TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15294, 24 July 1923, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening, when the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) presided, and there were also present: Crs. C. G. Downes, P. W. Peale, W. J. North, J. C. Montcliore, G. Spinley, B. McGechic, and C. Bygrave. Leave of absence was granted Cr. J. W. McCarroll. Legal and Finance.

When the Finance and Legal Committee's report was put in, Or. Montefiore drew attention to the very unsatisfactory state of affairs as disclosed at the recent special meeting of the Council, and suggested that, some of the Councillors had lost confidence in the committee. He certainly thought that some change was desirable. Either the Finance Committee should bo composed of the whole Council, or at the very least the chairman of the Works Committee should be on it. He personally had no faith in the Finance Committee at present. The Mayor, in reply, stated that as Cr. Montofloro had practically asserted want of confidence in the Finance Committee he felt it his duty to emphatically say that lie considered the members of the Finance Committee were the best ones on the Council for their position, and he had full confidence in them, especially the chairman (Mr C. G. Downes).

Cr. Spinley thought that perhaps the reason of the dilemma that they were placed in now was on account of the Finance Committee not meeting soon enough. The Finance Committee's report was then carried. Works Committee.

The Works Committee's report was then read and adopted. The foreman's report was read and adopted.

Cr. Spinley pointed out that the foreman required a level and --staff before they could get on with the estimates for the loan, and it was decided to leave the purchase of these to the Finance Committee and the foreman, with power to act. Heavy Traffic.

The Mayor reported that as a result of their instructions at last meeting they had interviewed their solicitor re the heavy traffic by-laws, and to save time he had asked Mr Swarbrick to attend that meeting. Mr Swarbrick then briefly discussed the provisions required for the bylaw as governed by the various Acts that deal with the subject of heavy traffic, and pointed out that the main fact to be determined is whether the by-law is reasonable or not, as what is reasonable in one place may not be in another. Briefly, each by-law is treated on its own merits; the number of local bodies through which a carrier goes in these days render the whole position extremely difficult. The .Mayor suggested in view of these remarks that it might be as well to leave this question till after this session of Parliament.

Cr. Spinley pointed out that it was the heavy lorries that did the damage, and he did not see why they should escape taxing, in view of the amount of damage they did to the roads. Cr. Peate added that the yvholc thing would have to bo fixed by law, and as the'motor traffic has come to stay they must prepare for it. On the motion of Cr. Downes it was decided to instruct their solicitors to draft a by-law to deal with the subject, the fees to bo as follows: Three tons to four tons, £ls; four tons to five tons, £25; five tons to six tons, £SO; six tons to oight tons, £75; eight tons to 10 tons and over, £IOO. To be levied on all vehicles that use the borough roads on more than six days during the year.

General. The Department of Health drew attention to the fact that certain plumbing works had been done in the borough by an unregistered plumber, pointing out that the Plumbers' Board had asked for police proceedings to be taken against him; they also enclosed copies of correspondence from Inspector Bennett and of a letter from the plumber to the inspector. Cr. Bygrave: It is not fair to the other men.—lt was decided to take action as required. Messrs John Duthie and Co., of Wellington, acknowledged receipt of the Council's order for S3OO feet of four-inch water pipes, and notified the Council they had also placed on order the steel specials and cast iron fittings on a commission basis. The assistant Under-secretary of Public Works notified that a road in the borough had been closed by proclamation. A reminder was received from the Department of Agriculture re the clearing of gorse. A communication was also received from the State Advances Office, stating that a further £SOOO was ready on receipt of debentures. Mr A. Bygrave put in an account for £lO 5s for cartage, etc. —This was passed for payment.

Mr W. Goodall notified the Council that considerable damage had been done to his property in Mutu street by storm water during the recent wet weather, and asking that some steps should bo taken by the Council to slop the nuisance.—Referred back to the writer to consult with his neighbours to come to a common plan; failing an amicable arrangement the Council would assist them if possible.

The following lenders were received for the contract of carting metal to Bridgman's road: —11. Andrews and Sons, -'is Cd per yard; F. Parsons, 4s Gd per yard; Rowcru, -is Od per yard; Taylor, Kihikihi, Os per yard. Messrs II: Andrews and Sons' tender was accepted.

Cr. McGechie reported on their inspection of Kawa Hill metal. It showed a very promising face of metal; they were convinced there was an excellent chance of good metal. They then interviewed the Waipa County Council, who received them very favourably.—Cr. Monteiiore pointed out that flic face was within a very short distance of land that was vested in the Railway Department, They also showed a sample to Mr Civil, the county's engineer, who was favourably impressed with it.. He also mentioned that a gentleman of this town was so impressed with the possibilities that he was prepared to put down £IOOO towards the quarry.— The Mayor thanked them for their efforts, and pointed out that if they only saved five per cent on the cost they would be amply rewarded, especially as metal would be very hard to get this next summer. flic Council received a letter from the sanitary contractor offering to take over the plant and do Ihe service at a fee of :1s per pan; failing an agreement, he desired to lie relieved of his duties at the end of August.—Referred lo Works Committee lo report lo next meeting. In general business. Cr. Downes said a complaint had been made that I he sewerage drainlayers had been doing private work, and even had been working Oil Sundays; he asked LUat. the truth of this bo ascertained. Cr. Downes also referred l" cr. Montuorc's remarks re the Finance

Committee. He regretted that apparently councillors had been misled in any way, but the main point that he did stress was that the Kihikihi road repairs were not intended to cost more than £SOO, and the Finance Committee never authorised the extra amount that was spent. He added he was quite prepared to move that the Finance Committee be composed of the whole Council. As Cr. Montefioro had expressed a want of confidence in the Finance Committee he was quite prepared to resign his position as chairman of that committee, but he was not prepared to accept the whole of the blame for the position. He then formally moved that the Finance Comniillee be composed of the whole Council. —In seconding the motion Cr. McGechic expressed his astonishment at the amount that had been spent on the Kihikihi road; lie could not see where it had all gone. Ho also considered that the Works Committee were equally to blame; no one regretted the position more than he. —i Cr. Peate asked for details of the expenditure on the Kihikihi road, and also the amount of £l5B that had been spent on patches. These were supplied to the meeting.—Cr. Montefiore, replying to Cr. Downes, regretted if he had taken his remarks to himself; he referred to the Finance Committee as a whole. His contention was that a'* the meeting when the rates were struck ho was told there would be £9OO Jo bo spent, less what had been already expended, but the troublo was that the amount that had been spent was not stated. It seemed that that was where the misunderstanding arose. Mayor agreed with the motion, especially as Cr. Downes had remarked each counciUor fwas personally liable.—The motion was then carried. Foreman's Report. The foreman reported:—Since last meeting the following works have been attended to: The main streets have been regularly attended to, cesspits cleaned out, etc. Saleyards fences have been repaired; water table and footpath on Ohaupo Road have been surfaced and cleaned up; crossing put in for Holmes and Gibson's motor garage, Arawata street, and crossing over George street fixed up. Channels, Mutu street from Mahoe to Mangapiko streets, have been cleaned out. Drain connections from here tested for the following: Mr Walker, Mahoe street; Mr Marshy Mahoe street | Mr Spiers, Mahoe street; Mr Bowden, College street; Mr Giltos, Tawhiao street. A start has been made this morning to lower the footpath in Sloan street, taking the surplus earth to back up the shingle on the roadway coming towards town, from Park road. After the completion of this I will start on Bridgman's road.