TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15274, 26 June 1923, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING, The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening. His Worship the Mayor, Mr L. G. Armstrong, presided, and there were also _ present: Crs'. Downes, Peate,. Nortfr, Monteflore, Spinley, Geehie, Bygrave, and McCarroll. The Works Committee's report was adopted. The Health Inspector was asked to report on certain clauses of the foreman’s report, with regard to plumbing, to next meeting of the Council, and the foreman was also authorised to have certain alterations carried out. The ( foreman’s report was then read and adopted. In regard to the subdivisions over 'the railway, it was resolved that these be flagged and then the Council inspect them, and come to a general agreement with the property owners as to the plan. The sewerage engineer made a report that the cost of the progress of sewerage up to March 31, 1923, had been £29,904 is 7d; further expenditure to June 21, 1923, £950 Os 3d; liabilities to that date, £B7 15s sd; making a total expenditure so far of £30,941 17s 3d. His estimate to finish the loan was £3500; house connection, £800; Interest allowed, £400; a total of £35,641 17s 3d, say allow £36,000 to complete; or a sum of £4OOO under the authorised loan. The Superintendent of the State Advances notified his acceptance of their £SOOO loan for sewerage; terms to be for 36J years at 4* per cent per annum. • Messrs J. Duthie and Co. quoted for English steel water pipes on indent— Referred to Works Committee. An application was received from Mr D. M. Christian asking permission to relift a drain laid down in Market Street some years ago.—Agreed to, provided the road be reinstated. The Fire Brigade put in their report, announcing two fires, and also claims for £2 2s wages arising therefrom. —• Accounts to be collected and paid over to iFire Brigade.'. Mr 11. G. Foster wrote re the tenancy of the old library premises that he at present occupies, and asked if he could sub-let one of the rooms; or else he could only rent one of the rooms; failing agreement on this point' he would have to vacate the premises.—Referred to the Library Committee with power to act. Estimates for the Year. The following are the principal items in the estimates: — Receipts.—General rates, £2409; Government subsidy, £120; sanitary rate, £207 10s; licenses, £320; rents, £B4l 10s; sundries, £l2B. Expenditure.—Office expenses, including salaries, £737; Waikato Hospital levy, £372; repairs and maintenance, £700; interest, etc., £550; Domains, £100; Beautifying Society, £100; sanitary, £200; Fire Brigade, £so'; roads, £900; waterworks account receipts brought forward, £1480; rates, £1184; meters, supplies, etc., £631; labour, £180; material, £250; transferred to interest account, £1110; reticulation, 4in. extensions, £1000; sundries, £IBO.

The following general rates were struck; —General Id, sewerage 5-Bd, antecedent liability loan i-Bd, No. 1 Te Awamutu streets loan i-Bd, No. 2 Te Awamutu streets loan 1-84, No. 1 Alexandra Street loan l-16d, lighting l-Bd, allocation l-16d, Hospital 3-16 d. These rates, of which notice of motion had been given, were duly carried. By-Laws. Cr. Peate drew attention to an alteration in one plan in the book. Cr. McCarroll stated that he would be absolutely opposed to any alteration to the by-laws, and insisted that these by-laws must be carried, out to the letter, and it almost seemed to him that the position of their inspector must be seriously considered, if any alteration was allowed; he further instanced a case he had recently seen, where the by-laws had been strictly adhered to, to the great benefit of future inspectors. The foreman drew attention to certain cases In the main sewer that he thought had not been kept to the by-law. ■Fr Toogood explained the reason for these slight alterations, which had been explained to the previous Council and permitted by them, owing to the fact that they were of a temporary nature, as the permanent work in that road had not been done; when this was done the permanent structures would be completed. Cr. Downes queried whether the plans were absolutely unsuitable or not. After further discussion the book of plans was referred to the Works Committee with power to open up any drainage connections they think fit to do, and report to next meeting, Mr Toogood suggested that there were certain minor alterations that might he made in the by-laws, which would simplify the difficulties that had arisen, and it was resolved that he be given authority to suggest any alterations necessary. Cr. Downes brought up the questions of assistance to the Town Clerk. He stressed the fact that it was hardly the tiling for- the Council to have to get the County Clerk to read the minutes, when the Town Clerk happened to be away. This question was referred to the Finance Committee.