TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 3

TAIHAPE

BOROUGH AFFAIRS. Many matters of local interest wore, discussed at the monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council on Friday evening. The Mayor (Mr L. B. 11. de Lautour) occupied the chair, and also present were: Councillors E. Loader, F. White, A. McDonald, 11. Christensen, 11. L. Butler, C. E. Darvill and G. A. Wilsher. The Town Clerk (Mr E. J. Price), the Borough Engineer (Mr H. A. Truman), the Electrical Engineer (Mr H. G. Knight), and the caretaker of reserves and cemetery (Mr E. A. Abbott) were also in attendance. Be-Valuation of Borough. The following letter regarding the. re-valuation of the borough, was received from the Valuer-General:— “With reference to your letter applying to have the Borough of Taihape revalued, I have to to advise that the merits of your application are recognised. Similar applications, however, arc to hand from other local bodies, but as there is a limit to the volume of revaluation work that can be undertaken in any year, a selection has to be made and preference given to districts where the need for revising the values is most urgent. I cannot say definitely at. present when Taihape will be re-valued, but the matter will he given careful consideration when the next schedule districts is being drawn up.” Cr. Butler expressed the opinion that the matter would be shelved unless it was continually brought under the notice of the Valuer-General. The Town Clerk suggested that the matter be placed in the hands of Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P. The Mayor remarked that the matter was urgent and the council would not lose sight of it. On the motion of Cr. Loader it was resolved that the letter be received. Cemetery Section. Two tenders were received for the 1 \se of the section adjoining the cemetery. The tenders were as follows: — Mr McGinness £5 Is; Mr W. H. Horton, £4. Cr. White remarked that a small portion of the section—probably about 18 feet—would probably be required for the purpose of extending the R.S.A. plot at the cemetery, and be inquired if the tenderers had ben acquainted of this fact. The Town Clerk replied in the negative, and it was decided to advise the tenderers accordingly, and to accept the higher tender.

Works Committee. The first recommendation of the Works Committee was to the effect that the Borough Engineer’s monthly report, dated June 9, be referred to the council for consideration and approval. Cr. Loader voted against this recommendation. Explaining his action in this connection, Cr. Loader stated that the Borough Engineer had suggested dismissing one of the workmen but the speaker considered that tho man which the engineer suggested should be dismissed was the best man the council had. “It would be better to reduce the wages of the workmen to award rates, rather than dismiss any of the men,” concluded Cr. Loader, who moved that the matter be held over until the revision of wages of borough employees.—The motion was seconded by Cr. White and carried. Traffic Inspector. The Works Committee recommended that in reference to the matter of the prosecution of Mr W. R. Duncan, by the .traffic inspector, the borough solicitor’s report dated June 11, and the traffic inspector’s report, dated June 8, be received, and after consideration of the reports, the action of the traffic inspector be upheld. Cr. Butler: The letter from Mr W. R. Duncan’s solicitor, casting reflections on the Borough Council’s traffic inspector, was published in the Press, and I think that it is only right that the same publicity should be given to the fact that the council has upheld the traffic inspector’s action in regard to the matter. The Mayor: These two reports are sufficient to exonerate the traffic inspector from any blame. Cr. Butler: Well I hope sufficient publicity will be given to the fact that the council has upheld the action of the traffic inspector. The recommendation of the Works Committee was adopted. Thrush Street. ' The recommendation of the Works Committee that in reference to the letter from Mr J. Graham, Tv condition of Thrush Street extension, the engineer be instructed to procure cinders for the temporary repairing of the road for pedestrian traffic, was adopted. Ketbside Pump. The council declined the application of Messrs Barton and Co. for permission to instal an additional kerbside pump. Cr. Loader: This firm have enough kerbside pumps now. There is no room for people to step from the road to the footpath in this particular locality owing to the number of kerbside pumps. If a person were chased by a wild bull in the locality in question, he might not be able to reach the footpath before being caught owing to the existence of these kerbside pumps. Cr. Darvill: I understand that Barton and Co. proposed to erect the pump between those already installed, and that no additional space would therefore be necessary. Cr. Wilsher: Kerbside pumps make the streets unsightly. The discussion then lapsed. Removal of Rubbish. Works Committee recommended that the rubbish removal*bc undertaken on one day pei week throughout the borough, but if a bi-weekly service is required, or found necessary, the council undertake this work at the occupier’s expense; also that new conditions relative to the renewal of rubbish be drawn up and circulated. The Works Committee also recommended that it be an instruction to the rubbish collector to submit a report stating the names of the persons who do not possess regulation rubbish receptacles. Cr. Butler expressed the opinion that certain consideration should be given to shopkeepers in regard to the removal of rubbish Some other receptacle should be allowed besides the present *ne, which was fai too smalL C'c.

Loader said that the present receptacle was more for private use. Shopkeepers could use a box. Cr. Butler: Two years ago the rubbish collector refused tc take the rubbish away in a uox. He insisted upon it being placed in a standard bin. The Mayor: We won’t insist on a small receptable. You can have a large one. Cr. Loader: By removing rubbish once a week only, the borough will save £BO a year. The recommendations were adopted. Electrical Department. Amongst the recommendations of the Electric Light Committee were the following:—• (1) That the application of Mr A. Caulcutt for a supply of A.C. for radio demonstration purposes be declined, as it is considered that the granting of the application would give Air Canlcutt an unfair advantage over others in the same line of business in the town who have purchased ami are using rotary convertors. (2) That it be left, to the Electrical Engineer to have constructed a suitable gateway at the entrance to the power house reserve, at a cost not to exceed £lO. That the electrical Engineer be instructed to submit a confidential comprehensive report on the estimated life of the electrical plant and equipment, the efficiency of same, and the competitive efficiency of the product as compared with A.C. (4) That the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department be approached and asked to recommend a competent engineer who could be engaged by the council for tho purpose of reporting on tho electrical department from an engineering and also from a commercial aspect. • (5) That a schedule of the Wanganui-R-angitikei Elec-tric-power Board’s charges for electricity be obtained fo’- consideration at the next meeting. (6) That the Electrical Enginer be instructed to submit a report within fourteen days on the possibility of effecting savings in the Electrical Department sufficient to enable a reduction of 10 per cent, in the lighting charge to be made where same is at present being charged for at the rate of 8d nett per unit. Commenting on clause one, Cr. Christensen said that applications for a supply of A.C. current had been received before but they had been refused because the council could not supply it, and also because of the fact that if the council granted one application, they would have to treat all applicants alike. Speaking wtih reference to clause four, Cr. Christensen added that the council was fast approaching a stage when some capital expenditure in connection with the electrical department, would be necessary. The Electric Light Committee was unable to determine the best course of action to take and so proposed to obtain the advice of a higher authority in order to ascertain what the future holds in store, both as regard the council’s own plant, and other power.

Cr. Wilsher: It is just as well to find out how we stand. The recommendation is a wise one. The Alayor: We may find that our own plant is quite good, but requires a certain amouut of money spent on it in order to meet present day requirements. The Power Board is knocking at our door and we must see that our “house” is in order. Cr. Wilsher: There is a certain amount of dissatisfaction amongst the consumers regarding the price they have to pay for electric light. Comparisons are made which are not to our advantage. I would like to see the charge reduced by more than 10 per cent. Cr. Loader: And then the rates might be increased. The Town Clerk: If we make a 10 per cent, reduction in the charge for electric light, our charges on the aggregate (lighting, heating and power) will be lower than those of the Wanganui-Ran-gitikei Electric-power Board. Cr. Butler. People compare our charges for light with those of the Power Board but they don’t compare our heating and power charges with those of the board. Our heating and power charges are very low. The Alayor: Tho ten per cent, reduction will bring us well within the limits of the prices charged by other bodies. Tho discussion then lapsed and the recommendtaions were adopted. First Aid Service. '■ Alf E. A. Abbott has had considerable experience in first aid work and he has offered to form a local branch of the St. John Ambulance probided there are J2 men who are willing to join. Mr Abbott will undertake to put them through a course of instruction,” said the Alayor, who complimented Air Abbot on the .spirit that had prompted his offer and expressed tho hope that there would be several men who were prepared to take advantage of it. It was decided to inform the Taihape Rugby Union of the offer. It. was also resolved to purchase a stretcher for use on the Oval Domain in case of accident.