OTOROHANGA NEWS.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1415, 13 October 1923, Page 8

OTOROHANGA NEWS.

ITEMS OF INTEREST. TOWN BOARD. The monthly meeting of tlie Otorohanga Town Board was held on Thursday'evening. Present: Ors J. Phillips (chairman). .1. W. Seymour. E. J. Closey, R. Green and R. Bell. Asphalting. It. was resolved that where requests for asphalting ot pathways were received they he acceded to. providing all whose properties were affected agreed to pay half the cost ot. some. The Island. The Chairman reported that the amount of compensation to he paid to the natives in respect to the “Island" had been fixed by the Government at £24S. It was thought that a football ground could be formed for playing upon next season and that a cricket pitch might be available next year. The Chairman thought that if the sports clubs were approached thev would get working bees going to fashion the ground out for a general sports domain. Domain. It was resolved that arrangements be made with Mr Robertson (tlie lessee) for alterations to the drains in the 'Domain, it being recognised that he had done great work in the improvement of the aretj. Pictures. It was reported that there had been a shrinkage in the takings from the “pictures" during the past three months and it was suggested that for the future the number of picture shows be reduced during the winter months and so save expense. The question was referred to the Hall Committee. T<>Mii Hall. The Hall Committee was instructed to prepare a statement as to what ! work was immediately necessary in the way of maintenance of the hall and present it at the next meeting, it being recognised that there was no money available for the general repairs and additions recommended some time ago. General. The Works Committee was instructed to prepare a statement showing the expenditure on account of the kerbing and channelling loan. The Chairman stated that he thought it would he possible to grade and metal Turongo and Ballance Streets this season. ' Hydro-Electricity. Cr. Phillips, a delegate to the HydroElectric Committee, presented his report (which is published elsewhere) ,on the proposed electric scheme for town and district. The report was that of a portion of the sub-commit-tee which had been appointed to i draw up a report on behalf of the j committee as a whole, hut as the j said sub-committee had not been able j to agree the report had been drawn j up by Cr. Phillips, on behalf of the j advocates of the Waitomo scheme and, | moreover, published. J A discussion took place between Cr. Green and the Chairman, very per- | tinent questions being asked by the i latter, who expressed dissatisfaction at the information given. i Cr. Closey moved that the report be i adopted. This was seconded by Cr. j Seymour and on being put was voted | for by four, the only one against it ! being Cr. Green. Cr. Closey thought Cr. Green’s ac- j tion was more or less a reflection on the Board’s delegates. Cr. Green: No; but I would like to hear the report of the minority. ; On the motion of Cr. Phillips it ! was decided to send the delegates to j the meeting of the Otorohanga County Council the next day, when the mat- 1 ter was going to be discussed. Accounts to the amount of £ll3 Is 8d were passed for payment. According to Cr. Phillips the report of Mr McLellan". electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, Hamilton, definitely settled the question of which electric scheme was best for Otorohanga. From what that gentleman had said it was decided that Waitomo scheme was the most desirable.

The question of what size of pile for buildings should be insisted upon, cropped up at the Town Board meeting. It was pointed out that the Board’s by-laws provided for 6x6 piles and that this must be insisted upon, and that no permits would be issued unless the specifications provided for the 6x6 piles. It was also pointed out that no buildings should be commenced until a permit was issued. It was quite refreshing to realise that the existence of such bylaws is being recognised. “I shall not be able to pay my rates until after I’ve got my shearing returns.” Such was the reply by a County ratepayer in answer io a request for immediate payment ,of overdue rates. This is quite like old times, the excuse for not paying rates during the past few.years being generally to the effect that there would not be money available for rates until the milk cheque came to hand.