BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 468, 9 July 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council took place last night. Present: Tho Mayor (Mr J. Townley), and Councillors Hepburn, Lysnar, Jones, Harding, Mason, Miller, Bright, and Kennedy. Messrs Shand Mason and Co. wrote stating that they would have no difficulty whatever in sending a boiler complete, ready to fix in place of tho old one for the firo engine. The work had been put in hand and the whole together with valves, would bo forwarded as soon as possible. Tho reply was considered very satisfactory.

Messrs E. W. Carlin" and Co. wrot . stating that they had been appointed commercial agents in Europe for tie Johannesburg municipality, and offered ti do business for the Gisborne Council a one per cent. Tho letter was received. Mr D. C. Hawkins, secretary of the Turanganui Lodgo of Druids, wrote asking for the loan of some of the flagd recently used for decoration purposes, for uso at the Druids’ annual social on Thursday night. Cr Jones proposed that tho request bo granted. The Mayor said most of tho flags were on ropes, roady for the Coronation. Tho Overseer was instructed to lot the Druids have flags that wero convenient to [ hundlo. I The Commissioner of Police wrote in reply to a request from tho Council that tho police foreo at Gisborne be strengthened. Ho stated that Gisborne had at loast two more policemen than entitled to by its population, according to tho proportion of police throughout the colony, which is about ono policeman to evory 1-100 of tho population. Under tho circumstances ho regretted that ho couid not accede to tho request, but as tho present strength should bo sufficient to admit of at least ono officer being on duty in the streets at all times, he would arrange that tho duties bo arranged accordingly, except under perhaps very exceptional circumstances. Cr Lysnar said that it was not a fair way to put the matter. Tho police had to cover a vory wido district, and unless men did without slocp thoy couid not always bo on town duty. lie suggested that tho Commissioner bo asked to reconsidor the matter at an early date. Cr Whinray considered it augured we" that thoy wero a well-behaved eommunitand that extra police wore not necessary! Cr Bright: I think thoy aro badl wanted. Ho made strong reference to aol of indecency in town, and said that unti [ such habits wore put down thoy shouk bavo oxtra police. Few of these peoph were caught. Cr Lysnar 3aid it was impossible for f man to watch two miles of streot and sidi streets. Crs Jones and Harding said that a popu lation basis was not a fair on o. It was resolved to point out to the Commissioner that it was not fair to take the town basis, and asking that the decisior be reconsidered. Mr J. W. Witty, Secretary of the Harbor Board, reported as to tho meetim of joint committees concerning thi Coronation momorial, the Point boing fixod as tho site, on tho motion of Mi Kennedy, socondod by Mr Lysnar. Mr Seivwright’s consequent resolution was also forwa-ided. Messrs Hallenstein Bros., J. Peckover and Co., Allen Bros., and J. H. Gittos (for L. and B. Piano Co.) potitionod the Counoil, objecting to the new arrangement by which cabstands wero placed in front of their premises. The Town Clerk said that had boen a cabstand over since the by-laws had been framod. Cr Miller said that the cabmen were determined not to shift from their positions. He was distinctly in favor of the middle of the road or in tho sido streets, anywhere but in front of retailers. The committee had consulted with the people, and only Mr Ambridgo had objected, and tho stand did not oxtond that far. Cr Jones: Defer it to the committee. I Cr Miller said his sympathy was with tho objectors, but it must bo left to the Council; ho was not going to aot on tho committoo again. .Cr Lysnar said they could not bo chopping and changing. They should give it a trial. Cr Konnedy said that the cabmen had objected to the niiddlo of the road, and had asked them to consult the tenants, which they did. Aftor further discussion, no decision was arrived at. The Nightwatchmnn and Inspector of Nuisances made satisfactory reports. The latter advised chat a notice be given that tanks must bo cleaned out by a certain time. Several drainage works were roferred to. Tho Overseer (Mr Morgan) reported as to the completion of tho road to tho railway bridge. Ho also mado rocomuiendations as to tho work required higher up tho streot. Tho formation of Aberdeen road would havo to stand over for a week or so, it boing impossible to do the work until tho road had been patched up. As to trees complainod of in Palmerston road, no harm could be done in allowing tho tops to be evenly taken off. He had not been able to make a report on Esplanade road in time for that meeting, but would do so at the next meeting. At Cr Lysnar’s suggestion the attention of tho Oversoer was referred to the footpath past the gaol in Peel street. Permission was given for the trees mentioned to be topped. As to gravol by the railway, tho Mayor said he believed thoy could obtain it delivered at the station for 2s 6d per yard. Ho suggested that 1000 yards be obtained. Cr Lysnar said tho gravel was useless without screening, and then it was third class stuff, largely papa, which became slush aftor a few hours’ rain. They could get the best of metal from Haiti for 4s per yard, which was really less than tho river gravel would cost. The Whataupoko had something to show for tho Kaiti gravel. At presont, of course, thoy could not got it out. They had never madh use of the big boulders, broken, for the borough. Cr Harding, without contradioting Cr Lysnar, said thoy had a fair tost of tho river gravol on the road leading to Ormond, whioh should justify them in ordering 1000 or 1500 yards for trial. Cr Jones moved that 1000 yards be ordered. Ho thought they were justified in making a trial of the gravel. The Mayor seconded the motion, and said ho was sure it would give them better wear than that of Kaiti. As for tho latter metal, he referred thorn to the Haiti roads to see how poorly it stood, Cr Hepburn said ho understood that thoy could have almost any quality they liked at tho rivor bed, and ho suggested that tho Overseer should inspect the source.

It was agrood to alter the motion to make tho metal subject to tho approval of tho Overseor. Cr Lysnar still held to his opinion, and urged that tho quantity in tho motion should at least bo reduced to 600 yards. Tho motion was carried, Cr Lysnar dissenting. Tho Mayor brought up the subject of a light at tho railway bridgo. Cr Harding moved, and Cr Miller seconded, that a light bo placed near the site, the class of lamp to bs loft to the Works Committee.—Carried.