BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 415, 14 May 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council took place last night. Present: Tho Mayor (Mr Towniey), and Crs Jones, Hepburn, Lysnar, Wbinray, Harding, and Mason. The first business was tho adoption of tho balance-sheet, on which there was a “ tag ” to the effect that £2475 more had been raised by special loan than the Council was entitled to do. Tho Mayor considered that the exception was a very creditable one to the Borough. He did not think , they need take any notice of it. Cr Lysnar thought they should not adopt tho balance-sheet with that “ tag.” I There could be do harm in delaying it until it was sent back to the AuditorGeneral. Cr Mason considered that the balancesheet had been put in the right way. Cr Jones said the position had been made too plain. Cr Lysnar still urged that they should not adopt tho balance-sheet.

The Mayor said that whether tbe balance-sheet was adopted or not they had had the money in securities. Cr Harding agreed with Cr Lysnar. If they had done anything illegal they should know it. He did not see why such an exception should be made.

On tho motion of Cr Lysnar, seconded by Cr Harding, it was agreed to refer tho balance-sheot back to the auditor, with an explanation, to get the tag removed. Messrs Niven and Co., Napier, wrote: —

“We are very pleased to acknowledge your enquiry of 30th April, and are prepared to supply plans and specifications, with an estimate of the cost, of abattoirs

for your borough. We shall be glad to know from you the extent of the district to be served by the abattoirs, also the population, and if possible the number of animals at present slaughtered for local consumption within that area. We shall bo glad to have the opportunity of providing you with plans for your establish-

ment, and are confident that we can Bupply you with a more convenient and better equipped place for less money than abattoirs are at present boing built.” A question arose as to whether or not the plans would bo charged for, the first impression being .that the plans would be free unless adopted. It was stated that Cr Kennody was at present in Napier, and would interview the firm. The letter was handed over to the Abattoirs Committee.

, The Chief Engineer of Roads wrote ro road through railway reserve to sea beach: “ I am directed by the Hon. Minister of Lands to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Ist, referring to the abovementioned subject. In reply, I have to ask you to furnish rough tracing of the proposed road, and say whether the road would require to be taken through any privately-owned lands.” Councillors were surprised at informa-

tion so easily obtained being asked. “ Don’t let them stick us up for the want of information,” said Cr Hardrng, and it was resolved to give all information accordingly. The Secretary to the Treasury wrote: — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ult., relative to the loan of £75,000 for the water supply, etc., and in reply I have to point out that the two letters from tho Treasury, dated April 19Dh and May Ist, now indicate that (he Government is unable to assist the Coun-

cil with the proposed loan. In further reply to your letter of the 27th March last, with reference to the loan of £75,000 for water-supply, etc., I have to inf;*m you that your application has been submitted to the various lending Departments of the Government, and from the replies which have been received there is apparently no money available, and consequently your Council’s appli-

cation cannot be entertained by the

Government.

The matter was deferred until a later period. The County Clerk wrote : I have tlie honor to acknowledge the receipt ol your letter of the 19th ult. in re-

ference .to the celebration of the Coro-

nation, and also' of the opening of the first section of the railway. I am

directed to state that this Council has resolved themselves into a Committee

tior,s

of the whole, together with their clerk to co-operate with your Council in making provision for the celebration. The Mayor expressed pleasure at them having the co-operation of the County Council, which, he said, wouldbe of great assistance. Mr G. ; Stub.bs gave 3 detailed report of the state of the Council’s property at Makaraka. The report showed that £ls would have to be spent in urgent repairs, £3O shortly in painting, and £IOO for new founds tions. He pointed out that the property would not be of profit to the borough, and offered to purchase it > for £SOO. The report stated that the building was of white pine. Cr Jones said that it was astonishing anyone should want to buy a place that was made to.appear such a tumble down one. Mr Geo. Humphreys, who had rented the Makaraka property for 15s pet week, offered to give 17s if the house were renovated. He also asked for a lease for five years with a purchasing clause for £600.In reply to Cr Lysnar, the Town Clerk said the property had cost the Borough £7OO. Cr Harding said the point was. whether they wanted to sell the property, and if so, for what ? In reply to Cr Lysnar, the Town Clerk said that if the property were sold the money would go to a special fund. 11 In which case,” said Mr Lysnar, “if we sell the property, and make a loss on the face value, the ordinary Borough funds .will have to make it up.” Cr Jones said if they were going to. sell they should submit the property to competition. It was a good property, close to the Makaraka railway station, and should increase in value. If they were going to dispose of it it should be done publicly. If the property was so bad as Mr Stubbs said it was a wonder he wanted to buy ix. Cr Whinray thought it would be an opportune time to put the property in the market for public competition. The Mayor said the report was a very fair one. Cr Lysnar thought the subject should be referred to the Finance Committee. Cr Mason said they should ascertain what reports were required. The Mayor said they could get a report -from the Inspector. It was, however, a fair thing to discuss whether they should sell the property. Mr Humphreys made a very fair offer, but as Mr Stubbs said the building would not improve, even the window sells were of white pine, and the building was now twenty years old. If they were going to sell the best thing would be to put it up to public auction. It was stated that the area was three acres, the value of the property being placed ou the balance-sheet at £650. Cr Lysnar suggested that the Finance Committee be given power to sell at £650 ; they could often do better by dealing privately than by public tender. The Council should not refuse either offer. He moved that the matter bo referred to the Finance Committee, with power to' sell at £650, a lease with compulsory purchase clause being equal to a deposit.

The Mayor seconded the motion. Or Whinray said the land had probably increased in a greater ratio in value than the depreciation of the house. They should not deal privately with these matters. The fairest way was to put it up to public auction,. where they might have considerable • competition. He moved that, the property be put up to sale by auction. ' ’ , ... „ Cr Jones said he would he with Or Whinrdv if the sale was left to the spring. Cr Harding said they should first decide as to whether it was desirable to sell. He thought £SO spent on the house would put it in fair order, apd enable them to get 17sfed or £1 for it. In a mcmth or two the railway would be making stoppages alongside the house, bringing it within a short distance of the town.

Cr Hepburn agreed with Cr Harding. They should get a report from Messrs Little and Morgan as to th e cost of repairs. They should have no difficulty in getting 17s" 6d a week for it, or a pound if in fair repair. Cr Whinray said if they bad an acoount of the money expended on the houao i<

would create a different impression. After further discussion, on the motion I of Cr Harding, seconded by Cr Mason, it i was resolved that Mr Stubbs’ offer be not 1 accepted, and on the motion of Cr Whinray, seconded by Cr Jones, Mr Humphreys’ offer to purchase was rejected. The letting of the property to Mr Humphreys at 15s per week, in its present condition, was confirmed. Cr Harding moved, and Cr Hepburn seconded, that Mr Little make a report on the house. Cr Wbinray said the report of a white pine bnilding could not be given without opening it up. The less said about a whito pine building the better. The Mayor said thoy should see what tbe necessary repairs were. It was agreed that a report should be obtained. Tbe following letter was received from the Secretary of the Hospital Trustees : “I am instructed by tho Hospital Trustees to direct your Council’s attention in the vicinity of their sections Nos. 17 and 18 of 133 a, Russell street. There is, in fact, no drainage to the property, and in wet weather water lies about the roads in such quantities that it is almost impossible to gain access to the house. The Trustees hope your Council will see their way to remedy this by having 'that portion of the Herbert road to which the property fronts formed and lowered so as to allow tho surface water

to escape. It was agreed that tho Overseer make a report.

Messrs Albert Penfold, A. Wilkinson, J. C. Huston, ,T. It. Redstone, F. Stevenson, and T. R. McCoomb wrote “ We, the undersigned cab proprietors and licensed drivers of Gisborne, would respectfully ask your Council to reconsider the allocation of cab stands as provided in your Bye-law. Wo.submit that the stands are not suitable for us" or the general ' public, being out of the main street, and are not central. We consider that the stands would be rather detrimental to our business and decrease our earning power. We would therefore ask your Council to carefully consider our request and allot us a stand in a central part of Gladstone Road.”

The matter was referred to the Cabstands Committee.

A letter from the Registrar General asked to be furnished as soon as possible with the different heads of information set foith in an enclosed form for statistics for

the year ended 31st March, 1002. —Information to be supplied. Mr Morell, night-watchman, reported : “ I have the honor to report that I have been on duty every night this last fortnight from il p.m. to 6 a.in., and there has been no fire in the borough during my hours of duty.” Re Mr Stubbs’ "where,” tbo Sanitary Committee met on the 2nd May, at 3 p.m., when there were present Crs Bright, Lysnar, and Miller. Mr Stubbs waited on the committee, and explained that he was quite prepared to remove the whare, and would do so immediately he could secure a piece of land upon which to place it. The committee were satisfied with Mr Stubbs’ explanation, and they urged him to have the houso complained of removed as soon as possible. The committee, therefore, trust that the Council will not

he again troubled with this question. _ Crs Jones and Lysnar reported re nightwatchumn that as a result of a canvass the salary had been guaranteed independent of Council’s funds. committee recommended that i'lr Morell should attend at next meeting to confer as to his duties. Cr Lysnar said that there was a good deal ol difference of opinion as to whose work it was to do these duties. Enquiries showed that the nightwatclunau was paid for out of private subscriptions in the larger towns. Tho police did their work diligentiy, but they could not expect tho police to do what should bo doue_ by the nightwatekmau, among other things tho ringing of the lire bells. They should ask that the polico force be strengthened so as to have two policemen on at night. It- was agreed on the motion if Cr Lysnar, seconded by Cr Jones,-that the Police Commissioner he written to, through Sergeant Siddells, applying fur a strengthened force. The Inspector (Mr J. R. Little), reported : Since your last meeting I have been inspecting the borough- I served notices on owners of property requiring them to have certain nuisances abated. In some cases the works have been carried out at cnce, hut in others requiring more time they have not been completed as yet. I

gave Mr Nasmith permission to open the road on Read’s Quay to lay a pipe drain to carry the surface water off the section at the Albion Stables, '['his work has-been completed. In regard to Mr Craig’s well, that gentleman has had the well filled in. Alt uninhabitable building situated in Bright street had been sold and removed to another section in the ..same street- As lie considered the bunding unsanitary he had obtained reports from Drs. Cole and Williams. Thenreports were to the effect that the house could he made habitable. lie had given Messrs Clayton Bros.’ a month’s notice to erect a brick chimney slack. The time had expired, but alterations had been effected, which Messrs Clayton Bros.’ contend'd had abated the nuisance.

The Inspector (Mr J. R. Little) reported on the cost of repairs required to houses belonging to the borough. The total was £95, as follows £5.3 lor house occupied by Mr W. L. Fi'e ; house occupied by Mr Church, £lB ; by Mr C. Neild, £ls ; by Mr Jamison, £10; bv Mr Cl. Primrose, £l4 ; by Mr H. Currie, £ls. The Inspector gave an explanation as to bow the objection to the bouse was made. As to the chimney, no complaints had been made since the repairs were effected. Cr Jones said it could be left at that if satisfactory—the notice would still hold good. In regard to the Rorough houses, it was agreed to effect the repairs, excepting painting. Tho Overseer (Mr M. Morgan) re! ported :—Taruheru bridge : The work of strengthening the piles of this bridge has been completed. I found it necessary to alter a portion of this work from what was first intended, through the condition of the bridge, which gave a little more labor and required more iron-work than at first intended. Cost of work complete, £8 14s 7d. Aberdeen road formation : This work has boon started, but will have to stand over for a week or two, in order that the work in Peel street may be carried out as authorised at last meeting. Peel street : I have started the formation of this street as authorised at last meeting. The timber for kerhing, etc., ordered from Messrs Mackrell and Colley, has been delivered at uhe Council’s yard. Kaiti bridge: As authorised, I lay before* you an estimate for metalling this bridge. To metal this bridge to a sufficient depth to give a crown to carry off tho water will cost for metal £46 18s, for blinding same £4 8s ; total, £sl 6s. This is assuming tho metal to be of an equal depth over the bridge, which the planks of the bridge would not allow, as the hollows would have to be filled up to mako the surface oven, that all the water might bo carried off. This would make the weight on the bridge very unequal, and would be detrimental both to the bridge and to the . traffic, where the metal was thick. The traffic would be heavy for some time. The weight of metal and blinding required for the bridge would be about 99 tons. This must be brought into serious consideration.' The screwing up of the bridge when required would be materially affected. There is every probability of the weight sending the bridge forward from tho approaches to the centre, thus making it impossible to open the swing. The swing could not be metalled on any account, if is to be opened again. In my opinion, the height of the bridge from the foundation to the deck is too great for the bridge to carry this weight. It would become top heavy, and cause too great a sway on tho bridge. A large mob of cattle tramping over the bridge might have a serious effect. The whole construction of the bridge is contrary to the work of metalling the decks. To metal a bridge, it should be built on solid piles as short as possible. Estimate of cost for repairs to this bridge {or the twelve months ending 31st March, £St 9s Id. j The report was adopted. Cr Hepburn urged that there should be no delay in regard to Aberdeen road. At the suggestion of Cr Jones the attention of tire Building Inspector was referred to broken spouting on buildings, by which pedestrians were sometimes | inconvenienced.

Cr Lysnar moved that it be brought under the Aoting-Premier's attention that a communication from the Council on 19th March last, re the amalgamation petition, had not been replied to, and that the Council would be glad if the ActingPremier would see that the Council’s letter was considered and replied to. He said that the Council was being very unfairly treated in the matter, the Department not having the courtesy to make a reply. It gave ground for the impression that the ropes were being pulled in some way. Sir Joseph Ward was regarded as a diligent business man, and would no doubt soon havo the matter attended to. Cr Jones seconded the motion. He had given his opinion on amalgamation, but held that they \Vere entitled to a reply. He instanced a case iu which he was concerned iu which it took the Department three years to reply. Cr Hepburn said the Department was treating the public bodies in a discourteous way.

The motion was carried unanimously