BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 48, 11 January 1932, Page 1

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

MONTHLY MEETING OP THE COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the year of the Waipawa Borough Council was held on Friday evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr G. H. Hunt) and Crs. W. E. Yates, R. N. Verran, A. S. BoydTurner, J. Morley and R. Hutchings. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. Dailey, Harris and Furminger. CORRESPONDENCE. The Rev. W. T. Drake asked for a gas connection for Abbotsford Home.—E. Bibby asked for borough services for a house he proposed to erect in Abbotsford road.—Granted on usual conditions. The Patangata and Waipawa. County Councils advised that they would support the Borough Council’s representations in regard to the cattle stops on the Patangata road crossing. W. J. Maulder offered £5 as half the rent for Lindsay Reserve. —Accepted. E. Giorgi forwarded 10s as halfyear’s rent for the plantation paddock.—Accepted, lessee to have the right to continue for the year if the Council does not proceed with planting. The secretary, Combined Freezers’ Picnic, applied for the use of Coronation Park. —Granted. Napier Harbor Board asked Council to forward outstanding rates as soon as possible. Department of Labor advised the necessity of appointing the day for the statutory half-holiday.—No change to be made. The Commissioner of Unemployment recpiested the Council to see that men employed on relief work should endeavor to help themselves by the growing of vegetables. The Transport Department advised that the Licensing Committee would shortly fix rates, etc., for the carrying of passengers, and later for goods traffic, and asked for information as to local legal restrictions.—The Town Clerk stated that he had sent on a copy of the by-laws. The Dental Clinic Committee applied for permission to erect a signboard across the pavement.—Granted. The Retailers’ Association applied for assistance with the Christmas decorations.—Usual grant to be made. W. Robertshaw asked for a progress payment of £IOO on his grandstand contract. —Approved. Overhang of roof to be extended 2ft. Gin. at an extra cost of £8 17s.

E. Waldrom offered to accept half price for a horse which he had lent to the Council and which died. —On the motion of Crs. Yates and Verran it was decided not to accept any responsibility. THEATRE. During the month of December the theatre bookings were as follow: — Main Theatre: Four afternoon matinees, 10 evening pictures, one evening Mr Jull’s meeting, one evening Paramount Vaudeville Co. Meeting Room: Two evenings First Aid. Cleaning has been done regularly as routine work. GASWORKS. The gas made during the month was 378,100 cubic feet. A decrease of 12,000 cubic feet equals 3.2 per cent, on corresponding month of last

year. During the month one geyser was installed for W. L. Wheeler. Attending to consumers ’ fittings and the memorial grounds and general work at the gasworks was the work done for the month. Some new meters are required to replace those not working satisfactorily. The Mayor’s action in authorising the purchase of meters was confirmed. WATERWORKS, Gallons pumped for the month of December, 1931, 3,584,880. Units used, (1897; cost at Id per unit, £l4 7s 4d. Gallons pumped for corresponding month last year, 3,538,920. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Other than the ordinary maintenance, trees have been cut on Coronation Park for the erection of the grandstand and concrete front step blocks made. The contractor expects to have the work completed by the end of next week. The unemployed have been employed in filling in Coronation Park, spoil being carted from Abbotsford road. Approximately 1500 yards of spoil have been carted. Weather permitting, the work should be completed at the end of next week. It will require about 1000 yards of soil to topdress the part just filled in and the portion that was filled in some time ago. Shingle is being screened in readiness for tarring the necessarv paths and streets, and tar and shingle mixed for repairs to broken places on Great North road. The footpaths in Ruataniwha, Kenilworth and High streets should have first attention, as the cable drain has sunk below the level of the footpath. Ruataniwha street is showing signs of wear. There is about 2800 gallons, of tar on hand. I have to report that when the water meters were read for the year ending December 19th, 1931, it was found that about 15 were out of order from different causes. Owners have been notified to have them repaired. It will be necessary for the Council to decide on what further work after next week should be found for the unemployed. There are 17 men on the list.

I have to advise that a horse lent to the Council by Mr E. Waldrom, after working two days took bad and died. I notified Mr Waldrom that the beast was in a bad way and for him tu come and take charge of it, which he did. Question of soil for top-dressing the new ground at the park left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk, to report to the Reserves Committee.

Unemployed labor to be used on reducing the grade of the Cemetery road.

In reference to tarring Cr. BoydTurner urged that the footpath in Waverley street should receive attention, and Cr. Morley asked that the path from Church street to Waverley street be widened. —Roads Committee to report. Cr. Hutchings referred to the danger to children from motor traffic on the road to the traffic bridge, and suggested that a white line be painted to mark off a footpath.—To be considered when patching is being done. GENERAL. The pay-sheet, as under, was adopted:—General, £369 4s Id; gas, £59 12s; waterworks, £ls 0s (id; total, £443 16s 7d. It was decided that the water meters be read every three months, and a

monthly report to be furnished of the number of leaking taps attended to. On the motion of the Mayor the Finance Committee were given authority to arrange for an overdraft up to £IOOO.

Notice “no parking” to be painted on the road at the Commercial Hotel corner.

Cr. Boyd-Tumer asked whether anything had been done in the direction of improving the road at the Commercial Hotel corner.—The Mayor said he proposed to ask the advice of the engineer to the District Highways Council on his next visit to Waipawa, The Mayor said the ranger had drawn his attention to the damage being done to the river protection works by straying cattle. —Owner of the cattle in question to be notified that if the practice continues legal proceedings will be taken. The Roads Committee were empowered to take the necessary steps to improve the road opposite Mr D. T. Kelly’s.

Lindsay Reserve to be cleaned up of scrub.

Overhanging trees on the road to the traffic bridge to be trimmed back.