TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 12

TAIHAPE

BOROUGH AFFAIRS The monthly meeting of the Taihape Borough Council .was held on Friday evening when His Worship the Mayor (Mr. L. B. H. de Lautour) presided over an attendance consisting of Crs. E. Loader, H. Bowater, E Robinson, .P. Kearins, A. M. Ryan, G. A. Wilsher. An apology for absence was received from Cr. MacDiarmid. Water Reticulation. The Works Committee recommended that the council accept the offer of the Amalgamated Brick and Pipe Co., Ltd., to clean and re-line the spiral steel water mains in terms of their letter dated August 20, 1937, and that the question of financing the work be referred to the council for consideration.

It was pointed out that letters had been received from the St. Kilda, Lower Hutt, Devonport and Otahuhu Borough Councils regarding the relining of water mains by the above company by means of the “Tate” process, and in every case the work had proved satisfactory. Cr. Ryan moved that steps be taken to obtain permission from the Loans Board to raise a loan for the purpose. Cr. Loader seconded the motion and added that it impossible to provide the necessary finance (£3200) out of revenue.

The Mayor: We can’t pay for the work out of revenue and the only alternative is to raise a loan and strike a special rate. We will have to consider raising the general rate slightly next year to put ourselves on side financially.

Cr. Wilsher: We have been told that the water reticulation mains are weak, and if we don’t have them relined soon it might cost us a lot more money in the long run. The “Tate” process has been tried in other towns and seems to be successful and we should act without delay. Cr. Robinson: Does the “Tate” process of re-lining water mains with cement eliminate blow-outs in the reticulation area? The Mayor: Yes. The Town Clerk: We will have to take a poll of ratepayers on the question before we can raise a loan. It was decided to act along the lines indicated. Foreman’s Report The borough foreman's monthly report on work carried out in the borough read as follows: Roads and Streets.—Kiwi Road and Wren Street have been graded, and Ellis Road graded and metalled. All potholes on the sealed sections of Nos. 1 and 2 highway have been repaired. 260 feet of kerb and channelling has been completed and the storm sumps connected on the approach to the town. The by-pass for the cream stand has been formed and metalled. A start has been made on the widening of Kiwi Road at the bend behind Wilson and Co. The footpath has been moved back five feet and 74 feet of new kerb and channelrun in. The widening above the overhead bridge will be undertaken as soon as the storm water in the Hautapu Street drain reaches its summer level, the spoil from the widening being used to cover the pipes in the drain.

Footpaths.—Wren, Eagle and Carver Street footpaths have been cleaned and top-dressed with chips.

Drains and Sewers.—A four-inch sewer connection has been laid for the Methodist Church, a storm water drain and sump provided for Messrs. Maclean and Kincaid’s buildings, and a blocked sewer cleared of roots. The Hautapu Street storm drain has subsided in four places during the month temporary repairs only having been effected. It appears that this drain has a concrete bottom and sides but only a totara slab top, and extends from the Gretna Hotel to Kotare Street below the Rangitikei County Office, approximately 10 chains. It will be necessary to renew the top of this drain. That part on the Kotare Street intersection should be renewed at once in view of the fact that the Public Works Department will be sealing this road next month. I would suggest that the drain be covered with reinforced concrete slabs 2ft. lOin. x 2ft x 3in. procurable from the Rangitikei County Council at 5/per slab. Swimming Baths.—The baths have been cleane dout, the floor repaired where necessary, an obsolete turn cock in the scour removed and replaced with a 3in. wheel valve. Buildings—Four building permits have been issued. The contractor is making satisfactory progress with the shelter at the cemetery.

Traffic. —Two “No Parking” have been erected. Six summonses have been issued for by-law offences. Plant. —The trucks have been examined and warants of fitness obtained. The Fargo truck has covered 299 miles in the month. PERSONAL Residents of Taihape and district will learn with sincere regret of the death of Mrs J. Whittle, which occurred at Rotorua on Saturday. Deceased was noted for her kindness of heart and other virtues which gained for her a wide measure of popularity and respect, and news of her passing will come as a great shock to her many friends and acquaintances. She is survived by her husband and one daughter. Miss R. Whittle, and one son, Mr Tom Whittle, to whom widespread sympathy will be extended.

features in this expanding business. It is taken for granted that every commercial enterprise must be equipped with the telephone, and it is also customary to provide additional lines as a business expands. Residential telephones are now regarded as equally essential, judging by the development ’f this side of the business, for in the upward movement from the depression point, the additional connections made to residences total over 15,000, which is more than three times the increase in the number of new business connections. In total strength also the residential telephones are more umerous. Taking the relative position of the two classes of subscriber, the business subscriber accounts for 30 per cent, and the residential subscriber for 70 per cent, of the total number of telephones connected to the exchanges of the Dominion.