TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18024, 20 May 1930, Page 8

TE AWAMUTU BOROUGH

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

PLUNKET SOCIETY’S REQUEST.

GENERAL BUSINESS. At the fortnightly meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council the Mayor (Mr C. G. Downes) was in the chair, and there were also present Crs. G. Gifford, F- J. Gilbert, H. C. Rainey, W. J. North, W. Butterworth, A. Brown, G. A. Finch. The town clerk (Mr D. Bockett) and the engineer (Mr W. D. R. McCurdie) were also present. A deputation from the Plunket Society, consisting of Mesdames H. A. Swarbrick and H. Brooks, waited on the council to discuss the position regarding the Plunket room and rest room.

Mrs Swarbrick said there were three rooms, two of which were under the control of the council, and the other under the control of the society. She gave further details of the terms of the previous agreement, which had now terminated. Her society wished to have the matter reviewed and a fresh lease come to. The present agreement did not work out so favourably as it appeared. She wished to place her facts before the council. The figures showed that the society had to pay 17s 6d per week for the use of the one room.

Cr. Gilbert said one point that he wished to raise was that the response from the parents of the babies who were attended by the nurse was very poor. He had thought it was deplorable. The Mayor moved that the society be given the room at a peppercorn rent per annum; also that the society take the money from the Id in the slot machine provided it pays for the lighting, the society to assume control of all the rooms. This was agreed to. A discussion arose out of the proposed rate for rubbish collection, whether it should be for each ratepayer or for each householder. It was decided that the rate shall be levied on each . ratepayer for this year. Works Committee’s Report. / • Fountain: It is proposed to place a length of Bin. steel pipe with the fawcett to hold the jet to take the place of the old fountain. A drinking place there seems desired. The cost of placing the proposed pipe, set in concrete, will be small. New buildings'at High School: Levels over Bockett’s paddock have been taken for the drainage of the new buildings and marked on a plan for the board’s architect- It is pointed out that the one drainage system may be made to serve both the new school and the present one, with some advantage to the board. Fire: A fire took place on the Ohaupo Road on May 8 about 10 p.m. The turncock turned out at once. FOr want of a recording gauge it was not possible to say what the pressure in the pipe system was at the time of the fire- From numerous observations at the town hall it may be said that the pressure at the site of the fire at the time mentioned would be about 1201 b. No complaints have been received from the brigade of pressure or quantity of water, but the water system has its limits. It cannot be too urgently impressed on users of water that they should close all taps and valves the moment the bell rings, so as to give the firemen all the help they can. The Works Committee’s report was adopted. Mr J. Middlebrook applied for a water supply to be laid on to his property, situated in Bond’s Road. — Granted on the usual terms. The Advance Cars, Ltd., wrote advising they were prepared to pay half the cost of having their footpath laiddown in concrete slabs. The cost would be £65, of which the council pays the other half. The work is to be proceeded with.

Tree Planting. The question of tree planting on the catchment area was discussed, but it was deferred,' pending a visit by the council to the site on June 2. The Mayor brought up the question of the frequency of the council meetings. He said now that the streets loan was expended he thought that monthly meetings should be sufficient for the purpose. Cr. Brown moved in that direction. Cr. Rainey said he was against any alteration to the present system. The Mayor seconded the motion, which was lost. The question of the building of a new library and reading room was mentioned, but was deferred to next meeting. The Commissioner of Crown Lands advised that the Department had approved the removal of the big tree at the corner of Mutu and Alexandra streets. The Mayor said that apparently nobody wants to accept responsibility for any damage done when the tree is felled. It was shown that a local resident had offered to keep the gutters of residence adjoining clear, free of cost, if the tree was left. The letter was received. Protection of Birds. The Lands and Survey Department advised it was prepared to supply calico notices drawing public attention to the Animals Protection and Game Act with respect to the protection of native birds, and asked if the council would display these notices in the domains when forwarded. —No native birds are kept here, and the Department is to be informed of this'The annual report of the Domain Board was read, and showed that Selwyn Park was becoming increasingly popular with motorists. The cash statement showed a credit balance in hand of £l3 11s 3d.