MATAMATA TOWN BOARD

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15040, 13 September 1922, Page 6

MATAMATA TOWN BOARD

ORDINARY MEETING

The election shortly taking place, the present members of the Matamata Town Board met for the last time on Monday night. There were present: Mr J. Price (chairman), and Messrs W. A. Gordan, J. W. Simpson, G. G. Bell, A. Stewart, T. R. Davies, F. E. Lark, and B. Blennerhassett (clerk).

Domain Board

The application from the secretary of the Matamata Tennis Club for additional ground in order to make room for three extra courts was recently granted by the chairman. His action was endorsed by the members of the board.

The clerk reported that the bank balance (cr.) of the Domain Board to date was £SO 3s sd. Further accounts were due, namely, £2O from the Town Board for grazing and £lO from an individual who had been owing this sum for over two years. The clerk further reported that £22 19s had been expended since Lhe last meeting of this board, of 'which sum £2O 16s lid represented w'ages. —The clerk was instructed to take lhe necessary action to recover the £lO, and was authorised to pay outstanding accounts amounting to £2 Bs. Mr Lark moved, and Mr Davies seconded, that an appreciation of the good work performed by the chairman, Mr Simpson, and previous members since the inception of the Domain Board be recorded in the minute-hook. —This w'as carried by acclamation.

Cemetery Board

The clerk reported that the debit balance of the cemetery account .was £3O 10s 6d. He said the money for wages had been advanced from the general account of the Town Board. The chairman moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming board to borrow, if legal, the amount from the Domain Board and refund same to the general account of the Town Board. This was carried. Nightsoil Depot.

The Medical Officer of Health, Thames, advised that he had approved of the proposed nightsoil depot.—Received.

Tainui Street Drainage,

Six tenders were received for the draining of Tainui street. —The lowest tender was accepted provided same meets with the satisfaction of the engineer,

An Accident.

The district manager of the Ocean, Accident and Guarantee Corporation Insurance Co. drew the board’s attention to the fact that an accident had occurred through some of the board’s horses wandering or being carelessly driven in the streets -of the township, a motor-car owned by Dr. Laurenson being badly damaged by colliding with the animals. The company wished to ascertain whether the board admitted any liability in this matter. —Referred to solicitor.

Westorf Estate Road Reserves

Messrs Earl, Kent and Massey, solicitors, forwarded transfer executed by Mrs Weston. The writers requested the board to approve and accept same. —Resolved that the seal of the board be attached and that refund of rates be made when transfer lo registered.

Refuse Complaint,

The following wire was received from Dr Hughes, Medical Officer ol Health: “Please wire what your board has done concerning borough refuse, how often and what area?” Mr Lark considered the information was desired on account of a complaint being made to the health officer. Certain rubbish and garbage, he said, was scattered about on a property the owner of which was not resident in the town.

It was decided to advise the officer that the work is carried out from time to time as required. Septic Tank Site.

Mr J. Weir, Auckland, said that he had received no particulars as to the area of land the board wished to purchase from him for the sewerage scheme. He also said no terms had been mentioned in previous correspondence.

Mr Bell said that Mr Weir knew the area, and should state what terms he required. It was not for the board to make an offer. -He further suggested that definite arrangements should be made -witli Mr Weir in regard to the hoard securing proper means of access to the area. He suggested Mr Weir give a right of easement. He considered the securing of a title might involve difficulties. In the event of the board desiring a title the district land registrar should he approached with a view to ascertaining whether, in the event of purchase, a title would be given.

It was decided to write Mr Weir staling the requirements of the board and asking him whether he would grant a right of easement over the two acres required and a right-of-way to the said area.

Plumbers’ Registration Act

An extract from the N.Z. Gazette was received declaring that in the districts set out therein (Matamata included), after six months from the date of the coming inLo force of this regulation all sanitary plumbing shall be done by a person registered under the said Act. Local Bodies’ Loans Amendment Act. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded copy of the Local Bodies’ Amendment Act, 1922. He called the board’s special attention to sections 0 and 7, the former giving power to local authorities to borrow money for the relief of unemployment and the latter authorising the borrowing of the cost of raising a loan to pay off antecedent liability in cases where a local body has raised, or proposes to raise, the necessary loan outside New Zealand.— Received. t

Dedication of Roads

Messrs Mac Diarmid, Mears and Gray, Hamilton, requested the board to advise them whether bonds for signature "by Messrs Kirkncss and Salisbury have vet been completed and whether the transfer by way of dedication has been consented to by the board. The writers stated that it was imperative that the dedication be registered forthwith.

The chairman said the deed was not in order for the reason that the dedication of Farmer’s road was asked for. This road was already dedicated by the County Council. He intended to interview Mr Salisbury, and in tiie meantime the deed should be returned until he could report to the incoming board. —Agreed to.

General. With reference lo rate demand No. 938, the Glaxo Go., Palmerston North, wished an explanation why the capital value on their property in Tower road had risen from £BOO last year to £I2OO this year.—The clerk replied that the capital value had not risen, as suggested. Upon reference it was found that the capital value (assessed two years ago) was quoted in the rate demand of last year No. 7 14 as being £I2OO, and as no fresh valuation has since taken place the same figures are quoted in current demand 938. Messrs ,1. Burns and I lie Spiral Pipe Co. Ltd., requested payment of their accounts, amounting to £OOO 15s 5d and £3104 respectively. The chairman moved that tlie firms bo requested lo forward detailed credit notes for goods

returned. —This was seconded and carried.

Mr Piikington, Auckland, sought information re a water connection to his property at Okauia. —The clerk was instructed to supply the information.

Finance.

Accounts amounting to £73 16s 8d were passed for payment.

Model By-laws.

The chairman considered the time had arrived when the Government should frame model by-laws. He referred to a recent court case at which the magistrate offered to the local body an improvement on its existing by-law. The suggestion of this magistrate might not be found advantageous by another magistrate. All by-laws, such as that of the explosives, should be framed by the Government so that similarity exists throughout the Dominion. As an instance, he quoted the by-law relating to heavy traffic. The difference of fees as charged by the Matamata County Council and the Matamata Town Board was extraordinary. He moved that it be a recommendation to the incoming board to confer witli the County Council re the framing of the heavy traffic bylaws. —This was seconded and carried. Recommendations to Incoming Board. The following recommendations, brought forward by the chairman, were recorded for the assistance and future discussion by the incoming hoard —(1) That the board discuss the formation of a fire brigade; (2) the matter of re-naming streets; and (3) that the board consider the purchase of a heavy road roller. The chairman recommended that should a roller be procured it be not less than 12 tons, and further that the surface be thoroughly rolled before the metal is put on. He also recommended that the me Lai be of not less than 9in thick, and that there be at least 3in of top surface and this not larger than llin. The chairman recommended the above for the reason lie did not consider the present surface was giving the wear that it should give. ~

Chairman Retires.

At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman said that lie was not seeking re-election for the reason that he had found the strain as much as, and sometimes more than, he could stand. “I took up the position,” he said, "as I felt it my duty to help my fellow men. Being unable to participate in the war, I endeavoured to do my duty in another capacity in lieu of going where I was not fit to go.” He trusted that he had (as he had endeavoured to) fulfilled his duty to both ratepayers and members. He said he had one further duty to perform, that of proceeding to Wellington to attend the hearing of the Thames Harbour Bill. He would, when In Wellington, endeavour to expedite the loan application for £3OOO. He thanked members for the able assistance given to him during his term of office. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to both Sir William Ilerries and Mr F. F. Hockly, M.P., wiio, he said, had given the board great assistance. Sir W. Herries had always given him the best of advice and successfully assisted him when on missions in Wellington. He thanked the press for the manner in which meetings had been reported. He trusted that every member seeking reelection would be returned. The Chairman Euloglsea.

Mr Bell said he was nqt seeking reclection foy both business and private reasons. He referred to the excellent work of the chairman and regretted that his health did not allow him to seek re-election. He expressed the desire to see Mr Gordan (who has been a member of the board since its inception) occupy the chair which Mr Price was unfortunately compelled to vacate. Should Mr Gordan become chairman to the board Matamata would have no need to fear as to its welfare.

All members spoke of the good work performed by the chairman during his term of office, it being unanimous that the position of the board and the progress of Matamata is attributed to the energy of this gentleman.

The following motion was carried by acclamation, “That the good work of the chairman be recorded.” Mr Price suitably replied.