THE HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 6

THE HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S REPORT. There wore present at the ordinary meeting of the iluit lie-rough Council, held last evening, Councillors llobiis, Clendon, Hodgin*, Knight, mid Ball. In lite, absence, of the .Major (Mr. B. I'. Bunny), Councillor \V. Knight was voted lo tho chair. The Public Health Department reported that they had had certain premisss in Wakeiieht Street, Alicetown, inspected, and they recommended thai proceedings he taken against the owner for allowing some of the buildings to ho occupied without first providing the necessary sanitary arrangement;. Mr. T. Dwan (accompanied by his solicitor, Mr. Perry) wailed upon tho council, and ilr. Perry explained that a certain lelter, sent in by .Messrs. 11 wan Bros., clearly put the position before the council. Tho letter read as follows:—"We (Dwan Bros.) disposed of the property in question to .Mr. A. lsbisier some twelve months ago, and at that time we undertook to finance him in regard to Ihe erection of buildings. If the houses arc entirely condemned it would be a very serious loss to ourselves, as we have already paid out largo sums as progress payments, and tho loss will assuredly fall upon ourselves. We arc innocent of any attempt to evade tho by-laws. We found it very difficult to dispose of land-ad-joining the septic tank, and it is only low-rented houses that will Jet there. "We, therefore, ask you (the council) to tako into consideration the difficulties that we have been put to by Mr. lsbisier. AVe provided the necessary funds for putting in the apoHcation for permits for three additional houses, but they do not appear lo have been lodged. All work on the job has been slopped, and we are prepared to carry out any reasonable requisition of the council in reference to any of the houses, and lo undertake lo put a reliable man of our own on lo iini.-h the work thoroughly and to the council's satisfaction. As we have advanced so much money it rests with ourselves to see the matter through, and see that the borough bv-laws are complied with. We (Dwan Bros.) assure Ihe council that we are not responsible in any way for the troubles caused."

Mr. Dwan said that he considered that the Health Department were right in their report on the buildings, and tenants ought not to have been allowed to occupv the houses. Mr. Hurrcll had informed him (Mr. Dwan) that he had been so worried that he allowed the houses (o be occupied. A contract had been let for sanitary drainage, and Ihe contractor was ready to carry out. the work. Upon seeing the building he (Mr. Dwan, took exception lo some, porlions as regards the material used, and insisted upon its removal. It would be a pitv, as well as a hardship, if the truants were prosecuted for takiivr the houses as thev were, liable under the Act, and, sooner than- see them suffer,' ho would pay their line.-!.

Councillor Knight said that, if Mr. Dwan signed an agreement, ho should be allowed to proceed with the work. .Air. Dwan intimated that ho was prepared to sign. Upon tho motion of Councillor Kniglif, it was decided to discuss the matter in committee

Mr. Ireeth. referring to a previous letter sent to the council re a culvert in Camp Road, stated that he would bo pleased if tho council would givo him some relief from the accumulated storm water on his property, caused through the closing of the culvert in question.— Engineer to report. In reply to a communication, the Lands Department informed the council that the Chief Surveyor, Wellington, had approved the plans for a road from Melling's bridge, which approval was sufficient to constitute a legal road.—Received.

In regard to Councillor Hawthorn's statement that he was prepared to meet the fire brigade and discuss with them the exits complained of in respect lo a certain building, the brigade replied that they meet on the first Wednesday in August ,antl that Mr. Hawthorn's presence would be welcomed.—lt was resolved that a. copy of the letter be forwarded to Councillor Hawthorn.

.Mr. J. Heche, Roronsrh Engineer, reported that very good process was being made with the laying of the eastern drainage. The main sewer has been laid as far as Cornwall Street, and another ganq nf men had started work in Bloomfield Crescent, with the object of linking; up the drain with tho existing sower at the post office. So far the cost had not been ascertained, but there was evidence to show that it would be within tho estimate. Te Momi sewer was now completed, and linked up with the western Hutt system. The cost of the work amounted to .£lB7 10s. 4d. (estimate, .£200). Victoria Street drain had now been completed, all tho pipes having been laid, at a cost of .£209, as apainst an estimated cost for tho work of .£21!5.