BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1357, 18 January 1905, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary moving of the Borough Council was held last evening, when the following members were present: —His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Townley), and Crs Morrison, Whinray, Hepburn, JohnstoD, Miller, Harding and Somervell. HIGH SCHOOL BOARD. The Secretary of the High School Board wrote, notifying the Council of a vacancy on the Board, and stating that it would be necessary to appoint a representivo before the Board met in February. It was decided to deal with the matter at the next meeting of the Council. SECOND HAND DEALER. Mr W. N. Attwood, jnnr., was granted a license as a second-hand dealer.

FIRE AT HIGH SCHOOL. The following report from tho officer in charge of the Firo Brigade was received in regard to tho fire at tho High School: >• I am instructed by your Fire Brigade to forward the following report, whioh was eivon by Sub. Superintendent Wildish at our lust meeting held on tho 11th inst. in reference to the late fire at tho. Gisborne public school. Tho firo took p'ace on December 26tfc, 1904, ehortly after 8 a.m. I arrived promptly on the scene, and almo3t directly afterwards several of the Brigade arrived with the hose, reel, etc. Wo at once got everything into working order, and immediately the water came through’ the hose, wo used our utmost endeavour to suppress the fire, and I consider the Brigade did well considering the poor pressure available. At 15 minutes to 10 I considered the fire was quite safe, although the Brigade were there long after that, and when they had coiied up everything was absolutely safe. I may say further that owing to representation made to mo by Mr Foreman Nield X again went to the school grounds after 7 p.m. and completely extinguished every , sign of fire, whioh had burned up during the day. I think it is tho duty of the ownora of property to take charge as soon as a fire is extinguished, as it is hardly fair to expect a volunteer Brigade to stay after they have stopped a firo from doiDg further damage.” „ , , ,

The Mayor said that tho Brigade had done its work well, but they could not be expected to stay throughout the day. Tho Brigade as a rule gave notice to the owner of tho property when they left a fire, but often it broke out again. It was not in the province of the Brigade to remain for hours afterwards waiting for the firo to break out again. C3r Whintay said that ho at no time called into question tho action of the Brigade, but ho Bimply asked for a report from tho Fire Inspector. Ho bad been at the fire on tho day in question, and was surprised that no one was loft in charge. Ho was not casting any reflection on the Fire Brigade. The fire had broken out in neveral places, and ne had taken upon himsolf tho responsibility of getting assistance to put it out. Ho asked for payment for the mon engaged m extinguishing tho fire. Mr Little, Borough Inspector, confirmed Or Wiiinray’s statement, and stated that at 7 o’clock in the ovoning, when he went to view the fire, it had broken out again in various places. He assisted to put it

Or Morrison urged the appointment of a Borough Fire Inspector, and suggested that Mr Little should be allotted tho posi-

Or Somervell said that the Firo Brigade when the firo was first extinguished arranged with the School Committee for men to be put on, but for some reason or other they left their dutios. Cr Hiller proposed that Hr Little be appointed Firo Inspector, and that rules in regard to his duties be drawn up. This was agreed to, A DEPUTATION. A d"putation from tho High School, consisting of Hcssrs Morgan, DoLautour, Coleman, and J. Brown, waited upon the Council, and nslced for assistance towards technical instruction, more particularly the plumbing classes at the school. Hr Horgan urged the importance of tbo plumbing classes, pointing out that when Gisborne obtained its water supply all ' plumbers would require to bo licensed. In \ pther places the local bodies had assisted the technical classes, and the amount i votod by them had been subsidised £ for 3 £by the Government. Tho Governors of 3 the Higli School not only asked for aid from tbo Council towards the technical classes, but they sought assistance from e the public of Gisborne. The technical

oIaBSOB hodfnot boon ns well supported as tbo Board anticipated, and in ono branch of instruction, that of boolt-kceping, there had only been throe pupils. Novortholess the instructor hud attended throughout, and dono his best for the three pupils. Mr DoLautour urged tbo importance of plumbing instruction, whioh was impora tivo to tho health of the community. Defective plumbiDg often brought disease, and in order to overcome this the Council should assist tho classos. Napier, Now Plymouth and other places had assisted the technical olasses, and ho was suro that Gisborne would not bo behind. Thoy did not nsk for a largo amount. Tho Mayor, in reply, said that ho was sure tho Counoil would do all they could in the matter. It was a part of their duty as a Board of Health to do what thoy could to improve tho health of tho community. Tho Council would carefully consider tho application, and would do all in thoir power to assist tho classos. In returning thanks, Mr Morgan said that tho Board bad a promise that Gisborne would be made an examining centre for tho students.

The matter was roforrod to a committee of the whole Council. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The Borough Inspector reported that he had been inspecting in various parts of tho Borough, and found all places in a satisfactory condition. Good progress had been made with tho works at tho abattoirs, and ho recommended a progress payment of L‘2so. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

Tho Borough Overseer reported as follows :—“ Tho timber for re-deoking tho Kaiti bridge has been dolivorod to tho yard, where it will bo stacked for drying, and then tarred before it is worked up ; it appoars to bo of a very fair quality. "Wainui Road —Some of tho property owners on this road are vory anxious to have a footpath formed in front of thoir property, a request for samo will probably be before your Council to-night. The block in question is on the south side of the road from the bridge to Hirino street, it will be necessary to tako the formation to Harris street; from Hirino street to Harris street there is a surplus of soil, which is required for filling up tho path from the bridge to Hirino street; the culvort at tho junction of Hirino street will require altering, and should bo done at tho same time. I estimate the cOBt of this work at £52 Ss. Clifford street —The portion of this stroct between McLean Btrect and Eitzherbort street is in a very bad and dangerous state; there is a good deal of fine property built in this part of the street, and is very hard to get at in the present state of tho road ; Some of tho property owners have signified their willingness to subscribe very liberally to tho work of forming this part of tho street, should your Council consent to have tho work done. I estimate the cost of this work at £25 Bs. I have had the foot bridge at tho end of Rowe street leading to tho beach repaired, as requostod by tho Public Works Committee.” In connection with tho formation of the footway on Wainui road Mr T. G. Dawless wrote offering to pay his share of the cost of tho work. Tho Council agreed to do tho work if tho owners interested would contribute half of the estimated cost. _ A similar decision was arrived at in regard to the work in Clifford street, Wbataupoko. WATER SUPPLY. Tho Council then wont into Committee in regard to the question of tho acquisition of the watershed at To Arai, as well as tho matter of raising the loan money.