BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 8 May 1907, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly mooting of the Borough Council was held last evening. There were present: Air. Townley (Mayor), and Crs. Harding, Mann, Millar, Bright, AVhinray, Somervell, Sawyer, Williams and Sheridan. A PRIVATE DRAIN.

Mr. Jas. East wrote re a drain Tom Airs. Harnier’s private hospital :o tho Taruheru river.

Cr. Bright said that in view of tho dininage system being installed the matter should be held over. Or. AYilliains said the question was that Airs. Harnier could not get hexlicense.

Cr. Somervell said the question was whether that was a suitable place for a private hospital. It covered the n hole section.

Other Councillors objected to the drain being made a Borough drain, but would give permission to have the road opened up -for a private drain.

It was decided to grant permission to open the road for a private drain. NIGHT AVATCHAIAN’S REPORT. Air. AA’m. Fraser, nightwatcliman, reported that there had been no alarms of fire in the Boroufh since last meeting. He reported that during the past fortnight he opened the business premises of a Borough Councillor, a hotelkeeper and a draper. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

Air. J. R. Little, Borough Inspector, reported:—

“As requested by your Council at last meeting to furnish a report on the sanitary condition and disposal of rubbish at the depot, I have visited the same, and beg to report as follows: Owing to the uneven surface of the ground, caused by the sand ridges, we have, by tlio Council’s instructions, always filled in the low-lying places with the rubbish from tlio town, and when a sufficient quantity of rubbish had been deposited, wo used a liorse-scoop to cover it over from the high ridges, after which it was sown down with grass seed cleaning, and the ground levelled as near as possible. 1 might state that for a long time there has been very little rubbish taken to the depot, as it generally has been deposited on the southern bank of the Waikanae, where it is duly spread out and covered with sand to reclaim the river bank. The Hon. Captain TuCkor keeps a man for that purpose. The nightsoil at the depot is biuied regularly every morning in a satisfactory manner, according to instructions received from the Health Department, who have visited tlie place at different periods. I might state that it is impossible to keep a place like the depot without some signs of what it is used for, as we have had to make the roads through the depot with the rubbish from the town. I would be glad if your Public Works Committee would visit the place and see for themselves, and advise me if any better method of disposal could be substituted. Owing to the terrible state of the Awapuni-road during the winter, another horse will have to: be procured at once to carry on the nightsoil work. I visited the abattoirs last week, and I was asked to report to your Council on the insufficient shed room for cattle. There are now 10 butchers using the abattoirs, and there are only six pens for cattle. This causes a lot of trouble, as strange cattle have to be mixed together. The head butcher suggests that four more pens be added to the present shed at the back of same, which would not entail a large expenditure.” ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer, Mr. E. Harvey Gibbon, reported as follows: “Crawford-road culvert: This work has been practically completed, traffic being able to pass over it. A complaint was lodged that the material for the filling-in of the approaches was’being taken from the old tram line in the Wainui-road, and injuring what lias hitherto been used as a footpath. An arrangement was arrived at on the ground between the County chairman and the Borough, that when the excavation had been finished the ground should be formed lip and gravelled. Mainilenance: Tlio staff lias been very busily engaged in patching and gravelling throughout the borough; in fact, the demands for repairs, consequent on the wet weather, were sogreat that tlio ordinary complement of drays had to be increased by four additional ones. During the last two months over a thousand yards of gravel and tlio same amount of broken metal had been used. Roebuck Road bridge: The steel work for this bridge arrived by the Squall on Tuesday, 30th April. The contractor % now taking delivery. The railing appears to have been damaged to ■Soir.JI extent, but as far as can be seen the balance appiears to bo in fair order. Tlfe duty on the material amounts to £377 5s -Id. Grey-street bridge: Owing to a scour at the foot of the breastwork a considerable settlement of the bank took To prevent a recurrence, 1 am excavating down at the back as far as possible, jiutting in another plank, and refilling to water level with clay, sand jiroving of no value, as it runs whenever a small opening occurs. Nortlicoto-road: In accordance with your instructions, 1 have to report on the condition of this road. It is unformed from end to end. There are no- houses on it at present. There is, however, one in course of erection, about half way along it. I could not recommend anything being done there at present. Ballancestreet: I examined the footways and drains in this street, and suggest that when gravel is available the eastern footpath should be attended to from Stout-street to Russell-street, and the drains cleaned out. Metal: The very pressing need of the borough at the present time is a bountiful supply of metal. No more Patutahi stone is available until spring, and gravel will be unobtainable. I have already reported on the amount of metal required to put the roads in even passable condition. To take one road as an example—Gladstoneroad. The last spell of wet weather showed that the surface of the road was completely worn out, and required metalling the whole length, I carefully measured it, and estimated tjhat to give it a coat of metal 9in thick right across would require no

loss tlmn 17,094 cubic yards. Even supposing only half ilio width were done, it would still take over 8000 cubic yards of metal. AVhat applios to Gladstono-road applies to nearly ovory road ill the borough; they are practically worn out and requiie motalling. In a vory short time the road will bo completed to the Waihirero Quarry, and then the question I of the tram lino to the station will liavo to bo consiclored. I have taken ] out the quantities for a tram line to Waihirore station, and find the cost will bo about £759 per mile, and the distanco can bo taken at two miles, making £lslß in all. It has been suggested that tlio matter should remain in abeyanco until the railway in connection with tho outer harbor scheme has been completed, and that tho Council should take over the railway when tho breakwater has been constructed, blit I cannot recommend such a proposal. It is estimated that the value of such railway aftor completion of the works would amount to £15,000, and that tho Council would take it over at that figure. By comparing tho cost of working il short tram line from the quarry to Waihirore station with that of the Harbor Board’s railway, it will be seen that tlio tram is very much more advantageous: Cost of I working tram lino from Quarry to I Waihirere Station, including maintenance and 10 per cent, for interest and depreciation, £550 per annum ; cost of working railway, including maintenance and 10 per cent. interest and depreciation, £2400 per annum. But if 50 cubic yards of crushed metal were taken from tho quarry per diem for, say, six months, this would amount to 7800 cubic yards, and would cost delivered on the streets by Council’s tram line £2173, but if delivered by the rail\vay it would . amount to £3482, giving a balance of £1309 in

favor of the tram lino, or an amount very nearly equal to the cost of its construction. With regard to the stone, I have not the slightest doubt as to either the quality or the quantity to be obtained. I would respectfully suggest that the Council should give immediate consideration to the scheme, so that the urgent demand foil road material may be mot by a continuous supply from the only place in the district where there is an abundance of metal, which can be put on the roads at a price that permits of a liberal use.” In speaking on the Waihirere metal question, Cr. Sawyer suggested that tlio Council should not do anything in regard to the tramway until they have given the metal a fair show on their roads.

Cr. Miller said that if the metal was only as good as Kaitaratahi gravel the tram-line would be a good investment for them. Cr. Sheridan said the Engineer had not suggested that the metal was suitable for heavy traffic. It would be an unfair test to have the metal tried on Gladstone Road. The Engineer had said it was suitable !or their secondary streets. Cr. Somervell said the stone produced was not as good as he had seen. He suggested that a r sal he given as to what amount of stone was there before they laid down a line Cr. Wliinray said he did not share the Engineer’s opinion in rigaid to the metal.. They should see first whether they had not something better.

Cr. Bright said tliey should consider the advisability of getting an increased loan when they got their drainage loan. Cr. Sheridan said that was liis original suggestion. His Worship said it was not a question of money, but their inability to get suitable stone. Cr. Sawyer moved that the Engineer be instructed to get as much Waikanae gravel as he could obtain fi om the carters for the footpaths. As soon as a footpath is formed and sot it should be kerbed. Cr. Miller said there was a lot in nh.it Cr. Sawyer said. They had to face the question of kerbing. Cr. Somervell suggested that the Council should pay a visit to the quarry for the benefit of the new Councillors. It was decided to go out on Thursday week. COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed :—Finance: Crs. Harding, Sheridan', Bright and Mann; Public Works: Crs. Millar, Wliinray, Harding and Somervell; Sanitary: Crs. Williams, Somervell and Sawyer. GENERAL. Mr. H. M. Porter, returning officer, wrote stating that at the latt election he employed an -extra clerk to expedite.the. business at a cost of £1 11s 6d, which amount he asked the Council to reimburse liim.-

Agreed to. Mr. E. Matthews wrote drawing attention to the had state of Sheehan street.—The matter was left in the hands of tho Engineer. Mrs. E. H. Williams, Kaiti, wrote asking the Council to see into tlie bad state of the footpaths on Parau Road. Last winter the mud 'and water was over the boot tops. They were all ratepayers.—The Engineer was authorised to have a hand rail put on the bridge. Mr. W. Wood wrote asking pc.mission to run an American box hall and shooting saloon at tie Auction Mart. Permission granted. Messrs. George Smith, builder, Otto Hansen and F. Harris wrote drawing attention to the almost impassable condition of the road in Bright street, and requesting that something might be done to improve it.—Left to the Engineer. Cr. Bright' asked the Council to form and gravel tlie footpath from De Laiftour Road, Kaiti, to tho Borough Boundary. Agreed to. Crs. Williams and. Miller’s notices of motion were held over owing to the hour when ordinary business was 'completed. The meeting adjourned at 11.25 until next Tuesday.