BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 439, 11 June 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, there being present his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Towniey), J. W. Bright, Hepburn, Whinray, Lysnar, Jones, Harding, and Mason. Balance Sheet.

The special meeting called for the consideration of the balance sheet was adjourned for a fortnight, the balance sheet not being to hand. Streee Tree Planting.

Discussion took place in regard to the planting of trees in Grey Street by the Beautifying Association. Objections was taken by Cr Lysnar and others to, trees planted by the Council some years ago being removed. Cr Whinray understood that the Council had agreed to allow fresh trees to tie planted but that the old ones should lie removed.

Cr Lysnar said that it was the removal of the trees that lie objected to. Cr Hepburn was of the same opinion Cr Hard ng asked wether the Beautifying Association had removed the trees, the Mayor replied that he did not know. He understood the matter had been referred to the Association. The letter from the Assoc ation was read and it was found that the request of the Association was tliaV the present trees which were growing .very badly should lie replaced. Cr Whinray thought it was a waste of money to plant the trees in the street unless they were protected. The trees already in that street were doing well and should be left, and fresh ones put in and He moved a motion to that effect. ~

* Mr Lysnar seconded the motion. Cr Bright moved as an amendment "that the Council’s resolution being in terms of its minute, no alteration he made.”

Cr Harding asked for the ruling of the chair as to whether notice of motion should not be given. His Worship decided that sucii notice was necessary.

Cr Whinray accordingly gave notice of motion to rescind the Not a Chief Town.

In reply to communications, the managers of the four banks wrote, stating they understood the illuminations’ of the Banks on Coronation night would he confined to 'the four centres. Members regretted that the Banks could not see their way to illuminate their premises. The communication was received.

Amalgamation with Suburbs.

Mr G. Matthewson, Chairman of the Amalgamation Committee, forwarded a letter, thanking the Council for the trouble taken in obtaining a reply In regard to the petition for amalgamation of borough and suburbs, and also enclosing a copy of the resolutions adopted hy the Committee, and already published. Communication received.. Coronation Celebrations.

A good deal of correspondence was received in regard to the Coronation celebrations, including the telegrams to hand from the Acting-Premier, already published, and communications from the Couuty Council and Harbor Board each body offering to contribute £SO. The County Council added : “ This Council understands that their contribution to the fund will produce a subsidy of a like sum horn the .General Government.”

The Mayor said that the Harbour Board wanted to approve of any permanent memoria 1 that was decided upon. The amount to be given by ifie Government would not exceed £2OO,

It was pointed out that if the total expenditure was two hundred, a similar amount would he received from the Government, but the latter would not go over that amount.

A License Wanted,

Mr J. R. Jones, as manager, applied for a renewal of the Gisborne Freezing Works license. It was decided to forward the application to Government in the ordinary course^

Esplanade Road.-

The Kaiti Road Board wrote with regard to the state of the Esplanade road, asking that the Borough Overseer and the Kaiti Overseer should furnish a joint report on the work/ Agreed that the request be complied with* Builders’ .Union, Mr ChaSj A, Nield, secretary and treasurer of "the .Gisborne Builders’ Union, wrote :“I am instructed by the Gisborne Builders’ and Contractors’ .Union to forward you half a dozen copies of conditions, and to, ask you if you would be kind enough to have them attached to any work your Council may wish to have done in ‘the building line.;” Accompanying the letter were the" copies referred to. Cr Whinray asked would the. "Council have to observe the regulations* Cr Jones : I suppose .they .will have to, Cr Miller : It would do no harm to gq through them; in our spare time. Consideration of the conditions was deferred. Inspector’s Report,

The Borough Inspector, Mr - Little, ( reported that the contracts let at the ‘ previous meeting for repairs to Borough properties were nearing completion and would he finished before the Council again met. The house at Makaraka had been finished according to ; specifications. He had issued notices to have all defective verandahs put in order. Re the destruction of rats, i there had been 42 rats received at the fire brigade shed since last meeting, for destruction, making a total of 54 rereived for that purpose. All that had been received appeared to he free from disease, and in a healthy condition,. The report was adopted, Nightwatchman's Report, The Niglitwatchman, Mr Ch J. Morell, made his usual pleasing reportno fires. Overseer’s Report, The Overseer, Mr M- Morgan, reported ; Recreation Ground—l have not had the fencing done us required by the Beautifying Association, as I find that it would cost more than allowed by your Council to complete it, ,This work will cost at least £l4 17s. I await your instructions in the matter. Root Street—As authorised,- I have inspected this street, I could not recommend the forming of a footpath along this street. It would simply he forming a track for wheel traffic, and would soon be worse than at present, I would recommend that the large hole in the east end of the street be filled in, and the south side of the street be trimmed, I think that this would meet the present requirements I would recommend that Root and William streets be formed at the same time, as Root street has too much earth and William street is short—the earth from the one would* make up the other. Footpath' at Read’s Quay I think that about 3i or 4 chains of path would at present meet the re- > quirements of the Association, The > cost of this work would not exceed • S 3. Peel Street—The formation of , this street will be completed in two • or three days. 1 It was decided that the work referred to above be done.

Tree Planting.

At a latorstago, Cr Winray gave notice of the following motion :— 11 That tho trees planted in Grey street be allowed to remain, and that when opportunity offers others be added in lieu of those broken and destroyed, so as to make the shade and avenue of the principal street to the beach uniform, and that any trees planted shall be protected.” Cr Whinray also suggested that a letter should be sent to the Beautifying Association requesting them to take no steps to remove the trees until the motion was considered.

One or two members dissenting to this, Cr Lysnar replied that it was a most reasonable request. He considered that it would bo ft most disooustoous not to

(remove the trees until the motion was decided. Cr Miller understood that the Council were unanimous at the last meeting. Cr Lysnar: The motion is to save these trees, and it would be improper to remove them. Cr Miller : Not improper, surely. Cr Lysnar: Yes, it would be highly improper until the fate of this motion Js decided. There is no reason why they should not remain for a fortnight. Three Councillors havo stated that they misunderstood the motion at last meeting. The Mayor said it was not likely that the Beautifying Association would touch the trees. Aftor further discussion, a motion was carried to the effect that tho Association be asked not to touch the trees until the motion standing in Or Whinray’s name had been dealt with.