BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 65, 20 March 1901, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Council was held last night, there boing present: The Mayor (Mr Towuloy), and Crs Nolan, Johnston, Joyco, Hepburn, Lowis, and Jones. Tho following communication, datod March 4th, was received from the Department of Agriculture “ I have tho honour to draw tho attention of your Council to tho sections of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act of last year, that deal with tho establishment of abattoirs. Tho Act conies into forco on the Ist April next, and within twelyo months from then (oxcept in special cases) an abattoir has to bo established for all boroughs of 2000 inhabitants or more. I trust full advantage will and 16 "° f provisions of potions 15 It was agreed to refer tho matfcor to the incoming Council. A circular was roccivod from tho Department of Public Health to tho following effect: — “ Sir,- In view of tho recrudescence of plague in Australia and at tho Capo, I am directed by the Hon. tho Ministor of Public Health to draw your attention to tho extreme importance of at once taking stops o place your district in a thorough Sanitary condition. As was pointed out some months ago, rodents—i.e., rats and mice—aro among the principal agents by which plague is propagated and spread from ono country to another. In view of this, I would ask your Council to enter upon a crusade against all such animals. G enoral insanitary conditions, whilo not likely to produce any specific disease such as plague, tend to militate greatly against the general well-being of a population, and thus in a measure predispose individuals to the taking of an infectious discaso. I would ask your Council, therefore, to do everything that lies in itspowor to removo any insanitary conditions which may exist. At a time such as this it behoves every one, both public and private, to lend their help in tho keeping out of such a dreadful scourge as plaguo. I should be glad to learn what steps your Council has taken with respect to this most important matter.” Tho Mayor said that all precautions were being taken. It was agreed on tho motion of Cr Nolan, seconded by Cr Joyco, that Ahrco ponce per head bo again offered for rats. It was also, agreed, on tho motion of the Mayor, to invito Dr Mason to visit tho district. In reply to a question, tho Inspector said that pooplo were fairly well attending to his dirctions. NEW SITE FOR CEMETERY.

Tho following report was received regarding the above subject The committee appointed by tho Council to confer with tho County Committee on tho subject of obtaining a new site for a cemetery met the County Committee, and have to report as follows : After duo consideration it was decided to recommend that a new cemetery site bo procured, tho Borough Council to pay two-thirds and the County Council onc-third of cost. The most suitablo site offering so far sooms to be the Awapuni Block, as suggested by Dr. Williams. Tho Committee, therefore, suggest that the Council approves of this report that steps be takon to securo a sito as early as possible.” Some discussion took placo ns to whether or not the Borough proportion was not too great, tho suburbs being reckoned in as part of the Borough, but tho Mayor pointed out that there woro several cemeteries in the country,-and it was probable that in timo Haiti and Whataupoko would comprise part of tho Borough, Tho report was adopted. The nightwatcEhian, Mr 0. J. Moroll, made his usual report, there fortunately being no special incidents to record. The Inspector, Mr J. It. Little, reported as follows: “ 1 have the honour to report to your Council that since tho last meeting, I have been engaged delivering certificates and inspecting the yards in the top end of tho Borough, and find them in satisfactory order. Mr Ormond has started to build the new night soil cart, and I expect it to be completed shortly. Captain Tucker offered to take over the old cart sheds on his property at the depot, belonging to the Borough, at fair valuation. I valued the old placo at six pounds, taking into consideration the pulling them to pieces and shifting same. I have got tho material on tho ground for building the new ones, and intend to have them erected at once. I have to report soyen fresh oases of typhoid fever since your last meeting, four of the eases from the Borough ; tho most of them arc being attended to at tho hospital.” Cr J ones asked whether, in the case of fever, the Inspector made a point of examining the sanitary state of tho locality in. which it occurred. Mr Little said that he always had a look around, and if there seemed anything defective he gave instructions for it to bo attended to. Cr J ones said that in cases of fever close attention should be given to tho drainage and general sanitary condition of the surroundings. Tho Overseer, Mr M. Morgan, reported as follows : " Palmerston l-oad footpath.—On tho north side of Palmerston road, between Dciby sticet and Gobdcn street, is hi very bad repair, and requires about two yards of gravel to tho chain to put it in repair I before the wet weather sets in, it being very low and holding the water badly in places ; distance 10 chains 20 cubic yahds. The crossings in Gladstone road at the junction of Lowe street, have got into a very bad state, and I would recommend that they be picked up and laid down with broken metal, also the crossing at Bright street, on the north side of Gladstone road. Footpath and water table, Bead’s Quay: As requested by the Beautifying Asso- ! ciation, I have inspected this work [ as authorised, and am of the opinion that the water from tho oast side of Lowe street does not require any alteration at present, being beyond the present works ; in future it can be dealt with as may be then required. Tho present pipe drain on the west side of' Lowe street will have to be extended,- I should say by a box 18ft. long, to carry the water ?■ into the river. A connection will also be required for Peel street end of the footpath to join the present drain from Peel street to the river. I am of the opinion that the water-table may be formed with i tho centre of the road remaining as at present, two feet being the greatest depth from the centre of the road to the bottom of tho water-table, with only an ordinary depth at each end of the road. It would - not be advisable to touch the centre of the road unless the road is to be metalled ; I the side can be sloped to an even grade to i meet the water channel. I estimate the / cost of the work required at £7 7s 6d. I : have let No. 2 drain, Gladstone Boad, to j James MeLachlan at the former contract price, Is 3d per chain, Mr Henry refusing I to take it at that price. I would recom- 1 mend that tenders be in by next meeting | for supply of ironwork, etc. Day labour £lB 18s.

The recommendations wore endorsed, and instructions given for them to be carried out.