TEAWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 228, 11 July 1913, Page 3

TEAWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Town Board was held yesterday afternoon in Bockett's Buildings. Present: Messrs A. S. Wallace (chairman), J. B. Teasdale, S. Mathews, W. Taylor, Dr Reekie. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Town Hall Exits.

• The chairman reported that the work at the Town Hall would be finished by the end of the week. Dividing Fence.

Mr Mathews reported that the fence between the saleyards and Mr Swain's property had been completed. He would have liked to see an additional wire put on. He was, however, quite satisfied with the work. Street Improvements.

The chairman submitted his report on the roads and parts of roads for metalling with a view of submitting it to the ratepayers, asking them to sanction a loan for the purpose. The following roads were inspected with a view of being metalled : Ohaupo Road, Bond's Road, Te Rahu Road, Rangiaohia Road, Park Road, Bank and College Streets, roughly about 4% miles. Dr Reekie, in moving that a loan proposal be submitted to the ratepayers to furnish £3OOO for street metalling, pointed out that while it seemed a large amount in addition to other loans lately authorised, it was absolutely necessary to expend money on street improvements and that this matter must be handled boldly and fearlessly. MrTeasdale thought that the matter of the grant for the Teasdale Settlement roads should not be lost sight of. Outward correspondence was read and approved. Lighting.

Dr Reekie moved that a loan proposal be submitted to the ratepayers to raise £7,000 for the purpose of lighting the town with electricity, having a local generating scheme. He said that he had heard of a scheme to put in a bigger water pipe and generate the current by a pelton wheel. This was a matter that would mean a new and independent report, and must entail considerable alteration to the plans adopted. Such interference would greatly delay the instalment of the water scheme —a thing to be avoided at all costs. Nothing, he said, would tend to kill the proposal to light the town more than a hesitancy at this juncture as to the wisdom of the schemes that had been put before them. It must not be forgetten that to use the water as a power for lighting the town must necessary mean universal darkness whenever the emergency of fire fighting arose. —Carried. The motion was seconded by the chairman and carried. Mr Teasdale was in favour of getting the opinion of Mr Black and also of the engineer before proceeding with the scheme. He was still in favour of going to Hora Hora, especially as Hamilton and Cambridge were contemplating using power from them.

Mr Mathews thought that the matter should be held over for a special meeting. The chairman thought the matter should be settled once and for all. He was not in favor of altering the present water supply system. Correspondence.

A letter was read from the Acting Government Statictician asking for the annual statistical return of the Board for the last financial year. Also that the copy of the balance-sheet be forwarded as soon as printed. A petition was read from 52 ratepayers requesting that immediate steps be taken to have the number of members of the Board increased from five to seven as provided by section 13 of the Town Board Act, 1908.

It was decided that as a census of the population is to be taken with a view to forming the town into a borough, thereby giving the increased representation, that the request contained in the petition -be deferred until the census returns are completed. A letter was received from the Valuer-General forwarding declaratian to be made in respect of receiving Government subsidy on rates collected for last year.— Clerk was authorised to attend to same.

The Board's engineer wrote stating that it would not be advisable to extend the time for receiving tenders for the supply of water pipes as that would mean disorganising any arrangement that may have been made.— Board decided to act on Mr Wilson's letter. A letter was received from Mr D. Williams in regard to the frontage for widening Alexandra street, stating that he did not intend to give any of the land required unless compensated. An invitation was received from the secretary Te-rau-a-Moa hall fund to a social. Regret was expressed that owing to pressure of business, the board were unable to accept the invitation. A letter was read from the resident in Park road asking that improvements be made in regard to forming footpaths. It was decided to reply that the board could not see its way to grant the request this winter. The Te Awamutu chamber ot commerce wrote asking the cooperation of the board in petitioning the Government with regard

to minimising the danger at ievel crossings. It was decide.l to support the resolution.

Overhanging trees

Mr Teasdale. drew the board's attention to the danger of overhanging trees on the fo .tpath. It was resolved that property owners be compelled to see that trees overhanging the footpath be cut down.

Footpaths.

The chairman referred to the bad state of the footpaths caused by the Telegraph Department in laying the wires, and stated that the Board's workmen had been authorised to do the necessary sanding. Rate. Dr Reekie gave notice to move at the next meeting that a rate of IJAdl J Ad in the £ be struck. Mr Mathews was of opinion that l%d was ample, while Mr Teasdale thought id would be sufficient. The chairman, although not in favour of striking a rate, still was of the opinion that they should have sufficient money to carry on the work. Mr Mathews gave notice to move as an amendment that lJ4d in the £ be struck.

The estimated receipts for the year ending 31st March, IQI3were submitted.

Accounts

The following accounts were passed for pavemnt:—Wilson and Co., £3 7s 6d, Herald £l 10s, Star £1 15s. The meeting was adjourned till next Thursday.