BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1811, 18 July 1906, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Counoil was held lost evening. Present: Tho Mayor, and Crs Lysnar, Harding, Miller, Wbinray, Webb, aud Sheridan. Mr Stafford asked that tho railway reserve bo declared closed, and suggested that the Council sell tho reserve to the adjacent property owners. Cr Wbinray thought the suggestion well worthy of consideration. It would rid them of the diffioulty of making the road, and would prevent the introduction of back slums. Or Lysnar thought that they oould not give the matter sufficient consideration that, evening. He was adverse to the closing of public roads. They should take roads through their pnblio blocks, even if at considerable expense. On the motion of the Mayor, the letter was held over for future consideration. Mr A. Wood wrot9 asking for a billiard saloon license.

It was decided to ask fot further information. Mr Robert Hay wired from Dunedin stating that Mophau Ferguson wished that the length of the steel pipes ba reduced from oOfi to 29ft to suit the hold of the vessol chartered. Personally he had no objection, but would like an expreasion of opiuion from the Council. Thß matter was left entirely in the hands of Mr Hay, the Council to bo put to no further expense. Mr F. Stafford wrote asking the Council to form and gravel two chains of footpath in Carnarvon street, south-west of Childers road, leading to one of the Borough cottages and the cottages built by tbß writer. It was decided to oomply with the request. Messrs Chrisp and Coleman wrote stating that they were of opinion that there was no duty cast upon the Council to register as a factory the building or place in Palmerston Road in which are situate the Council’s stone crushing machinery and plant, as no goods were prepared or manufactured for trade or sale, or packed for transit. Cr Sheridan moved “ That the time had notv arrived for the appointment of a permanent engineer for the Borough of Gisborne, and that applications be invited I for the position at such salary ;ts the Council deem fit.” Ho paid a tribute to the good work done by their present overseer. He pointed out the large expenditure that had gone out recently in getting outside advice. They would shortly bo faced with the drainage question, and he considered the appointI rnent of an engineer essential, Cr Lysnar said the. time for appointing an engineer had arrived and had gone past, and for that reason he would oppose the motion at the present juncture. He advised that the Council should go carefuliy in regard to expenditure. He spoke highly of the work done by their present overseer. The time for appointing a permanent engineer was before they started on the bridges and the water question. The motion was brought forward, and then Cr Sheridan had opposed it. Cr Sheridan rose to a point of order. The statement was an absolute misrepresentation. Continuing, Cr Lysnar said they did

not- went any l-;id gloved person to tell them how their remaining rates should be expended on their roads, but one who could talre off his coat and assist when the occasion arose. Cr AVhinray said it was a moot question whether they incurred this future expense or not. There was also the question of obtaining permanent levels. Cr Miller said there was no question but they would have the face the question soon, but he did not think the time liad yet arrived. Cr Harding said the metal machinery expense was the only one that faced them at present, and Mr Fraser, County engineer, had given a very complete report

on tho question. When this matter had boen dealt with tho Council would not have very much money to pay an engineer. The question ol levels would have to bo met. The Otis Company should boar half the eost. Unloss tlioy

had some speoial work for the engagement of an ongineor ho would bo in favor ol tho appointmont standing over until a future date. The Mayor said ho was pleased tho quostion had boon raised. Tho appointment of tt permanent engineer meant no reflection on Mr Morgan. Amalgamation had nuido it essential tliaL u competent engineer should be engaged. Ho did not

want to see any money thrown away

engineering, and they would have t engage a qualified ongineor to open tliei streets for the water mains. Tho question

I was a pressing one. He did not want, to trespass on Cr Sheridan’s motion, but I what tho Council should do was to ask for I applications from persons qualified to undertake) the duties of ongineor for tho Gisborne Borough Council, amongst other duties to prepare a contour plan of tho Borough, and fix all permanent lovcls of streets and wutor and soworage mains, and tako charge of all waterworks, road roadworks (including bridges), and carry out drainage and sewerage works for the town

Cr Lysnar said the question of levels should not bo allowed to weigh the question. They could easily engage an engineer for this work. Cr Millor said ho would like the question deferred for a fortnight. Ho did not think ho would support tho motion that night. They hnd till agreed that tho time was near when tho appointment would have to bo made, but he did not think they should force the matter.

Cr Sheridan replied, and several warm passages ensued between Crs Lysnar and Sheridan, irrelevant to the matter in debate. Tho chairman became lenient, and permitted the councillors to speak several times, with the exception of Or Webb, who was content with seconding the motion, and firing in occasional interjections. After somo’desultovy debate the mover consented to the matter being held over.