WAIPAWA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 150, 10 September 1928, Page 1

WAIPAWA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING.

LOAN FOR TAR-SEALING.

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Friday evening lor the purpose of dealing with several matters of importance outside the generalisation of ordinary business. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. I. Limbrick) and Crs. G. Hunt, E. E. Bott, H. C. Collett, F. Eagle, S. W. Strang, H. W. James, and W. J. Wood. COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

Introducing the first matter, a suggestion to place the borough offices in the Council Chambers, and make the present office a general meeting room, the Mayor said the cost would not be great and the alteration would make for convenience. The Council could either build a new strong room or purchase a safe. Cr. Collett thought the suggestion a good one, and he would like to see the Council Chamber properly furnished. Cr. Bott thought the present offices could be used as a Council Chamber. Cr. Strang was not enamored of the idea. He thought it would mean sacrificing the present meeting room for general purposes. Cr. James questioned whether the proposal would add to the comfort and convenience of the staff. He doubted whether the improvement would warrant the expense. The Mayor said the cost would be very small, apart from the construction of a strong room or the purchase of a safe. Cr. Eagle did not think the advantage would be in proportion to the cost. . . The Town Clerk said an additional strong room was very necessary. The present office was very cold and draughty in winter time. Cr. Hunt stressed the point that the main thing was to provide greater security for the borough documents. The Mayor moved that the alterations as outlined by him be carried out. Cr. Collett, in seconding, urged that it was desirable that the Council should have a room reserved for its own purposes. The motion was lost by four to three. Ayes: The Mayor, Crs. Collett and Hunt. Noes: Crs. Strang, Bott, James, Eagle. CEMETERY ENTRANCE. In regard to the cemetery the Mayor said it was proposed to shift back the front fence, erect a lavatory, widen the culvert by six feet, and form a footpath from the bottom to the top of the hill, at an estimated cost of £SO. He said the work was approved by the Cemetery Committee. On the motion of Cr. Strang and the Mayor the proposal was adopted. TAR-SEALING. The matter of the tar-sealing of Great North road was the next matter for discussion. An estimate had been prepared by Mr Bond, the Mayor stated, to do the work for about ' £ISOO, for a road 18ft. wide. He (the Mayor) suggested increasing the width to 20ft., and the cost would not be more than £2OOO. It was for the Council to decide whether steps should be taken in the direction of obtaining a loan. They would never get the work done cheaper, as the Highways

Board would pay two-thirds of the cost. When the work was completed it would mean a considerable saving in the cost of maintenance.

Cr. Strang thought there were more pressing works needing attention, and lie did not feel justified in supporting the expenditure of money for the benefit of through traffic. He would like more information as to the cost of maintenance.

Cr. James said they must recognise that motor traffic had come to stay, and it was only a matter of time ■when the whole of the road from Napier to Wellington would be tarsealed or concreted, and it would be a pity if Waipawa was not in line. He was not, however, convinced that tar-sealing was the best or most ■iapun sbai aq pins .io£njq aqj effective method.

In reply to Cr. Wood the Mayor said he was under the impression that the Highways Board would not subsidise anything but tar-sealing, the impression that the Highways Board would not subsidise anything but tar-sealing. The Mayor moved that the necessary steps be taken to raise a loan. Seconded by Cr. Hunt and carried, Cr. Strang dissenting. HEATING OF THE THEATRE. The Mayor said he had gone into various heating schemes, and he suggested the adoption of gas radiators (one of which is on trial in the Council Chambers). The large size would cost £ls 5s each, and it was claimed that they conld be run at l}d per hour. He thought two of the large size would be sufficient to warm the air in the theatre. Crs. James and Bott moved that the Council purchase two of the large size. Cr. Collett doubted whether the radiators would give satisfactory results. He would like to see them tested in the theatre. The heating systems in both Hastings and Napier theatres were useless. Cr. Wood suggested getting two of the large size on “appro” for trial in the theatre. It was decided to ask the firm to lend two on trial, and if considered satisfactory they be purchased. PARK GRANDSTAND. In regard to the grandstand on Coronation Park the Mayor suggested removing it to a more suitable position, that a verandah be erected on the front, and that conveniences he provided. Plans and specifications would have to be prepared if the Council approved the suggestion. He did not want the Council to commit itself to expense without knowing- what it was going to cost. In its present condition the stand was dangerous. Cr. Collett thought the whole question of improving the ground should be considered and a report presented by the Reserves Committee. Cr. Hunt pointed out that before the ground could be improved by extension the stand must be moved. Referred to Reserves Committee to bring forward a scheme. STREET LIGHTS. The Mayor suggested placing a light at the borough end of the traffic bridge and also two between Rose street and the bridge. He thought people living at that end of the borough were entitled to some consideration. Cr. Bott pointed out that the Council at a previous meeting decided not

to put. in the extra lights. Cr. Collett said the Power Board had declined to instal a light at the bridge unless three others were put in. The Council declined to be dictated to. Cr. James considered it a criminal waste of money to keep the lights burning all night.

The Mayor said the Council had entered into a five years’ contract and the question of hours could not now be considered.

Cr. Hunt said the main point was whether the lights were or were not necessary. He thought they were, and would like to see the proposal adopted. It was decided that the Lighting Committee furnish a report at the next meeting of the Council.