BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 9

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FIRST MEETING. HELD. CONTROL OF HOARDINGS. GENERAL ORDINARY BUSINESS. The first meeting of the newly'elcctcd Hamilton Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, presiding. Also present were Crs. R. Cobbe, F. H. Clapham, C. J. W. Barton, S. V. Tyler, F. J. Farrell, A. J. Denz, F. W. Luxford, C. Lafferty, D. D. Wilson. B. H. Andrews and W. Bourne, and Messrs E. Boneham (acting town clerk) and R. Worley (engineer). The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) wrote advising that he had noted the Council’s letter in which it stated that it wished to be in a position to decline all applications for permission to erect hoardings or to display advertising signs irrespective of position or the merits of the signs themselves. The Minister added that the matter would receive consideration when legislation was under review. The letter was received. Share of Petrol Tax. The chairman of the Main Highways Board advised that Hamilton Borough’s share of the petrol tax proceeds for the quarter ended March 31 amounted to £461 18s. The communication was received. Rugby Union’s Training.

The Hamilton Rugby Union wrote asking that the deposit of £lO be accepted in lieu of several separate deposits by clubs as at present ir. connection with the use of the horse bazaar for football training purposes. The Union also asked for a reduction in the rental per night of the horse bazaar.

The Mayor said there was merit in what the Union said. It was not necessary for each club to pay £lO deposit.

With regard to the application for a reduction in rental, the Mayor did not think the present charge was excessive.

The hardships suffered by the clubs were stressed by Cr. Denz. The Rugby Union should be encouraged in every way possible. The Mayor agreed that Rugby should be encouraged, and moved that the rent be reduced to ss, the Union to pay the wages of a caretaker. Ur." Tyler said the horse bazaar would be given practically rent free' if the Council still paid for the lighting. He did not think the Union was hard up. Cr. Barlon thought the Union was on a very good wicket and the terms were not hard.

Cr. D. Wilson asked if any other sports body were debarred from using the horse bazaar.

c The Mayor replied in the negative, r and said the Council could terminate e the agreement whenever it liked. G The motion that the charge be ss, . the Union to pay for a caretaker and e lighting, was lost. s It was decided to notify the Union j that the Council agreed to the first _ suggestion but that the rent of the > horse bazaar remain as it is at present. Penalty on Rates. ; The Hamilton Y.M.C.A. requested . that the Council not impose the 10 3 ! per cent p.natty on overdue rates, as t negotiations for an advance from an l Auckland hank had been unavoidably i delayed. I It was decided to reply that the Council had no power to comply with ■ the request. ’ Gasworks Extensions. The gasworks engineer stated that nine out of nineteen residents of Oxford Street were prepared to take gas, I and it would not be long before the others agreed to do so. As the residents had been canvassed before about six times and had not received supply he believed they should receive consideration this time.—Authority for the work to proceed was given. The gasworks engineer asked for inj structions regarding a small extension ! in Allen Street to supply two consumers.—The necessary authority was granted. Collection of Garbage. i * I A lengthy letter regarding the arI rangements existing in the borough I for the collection of garbage was rei ceived from Mr J. W. Lexyis, the borough inspector.—The correspondence was referred to the General Purposes Committee. Electrical Requirements. The electrical engineer (Mr I. Webster), wrote informing the Council that owing to shortage of staff difficulty was encountered complying with the Electrical Supply Regulations which came into force in 1927. These i regulations involved periodical inspcci tions and tests of electrical installations on consumers’ premises at intervals of not more than five years. He asked the Council to give him authority to employ another assistant electrical inspector for a period of at least 12 months.—The matter was referred to the Trading Committee. The electrical engineer pointed out in a report that time switches for electric water heaters were in demand, and he asked the Council 1o call tenders for 100 time switches to 1 replace faulty switches and also for j new consumers. The rent charge should he 9d or lOd per month.—This ( matter was also referred to the Trading Committee. On the recommendation of the electrical engineer it was resolved to erect an extra street light in Brookfield Street, Hamilton East, in response to the petition of residents. Trimming Street Trees. The engineer reported that trees on grass swards in many parts of the town were getting out of hand and too big. Trouble would eventually be | experienced with telephone and power < poles, while from a street maintenance point of view it was undesirable to have the streets over-sheltered. The trouble from falling leaves at this season was quite serious.

On the engineer’s recommendation it was resolved to refer the matter to the Beautifying Society. Slaughterhouse Inspection. The borough inspector reported that he had inspected the slaughterhouse in connection with I tie Frankton Bacon Factory and had found buildings, drainage and silo in good order and repair. A renewal of license was desired. Or. Wilson said he though! the inspector was easy to please as the

slaughterhouse was not in a very clean condition. The license was granted, Cr. Wilson dissenting. Other Matters. The borough inspector reported that 20 permits for drainage connections ot a total value of £202 11s had been Issued during April. Mr Charles Zainey was granted a taxi-driver’s license. , It was decided to hold the next Council meeting on Monday, May 27.