BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2098, 5 June 1907, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. Townley), and Crs. Whinray, Sheridan, Sawyer, Pettie, Mann, Miller, and Dr. Williams.

AN IMPASSABLE STREET. “You will find it almost impassable," wrote Mr. P. Dailey in drawing attention to the bad state of Hirui street. Ho added that from Dr. Morrison’s corner to the Maori cemetery was simply a quagmire in wet weather and “a disgrace to Ul >’ honorable body of Councillors. A decent footpath would be much appreciated by the residents. Cr. Sawyer said the writer was correct. He did not see why a footpath should not be formed there. The matter was left to the Engineer to see what might be done.

SIEVWRIGHT MEMORIAL.

Mrs. A. Scott (secretary) writing on behalf of the Sievwright Memorial Fund, requested the Council to lay the concrete f oui i (If it io n necessary for the memorial fountain, which will arrive in a month’s time. Cr. Sheridan said this handsome memorial would be practically handed over to the Borough’s charge. The request was reasonable and he moved that it be acceded to. Cr. Pettie seconded. —Carried.

WATER TROUGHS.

The Cook County Council requested that the water service’ be laid on to the public water trough which the County Council propose to erect at Daulton’s store near the Arai bridge. These public troughs had been found a great convenience to travellers. Agreed to, subject to approval of the engineer.

BILLIARD ROOM LICENSES.

Mr. George H. Adams applied for a billiard saloon license for premises in Gladstone road. He pointed out that the applicant refused at last meeting was a stranger, whereas he (Mr. Adams) had been a resident here for the last ten years, and his credentials were known to Councillors. He assured the Council that if granted the saloon would be run on first-class lines.

Mr. M. Segedin, who had been refused at a recent meeting, entered a protest against a license being granted to any other person. His own application had been refused on the ground that there were already sufficient. saloons in the town. He had been to considerable expense and trouble in coming to Gisborne in support of his application, and had produced some very good testimonials.

Cr. Whinray said they were not likely to have changed their minds since the last decision was arrived at. There were too many billiard saloons, and too much time was wasted in them.

The Mayor said that as far as Mr. Segedin was concerned his application was finished with, and the letter was uncalled-for.

Cr. Mann said that the application had been considered on its merits, without any question of testimonials or credentials being raised. He took it that the Council had unanimously affirmed that there were sufficient billiard saloons in the town at present.

Cr. Williams had no objection to billiards as a game; it was better for young men to play than to spend their time in hotel bars.

Cr. Sheridan said that apparently *■ the Council had no option but to uphold their previous decision. Cr. Whinray moved that the application be refused. —Carried.

LIGHTING.

Mr. G. E. Bull wrote-that as the Council had under consideration the increased lighting of the Borough, a lamp was required at the corner jf Williams-street and Roebuck-Toad. He was willing to contribute £5 towards its erection.—Referred to the Engineer.

BY-LAWS.

' Detective Maddern wrote: —“I understand the new by-laws 1 came into force at the early part of this month, and. so far the police, who are expected to assist the Council in enforcing them, have not received a copy, although breaches of the same must be occurring daily. I should have expected the police to have been supplied with a stamped copy prior to the date of them -coming into i]orce.” —A copy is to be furnished immediately the advance copies are to hand. Cr. Miller said that at the same time attention should be called to the by-law re stray dogs, which were a great nuisance- in the town. In an hour and ten minutes he had counted a hundred stray dogs.

Cr. Williams said that the enforcement of the expectoration by-law was far more important. Dogs were a nuisance, but spitting was a danger.

The matter will bo mentioned to the police.

RIGHT-OF-WAY.

Repairs to tho footpath on the east side of the Albion righMof-way, leading from Gladstoue-road to the Albion Stables; were asked for by Mr. F. Harris. Cr. Miller said he understood Mr. Harris was prepared to pay the cost. The matter was referred to the Engineer. NIGHT WATCHMAN.

The night watchman (Mr. W. Fraser) reported that there had been no fires in the . Borough during the fortnight. He reported a case in which the storeroom of a grocer’s establishment was found open at night. *

TENDERS

The following tenders were received for improvements to the abattoirs: —Aitken and Wilson, £279; A. Wilkinson, £259; Haisman, £339; Mackrell and Colley, £260; Clayton Bros., £235 (accepted); C. Sommerville, £561 10s. WHARF APPROACH.

On the motion of Cr. Sawyer, it was decided that the Engineer endeavor to improve the grade from the road-to the wharf. In its present condition the grade was too severe on the teams.

BRICK AREA.

Cr. Whinray moved, —“That the Council proceed to enlarge the brick' area to comprise sections 47 to 50 Lowe-street, sections 56 to 59 and 67 to 70 Peel-street, and sections 137 to 139 and sections 142-3 Reid’s Quay.” He pointed out that this was the original area, so that it was not debatable. —Carried.

RAILWAY SERVICE.

Cr. 'Whinray considered the railway service was not satisfactory in regard to obtaining metal supplies. There was a shortage of rolling-stock and engines, and two trains a day were insufficient. They told tho Department they would take 10,000yds, and yet hud not received that many pounds. As metal was urgently needed, the matter should be brought guilder Mr. Carrpll’s notice on liis visit at the end of this week. Tile Mayor said tile Department had offered to sell five acres' of tlie metal area, and bring the material in for tho Council, but the Engineer Reported that it was no good. It was unfair to blame the Government. The matter dropped.

ENGINEER’S REPORT.

The Engineer reported as follows: Roebuck Road Bridge.-—The Marino Department has returned the plans of this bridge, duly signed by Abe Governor, together with a copy of the proclamation. In accordance with your instructions I have . . this day instructed the contractor to proceed with the work. ■

Waterworks. —In view of the early completion of the waterworks, I con-

eider it desirablo that applications Bliould bo invited for tho position of Borough Turncock. I have prepared a schedule of duties, and I should be glad If your Council would approve of same and authorise me to insert the necessary advertisements in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Return of Metal required for fibre oils. —I havo prepared a statement in detail of tho metal required for tho borough streets. 1 havo on other occasions pointed out that nearly all tho streets are completely worn out, and with tho available material it was absolutely impossible to keep them in repair. Tho attached roturn will show each street with the amount of metal absolutely necessary and the cost of same. The preparation of this return has occupied tho whole of my time since last mooting, and has entailed a very largo amount of work. I was getting slips printed for the use of the Councillors, hut yesterday being a holiday tho work could not be done, consequently the report is presented in tho rough, but ns soon as tho slips come to hand they will bo forwarded to each Councillor.

Town Lighting.— l havo this matter in hand, but owing to every minute of my time being occupied in preparation of tho metal report, I tfmll not be able to presont my report and recommendations until the next meeting.

GENERAL.

Messrs. Davys, Third, and Mitchell, intending to put a crossing leading to tbeir premises in Briglitstreet, asked that tho Engineer bo instructed to kerb the footpath in front of their section. —Agreed to. Mr. A. G. Beore, clerk of the Turiilieru Rond Board, returned the plans of Lytton-rond, duly approved and signed.—Received.