WAITARA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 7

WAITARA BOROUGH COUNCIL

BUSINESS OF MONTHLY MEETING.

FLUSHING OF THE WATER MAINS.

The monthly meeting of the Waitara Borough Council was held last night, when there were present the Mayor, Mr. J. Hine, and Crs.’H. Spurdie, H. Wakeley, T. C. Wilson and W. J. Reeves. Mr. P. J. Allen drew attention to the state of the water Princess Street. He had previously reported a peculiar smell and sediment in the water. He suggested a regular flushing of the mains would overcome the defects.

A scour was very necessary for the scouring out of water mains on the east side of Waitara, reported the borough overseer, Mr. L. Kendrick. There was a scour at the lower end of Leslie and Jackson Streets, when the mains were first laid down. This scour, which worked into the Waitara River, was taken out by Mr. Fear and the pipes relaid in Princess Street. It was estimated that 264 ft. of six-inch water main and ope six-inch valve was required. The cost would be approximately £3O for the material and £5 for labour and cartage. The Mayor said there was no adequate method of flushing the maips and he was of the opinion that the provision should be made.

It was decided to advise Mr. Allen that the council was taking the necessary steps for the regular flushing of mains.

Residents and ratepayers living in the vicinity of the Camp Reserve drew attention to the desirability of installing a street light at the top of the newly re-formed zig-zag path. A large number of residents in that part of the town used the path as a quicker access to the town. The nearest light was some distance off. The matter was referred to the electric light committee with power to act. The. co'uncil’s solicitors advised that the' scheme of conversion of securities totalling £27,000 was appfoved by the Local Government Loans Board. Application had been made to the Minister of Finance for the issue of an Order-in-Council under section 12 of the Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Act, 1932-33. Several applications for improvements to the north end of Domett Street were referred to the works committee, with power to act. The Main Highways Board advised that the annual estimates provided £l5O on a three-to-one basis for the main highways at Waitara and £2O for Ngatimaru Road. Mr. H. Wakeley reported that at the cemetery the fence at the back was not strong enough to prevent stock entering. The centenary committee was instructed to see that the fence was repaired by those concerned or the adjacent property was not to be stocked. The Mayor reported that no instructions had been giver, the architect .to proceed with the alterations of the library. At the last meeting the council adopted the suggestions made by the committee but by an oversight no authority was given the committee to proceed with the work, said Mr. Hine. The suggestion was made that the council had acted rather hastily. In face of this he had not exercised his privileges as Mayor and instructed the work to proceed. He left it to the meeting to give the necessary instructions or if necessary reopen discussion, on th. subject. .The council decided to give the committee authority to have plans and specifications drawn up and tenders called. The overseer reported that three building permits and 22 motor driving licenses were issued. The inspection of lights and brakes was a success. Over 500 motor vehicles were checked and a number failed to pass the brake test. Excavating roads, preparing and laying metal on Queen Street kept the permanent staff occupied, reported the foreman. Relief workers were employed in the metal pit stripping, clearing land at Mr. Hawkes’, at the sea side and on Crown land at Mr. Jury’s. Queen Street had 159 yards of metal spread on it. , Mr. T. Wood, secretary of the relief ball committee, reported a substantial profit, which was to a certain extent due to the assistance received from the electric light department. The electrical engineer, Mr. G. O. Smith, reported that the supply was cut off for ten minutes on August 12. Otherwise the supply was - continuous. Units registered during the month were 46,234, compared with 41,254 for August, 1933, an increase of 12 per cent. Six radio Sets and four street lamps were installed during the month. Two lines were disconnected. Since changing over to the Taranaki Power Board’s, supply complaints about dull and flickering lights were received. Voltage tests in the localities concerned were first-class and in accordance with the sub-station records. There appeared no reason for complaint.