BOROUGH MATTERS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9207, 9 April 1938, Page 2

BOROUGH MATTERS

MONTHLY MEETING OF WAIHI COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Waihi Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening, there being present the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt. and Crs. C. F. Butcher (deputy-Mayor). J. J. Callaghan, J. Mitchell, J. F. Robertson, A. J. Pollock and the lion. F. Bye. The town clerk, Mr E. C. i Westbury, and the engineer, Mr F. | G. Bourke, were also present. WAIHI BEACH TOWNSHIP The Under-Secretary for the Department. of Lands and Survey, writing on the question of the leasing of allotments in the Waihi Beach township and matters incidental thereto, advised that the position was that it was not possible to deal with the matter in connection with the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Act, 1937, but a clause was now being prepared for inclusion in the next Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill, and that a copy of the proposed clause would be submitted for the council’s consideration as soon as possible. The letter was received.

BEACH MAIN HIGHWAY The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, replying to the council concerning representations made during his visit to Waihi in January last relative to the declaration of the Waihi Beach road as a State Highway, advised that as a result of a discussion with the chairman of the Main Highways Board, the board deemed the highway did not qualify as an arterial or trunk route so as to form portion of the State Highways system. However, on the question of general improvements, the board, he understood, would give special consideration to assisting towards improving the standard of the beach highway and at present was obtaining a report so that the matter could be gone into in detail at an early date.

Cr. Callaghan having ascertained that the communication was in reply to his resolution that the Mayor write to the Minister and to the Main Highways Board for something of a definite nature in regard to the Beach road and the beach reserve, said he would repeat the statement of what the lion, the Minister of Public Works had said at Paeroa, that unless they agitated they would get nowhere. It was impossible for the council to make the road just what it should be. It was, owing to finance, an impossible project for the council and it must look to the Highways Board for assistance. It was said that the beach was a dead end, but. it could not be a dead end when there was something at the end of it.

The town clerk drew attention to the statement in the Minister’s letter that the board would give special consideration to assisting towards improving the standard of the beach highway and was obtaining a report so that the matter could be gone into at an early date. He understood that members of the Public Works staff were engaged that day in conducting a survey of the road, but had had no official intimation of this. The Mayor said Cr. Callaghan was quite right in what he had said, but the information received appeared to indicate that the Highways Board did intend to give assistance. Cr. Callaghan said lie was pleased to hear these views. He had felt impelled to speak as he regarded thcwork as essential, and it should be considered a national one, and the council was subject to constant criticism by visitors to the beach. He would move that the letter be received. Tfiie motion was carried. WHANGAMATA ROAD

The chairman of the Main Highways Board, Mr J. Wood, replied in similar terms to that of the Minister of Public Works regarding the question of the Waihi Beach main highway. He also replied to the request that the Whangamata road be declared a main highway. While recognising the importance of this road from the borough’s viewpoint, the board was unable to consider any general extensions of the present highways system owing to highways’ funds being already fully committed. Ho also advised that the Oliinemuri County Council had made similar representations to the board but was advised that there was little prospect of extending highways. However, the whole matter would be considered again in due course when the board made its annual review of the main highways system in about six months’ time. The letter was received.

WATER RETICULATION The secretary of the Waihi Fire Board, Mr I. T. Fallwell, wrote that he had been directed to draw the council’s attention to (lie number of small water mains in the borough, and it was requested that the council make provision for more satisfactory water reticulation.

Cr. Mitchell, in moving that the letter he received, said that the council intimate to the Fire Board that the whole question of water supply was being considered. INCREASED SUBSIDY The chairman of the Main Highways Board advised that the board

had recently considered the matter of its subsidy for highway bridging and il had been decided to increase the subsidy rate lo £2 for £1 as from April .1, 1 BBS. The increased subsidy would apply to bridging commenced after April 1, and also to the completion of bridges already started, but only in respect of work carried out after April 1. The letter was received.

An application for permission to screen pictures at Waihi Beach on Good Friday was received from Mr Thomas, of Circuit Pictures. A similar application was received

from Mr Geo. Calder through his manager, Mr D. Rae. The applications were granted. ABATTOIR PADDOCKS An offer to renew her abattoir lease for a further term of five years on the terms stated in a letter from the council was received from Mrs E. Burns, of Robin Street. The letter was received. Mr R. S. Dean also offered to renew the lease of the abattoir paddock held by him on a month to month basis. The letter was received.

Amalgamated Butchers, Ltd., wrote agreeing to rent the abattoir paddock on a monthly tenancy rent, to be paid in advance, as requested by the council. Rent as to May 1, £1 Is 4d, was enclosed. The letter was received. Attention to the bad state of the road at the entrance to his property in Russell Street was drawn in a letter from Mr E. M. Johnson, who asked that a drain be constructed to prevent a swamp forming in the winter months.

Cr. Butcher moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee.

Cr. Mitchell, in seconding the motion, said it was a work he felt sure the Works Committee would agree should be given attention. Undoubtedly the present condition of the road was the fault of bygone councils.

MOTOR-TRAFFIC ON FORESHORE Use of the foreshore of the Waihi Beach by motor traffic, was the subject of a letter from the chief traffic inspection to the No. 1 Licensing Authority, Mr J. E. Ainsworthy, in response to one from the town clerk inquiring what regulation prevented such use. Mr Ainsworthy replied that there were no regulations or Acts governing the use of beaches as a highway, save that drivers of vehicles must proceed in a careful and orderly manner. Accordingly, it would not be possible to prevent the use of the foreshore below highwater mark by motor vehicles, but action could be taken in any instances of dangerous or inconsiderate driving. ITie letter was received. USE OF SWIMMING BATHS

Application for the use of the municipal baths for the purpose of holding a swimming carnival was made by the lion, secretary of the Waihi Surf and Life-saving Club, Mr Philip D. Horne.

Cr. Pollock moved that the application be granted provided that the applicants came to a satisfactory arrangement with the caretaker. This was seconded by Cr. Mitchell.

Cr. Robertson moved an amendment that the application be acceeded to provided the club contributed 15 per cent, of the proceeds of the carnival.

Comments by members indicated to the mover of the amendment that a charge of 15 per cent, was undesirable, whereupon Cr. Robertson reduced the amount to 10 per cent. Even this did not enlist the sympathy of the council. The Mayor said he was more concerned with the management of the baths in connection with carnivals as affecting the caretaker. Mr McClung was very efficient and took a pride in having the baths in firstclass condition and it was that principle he wished to conserve. He was in favour of Cr. Pollock’s motion.

There being no seconder to the am - endment it lapsed, and the motion was carried. SANITARY CONTRACT

An offer to renew the borough sanitary contract held by him for a further term of two years was made by Mr H. Radford. The offer was accepted. OFFICE HEATING

An application from the abattoir inspector, Mr C. Copestake, for heating the office at the abattoir was made. The matter was referred to the Abattoir Committee. MOTOR-CYCLIST’S LICENSE Renewal of his license for the coming year was sought by Mr Ivan Lloyd, who said that lie had had no trouble with the police or the transport authorities, and the cycle was his only means of getting about, other than walking. On the motion of Cr. Robertson, seconded by Cr. Butcher, the request was granted. TROUBLESOME DRAIN

Cr. Robertson moved that Mr J. Barton be instructed to clean his portion of the drain connecting with the Martha Gold Mining Company’s drain. This was seconded by Cr. Mitchell.

Cr. Callaghan explained that he had ascertained from Mr Hopkins, the superintendent of the Martha Company, that the company’s portion of the drain had been cleaned out. The motion was carried. INTERFERING WITH TREES

The removal of trees on the Recreation Ground bordering on Clarke Street was again before the council. Mr Westbury pointed out that following the hearing of a petition for topping the trees in this locality which came before the council in August of last year, the council decided that the matter be attended to in the following autumn and that the petitioners be advised to that effect, and the autumn season was now at hand.

Cr. Mitchell said that some people thought that trees were indispensible, and nobody could gainsay the advantages of trees. However,

where the trees were very thick one or two might to advantage be cut out. Cr. Callaghan was strongly opposed to the massacre of trees, and whatever benefit would come from topping or cutting the trees down, the loss of them would far outweigh the benefit. He was utterly opposed to touching .the trees.

On the motion of Cr. Pollock it was decided that the petitioners be notified that the council having further reviewed the position, no action be taken.

INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY The question of the inadequate water supply to the residence of Mr

Thomas in Bulltown was again be fore the council.

Cr. Callaghan contended that as the applicant paid a full water rate, and was a ratepayer, he was entitled to an adequate water service, which at present he was not getting. He would move that a price be obtained for installing a 200-gallon tank, and that when this was done the matter be referred to the Works Committee with power to act.

This was seconded by Cr. Robertson and carried.