WAIPUKURAU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7916, 9 August 1917, Page 4

WAIPUKURAU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(Own Correspondent)

The monthly meeting of the Waipukurau Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr J. Winlove), and Crs. A. Chambers, E. A. Goodger, G. Smales, W. Stoddart and R. J. Fleming. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Clarkson, who had received word that day that his brother-in-law had been killed in action in France. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Patangata County Council, agreeing to pay share of the willow planting at traffic bridge, subject to adjustment of finding of Commission.—lt was decided to proceed with the work, if favorable replies were received from the other local bodies interested. It was also decided to apply to the Railway Engineer for his advice on the work.

From D. O’Reilly, secretary of the Waipaw Sub-Union, applying for the Hunter Shield, displayed in Hall of Public Library, for the purpose of having photo taken of same along with this season’s winning team. Thanks were also accorded to the Council for allowing shield to be displayed in library.—The action of the clerk in granting the application made was confirmed. From C. D. Robertson, secretary of the School Committee, applying that Council have footpath asphalted, also water channel kerbcd in front of School Church Lane. —Crs. Goodger and Smales strongly supported the application as both footpath and kerbing were in a very bad state and during wet weather the footpath was over-run by water and unfit for the children to walk on.—Cr. Chambers thought if the School Committee had graded their grounds better much of the water that ran over the footpath in wet weather would be running into its proper channel.—Cr. Stoddart recommended the widening of the street by the reducing of the footpaths on both sides of the road. This, he thought, would help to amend the bad condition of footpaths and likewise the street, which was in anything but a satisfactory state.—The Mayor agreed that something ought to be done, but at present finances would not allow of regrading and forming paths and streets as the Council would like to see done. He proposed in the meantime that the footpath in front of school receive two or three loads of fine shingle. This would improve present conditions and make a dry footpath to walk on.—The proposition was agreed to and carried. From Rev. Chas. A. Foston, Methodist Manse, Waipawa, applying for use of Library Social Hall for the purpose of holding religious services, mornings and evenings, on Sundays.— Cr. Chambers moved that the Council regret that it cannot agree to the letting of Library rooms on Sunday. He said he did not object to religious services being held on Sundays by any denomination in Waipukurau, but what he objected to was the letting of the Library rooms which would entail Sunday work for the librarian, the only day of the week on which she could say she was free. If the applicant wished to hold services on Sundays there was the Town Hall for such purposes. —The Mayor supported Cr. Chambers. He did not think the Library building should be let on Sundays. If the building were let to one party on Sundays there was no doubt other institutions would also be making application for the room.—Cr. Fleming also supported the motion.— Cr. Smales, as one of the Library Committee, supported the application. He did not think there would be any extra work curtailed on the librarian. —Cr. Chambers: “Who is to clean out the place then, after the services, if they are held?” —Cr. Goodger also thought the application should be granted. In other towns municipal buildings are used for such purposes. —Cr. Stoddart thought all religious services ought to be encouraged these times. He thought if the Social Hall was not granted, the Town Hall ought to be given free of charge.—Cr. Chambers: “If you open buildings on Sundays then you shall throw open reading room, library and all buildings to the general public. The granting of the application was creating a precedent and getting the thin edge of the wedge in and he strongly objected to it.” —On the vote Cr. 'Chambers’ motion was carried, the chairman giving his casting vote against the application. It was then decided to offer the applicant the use of one of the Town Hall rooms at a fee of 2s (id for each service held, if the Council’s offer was accepted. An application from Mr Green for use of the Library Social Hall for a euchre-party to be held on Saturday evening, 8 to 12 p.m., was not entertained.

The application of Mrs J. W. Harding for the use of the Social Hall for a gymnasium for patriotic purposes was left in the hands of the Mayor and clerk to deal with. From the gas manager, F. Gore, and assistant manager, H. J. Hartley, applying for increase of wages, owing to the increased cost of living.—The councillors all agreed that an increase was warranted and after consideration it was decided to grant an increase of fifteen per cent, on their present salary.—lt was also resolved to review the wages of the maintenance staff at next meeting of Council. REPORTS. The overseer’s report was as follows:—The grader has been at work on roads one day and all the shoulders taken off that were required; thirtysix yards of metal have been put on the road between Gaisford Terrace and end of Racecourse road. The road is now in good order. The work of re-forming road on Church street was commenced and a certain amount of work done, but owing to unfavourable weather he had to discontinue for the present. At present a part of road on Russell Park is being reformed. Six tons of chaff have been stored in the pavilion, Russell Park. —The report was adopted. . The gas and water manager reported that 79 cases of benzoline had been used during last month. The roc ’

of water and gas connections hm 1 . now been completed. There were 380 water services and of these 3(5 were not in use; gas services 193, of which 11 arc not in use. The manager recommended that stop cocks should bo placed on both sides of-meter. This ,would prevent blow-outs at the meters.

The water reservoir, the report stated, had been cleaned out and all plants were working well. The report was adopted and it was decided that safety flanges be provided for gas meters, the Council to supply the same. A report in the meantime as to cost of fixing is to be procured. GENERAL. It w as decided to purchase another two tons of chaff on offer, on same terms as that already purchased from same seller. An application for assistance by the caretaker of the cemetery was agreed to, the Cemetery Committee to arrange for same. The meeting closed with the passing of the pay-sheet as follows: —General Fund Account £199 3s lid, Cemetery Account £l9 19s 4d, Gas Account £2Bl 6s 3d, Russell Park Loan £5 13s, total £506 2s 6d. . 1