BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 506, 20 August 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present The Mayor (Mr Townley), and Crs Harding, Miller, Bright, Hepburn, Jones, Mason, Lysnar, Kennedy, and Whinray. STANDARD SURVEY OE GISBORNE. Tho Hon. Jas. Carroll wrote :—“ Referring to your letter to mo on tho subject of standard survey of Gisborne, I have made the necessary enquiries, and I find that, although instructions were issued in November last to have the work done, pressure of departmental business and prior undertaking prevented the Gisborne Borough being put in hand at once, but instructions have now been issued to tho Chief Survoyor at Napier to make a start as soon as possible. You may rest assured the matter will have early attention.” —Received ABATTOIRS. Messrs Jas. J. Niven and Co., of Napior, wrote :—“ Thanks for yours of 2nd August, giving prices of materials we asked for. Wo are forwarding tho fresh plans to Wellington to-day to bo approved of by tho Government authorities.” Tho Mayor said the plans should bo to hand by tho noxt meeting.

STREET PLANTING,

Tho Secretory of the Beautifying Association, Mr G. Darton, wrote :—“ Referring to your memo, of the 28th May last, re street planting. Wo havo now ready a good supply of protectors, and wo propose to plant a singlo row of silver birch in the centre of Customhouse street from Childers road to Kahutia street. Kindly bring proposal before your Council for their approval.” Cr Hepburn said that it was a mistake to havo too many trees in tho streets. Cr Bright said that trees meant moro lights, and the Mayor said that was a matter that he folt concerned about. Cr Miller said that as soon as they could afford it a light would be required lower down that street.

Cr Mason said thero was not much use in planting when they allowed tho trees to bo chopped down. Tho Mayor: These aro slow-growing treos.

Cr Hepburn was opposed altogether to • tho planting. Cr Bright moved, and Cr Hepburn seconded that permission bo not given, which was carried. Cr Bright said there was no intention to block tho efforts of tho Beautifying Association. Councillors were opposed to planting in tho centre of tho street. Later on Cr Kennedy moved, and Cr Whinray seconded, that tho Association be granted permission to plant trees at the side of Customs House street, from Childors road to Kahutia street. The motion was carried unanimously. GREY STREET, The following potition was received from residents of Victoria township :—“ Wo, the undersigned, would respectfully draw your attention to the deplorable stnto of Grey street at tho present time. It is in a dangerous state for traffic, and almost impossible to travel on, owing to tho numerous deep holes one cannot miss, and tho mud is up to the horses’ knees, and is moro fit for a dinghy than horse traffic. Wo think we have every reason to draw your attention to this as there has not been a shovel put on tho road since a portion of it was gravelled last year. One man for a couple of weeks would savo pounds by filling in tho holes worn in tho gravelled part by the constant heavy traffic from tho beach and railway goods shed. Trusting this will meet with your earliest attention, wo remain—A. S. Richards, G. Bates, A. Penford, F. Lowndes, Cr. G. McLachlan, T. McCormack, G. Warren, J. Morrison, T. Morrison, G. Bartlett, W. Pont, G. W. Markic, T. Dalrymple, G. McLean. Councillors mentioned numorous places where attention was badly required.—The Overseer was instructed to make small improvements.

REPORTS. The Xighlwatchman (Mr O. J. Morrell) made his usual satisfactory report. The Inspector (Mr J. Little) reported as to tree planting at the depot. WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The Public Works Committee met on 16th August, there being present the Mayor, and Crs Harding, Hepburn, and Miller. Harris street.—Oour Committee inspected this street, and authorised the Overseer to have the eastern end of the road formed and metalled at a cost of 1 not exceeding Lso.

Peel street railway lamp. —An estimate was received from the Gas Company for two lamps. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Gas Company drawing their attention to the bad state in which roads and footways were left after being broken up for laying gas pipes, etc. —The Overseer was instructed to give notice to several owners to repair defective crossings —The report was adopted. The Overseer (Mr M. Morgan) reported : Aberdeen road : No work has been done to the road since last meeting the men having boon employed on Coronation works tho first half of the time, the broken weather since has compelled us to turn

our attention to tho general patching of the roads. Waiohiharorc block: The portion of this block owned by your Council has been damaged by the sea at the bend of the beach, and a portion of tho fence has been washed down. lam having the fence shifted further back into the paddock. It will require to have about 15 chains of tho fence removed; about 11 chains is at present in danger, which will require some protection from tho force of the sea. Tho force of the current appears to centre at this point, caused by tho fact of tho beacli gathering sand and enlarging itself at the town end, and near the groin. This must continue to increase the force of the sea at this point, as the town end of the bench grows seaward until the harbor wjrks arc carried far enough out to throw | the current further back on the beach. : This would mean extensive works, as it j will require a groat weight to force the current hack from this point; the force and [ weight of the seu naturally coming to this side of the bay, when forced hack at the town end of tho beach will naturally take its course in u line from tho angle on which it strikes, and the land must make up at the one point and the water deepen at the other, as a natural outcome. A rough sketch of the bay, showing the action of tho current from tho sea on the Council’s property was also given by Mr Morgan. Tho Overseer said that tho protective work he proposed would cost about £6 per chain, there being about 11 chains. Cr Lysnar thought it would Do only battling against the sea —the bank would make up again. Cr Jones : It would bo throwing money into tho sea.

Tho report was referred to tho Works Committee, to mako an inspection of tho place. RATES. The Clerk said they were not coming in well, and it was resolved to issue a warning to defaulters, through tho press.