BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 520, 17 September 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho ordinary mooting of tho Council Was hold last night. Present: Tho Mayor (Mr Townley), and Crs Harding, Jonoß, Mason, Lysnar, Whinray, Bright, Hopburn, and Millor. TOWN CLOCK.

Mr R. T. Soymour, watchmaker, wroto acknowledging the Council’s accoptanco of his offor to regulato and keep in order the town clock. Mr B. Uird wroto offering to do the carting in connection with the clock. On the motion of Or Jones the offer was accepted with thanks. Mr A. F. Konnody, manager for Messrs Williams and Kettlo, wroto mentioning that Gaptuin Todd, Marino Superintendent of the Tyser Jjino, had replied stating thut ho would bo very pleaaod to communicate with the head ollice requesting that the town clock bo conveyed free of charge. Captain Todd remarked “ that be has no doubt his request will bo complied with as his directors have due appreciation of the value of their connection with this port. Messrs Richardson and Co., Mr Kennedy s letter continued, had replied stating that they would bo pleased to coovoy the clock, etc., freight froo from Napier to Gisborne. Cr Jones spoko in appreciation of the public spirit shown in the matter, us also did the Mayor and other Councillors, and on the motion of Cr Jones it was resolved to write acknowledging with thanks the offers made in the matter.

Mr G. W. Sampson, Chief i'ostniastor, wroto :— 11 In tho report of the Borough Council’s meeting published to-day (Sept. ii) I see montion is made of an offer by Mr Seymour to maintain tho town clock for a poriod of twelve months freo of charge. This offer was made and probably entertained under a misapprehension, and I take tho liberty of asking the Council to reconsider it. The present clock, in uso for so many years, has always been maintained by Mr Good free of cost, fie attends to it regularly year after year, and without any charge except for necessary repairs and periodical cleaning. . I am satisfied ho will continuo this aiul include tho towor dock when erected. Ilis terms aro hotter than Mr Seymour’s, because they are for a permanency and not twelve months only. It sooms to mo that when the Council is made aware of Mr Good’s past services, and his position now in connection with the work, they will see fit to leavo it in his hands. lam fully satisfied ho will give every care and attention, and his past work is a guarantee of this.’ No action was decided upon, (Report of discussion is hold over.)

footpaths ano roads. The proprietors of tho Coronation Hotel wroto asking for permission to slightly alter tho footpath corner. Cr Whinray said it was a small matter —a little pieco of circular kerb and bit of asphalt—half a day’s work. On tho motion of Or Lysnar, seconded by Cr Whinray, tho request was grantod. Cr Miller referred to tho fact that sovoral footpaths in front of now buildings wero not yet completed. Cr Whinray : It has not boon completing woathor.

Cr Harding complained of the stato in which tho Gas Company loft places which thoy had picked up. Tho Town Clork said ho had writton to the Company, which had given tho Overseer authority to have ail such work done at their expense. ABATTOIRS.

Messrs J. G. Niven and Co., of Napier, wroto forwarding their proposal for abattoirs. They stated : “The plan is designed to moet requirements when tho population is double its present ago, and it is so arranged that it could be readily ostended without pulling down any existing structure. Tho cost is greater than wo had at first in mind, but we are now satisfied that it is impossible to meet your requirements for the futuro inorcaso. of population, and at the same time satisfy tho control authority, on an expenditure of loss than £I9OO, which wo estimato tho works shown on tho plan will cost. You must of course romember that materials aro rnoro oxponsivo in Gisborne than most places. At tho local abattoirs for instance, whero tho contract amount was ovor ,£4OOO, all tho material for tho concrete was right on tho ground, and in this case tho walls, as well as tho floors and the foundations of tho main building, are built of concrete. On tho recommendation of tho Chief Veterinarian, the abattoirs have boon nrrangod with a view to tho Council undertaking the whole of the slaughtering work themselves. That is to say tho butcher will deliver his stock in a paddock noar by, and would have nothing further to do until his cart comes along to tako away tho dressed moat, hides, skins, fat, otc. This system is recommended as being very much more satisfactory than that in which the butcher does his own killing, which entails greater oxpense both in first cost and in working, and it is evident an incroaso in tho cost of those items must result in an increased price of the moat sold.” In reply to Cr Bright the Mayor said that the plan was sent voluntarily. Cr Lysnar said it would be unreasonable for butchers to have to drive stock there every day—they should have a chilling room. The Mayor said that the Napier abattoirs cost L4OOO with shingle close by. Cr Whinray considered that a cooling chamber was necessary. Cr Harding : You can have anything extra if you pay for it. It will cost Liooo

extra. The Mayor pointed out that the Government veterinarian had approved of the plan, He suggested that the plan be referred to the Abattoirs Committee for report. ~ , Cr Miller did not think they would have to go to the expense of a chilling room. Cr Lysnar said they must do so if they were to be reasonable to the butchers, and he strongly urged the necessity of such a room. Cr Miller said it would be a matter for the butchers, who would have to pay for

Cr Harding : The public will. Cr Miller : In the long run, but the butchers have to pay the fees first. Cr Bright held to his opinion that they should' not do anything until forced. There was no question that the cousumer would have to pay They would have to do it first through the rates and then in fees • although they had two freezing works within a mile. If they had not, he would almost say stupidly, quarrelled with Nelson Bros’ offer, they would have had the thing settled long ago. Cr Jones said it was simply whether thoy wore to put tbo thing under the freezinc companies or have it in their own control He had no doubt that the butchers would manage all right. Ho Would not like to have moat hung up for a week. Thoy ohould meet tbo butchers in a fair way, and be bad no doubt would cot over littlo difficulties without placing a‘great burden upon consumers. Ho thought they could manage without a freezing chamber. The Mayor did not think tbo oxponso of a freezing chambor would bo needed. Ho strongly favored municipal abattoirs, which ho believed would bo hotter for butchers and consumers. Thoy did not hear of much moat boing condemned undor tbo present system. . Cr Mason contended thcro was nothing in Cr Lysnar’s argument as to having to drive stock in oach day. . Cr Lysnar referred to the scientific researches being made in regard to tuborculosis, which they had now shown was not tho danger thoy had feared. . 11 Would you like to eat it by choice /

asked Cr Mason. . . «■ No,” said Cr Lysnar; it was in little bags, which he would not like to cat. Though ho was at ono time strongly in favor of abattoirs, now ho was coming round to Cr Bright’s opinion. He pointed out that a road would bavo to be added to

tb ln°regara S to the design preferred for the , j ~h ln la Messrs Parnell and Co. S Foundation or concrete ; joists and floor, heart o totara; columns, railings, westings, and fancy work to bo of cast iron; work to receive two coats of paint. As to the estimate! they had made such enquiries, and “specially as to the cost of ironwork, that thoy felt justified in estimating tho cost as stated by them—£l9o. . Discussisn took place as to whether a the previous meeting they had accepted a de » Then wbat wero wo doing for an hour at last mooting ? ” asked Cr Harding, juuidet laughter.

Cr Millor moved that Parnell and Co.’s plan be received. Cr Jonos seconded the motion. Cr Lysnar said that Mr Quigley’s plan was tho best, but did not come within tho limit.

Tho motion was caried. In reply to Cr Jones, tho Mayor said that he would not bind them to follow tho

plan without alteration. Cr Miller said it had boon mentioned that the diameter was rather small, but Cr Lysnar said that the band-room in uso for twenty years was no larger. Discussion took placo as to tho steps now to bo taken. Cr Harding said ho had been informed the plan was really Mr Firmerun’s, and he thought they should put the work into his hand. Cr Lysnar objected to acting on such information. Mr p’inneran should havo given it in his own name. He moved that Mr Quigley, who had done work gratis and supplied a boautiful plan, bo given the work.

Cr Whinray said that the mistake was in having uny names to Lhe plan. Ho would second Cr Harding’s motion. Cr Jones suggested Limn Messrs Parnell and Co. be asked to provide the specifications, in which case it would be given to the actual designer. Cr Miller, while speaking highly of the deign, thought the Council should appoint the architect. Cr Lysnnr’s amendment was lost.

Cr Jones proposed, us an amendment, that Messrs Parnell and Co. ho asked to prepare the plans and specifications, choosing their own architect. It might turn out that Mr Finneran was not the architect. Cr Hepburn seconded the motion. Cr Harding said positively that it was Mr Finneran’s plan. Go had no objection to the amendment. The amendment was carried. On tho motion of Cr Lysnar, it was resolved that tho tenders bo in by next meeting.

KKI'ORT. The nigbtwatchman (Mr 0. J. Morell) reported that there had been no fires during his hours of duty for tho fortnight. THE KAM I RKIDGE. Mr Little, Building Inspector, reported in regard to the bridge, and the delects pointed out by Mr Ross. He mentioned numerous defects, and also stated that, the bridge would require to be redecked and repainted at an early date. Cr Whinray said it was shown that the bridge was in a very dangerous state. In reply to Cr Harding, tho Mayor said that the County Council and Harbor Board had to bear a share of any expense required on the bridge. Cr Harding estimated that Leo or L3O would replace the bolts, etc. “The bridge is in a very disgraceful condition,” said Cr Lysnar, “ and requires immediate attention.”

Cr Jones : Mr Ross ought to be thanked for pointing out the defects. Cr Lysnar said the bridge should have immediate attention. They ought tcLconsuit with the Harbor and County Engineers.

Cr Harding said that no one expected the bridge to last as it had done. It was resolved that a report should be obtained in accordance with Cr Lysnar’s suggestion. The Ovorsecr, Mr M. Morgan, reported that tho bad weather had prevented progress with Abordoen road. Upper Gladstone road was suffering severely from tho trees on the north sido, tho metal soon disappearing into mud. Ho recommended that for the benofit of the road the nuisance bo removed. Ho rocommended that tenders be called for tho supply of metal for tho year. Ho submitted plans and specifications for Mills’ road. Cr Whinray 3aid that if tho Abordeen road wore not soon done and grass sown it would becomo a scourge to tho neighborhood.

Cr Jones: With a few days like this it will soon bo blown away if left unfinished. Tho Ovorscer stated that ho was pushing on with the work. It was resolvod to request tho owner of tho land on which the trees wero growing to abate the trouble.

Cr Lysnar suggested that some Waihirore metal should bo obtained. Ho thought they might get a tram line to connect with tho railway, in which the Council would probably join. Cr Hepburn stated that tho Waihirere motal was useless, as the County Council had found out.

The Mayor said tho metal was no use for small metal unions thoy went up tho falls. It wouid cost three times more to put a tram lino in than tho metal thoy would require that year would cost. The Patutahi sourco had boon proved the boat. Tho object was to give the work out early in tho season. He moved that a thousand yards of Patutahi metal be obtained. Cr Hepburn seconded tho motion.

Gr Bright said that a traction engine with waggons wore on thoir way out from Home, and it was intended tojbavo a cut in at tho contract.

Cr Mason rolated his experiences with a traction engine, and considered that all tho culverts in their present condition would be ground to powder by a traction engine. Cr Lysnar strongly objected to rushing tho contract through, and wanted a committee to roport on tho motal question. Ho proposed to that effect, Cr Whinray seconding. Cr Miller thought it would bo well to delay a month, so as to obtain further information about the traction engine.

Tho Mayor pointed out tho urgoncy of getting the motal in early, and the great cost it would be to put the bridgo in order for a traction engino. Cr Whinrr.y said Cr Lysnar was wrong as to Waihirore, but it would bo worth while enquiring as to tho stone on Mr Barkor’s property. <■ Cr Harding supported tbo motion. As to tho traction engino tho owner would know when it would arrive, and would still bo ablo to tonder, though ho did not

think tbo County Council would go to tho expense of strengthening the bridges. He thought no 9tone should bo loft uuturned to find good motal. Cr Jones supported tho motion, but would liko to sec tho committee set- up, so

that any information would bo available noxt year. Cr Hepburn said that some motal obtainod by the County Council from Barkor’s property .had broken up by the weather without traffio. Cr Lysnar again vigorously urged his view. After further discussion, in which Cr Mason supported tho motion, Cr Wbinray said that he did not second tho amendment to block the thousand yards being obtainod. Tho amendment was then withdrawn, and Cr Bright proposod a further ono that tho metal contracts bo lot in four sections of 250 yards. Tho amendment was not seconded. Tho motion was thon carried, Cr Lysnar and Bright dissenting. KKFKRKJiDUM.

The Town Clerk reported as to tho carrying of tho baud rotunda referendum. It was resolved on tbo suggestion of Cr Harding, that Crs Wbinray and Lysnar bo a committeo to fix the actual spot for the rotunda on tho Recreation Ground.