MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17169, 3 August 1927, Page 9

MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

| FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. ROUTINE BUSINESS. At the usual meeting of the Malarnata Town Board Mr J. Buchanan presided, and there were also present Messrs ,T, IT. Ilawcs, W. J. Stanley, A. Stewart, B, G. Taylor, and Mr C. G. Lucas (town clerk), Mr A. Ogilvio (foreman) was also in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. Mclntyre and I. Black. Previous to ordinary business the usual special meeting was held to fix tho license ‘fees for bake-houses, butchers’ shops, etc., for the current year, The clerk reported on the finances of the board as follows: —Bank balances: District fund account, dr. £lOOl JBs 4d: sewerage loan account, cr. £tGO 11s 7d; water supply account, cr, £29 Is sd; streets improvement loan account, cr. £468 14s 8d; fixed deposit, £4208 14s Bd. The receipts for tho period April 1, 1927. to July 29, 1927, totalled £2597 15s 8d and the expenditure £4483 19s Id. Bates: £538 Os Od arrears have been paid: current year’s rates am,011111105 to £207 Os 3d bavo also been received; the percentage of arrears unpaid is G per cent. Town Hail account: For same period, receipts £595 Us Gd, expenditure £578 15s Ud. Had tho year been commenced with no outstanding accounts and had no paymncls been made from tho Town Hall account other than for actual running expenses, the profit for the period would liavo been £l3O 5s lOd, Tho report was received and it was decided that picture nights be altered to Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, details to be arranged by the Hall Committee and manager. Septic Tank.

In connection with tho board’s request to the N.Z. Dairy Company that stops bo taken to have the septic tank cleaned .out owing to a deposit of grease, etc., from the local cheese factory, the superintendent wrote expressing his company’s wish that the factory sewerage system he so operated as not lo prejudice in any way the efficient working of the septic tank. To that end the factory manager will be instructed to conform lo an improved method of operating the factory grease-trap system. The superintendent also declined at Ihc present juncture to agree to tho acceptance, without proof, of the statement that the company’s drainage is responsible for the present condition of the board's septic tank. It was also suggested that the matter discussed by a conference of the Town Board and the company’s officials, in order that a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulty may be made.

After discussion it was agreed that the chairman, Mr AA'orley (the board’s engineer), Mr Ogilvic (foreman), and the Health Inspector meet the dairy company's officials on a suitable date. Fire Brigade.

The recommendations of the Fire Council concerning purchase of a site for a permanent fire station and overcrowding at Die Town Hail picture shows were adopted. Referring to the above matter, the Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote regarding the disposal of the old pound site. The board desired to purchase the section for a fire-brigade station. The letter stated that "the matter is being brought under Die notice of the Under-Secretary of Lands for consideration. The approximate price would be about £3O, but . that figure must not be taken as binding on the department.—The matter was deferred pending further information. Stormwater Drainage.

Further correspondence on this matter was received from the Matamala County Council. The Council declined to sign .the agreement referring to the Waharoa Road drain, as no allowance had been made for repair work. Also certain county ratepayers had objected to the scheme, as the proposal might possibly cause flooding of their lands. The Ilunga Jlunga Drainage Board had suggested a conference between the county, the Town Board and themselves, and tiie Council had agreed to this course being adopted. The report of Mr Fitzgerald (county engineer) on the same subject was before the meeting. The question was considered in committee and was left over for further information re levels, etc. General. The chairman reported on his visit to Wellington regarding the Main Highways Board subsidy for the new road works in the town area. Mr Buchanan stated that he had obtained a definite assurance that the money would be paid over by June 30, and this would enable the hoard to go right on with the expenditure of loan money, and the work would be commenced as soon as possible. The Minister for Health, in reply to the board’s letter, drawing attention to the different dates on which the contributory districts in the Waikato Hospital Board district were last re-valued, and suggesting that some steps he taken to ensure a more equitable basis for the apportionment of the hoard’s levy, wrote that the Valuer-General had been approached. The latter said that duo regard is paid to the question of hospitai levies and that it would be unreasonable to expect the whole of the Waikato Hospital district to be valued in a period of one or two years. The Valuer-General also stated that the town district was not the district last re-valued, and it is very questionable, if several of the other districts arc re-vaiued this year, whether there would be any appreciable effect on Matarnafa Town District’s levy. The Ngaruawahia Borough, to which reference is made, is undergoing revision, but from information before the Valuer-General tie would not be surprised if the result of the valuation shows a decrease.—Received. The secretary Hinucra Library Committee asked for information as to the price the board required for the books, when the Town Library was closed up in October next.-—The clerk was instructed to reply that tenders would be called for the contents of the library in due course.

The assistant-superintendent U.F.B. Association notified that a visit would bo made to the board’s district at an early date and a report submitted. — Received.

A similar communication was received from, the secretary Underwriters’ Association.

The foreman was instructed to have the Town Hall connected with the sewerage system, and tenders are to be called for the plumbing work. The chairman’s notice of motion re increase in charges for water was carried. Foreman’s Report. The foreman reported that maintenance work has been carried out where necessary, including sanding footAGontinuea in next Column),

palhs. Water supply: The headwords have been visited and the pipe-line inspected; one of the pipe bridges was completely submerged. Sewerage: Three new connections .have been made. All the damaged drain pipes which were advertised lor sale have been disposed of. .The report was adopted.