TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15313, 14 August 1923, Page 5

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH.

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers, when the Mayor (Mr L. O. Armstrong) presided, and there were also present Crs. G. Spinley, C. G. Downes, P. W. Peate, J. W. McCarroll, J. C. Monteflore, C. Bygrave, and \V. J. North Leave -of absence was granted Cr. B. McGechie.

The borough solicitors forwarded a draft by-law providing for the licensing of vehicles engaged in heavy traffic in the borough, the scale of fees to be decided by the Council.

Councillors were in doubt as to the basis -of -the scale of fees, which led to a lengthy discussion. Cr. McCarroll suggested commencing the scale with a fee of £lO, instead of £ls, for lorries -to carry 14 tons to 2 tons on each pair of wheels; 2 tons to 24 tons, £2O; 24 tons to 3 tons, £3O; 3 tons to 4 tons, £SO; 4 tons to 5 tons, £IOO. This scale of fees was referred back to the solicitors for completion.

Cr. Downs suggested that horsedrawn vehicles be licensed at onehalf or one-third of the motor lorry fees, and speed should be rigidly fixed, and width of tyres required should also be provided for. Cr. McCarroll then moved that the speed limit be graded from 15 miles for the lighter vehicles to six miles for the heavier lorries. Cr. Monteflore gave notice of motion that the width of tyres as mentioned in the by-law be slightly reduced for horse-drawn vehicles with springs.

The question of rent of the office recently vacated by Mr H. G. Foster came up for discussion, and it was decided to meet him by reducing the claim by half. An application was received from Mr F. J. Gilbert, asking for the removal of a tree that was obstructing his entrance. —Owing to the danger of establishing a precedent, the application was declined. A letter was received from the clerk of the Waikato Licensing Committee asking for payment of the Council’s share of his salary.—lt was decided to reply to him to the effect that the Council was waiting for the first meeting of the Licensing Committee to get a ruling from them as to the facts of his appointment. The question of Mr A. G. Wetheroil’s subdivision in Pakura Street came up for approval, and was approved as far as the sections opening on to Pakura Street were concerned, the balance to remain in abeyance pending the completion of another road that would give them a frontage. Cr. Downes raised the question of assisting with sewerage connection by financing those that required help. He advocated earmarking £SOO out of the sewerage loan for that purpose, more especially in view of the fact that the Council was terminating the sanitary contract at the end of this month. —This was agreed to by the Council, and applications were to be called for by those who desired assistance, and that Crs. Spinley, Downes, and the Mayor be appointed a sub-committee to report on the applications, if received. It was decided that the clerk be instructed to write to the Railway Department asking for the permanent levels of the new crossing contemplated on the main road to Pirongia. Cr. Montefiorc raised the question of the old library site, which recently suffered by a fire. He advocated that it bo put up on a Glasgow lease, with compulsory building clause.. Councillors were generally agreeable to the proposal, and on the motion of Cr Montefiorc it was decided that the title be searched, and if possible the lease of the land be put up for auction, the upset price to bo £IOO per annum, and that a building to the value of £2OOO or more to be erected on the land. It was also decided that tenders be called for the old buildings at present on it. Domain Board. A short meeting of the Domain Board was then held. The annual report and balance-sheet as audited was read. It was decided to call for tenders for grazing on Albert, Park for 12 months, conditions to be the same as last year, and it was further decided to top-dress the football grounds, the Rugby Union to bo asked to help in this matter. It was also decided to get an estimate of the. cost of putting in the sewerage t.o Victoria Park.