TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 848, 30 September 1919, Page 5

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

regular fortnightly MEETING, The regular fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council took place last night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) presided, and there were also present: Crs E. J. Taylor, A. Young, C. Bygrave, S. Clark, J. K. Martin, G. Spinley, and J. Oliphant. Leave of absence was granted Cr Lawson. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman (Mr I. Owsley) reported that the staff had been engaged at the Town Hall, at. Victoria Park, in patching the cemetery road, cleaning channels in main street, and cleaning sale yards, cleaning St. John’s cemetery and putting in grass seed, new fence at domain side of George Street, snaking new entrance to Courthouse, and making water service connections. He reported that two workmen had met with accidents, A. Underwood falling from a waggon and J. Biehle'r being kicked by a horse. The sanitarj waggon needed various repairs. The report was adopted, authority being issued for repairs to the waggon. *> WATER AT SALE YARDS. The Mayor stated that a water trough was needed at the sale yards, and instructions were issued to the foreman to make the necessary installation. BRICK AREA. Following notice of motion previously given, Cr Clark formally moved that the brick area be extended so as to include Alexandra Street to the Mutu Street intersection. He explained that this extension of area was necessary in the public interest and in the best interests of the town. The area would take in Roach Street up to the Town Hlall. The motion was seconded by Cr Oliphant, who said the proposal had been considered by the committee. The motion was carried, the clerk to instruct the solicitors to amend the by-law" accordingly. MOTOR AMBULANCE. The Waikato Hospital Boar' 7 advised that the application for a motor ambulance to stationed at Te Awamutu was deferred, no provision having been made in the current year for the supply of ambulances. The Mayor said this reply was most unsatisfactory.

Cr Spinley said the attitude of the Board should be resented. During the last week an ambulance had been needed on several occasions.

Cr Taylor cited an instance joi how a taxi had been called in from Ngahape in order to take a patient to Hamilton. Had the ambulance been available a delay of fully an hour have been avoided. Cr Spinley thought the district representative should be communicated with, and for this purpose the Mayor and the clejfft were appointed to draft a letter to Mr Dickinson, as the position at Te Awamutu did not seem to have been realised by the Board. /' DWELLINGS LOAN. The Auckland Savings Bank acknowledged the receipt of the application for a workers’ homes loan. Applications for loans from local bodies would not be considered till March of next year.' Should the Council at that time wish to apply for a loan, an application form should be asked for The matter was referred to Cr Oliphant for further inquiry. WORKERS’ DWELLINGS. The superintendent of workers’ dwellings referred to the Council’s application for dwellings to be erected at Te Awamutu. The policy of the Board was to build dwellings only for approved applicants, and as no applications were lodged from Te Awamutu other than those for whom dwellings are to be greeted the proposals of the Council could not be* acceded to. It would not be wise policy to acquire land or arrange for the buildings until the Board was assured of the demand from workers. It was felt that the Department had not appreciated the Council’s motive in its communication. The Mayor said the simplest way would be for the Council to obtain six applications, and it was decided that the finance committee take' further action. DAYLIGHT SAVING. The Eastbourne Borough Council asked support to the following: “That this Council is strongly of the opinion that in the interests of the people it is essential that the Definition of Time Bill be placed on the Statute Book without delay. The considerations of public health and economy emphasise the necessity of instituting a scheme of daylight saving at the earliest opportunity.” Consideration was deferred. FAULTY DRAINAGE. The district health officer forwarded a long report on the drainage and septic tank at the Te Awamutu Hotel. In November, 1908, he had inspected and found the conditions to be bad and of the very crudest description. Improvements had been effected, but the Licensing Bench had demanded extra services. At present the conditions must at times be offensive, ana the only effective remedy was a proper

sewerage system, and until that was provided constant care and attention were required. Councillors classed the conditions as being most offensive, and the drainage system should be stopped. In the interests of public health action was urgently needed, as a large area of land is polluted. The report was considered unsatisfactory in that it gave mo clear recommendation. For this reason it was decided to refer the .-report back to the inspector for some clear recommendation. BY-LAWS. The Underwriters’ Association forwarded payment for copies of the bylaws. It was pointed out that this Council was the only one out of 26 boroughs throughout the Auckland province that had asked for payment for the by-laws. MILITARY CLOTHING. The New Zealand Military Supplies Purchase Office advised of the khaki drill and/ trimmings for sale. —Received. ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES. Two firms of electrical engineers offered their services to the Council and advised of electrical appliances available. —Received. TIMBER SUPPLIES. The Waihi Borough Council sought support to the following resolution: “ That, in view of the excessive price and scarcity of timber, the Government be asked to bring down legislation this session prohibiting the export of timber until the local markets are supplied.” Cr Spinley said the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce had made frequent representations in this matter. It could not be gainsaid that the Australians were practically controlling the milling industry. Cr Clark considered that the demand in New Zealand during the next few years would be enormous, and so timber supplies should be conserved. It was decided to support the resolution. * SALES OF PROPERTY. Notices of the sale of property were received as follow: Fortescue and Andrew to J. McQuillan, G. A. Elmsly to W. J. North, J. H. Elliott to C. Porter, J. H. Elliott to T. Mclnnes, J. Banks to Hi. Lewis, A. Gadd to E. M. Patterson, and M. Birch to E. Gould. The clerk to notify the Valuation Department accordingly. TROTTING CLUB HOLIDAY. A petition signed by twenty business people was received asking the Council to declare Saturday, 11th October, a holiday between the hours of 12 noon and 5 p.m. on the occasion of the first meeting of the Trotting Club'. The Mayor said he had been approached, but he thought the matter beyond the province of the Council. At best the Council could only ask the business people to observe the holiday. If the petition could be regarded as representative, the Council could request the holiday to be observed. Cr Taylor thought the petition should be to ask the business people to close, not to put the responsibility on the Council. Cr Clark thought the Mayor had power to take action. It was decided to refer the petition back to the Trotting Club on the ground that it is entirely a matter between the club and the business people, and had nothing to do with the Council. BUILDING PERMIT. Application for a building permit was lodged by Mr A. S. Wallace. The permit was issued. NAME OF STREET. Cr Young' gave notice of motion to move at next meeting that the street known as McGarry Avenue be renamed. A PRES ENT ATI ON. Mr W. F. Stewart attended and formally presented a sundial which had been erected in St. John’s Cemetery. The Council, in accepting the gift, recorded a very hearty vote of appreciation. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were approved for payment on the recommendation of the legal and finance committee: State Advances Office £56 Is Bd, J. Burns and Co £32 12s lid.