MATAMATA.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18164, 31 October 1930, Page 3

MATAMATA.

TOWN BOARD MEETING. GENERAL BUSINESS DEALT WITH. 1 The fortnightly meeting of the j Matamata Town Board was held on j Wednesday evening, Commissioner J. ' Buchanan presiding over a full attendance of members. The secretary of the Matamata Beautifying Society extended an invitation to the members of the board to attend the official opening of the District Rest and Plunket Rooms on Friday, November 21. Hon. A. J. Stallworthy is to open the building, and Mr C. 11. Clinkard, M.P., will also be in attendance. —The invitation was accepted. The Matamata County Council gave permission to lay a waterpipc on the Turanga-o-moana road subject to the usual conditions. ■ The Oddfellows Lodge, Matamata, wrote 'asking if it would be possible to have the seats removed from the back of the Town Hall when the annual ■ ball was being held.—lt was decided not to move the seats. Plunket Society Tender. A tender from the Plunket Society's Matamata branch for the lease of three rooms' in the Rest Room for a term of 21 years at a rental of Is per annum was received. Commissioners Griffiths and Tong expressed the opinion that if three rooms were leased to the society there would be only one left for the convenience of others. At present the Plunket people would only use the rooms for a few hours one day in the week, and the speakers were of opinion that it would cause no inconvenience if they were only allowed the permanent use of two rooms, and the third on the days when they needed it. Commissioners Buchanan and Stewart said the money for the erection of the building was raised by the Plunket and Beautifying Societies, and they should have the.use of the rooms. Commissioner Tong agreed as ‘to the raising of the money, but was convinced that when the collection was made the money was given mainly for the purpose of providing some place where women visiting the town could find accommodation, while the provision of Plunket rooms I was a secondary consideration. Commissioner Griffiths and Clover | agreed 1 hat il was a waste of good | money to have the majority of the i rooms idle for most of the week. Commissioner Ruthe supported the last speakers, and stated that in this instance they had to look twenty-one years ahead. After a prolonged discussion, in which a sharp division of opinion was displayed, the clerk was instructed to write to the Rest Room Committee pointing out the position, and stating the opinion of some members of the board that a second room should be available to the general public on those days when it was not required by the Plunket Society. In reference to the installation of drainage to the Rest Room, Mr R. W. Stevens, secretary to the Matamata Beautifying Society, wrote that his committee had £3l 6s. fid in hand, and as this was not sufficient to do the drainage work, together with 'the fencing and laying out of the ground, he asked the board to do the work and accept the money in hand as payment. He enclosed a plan of the work ' proposed 'to be done on the site by his society. It was decided that the sewerage be done, the contractor to do the job. The plan submitted was approved, subject to the width of the formed road being 25 feet, and it was decided to authorise the Beautifying Society to proceed with their part of the scheme.

Main Highways Matters.

The Assistant Engineer of the Pubr > Works Department wrote in reference to No. 433, Station Road, that tile Highways Board advised that though .the sum provided on the estimates was limited to £SOO it was agreed in discussion that the Board should pay a subsidy of £522, and that the Town Board might proceed on those lines, using cold emulsion. Any further subsidy is to be paid in the subsequent financial year. A further letter from the Department in reference to the three main highways in the town area returned the proposals submitted by the Board and asked that these be drawn up in contract form for the calling of tenders. Miscellaneous. The Commissioner of Transport forwarded draft of proposed new motordrivers’ regulations and asked for suggestions and comments. Commissioner Buchanan stated that it looked as if it would be very difficult to procure a license in the future. 'Commissioner Tong did not think it would be necessary to propose any additions. It was decided to engage Mr M. E. Fitzgerald, Malamata county engineer, to prepare plans and specifications for the work in Arawa Street.

DOMAIN BOARD. The same members sat as the Domain Board. The Beautifying Society drew the attention of the Board to the stale of the hedge on each side of the main entrance gate to the Domain. Mr E. T. Stanley had offered to erect a fence at a cost of £2l 10s, but as the Society had not sufficient funds it urged the Board to do the work.— The chairman pointed out that the Board had no funds in hand for this purpose. The Beautifying Society forwarded receipted accounts for £l2 13s Id and asked for a refund of same.—The chairman said the Board would not refund wages paid, and £9 Os Id is to be handed to the Society. The Commissioner of Crown Lands informed the Board that the Minister had approved of the extension of Rata Street through the Domain belt, subject to the payment of £35 compensation, which will be credited' to Hie Domain’s account. Mr Buchanan considered it was necessary to have a camping ground in Malamata, and lie was satisfied that the right-hand side of the Domain ground, next to the tennis courts, was ap ideal site. He believed it would be a source of income and was handy to the town. He asked the members to consider the question, and it could be dealt with later.