BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, 5 February 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tub ordinary meeting of the Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr Townloy) and Crs Harding, Bright, Miller. Jones, Mason, Whiuray, and wrote acknowledging the Council’s patriotic resolution, and stating that it would be forwarded to the becre-

tary of State. Mr AV. A. Friar wrote, asking for permaneut levels in connection with a brick building he was having constructed on a section in Gladstone road.—To reply that permanent levels could not at present bo ® A reminder was received from Mr DeLautour that a nomination of Governor of the High School should be made by the Council in February, Mr J. W. Nolan being the Council’s present representative, and who vacated office this month by rotation. , , On the motion of the Mayor, seconded b,y Of Miller, Mr Nolan was unanimously re-appointed. , , In regard to a demand by the Council that tne Hospital Trustees remove obstructions to traffic or drainage arising from the growth of plants or spreading of roots, the Trustees replied that as the portion of road had been closed in by the Council’s poundkeeper, and was, they understood, used for grazing purposes, the obstructions should be removed by the Council or the party nsing the road. The Clerk said that the road had originally been fenced off by the Hospital, and Mr Wilkinson had occasionally put his horse there. He would gladly clear the briars off if he could have any control of the road. ~ , The Mayor aaid that they could not give anyone authority to close up the Cr Bright said it was a mistake to say that the Council had given permission to close up the road. Cr Miller said they could not make any exception in the case of the Hospital. It was decided to reply that the Counci had not given any permission to close the road, and must look to the Trustees as the responsible party in the matter. The Borough Inspector (Mr J. It. Little) reported as follows : « Since your last meeting I have been inspecting in the borough, and find everything in a satisfactory condition. I have inspected the outlets to each of tho drains running into the Taruheru river, and hnd that they all lead down to low-wator mark, except one drain where the pipes have broken away, and are lying in tho river. This drain will be repaired in a day or so to my satisfaction. The last two or three days the tides in the river have been very low, and the water very much discolored, much the same as it has been in former years when we have a spell of very hot weather, and in my opinion it would bo very hard to say what is tho cause of tho discoloration at this season of the year. I have received complaints from some residents living in William street re the placing of a sledge house on a section in that street. The house referred to is a 14 x 12, on sledges, and belonged to the late Mr Gilman, who died a short time ago from cancor. I wired to Dr Finch, health officer, re his opinion on the same, and he wired back saying he was writing on tho subject by the mail—Health lieport : There have been no cases of typhoid fever or infectious diseases reported since your last meeting.” Cr Whinray said that many suggestions had been made as to why the discoloration of the river took place ; some people declared it was the moon. The Mayor said that it could not now be' blamed on the Gisborne Freezing Works. , , Cr Jones said that though the water was of chocolate color, if one drew a bucket of water the liquid was quite clear. Numerous suggestions were made as to the cause of the phenomena ; one Councillor suggested that it was caused by the reflection from bush fires, and another that the low price of wool had to do said it was desirable to ascertain the cause of the phenomena. The Mayor said that previously the Gisborne Freezing Works had been blamed, but it happened that then, as now, those works were not going. Cr Mason said he was certain it was not the freezing works. Cr Miller said they might refer the matter to Hr. Finch, whose duty it was to attend to such matters. —No decision was arrived at. The nightwatchman (Mr O. J. Morell) reported that thero had been no fires during bis hours of duty for the fortnight. Mr M. Morgan, overseer, reported that tarring work had been pushed ou ; all the tar from the gasworks had been used up, and some had been ordered from Auckland. Tho new road scraper had been set to work on January 29th, and bad worked very satisfactorily. The kerbing in Peel street and at the corner of Palmerston road near Mr Shelton’s required repairing, also the block in Gladstone road from Grey street to Derby street on tho north side was much decayed, and needed renewing. The north ond of Lowe street on the west side was in a bad condition and shape for the want of kerbing. This work should bo done in the near future. A few loads of gravel had been put on the footpath to fill in the hollows. About 1674 feet of timber would be required, costing iIS 16s 9d. Tho remaining portion of the block around the Government buildings should bo kerbed, but this work could not be done until tho trees on footpaths were taken out. The stone contract was being satisfactorily carried out. By the 3rd 7591 yards had been delivered, and there remained to be delivered 240* yards The block in Gladstone road from Roebuck to Stanley road was very flat and held tho water. It required a good deal of patching and a coating of metal. The metal required would bo 192 yards. Cr Harding suggested that a stock of 2000 feet of totara should be obtained so that it would have time for seasoning.—lt was decided to enquire as to price. It was resolved, on the motion of Or Miller, to have the broken metal put on

as suggested. In regard to the scraper, Cr Bright asked if the stuff could not be scraped up into heaps? The Overseer said it must he done on the angle. Cr Miller said that aftor tiie men had got into the way of using the scraper, which they would do after it had been out a few times, very satisfactory work would be done.