TEMUKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10055, 17 February 1927, Page 3

TEMUKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting oi the Temuka \ Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. B. Cartwright), Councillors W. F. Evans, J. B. Sinclair, J. J S. Lee, A. H. Fenn, J. Cook, A. W. Buzan, D. McI lines, T. Gunnion, and the Town Clerk, Mr A. J. MacPherson. An apology was 1 received for the absence of Cr. D. White., CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence has been received since the last meeting:— , , From the Minister of Internal Affairs advising that he is conferring with- the ..Governor-General regarding the Council’s request, for the Royal 'Train to pass through Temuka at a reduced speed’,'.so as to enable the ."-School children to view their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. —Received. The District Medical > Officer of Health, wrote regarding the erection of a mortuary in Temuka, ~ pointing out . that under Section ,22 (e) of the Health Act, 1920, thq .duty of providing such, falls on the local authority, and further stated that he will be in Temuka on Wed nesday morning, the 16th. February when he would he pleased, to discuss a simple and economical plan, with His Worship the Mayor and Councillors.. 1 The Mayor reported that Col. Dawson and Mr Menzies were in town-yesterday and they went down to have a look at the room suggested at the back of the Court House, it appeared if it was decided to put a mortuary up it was the local authority’s liability. If the room were procured it would be necessary to remove a brick partition which would make it' 11 feet by 12. They would then have to install water, etc., the cost being about £SO. If the Council bad to erect a mortuary it would cost about £l5O. Personally he thought the time bad come when a mortuary was required in Temuka. They' could make the necessary enquiries to see if the room could he obtained. Col. Dawson said he thought it very suitable and the police were of the same opinion, ' Cr. Gunnion inoved that they write to the Justice Department and see if they could get the room. He thought the £SO or £6O it would cost would he well spent. He congratulated the Business Men’s Association. on bringing the mattei forward and, he was glad- there were men in the . Association who had a bit of brains and brought it, forward for they had .wanted a mortuary for years. In seconding, Cr.. Fenn said be also went with : Col. Dawson to see the room andt Sergeant Dwau said it was quite, suitable and he would recommend it if asked. The motion , was carried. The Hon. Secretary, Temuka library Committee,; forwarded an invitation to the Mayor and Councillors to .be present at the opening of the new library buildings on the 12th. Feb, at 2.30 p.m.—-Received. From the Manager; New Zealand Express Coy., Ltd., advising that they will he pleased to give a demon stration of the Dennis Fire Engine on Wednesday, the 16th instant. -The Mayor reported that the demonstration dliat : day. Ayas' at. no expense to the*. Borough except fdi a little advertising in the , . papers. The committee appointed met the three gentlemen representing the insurance companies last Saturday week. He thought iSuperintendent Warner who was down to report to the insurance companies was well satisfied with the demonstration. The committee was still waiting for Mr Warner’s report to help them to come to some conclusion as tb what steps the Council' would take. They had been ac-c-usedt of being l ' dilatory but. they hadn’t been dilatory for it took quite a time to collect the necessary information, and the committee had been very careful to collect the information as it was a question of L.S.D. and concerned all the ratepayeis. Al though there had been one or two criticising, the committee had; written during the: holidays when the beads of the departments were away, so it was no fault of the committee at all,, but just on account of the holidays. , 7 . .. The letter was received in the meantime. > ( ■ s'&' The Manager J. B. McEwaus Ltd, wrote advising that as requested they will hold up proceeding with the installation of the Septic Tank, pending further advice. The same firm telegraphed yesterday withdrawing their tender for the septic tank pending further consideration. Mr G. A. Bridges, C.E. attended ,the Council meeting and reported that the bedrock price of Russell ■ ami Col, Ashburton, lor labour was £3798, which left them about £9O above the money they had. The total was £7506 and the loan was £7-425. Mr Bridges stated that there were two or three streets where ■there were no buildings and they might save on those by taking the pipes to the last house and not to She end of the street. !* ♦ ', , ■ • *v ~ 7 , , . ‘

Cr. Gumiion: We’d be breaking the,contract of the poll loan. Mr Bridges: I don’t think so. It’s been done in Ashburton and does not affect anybody, by not carrying the pipe to the end of the street. iCoiitinuing, Mr Bridges said the actual figures were within £3OO of his estimates. Where they lost was on the first year’s sinking fund and interest and cost of the poll. The Mayor said he supposed if the tank business were satisfactory they would go on- with the work. Cr. Sinclair: Could we build the tank by day labour. Mr Bridges: The trouble is the tank is a patent. Cr. Gunnion moved that the matter be held over another month, but t.here was no seconder to the motion. • The Mayor said the question was would they be justified in accepting the tender provided the tank was gone on with at the same fig-

Cr. Sinclair moved that it be left in the bands of the executive. Cr. Evans seconded.. Cr. Gunnion said it looked to him that they were sailing close to the wind and if there was to he unemployment during the winter they might get it done cheaper. . Cr. Evans: How are you going to satisfy Mr Bridges’ fees? Cr. Gunnion; We have to pay Mr Bridges if the scheme were •turned down. ■Mr Bridges stated he was entitled to three-quiar-ters of his fees. Cr. Evans: That would he a greater loss than the .other. Cr. Cook said it seemed extraordinary to him that the scheme was being held up for the, sake of the septic tank. Surely they would build, a septic tank. He understood that the creek into which the tank was to be built would be made narrower so that the water would go through more quickly and that a dam would be built above so that the water could be v released to scour out the creek. He did uot see why they could not do the work on the septic tank. The Mayor:. By day work? —Yes. Mr Bridges; The only objection is we know the cost of the tank by tender and without plans I wouldn’t like to say we could build one for that money.

«Cr. Cook; If the contractors were, coming all that way to build it, we ought to build it for less. The Mayor: We have to be guided by Mr Bridges’ opinion and by putting 'in this tank we save a couple of hundred pounds on the old style. Cr. Cook: I fail to see where,the great amount of money comes in for building a septic tank for a small borough like this. Cr. Buzan said the trouble had been at the start with Mr Bridges estimates being too low. It was always safe to be-a hundred' or two high. The estimates were far too low and not one contract came within the estimate and they pared down to second class pipes and on the labour and now the tank was holding it over for another month. The best plan was to get £2OO or £3oo.and. go on with the work. Cr. Mclnnes said they had a sample of pipes down and ,Cr Bazau saw the pipes which were good. Cr Buzan said it was knoAvn that the first pipe tender had beed reduced, several hundred pounds. Cr Evans said they were not justified in putting the blame on Mr Bridges. They were all keen on getting it done for a certain rate, at lid -in the £ rate. Mr Bridges was no more to blame than anyone else. The estimates and contracts were right and they were only the sinking fund, and interest out. Cr Buzan said he was not blaming anyone but it was an oversight and it would he a better plan to have been a bit too high. Cr. Gunnion moved that it be left to a special meeting as soon as they hear from Mr Bridges and the original motion by Crs. Sinclair and Evans was withdrawn, Cr. Gunnion’s motion being agreed, to. The County Clerk Ceraldiue County River Board wrote relative to their suggested alterations to the river embankment at the water headworks, Winchester, and forwarded a plan for consideration. After discussion ■ it was left to the executive to interview the County Engineer, Mr C. E. Brem--9 ner. iMr M. Walker applied for a domestic water supply section 314, G-amack St.—Agreed to. transfer of his • Reserve 1(552, Mr E. Radburu applied for a Wilkin street, to Mr E. H. Smith. —Agreed to. Mf. E. H. Smith applied for the lease of part reserve 1652 Studholme St.—Agreed to. The following property transfers of property were received: —-From E. S. Templeton to F. H. Smart, G. Hartley to C. B. Norton, D. Coffey to H. T. Gill, D. Coffey to .T. H. Gill, W. Taylor to P. S. Templeton, L; R. Knight to M. Walker.—Applications granted. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT Cr W. F. Evans, chairman of the Finance Committee reported; for the ■mouthy as follows:—Herewith we hand you the paysheets of the District Fund Account amounting tc £IO4O 18s Gd, and of the No. S Loan Account amounting to £27 4s 4d and v'e i)ecorainijend/ .that the accounts contained, therein be pusscc for payment. The items chargeable to the several accounts' as follows— General Account £4.26 Is 5(1, Sanitation Account £2B 10b, Drainage

Maintenance £1)1 Os lOd, Drainage Extension £34 10s HOd, Water Works Maintenance 5s 9d, Water Works Interest £3lB 15's -ld, No. 8 Loan. Account £l4l 5s total ’£lo4o 18s Cd. The following sums have been received, during the month: —Rates £1283 3s 2d, rents £22 Is Id, Licenses £54 17s (id, Hay .sold £3, Water Works Maintenance 16s; total £1363 17s l)d. The balances of the several accounts are as follows: —No.. 8 Loan Account cr. £9O 18s 6d, General Account cr.. £298 5s , K)d, Sanitation Account cr. £6£ 16s 7d, Drainage Maintenance cr. £79 17s sd, Drainage Extension cr. £44 19s 6d, Gravitation High Pressure £4b ,0s 4d, Outside Water Supply Account ci. £3B 14s 2d; cr. bank balance £660 12s 4d. . , The report was adopted. LIGHTING COMMITTEE'S REPORT, Cr. A. H. Fenn,. chairman of the Lighting Committee reported: Your Committee have to report that Hie lighting has been quite satisfactory during the mouth. The report was adopted. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Mr C. Judsou, Overseer, reported for the month as follows; 1 have completed the - work of canvassing the residents for revision of the District Electors Roll. The water race has been cleaned out and is now carrying a good supply of water, for all purposes. The sewer out-fall has been cleaned out and the stream that carries the effluent away to the main stream has also been cleaned of willows, and gorse, which now gives a clear run from the outlet.. The footpath fronting the North End Reserve has been asphalted to a line clear inside the line of fence; this will be topdressed when conditions permit. Owing to the overfilling, of the sand shed, it has caused the concrete part to give way, this will require attention. The teams have been employed carting shingle for repairs, (when not otherwise employed) and are now carting sand for tar sealing streets androwing to the scarcity that prevails it is a difficult proposition and costly. Two strips, leu feet wide in King Street, have, been tar dressed, and this has cost considerably more than previously owing to the dressing being heavier. The question as to Lisier and Oliphant plying for hire as licensed-, carriers ■ without the necessary permit awaits your Council’s decision. The report was adopted., WORKS COMMITTEE’S. REPORT Cr. D. Mclmies, chairman of the Works Committee, reported for the mouth as follows; — Your Committee have ..to report It a v ing, met on Monday the 14 th February, 1927; there being pres- 1 ent: Cr. Mclnnes, chairman, Crs. Gunnion and Buzan. -An apology was received from His Worship the Mayor. ! We beg >to recommend as follows:—That that part of King (Street between M|ei Empire Hotel and Fraser Street corner be tar seal ed. There are several shingle repairs requiring to be attended, to when the .staff find it convenient. When the tar boiler arrives there will be sufficient work to keep the staff employed during; the month. We'recommend that the fence in front of that part of Holland street which until recently was leased to Mr G. Hancox, be pulled down,, also that the culvert now there be extended to 25 feet wide. ■ The report was adopted’.