TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1578, 25 November 1924, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

GENERAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED

His Worship the Mayor (Mr L. G Armstrong) presided at last evening’s meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council. Also present; were Crs G. Spinley. C. G- Downes. C. Bygrave, B. McGechie, W. J. North and; P. W. Peate.

Apologies for absence were received from Crs J. C. Montefiore and J. W. McCarroll. Mr A. S. Wallace asked if the Council! will accept dedication of a new road tb-ough his nroperty if he lodges money for metalling same. It was remarked by a Councillor that the Council had already had two experiences of a similar kind. Apparently Mr Wallace was actuated by the fact that he cou'd not procure metal. Neither could the Council get it, for that matter. Cr North commented that acceptance of the obligation would give Mr Wallace dedication six or nine months earlier than would be the case otherwise, but the Council could do the work at .its own convenience in conjunction with its other works. 'The Mayor thought the Council's interests could be well safeguarded. It was decided to refer the request to the Works Committee for a report Messrs Thomson apd Farrer consented to a storm water drain from Mutu Street along the fence line from the street to the river through their property, provided the drain is laid at least 2ft 6in below the surface and the writers have the right to turn storm water from any buildings that may be built into the drain, the Council to keep such drain in proper repair. The engineer recommended thanking the owners for their consent to the Council’s request. Cr Bygrave asked if a 12in pipe was necessary.

■The engineer showed that the gathering area warranted such a pipet t

The recommendation was adopted. The Borough solicitors, advising re the drawing ,of heavy traffic by-laws, recommended the Council to await the issue of the regulations proposed under the Public Works Amendment Act of last session, which are expected shortly and which are designed to meet all requirements, such as affect heavy traffic control in Te Awamutu. The letter proceeded: “It seems rather a waste of money for the Council now: to pass its own by-laws, when at any time the Government regulations may be issued and dispense with the need of by-laws, or possibly repeal them to a greater or lesser extent.”—Resolved to thank Mr Swarbrick for his advice.

The Mayor said he thought the Council should lose no time in getting the necessary regulations gazetted. Approval was expressed of the Auckland City Council’s schedule. Councillors agreed, and it was resolved to hold a special meeting next Monday evening to consider .the matter of heavy traffic licenses. The Waipa County clerk wrote: “I am directed to point out that the bulk of the traffic on the occasion of . the Waipa Racing Club’s meeting is over the county roads, and my Council therefore considers that it should receive a share of the license fees paid to your Council. Will you be good enough to lay this matter before your Council and let me know what their feeling is regarding it.” The opinion was expressed that Waipa County has no claim on the race traffic license fees. The County Council has its own machinery for collecting taxi license fees. The Mayor remarked that the Borough once got about £2O in race day license fees, but that figure had not since been equalled and was not likeely to be exceeded while there is only one race day in Te Awamutu. It was decided to reply that as the fees collected are so small there is no prospect of dividing it lyThe President, Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce, urged on the Council the desirability of reaching an arrangement with the Waipa County Council for the licening of heavy traffic which uses the roads of the borough and county. “It- is felt,” wrote Mr Coyne, “that combined action by the local bodies concerned will lead to a basis of levy that will prove reasonably equitable and at the same time derive an adequate revenue in respect to heavy traffic.” —Referred to the special meeting next Monday evening. Cr Peate reported that the proposed drain to be put in by the N.Z. Dairy Co. across its property would have to be lower than the existing one. He said that his own section nearby, and others adjoining, were water logged. The drain under 'the road was not low enough. He asked the engineer to watch the position closely.—This the engineer undertook to do. The secretary, Municipal Band, asked the Council to have seats put in the band rotunda at Victoria Park; also to have the rotunda electrically lighted, as the Band purposes giving evening recitals there. Cr North spoke in support, but Cr Spinley asked where the money was to come from. The available money was nil.

The Mayor said however much 'the Councillors might sympathise there was a danger of “over-running the constable.”

It was decided to provide seats, but the question of lighting was deferred.

Cr Spin-ley reported that with the Mayor he had interviewed the Waipa County engineer re the desired road improvement in that portion of the borough that is to be transferred to the County on April Ist, 1925. No agreement had yet been reached, though Mr Civil had undertaken to put a recommendation before his Council. In any case the Borough Council should arrange for the County Council to expend £75 on maintenance work, the Borough transferring that amount provided it can legally do so.—Approved. The Swimming Baths Special Commitee reported progress (as already reported). The acceptance of Mr P. W. Peate’s tender at £IO2B was recommended. This was for the bare bath itself without even a fence. Even with this omission the Committee

would be £49 ■short of;'the contract price. ’ * 4 ’

The Mayor said it hail been suggested that a public gathering be arranged with a view to creating interest, in the undertaking. Cr Peate said ihe had not yet signed the contract. He proposed to do. that next morning,' and would then make a start on the actual work next Thursday. . ; Cr Spinley suggested holding some little ceremony on Thursday. It was necessary to push ahead as ■ fast as possible to provide swimming facilities during the summer season. To Cr McGechie, Cr Spinley said it was estimated £l5O additional, was required. .Cr Downes said the drainage scheme decided dn earlier in the evening for Teasdale Street would be adequate for the baths, hut there was no provision for sewerage. Cr Peate said that before the whole scheme of appointments suitable for the place could be carried out .a further £SOO would a’most be necessary.

It was decided to recommend the Swimming Baths General Committee to convene a public meeting of all interested to consider ways and means of raising the money required.