BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1068, 9 December 1903, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

,The ordinary meeeing of the Council was held last night, there being present The Mayor (Mr Townlcy), and Crs Kennedy, Morrison, Lysnar, llcpburn, Johnston, Somervell, Miller, and Whinray. The lirst business (special) was to confirm the special order in regard to the abattoir loan. The Mayor moved to that effect. Cr Somervell seconded the motion, Which was carried unanimously. Tho following letter was received from the Clerk of the Cook County Council “‘I have the honor .to acknowledge 'receipt of your application for payment of the sum of £OS ds lOd, being the balance of onethird of the cost of acquiring the land for the cemetery at Awapuni. l am -directed to state that until your Council has expended the £2OO already contributed by this Council, it is not necessary, to pay this amount now asked for.” The Clerk said that the CiAinciPs final payment would be passed that :

evening. Ac application was received from Mr C. A. DeLautour to lay off, form, , and shingle a road in the stftne way as Mill road.- The Mayor moved that the request be granted. gr Morrison said the condition of Mill road was not satisfactory. Cr Miller : Gve permission in accordance with the Act. Cr Kennedy said that the Council had undertaken and done Mill road, and if anyone was to blame it was .the CouneiL Ur Morrison still held that the road was not satisfactory ; it had blown into holes. Cr Kennedy ; Because there has been no traffic on it. Cr I-lepburn said tho work had been done satisfactorily at the time, but When they opened up a sandy face and there was no traffic on, holes Sverc of course blown in the road. Cr Kennedy, objected to Mill road Ibeirig brought into tho subject at all —that had cost £lO more than the estimate.

Cr Morrison said there was no attcm v 'j3-,at making a footpath. They shotilt*'insist on the work being done Hu accordance with the Act. The Mayor altered his motion, Which Vwas seconded by Cr Kennedy,,to the, effect that the road be done in accordance with the Act. Cr Somervell said if they had tho power he would object to any permission being given unless such a road were taken to the river. The drainage should be taken to the river. •

The Mayor said access was being given to eacli section, and lie did not isec that they could object, but no doubt all the drainage should be gi,ven an outlet that way. Crs Kennedy and Lysnar said they had no power to interfere in such a matter.

Cr Hepburn said the only way to get rid of the water from the channels was for it to be run across other people’s property, and that Would lead to trouble.

Cr Lysnar said ib would be for the Overseer to ace to,. Cr Homervell moved an amendment thnt permission be rofused unless provision be made for draining tho road to tho river. Cr Morrison agreed with Cr Somervell, and seoonded the amendment. ' Cr Kennedy, said provision of the kind was not being mado in any other streets. Amendment and motion were oarriod without division; Mr If. 0. Wilkinson wrote drawing attention to the culvort entoring Cook street from Gladstone road. It is vory narrow, and if not seen to there will be an accident thero some day, a 3 there is a lot of traffic on the road.—Referred to the Overseer. Tho Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce wrote as follows “ Whilst in Wellington rocently during tho oonrse of a conversation with the Hon. J. Carroll, that gentleman remarked : ‘ Why do not the Gisborne people take tho necessary stops acquire tho water rights of Te Boinge'and Motu Palls.' On consideration this, to me, soemed such an obvious necessity, when considering tho future of this district that, at the. quarterly meeting of the above Chamber, I brought the matter up for discussion, and after au animated debate, was requested by my Chamber to write suggesting that the Borough Council take all steps neoessary to preserve to the poople the water rights as aforesaid. I shall be pleased if your Coudcil will give this matter your earnest consideration, feeling sure it must reoommend itself favorably." . Cr Lysnar supported the suggestion. The rights oould be obtained easily under the new Aot, but later on when the power was being used it would be very difficult to get the rights. They should set up a committee to go into the matter. , Or Kennedy warmly commonded the propositi; as also did Ors Whinray, Morrison, and the Mayor, Or Whinray suggesting that Other falls besides those mentioned be Included, Crs Morrison, Kennedy, Lysnar, Whintay, and the Mayor were appointed a committee to deal with the subject. Dr DeLisle, District Health Offioer, wroto “ I have tho honor to reoomtnond that Gladstone road and any other stroets as may seem advisable later on be troated with an impervious coating to minimise the largo quantity of dust that flys about your town on windy summer days, to the annoyance of the inhabitants and the health of the community. Soma years ago the principal streets in Napier were coated with a mixture of tar and sand, and this has been found to (york q4ffl> rß Wy> (fro in ifapjer being «d por square yard. 4- ruistqro of and limestone jnetal woqjd more durable, and present more resisting power to whoel traffio in hot weather, but would be more costly io the first instance, but might turn out cheaper in the long run," It was resolved to reply that the Council was having a section of the road prepared to tost wi’h tarring. Mr secretary of the Harbor Board, wrote minutes and a pqnpjde rpport of the bridge cooforenco. fir Morrison moved, and the Mayor seoonded, that the report of the conference be adopted, tho request sent down being withdrawn until the site quostion is settled.

Or Lysnar supported the proposal. He waß satisfied that it would be necessary to have the bridgo neayey town; Cobden ptrppt gseoied tq be the most suitable locality; - Or Miller objected to the motion, as he feared it would lead to a fight, and there would be no bridge. The Mayor said the step now being taken should havo been taken at first; the people were quito justified in the stand they had taken. Cr Whinray did not thiuk the site question would require the withdrawal of the application. Ho wished to see the objoct facilitated.

The Mayor thought that would be best done by withdrawing the application and seeking to arrivo at an agreement as to the site. If 'he bridge was to relieve traffic on the other bridge, it must be erected lower down than Roebuck road. Mr John Mouat wrote saying yhat ho had obtained samples pf wator froii( the following sources: (11 To Pute lYaitaha (Te Arai}, (2)‘ Waipaoa river (at the bridge), (3) Willows estato (Langford’s well), (4) Awapuni lagoon (Maori well). Samples 1 and 4 first : clqssi, (ho water being clear and froe from disooloration. Sample % was disoolorod owing to late rains having caused a fresh in the river, Mr Hay says that does not matter, provided that the Health Department are notified of tho fact. Sample 3 was poor, the water in tb» well having been agitated and by frogs. If on analysis l hls samplo gives bad results, I would strongly advisp that I be allowed to obtain a fresh sample, Wo sample was asked for (rpm 'Patutahi, the assumption befDg that tho source was not favored, "'lfhe Kigntwatchman (Mr 0. J. Morell) reported as usual—no fires during his hours of duty. Tho Overseer (Mr M. Morgan) • reported :—“ Tho now well for the fire extinguishing purposes is ready for use. The depth of the water in the well at low tide is Bft 6in ; water covering inlet pipe in the well at low tide 4ft in., and pipe covered in the river with 2ft of water. This gives a supply pressure to the well of 4ft of water, which should be sufficient to supply any output required from the well. (Che new pipes being taken further into

tho river should not fail to reach the supply for a long time to- come. The lamp at tho corner of Childers road and Carnarvan street suffers greatly from the traffic. Cattle, which are frequently driven up and down the road, seldom pass without injuring this lamp. The lamp boing placed on the sharp angle of tbe road brings it more in tho line of traffic for driving than it should he fur the safety of the lamp ; to fence it off might be thought to be dangerous, and if removed to the opposite corner on the footpath it would bo out of tbe way of traffic. There has been some complaints about tho smell arising from the drain ori tho river bank at the Recreation Ground, which was made for protecting tho banks of the ground from the wash of the tide. At this season of the year our river

bonks are covered with green sea weed, which gives rise to a bod smell. This weed, whrn hold in stagnant muddy wator, decays and stnellii very rapidly. 'The very low tides of late have been groatly tho cause of the smell. To keep down the smell at neap tide, it will bo necessary to kavo two slush druins with locks attached in order that tho main drain may be kept full of water at neap tides, and slushed out when roquired. Grey street: Having got a quantity of old bricks from the Gas Works, | i carted them down to the Waikanae end l of this street. They wiil bo very useful in holding the crown of this road together. I opened the bridges on Tuesday, December Ist, to allow a scow to pass down the river from Messrs Nelson Bros, freezing works. At the the time of opening the bridge the wind was blowing rather strong, and with the tide running out, made it very diilicult to keep the ship straight, she being very light in the water. In passing through the Taruberu bridgoshe first came with great force against tho tier of pileß, which drove her back on tho swing, split-

tang the ends of two joists, and throwing the awing out of gear. There is no doubt but that the whole tier of piles would have been brokon if the few pounds had not been spent in securing them a little time ago. Getting away from this bridge, and reaching the Kaiti bndgo, some considerable delay was caused in getting through, and then not without coming in contact with this bridge, also throwing it out of gear, Some rule should be made that the bridges should not be opened when the wind is unfavorable ; it is too groat a risk. I would again urge that the working gear of tho bridge be extended if the bridges are to be opened for traffic of this kind.” As to tho offensive drain at .the Reorea-

biun Ground, tho Mayor said the exporiujont had been triod of keeping the drain filled with water, and so far it appeared to havo answered satisfactorily.

As to tho bridges, the Mayor said there was a regulation by which they could refuse to open the bridges on any daywhen it was dangerous.

Cr Lysnar supported the strengthening of the swings as suggested. It was decided to give effeot to the Overseer’s recommendations. The Town Clerk stated that it would be necessary that ovening to appoint two members to the Hospital Board to represent the Council. Messrs Johnstone and Joyce were the present representatives, Cr Lysnar thought that tho Council should be represented by two of its own members, and for that reason he suggested that Crs Somervoll and Johnston be appointed, Cr Morrison seconded the motion.

Cr Miller did not wish to soe Mr Joyce’s services lost to the Council. Mr Joyce had served them for some years, and had the confidence of the public. He moved an amendment that Messrs Johnston and Joyce be ro-olceted. Cr Kennedy had sat with Mr Joyce on the Hospital Board, and was anxious to seo his services retained by the Council. When Mr Joyce left the Council he was appointed to the Hospital Board ; ho had mado an excellent representative, and they should not pass him over.

Cr Johnston endorsed the rerunvks of tho previous speaker in regard to Mr Joyce. Cr Lysnar had no objection to Mr Joyce personally, but thought the Council should have their own members on the Hospital Board. At some length Cr Lysnar oriticisßd tho actions of the Hospital Board in regard to tho Old Men’s Home, erection of insolation ward, and other matters. He felt that the Council required to be in better touch with tho Hospital Board. As a Charitable Aid Board they wore the financiers of the Hos* pital, and they certainly should have a voice in the management of it. The Council had shown thoir appreciation of Mr Joyce’s services by appointing him three ar four times, and surely it was not to be perpetuated. He was convinced that a change would be beuefloial. If they failed in their duty to send councillors to represent them on tho Hospital Board, they themselves would not be sent baok by the ratepayers. Cr Miller: I will risk it. (Laughter.) Cr Lysnar : There was ape tition presented to the Hospital Trustees signed by all the leading people of the place. Cr Kennedy : Not all, surely. Cr Miller : 1 did not sign it. Cr Lysnar: You were the one notable exception. It would give more confidence to the people outside if some fresh members were put on the Board.

Cr Kennedy: I hope that they will never appoint you on it. Cr Lysnar : I have no desire to go on it. I will keep on worrying them until that doctor businoss is settled. When people make complaints they will not deal with them on thoir merits. Cr Johqstnn said that Cr Lysnar had no tfi attack tho Hospital Board in the manner ho had done, for the charges ho had made wore quite unjustified and wholly without foundation. The Trustees had acted under the instructions of the Charitable Aid Board in regard to tho isolation ward, the erection of which would have been proceeded with had the funds been available. They had Dr MacGregor’s report on the hospital, and they all knew that every suggestion Dr MacGregor made had been iaithfuUy carried out. A Yftte being taken, the amendment was carried, Crs Lysnar and Morrison alone voting for tbo motion.

Cr Morrison introduced tho question of the erection of a second bridge across the Taruheru, wbioh matter he desired to see pushed forward. The qniy thing that remained to be done was to decide upon the site, Bfld with thia in view he moved tbqt a committee comprising two reprepresentativea from each local body be set up to go into the matter.

Cr Kennedy seconded the resolution. The Mayor said that there was tho question of the contribution to be paid by each local body to be considered. Cr Morrison said the committee he wished to see appointed would deal with the question of sito only. Cr Hepburn supported the proposal. Cr Lysnar thought it would be a mistake to appoint two members from each body. He wanted tj-, see the whole Council on the committee. He would not trust anyone.

Cr Kennedy : And we will not trust you.

Cr Miller : You would not trust Mr Hay. You boliove )n none but yourself* Cr Lysnaif urged that the whole Counci) should be appointed to the committee. Or Spmorvell, agreed with Cr Lysnar that two representatives on the commit-

tee were not enough. He did not hear anything about the conference recently held until after it was held, otherwise he would have attended.

After further discussion, Cr Morrison withdrew his motion, and it was agreed that all members of the Council should represent the Borough on tho committee dealing with the question of the sito of the bridge. DisoussiOn took place in regard to the question of B.oyough reserves and the ’ a a. visability of leasing a number of sections \n Childers road for a term, Jt was decided to appoint a corumi'.tee consisting of tho Mayor and Ors Kepnedy and Lysnar to consider tho matter.

It was agreed that all rates not paid before the 31st inst. should bear the usual 10 per cent.

While.a lap dash bicycle race was being run ■■ at Cowra, New South Wales, one. of the competitors ran ofi the track and collided with a group of ladies,-breaking the leg of Miss Wright, a school teacher? ’At Binalong, New South Wales, a young man .named Howard was swimming and-while taking a dive struck a-log. .The force of the blow ;completely paralysed' him, and resulted in his death a few hours later.