TE AWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 304, 7 April 1914, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu down Board took place at the Board’s office on Friday last. Present: Messrs A. S. Wallace (chairman), S. Mathews, W. Taylor, J. B. Teasdale, and Dr Reekie.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr F. E. Edgecumbe waited on the Board, on behalf of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, asking if the Board would grant some 30 or 40 acres at Pirongia, in the vicinity ot the water works, for the purpose of forming a road to gain access to an education reserve which would be of use to the township. It was pointed out that the granting of this land to the Crown would not in any way interfere with the water area. The chairman stated that the matter would be fully dealt with on the arrival of the engineer, when a reply would be forwarded to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. DAMAGE TO PIPES.

The chairman reported that as the result of complaints from Messrs Battson and Prescott in regard to the damage done to the water pipes, an inspection had been made, and it was agreed on the advice of the engineer, that the sum of £ls be allowed to the contractors for effecting repairs. TURNCOCK OPERATOR. Dr Reekie was of opinion that the question cf appointing a turncock operator should rece ve the Board’s consideration, so that whoever was appointed should become thoroughly conversant with the work prior to the completion of . the waterworks. It was pointed out that it was an easy matter for inexperienced men to cause a large amount of damage. The chairman thought the matter could be safely left in the hands of the engineer to deal with. BUILDING PERMIT. Mr T. Spear wrote asking to be allowed to erect a residence on land leased by him from the Board. Plans and specifications of the proposed building were submitted. —On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Dr Reekie, it was agreed that the permit be granted. PLUMBERS’ REGISTRATION ACT.

Mr P. C. Pirani, secretary of the Plumbers’ Board of New Zealand, wrote drawing the Board’s attention to the provisions of Regulation 9, under the Plumber’s Registration Act, 1912, gazetted on 25th September, 1912. The Board trusted that it would have the fullest co-operation of the local authorities affected by the regulations. —Mr Mathews moved that plumbers be notified that they should be registered under the existing Act before they can be employed by the Board. ENTRANCE WANTED.

Mr J. L. Mandeno wrote stating that owing to the levelling in Walton Street he’was deprived of an entrance to his workshop. —It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Mathews, that no action be taken until such time as the proper levels are completed.

FINES FOR BRli HES OF BYLAWS

The Paymaster-General wrote informing the Board that the sum of lls had been paid to the Board’s account, being fees collected for bi'eaches of by-laws at the local Magistrate’s Court. BOROUGH. Messrs Swarbrick and Swarbrick wrote as follows: —"We have received a reply from the Department of Internal Affairs definitely declining to act upon the petition as presented. It is useless to press the matter further, because the ultimate decision is entirely a matter for the Minister’s discretion. The Department suggests that you should now proceed under section 13 of the “ Municipal Corporations Act, 1013.” Under this section you have to present a petition and deposit £lO. The petition must be signed by not less than one-fifth of the electors. A month after the petition has been presented a commission is appointed to investigate the matter and determine the boundaries.” Dr Reekie moved that the clerk be instructed to prepare a petition at once to the effect that the town be constituted a borough, and that a commission be appointed to decide the boundaries. Seconded by Mr Teasdale and carried. COAL GAS. A letter was read from Mr J. W. Blackman, Masterton, urging the claims of coal gas, and stating that he would be prepared to visit Te Awamutu and discuss the matter with the Board.—Received. PIPES AT RAILWAY STATION.

1 he clerk reported that a request had been i - eceived from the station-master asking that the Board l'emove the water pipes from the station yard, as they were obstructing the traffic. —On the motion of Mr Teasdale it was agreed that Messrs Andrew and Son be instructed to have the pipes removed at once. ROACH STREET.'’ Mr Teasaale commented upon the unsatisfactory state of Roach Street, and which, he stated, should be finished at once, as practically nothing was being done. LOAN. Mr v 1 cws urged tlm import; ! . raising a loan to be

expended on the improvement of the arterial roads. He considered that other roads beside the main road should receive attention.

The chairman stated they would not be able to expend the money this winter, even should they be able to borrow it. Mr Teasdale supported this view. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment: —Battson and Prescott £Bl 8s id, freight £6 19s 6d, Merry weather £24 Is, D. Christian £l7 16s Id. As there were several matters of importance to be dealt with, it was decided to adjourn the meeting till the arrival of the engineer, the clerk to notify members.