BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 3 September 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present: Tho Mayor (Mr Townley) and Crs Hepburn, Harding, Jones, Lysnar, Whinray, Kennedy, Bright, and Millor. Mr R“ T. Seymour wrote Seeing that your Council has ordered a town clock I bog to oiler my services to you, cither as adviser, or to assist at tho erection and subsequent regulation of tho clock, for a period qf tvyolvo months, freo of all oharge. I make this offor believing that a ■mod timekeeper will bo of assistance to mo personally in my business, and also as a subscription to assist in a public werk of this kind. , Cr Jones said that it was a vory pleasing thing to get such an oiler, and he moved that°the offer bo accepted with thanks. The Mayor also spoko, approvingly of tho offer, and seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr H. G. Ell, Wellington, wrote as follows :—I would feel obliged if you would let mo have, as soon us convenient, the amount vour Council or Board hqs pqid in tho shape of interest on bank overdrafts for tho last ten years. _ I am endeavouring to collect this information from every local body in tho colony. The Mayor said that the object of the information was probably in connection with amalgamation, Mr Ell being member for Christchurch. It was agreed to supply tho information.

Tho following letter was received from Mr A. Y. Boss :— X have of late looked into the safety of tho Kaiti bridge, and I find that the raised span is not safe to carry a packed crowd of people equal to 45 tons, together with its own weight of 22 tons; a total of 67 tons, tl ho crossheads supporting tho 1; inch ' suspenders are liable to carry away with this weight, and for safety should be from three to four times the present strength, I am willing

to point out this matter to your building Inspector. Cr Lysnar : If that is so, it ought to be seen to. , , Tho Mayor : A thousand people might affect it. . Cr Lysnar: The danger, would be in case of a mob of cattle going across. Tho Mayor suggested that tho Harbor Lngineer and Board Overseer should inspect the work. Cr Miller said as a matter of courtesy at least they should give Mr Ross an opportunity of pointing out the fault. Cr Hepburn : It is finding fault. Cr Lysnar: There is sometimes occasion to do so.

Cr Jones: In any case, we should obtain the information. Cr Whinray said if tho facts woro as stated he agreed with Mr Ross. There might be latent defects that examination would discover. On the motion of Cr Miller it was agreed that tho Inspector and Harbor Engineer should meet Mr Ross, for him to point out ttie defects. Mr Wilkinson, poundkoepor, wrote applying for permission to cut down some trees near the pound. He also mentioned that tho wire had been stolen off the fence. It was agreed that permission be given. The following report was recoived from Mr M. Morgan, Overseer: —Since last

meeting the weather has been very much against the progress of street work. I havo had the footpaths at tho lower ond of Childers rond repaired and gravelled. The formation of Harris street. — I have

started carting the earth required for filling in from Read's Quay to give tho road a moro even crown. Tho heavy rain has compelled me to leave this work for a few days. Grey street.—Tho low-lying portion of this street being very wet and dirty with tho last heavy rains, I have been filling in tho centro by carting sand on samo. The sand is got from the east side of tho upper part of Grey streof, to let the water off the crown of the road, and from the west end of Kahutia street.

Tho Mayor said ho hoped tho Childers road footpath would bo re-tarred in tho coming summer.

As to Groy street, in reply to Cr Whinray, tho Mayor said that it would bo attended to as soon as possible. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that he had been inspecting and examining tanks in the borough. The planting of the trees at the depot had been completed for this season; great credit and thanks wore due to Mr Darton for the quantity of plants received from the Association, and for the assistance of Mr Wilson, gardener, in planting the trees. He had to report a case of scarlatina in Kahutia street, and a case of typhoid fever at the Hospital, a native from Te Arai,

Cr Lysnar said that evidently the Maoris were using bad water. Cr Whinray said that the creek near the church was a suitable place for germinating fever.

A plan of suggested abattoirs, prepared by Mr Niven, was laid on the table, but thero had been no accompanying letter sent with it.