TE AWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 330, 14 July 1914, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU TOWN BOARD.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Town Board took place at the Board's offices on Friday last. Mr A. S. Wallace (chairman) presided, and there were also present Messrs W. Taylor, S. C. Mathews, J. B. Teasdale, and Dr Reekie. The engineer, Mr H. Munro Wilson, also attended during part of the. meeting. The minutes of the last regular meeting, also of the adjourned and special meetings, were read and confirmed.

In speaking to the minutes Mr Teasdale made "reference to the library building proposals. He desired that it be made thoroughly clear on the minutes that the Board was in no way " under the thumb " of the library committee. It is our own property, said Mr Teasdale, and we should not have to ask any committee what we shall or shall not do. If the resolution that has been laid before us is recognised, we may be ousted from our new offices in three months, and we should not be at the beck and call of a committee whose property we control. He also asked why the Board's inspection of other offices had not been minuted. After some discussion the position was thoroughly explained and the minutes agreed to.

FIRE REEL. Dr Reekie asked what action, if any, had been taken to secure the second fire reel from the Grey Lynn Borough Council as authorised at the previous meeting: The clerk explained that the matter having been delegated to the engineer and turncock operator, and remained in abeyance until the engineer's visit. Dr Reekie reported that the reel, in the interval, had been purchased by the Helensville Council, and so was now not available. WATER CONNECTIONS. Dr Reekie reported that he was not aware that any connections had been made. It seemed that Mr Battson had objected to any interference with the mains on the grounds that the period of maintenance had not expired. The engineer who was consulted advised the Board to make any desired connections, as Messrs Battson and Prescott's contract was not completed within the specified time, and .that the period of maintenance should have been passed over a month ago. It was absurd to think that a costractor could hold up £lß,ooo worth of public works after the specified time. The Board resolved to make necessiry connections without delay. SHINGLE. ' The chairman reported that as a much better quality of Otorohanga gravel'"was coming to hand, the order had not been cancelled as arranged. The chairman's action was approved on the understanding that he terminate the order immediately an inferior quality is sent. SALEYARDS. Mr Teasdale reported having inspected the saleyards as requested. At the time he could not obtain sufficient metal for works authorised, so had done nothing. He urged that ironand other, material from headworks be utilised in covering drafting yard. Mr Taylor urged that the drafting yard be enlarged. Mr Teasdale expressed the opinion that the saleyards should be concreted, and suggested that a loan be raised. Dr Reekie moved that Messrs Wallace, Taylor, and Teasdale be appointed a committee to in-spect-the yards, consider all suggested'improvements, and report to a subsequent meeting. . In moving this resolution, which was approved, he referred to the saleyards as the town's most valuable asset, and emphasised the need of keeping pace with the demand for accommodation. The chairman and clerk were empowered to negotiate with Mr M. S. Laurie for the purchase of land adjoining the saleyards. PRESBYTERIAN LANDS. It was reported that the committee of St. Andrew's Church had approved ol the lowest tender, that of Mr C. Bygrave, for the formation of Young Street. The tender was formally accepted. MAIN DRAIN. Mr. Mathews reported that the main drain through Mr Rickit's property had been satisfactorily cleaned out. RAIKES' SUBDIVISION. The clerk reported that the necessary documents had been signed by Mr Hole for streets formation in the- Raikes' estate. —lt was decided to make certain recommendations to the trustees of this estate respecting the naming of certain streets. POST OFFICE APPROACH. The chairman reported that the public works overseer had inspected the post office approach and had expressed himself as being thoroughly satisfied with the general arrangement.. The clerk was instructed to complete

the necessary papers for payment of the department's contribution of half cost of this work. WATER. The chairman reported that, in acccrdance with regulations, the public health inspector had sent a sample of water from the reservoir away for analysis. ROAD WORKS.' Mr Mathews was deputed to have necessary repairs carried out in Bank Street. On the motion of Dr Reekie it was resolved that the engineer inspect the station road, between Laurie Street and the station gates, with a view to repairs being effected. NEW OFFICES. Mr R. P. de Ridd.er, architect, submitted draft sketch of additions and alterations to the library, so as to provide for Board's offices. After conferring with the Board he suggested that he submit alternative proposals, and consideration of the matter was thereupon deferred for one week. REDOUBT RESERVE. Mr E. C. Clarke wrote asking for the use, for a period of three years, of the Redoubt Reserve in consideration of his keeping down the noxious weeds. He undertook not to interfere with the earthworks, and also to provide a turnstile so as to give public access to the reserve. — Granted subject to the terms set out in the application. LAND TRANSFERS. The following sales were notified, and transfers in the rolls accordingly made :—H. Fear to M. C. Lawson (town endowment), T. Mandeno to J. Scott, B. C. Wheeler to J. Allen. ASSOCIATION. The . Municipal Association ' wrote forwarding remits for consideration at conference. —Mr J. t Fisher wrote explaining that he was not the delegate from the Waipa County Council, and regretting his inability to attend awing to the conference and Waipa County Council meeting taking place at the same time. It was resolved that the clerk obtain an opinion from the association respecting rating restrictions over certain properties. A KIHIKIHI- REQUEST. The town clerk, Kihikihi, in view of the fact that several Kihikihi residents desired the water laid on, officially inquired the probable terms and cost of making connection with the Te . Awamutu mains, and also cost of supply. —The chairman, engineer and clerk were deputed to deal with this matter and report to a subsequent meeting. SUBSIDY. The notice with the necessary forms in connection .with the subsidy on rates were received. — The clerk reported having completed the forms, and v lodged the necessary application. BOROUGH. - The Board's warded copy of letter from the Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs, stating that necessary steps for the constitution of the Te Awamutu Borough were to be taken forthwith. ; A NUISANCE. Mr A. J. Bray, in terms that . were right to the point, wrote obr jecting to the insanitary drains near his office. —Mr Mathews reported that necessary repairs were being effected. CARELESS SUPERVISION. The chairman reported that the ; Railway Department was asking that the water pipes along the railway bridge be raised three inches, and this, after the work had been held back in the first instance until the Department : sent an officer to supervise the work. Some discussion ensued, and the chairman was empowered to negotiate with the Department, FIRE BRIGADE. Mr J. Owsley, turncock operator, reported as follows : —I have ■ inspected the gear belonging to : the old fire brigade, and after in- ' spection I find that it is all in good order. This gear will form part of the uniform required for the new brigade. Therefore,' I suggest that it be taken over by the Board. It consists of the following articles: —13 belts, with axe and pouch; 13 fireman's axes; 13 life-lines; 3 whistles and chains; 12 helmets; I plated helmet; 2 lamps, I secretary's badge. The total value is £32 3s. I have also to report that the hose reel and appliances purchased from the Grey Lynn Borough Council arrived in good order and is now equipped and ready for use when required. I would also suggest that an advertisement be published in the WAIPA POST calling a meeting of persons willing to become members of a volunteer fire brigade, and that the members of the old brigade be invited to attend, and that preference be given them as members of the new brigade. Mr W. J. Bickerstaff, captain of the old brigade, forwarded a . statement of accounts. This * showed that the public had con-

tnbuted £4O 6s 9d. There • was now a cash credit balance of £5 ißs 9d. The liabilities amounted to £6l 7s lid, and included helmets, £32 3s; hand pumps, £5; hose, £6 7s; fire extinguishers, £B, fixing fire bell, £3 2s. The additional assets not included in the turncock operator's report included the fire bell, fire extinguishers, hand pumps, ladders, torches and hose. On the motion of Dr Reekie it was resolved, provided that all the property of the old brigade be handed over, the Board meet existing liabilities. He also moved that a meeting be conyened for Thursday next in terms o£ the report.

LAND SALE. Correspondence referring to the Moerangi Block, to be offered for selection at an early date was read. The chairman reported that he had approached the Land Board urging that the sections be offered at Te Awamutu. He had offered the free use of the hall and furnishings, an action that was approved. In reply the Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote thanking the Board for the offer, which would be accepted provided it was found possible to do so. SUNDRIES. It was resolved that a specimen watertable crossing be placed at Mr Spear's motor garage for trial. The Board resolved to make final inspection'of the head works at Pirongia on Friday, immediately before the* reservoir is filled. Mr Grace, through Mr Wilkins, submitted an offer for the purchase of iron and timber at the headworks. The offer was declined, the material to be brought to Te Awamutu and used for municipal works. The Treasury notified that £5 8s rid, interest on Puniu Bridge loan, would fall due on August Ist. Mr H. Munro Wilson sent particulars of his patent concrete pipe with particulars of estimated cost. The Taumarunui Ratepayers' Association asked for a plan showing valuations at Te Awamutu. —It was resolved that the clerk reply advising that an officer .of the Association visit Te Awamutu, when the Board will give access to any necessary books, v The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co. forwarded saleyards rental. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment, subject, where necessary, to the engineer's approval: Wingate and Co, £490 5s sd, A. Young and Co. £36 18s 6d, Hardley Ltd. £l2 Os 2d, Swinnock and Palmer £8 is 66, A. and T. Burt £22 18s 7d, J. Merryweather £25 93, Andrew and Son £9 2s Bd, New Zealand Railways £lB.