” Discussion was postponed until the next. meeting of the council in order that the theatre lessee apd the fire brigade might be represented. As the borough valuer had made an inspection of the beach properties in the borough and the question of possible rating had been raised, Cr. Scott suggested that the subject be discussed. so that property owners could know the council’s attitude. The mattes had been discussed at the Seaside Improvement Society’s annual meeting and most of the members would prosecute the policy of making the beach a local asset. The town clerk Mr. L. W. Austin) reported that as borough valuer, together with the building inspector he had visited the beach and valued the various properties for rating purposes. The general rate only could be levied and at present would yield about £l2, or less than would be spent on the maintenance of the road.

A remit regarding the collection of outstanding rates due on properties mortgaged to the Crown vras adopted for submission to the municipal conference.

A 10 per cent, penalty was added to all rates outstanding on the due date.

Cr. Naismith recommended that in view of the present difficult period stringent economy be applied to tire borough’s business, and that no work other than absolute essentials be considered at the present time. Tribute to the work of Constable Kelly at Patea recently was paid by Cr. Christensen and the Mayor. “In the prevention of crime and the sheeting home of ■ crime to the offenders Constable Kelly is probably the most capable officer Patea has ever had,” Cr. Christensen stated. The Mayor endorsed the remarks and .instructed that the council’s satisfaction should be communicated to the Commissioner of Police.

It was decided that the question of a site for the cemetery gates should be discussed with the donor, Miss Nicholson, New Plymouth. The Mayor, and Cr. Christensen would represent the council and the cemetery board. The council was unanimous in deciding that the best position for the new gates, which would be similar in design to the domain gates, would be on the Egmont Street frontage. The gates would still permit of access to adjacent properties fronting the cemetery road as the gates would be closed and not locked. i