BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2280, 27 August 1908, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY AIEETING

The ordinary meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council was hold last evening. Present: Tho Mayor (Air. \V. J). Lysnar), Os. ‘Pettits, Sawyer,' Somervell, Mann, Sheridan, Darton, Whinray, Bright, and Williams. CORRESPONDENCE. A circular telegram was received from Sir Joseph Ward thanking the Council for sending a ilag of welcome to Auckland on the occasion of the visit of tho American fleet.

Mr. J. D. Parsons applied for employment as pound keeper and dog inspector. Tho Alayor said it was desirable to liavo a dog inspector. The application was referred to the Works Committee.

Mr. Segodin invited the Council to attend tlio exhibition matches at bis billiard saloon on Saturday evening. The invitation was accepted. Tho secretary to the Fire Board informed the Council that Mr. A. Davys had boon appointed to value the fire brigade appliances with a view to purchase. The Board asked the Council to appoint a valuer on their behalf.

Mr. Brown was appointed to act. Mr Darton asked if tho Board could force the Council to hand over the site of the firo station.

Tlio Alayor replied that the site 'was not used exclusively for fire purposes, and the site should bo preserved for the people. The Council could allow tlio Board the use of the site at its pleasure, but lie did not think -t would bo advisable to sell. The Gisborne Gas Company was granted permission to instal a hydrant and hose at the gas works for fire prevention purposes. Colonel Porter sent a photograpu of Air. W. F. Wilson, whom ho stated was first Alayor of the borough. Tho Town Clerk said Air. Crawford was the first Alayor. Cr. Sheridan said Air. Wilson was Srobably Chairman of the Town oard, and the Town Clerk should make enquiries. A letter was received from the Wellington agents for the Straker motor waggons, stating that the machines would cost £BSO in Wellington. Cr. Sheridan said the Council had considered the question of buying Straker waggons on former occasions, and lie did not think time should be wasted in discussing it. Cr. Pcttie: Who asked for the information ?

Tho Mayor: I asked for it. I enquired into the matter when I was in Wellington. The Alayor proceeded tr read the letter on the capabilities of the waggons, which lie stated would carry road metal from Patutahi at a cost of 3s per yard. Cr. Afann: If those assertions ire from tlio agents they might ho rococolored. Cr. Darton moved that the letter lav on the table. The Alayor: I move that it ut- to tlio Public Works Committee. I can t see why the letter should be burked. The Alayor’s amendment was carried. A number of residents of Childers Road asked that the row of trees opposite tho Council’s property be cut down as recommended by the Overseer. The request was granted. The Railway Department j'.Liri'ul the Council that a siding m'.o for shingle in the railway yards at Gisborne could he leased at a rental of £lO per year, and a siding erected at a cost of £l5O. The terms were agreed to, and "he question of selecting the site was inferred to the Alayor and Or. Somervell. A number of residents of Wi9 n:ns Street and Roebuck Road asked 'hit ? lamp he erected at the comer of Williams Street ami Roebuck Read.

Cr. Sheridan said tho qmprion of street lamps had been considered, and the application had been previously refused. The Council should not show the ratepayers that a lamp could be got for any locality by a few persons signing a petition. Cl - . Bright agreed with Cr. Sheridan.

Crs. AYhinray and Sawyer thought the request should bo granted. Tile Mayor said lie knew the locality, and lie would support a motion that he request be complied with. Cr. Whinray moved a motion to that effect, which was lost.

A short discussion took place as to whether the road running through the railway reserve should he declared .wide enough under the terms of the Public Works Act. A number of residents on the reserve had built hack from the road frontage, and now asked that the Council recommend the Governor-in-Couucil to declare the road at its present width, _so that sec-tion-holders could build to the present frontage. Cr. Sheridan said there was a bylaw declaring that- residents should not- build to the present street frontage, and notice of motion would have to be given to rescind the by-law. The Council decided that the street through tlie reserve, which could not be used for anything but a right-of-way. be allowed to remain at its present width. REPORTS.

The Borough Inspector reported that the borough was in a sanitary condition, except on the Waikanae blocks, where the drains should be cleaned out.

The report was adopted. Cr. Alann • drew attention to the quantity of effluent that flowed from sundry livery stables facing Read’s Quay. The effluent was very objectionable, and wovlltl be a source of danger in the summer. The Inspector said that only pure water flowed from one stable.

Cr. Alann challenged tho Inspector’s statement. The nuisance had accentuated.

Ci'. Bright said the Sanitary Committee instructed the Inspector to take proceedings against the l>ery stable owner unless tlio nuisance was abated.

The Inspector was instructed to take proceedings against the owners of the stables causing a nuisance. The Overeer (Air. Al. Alorgan) reported that Ilutene Road had been formed and gravelled, and sand placed on the Kaiti beach road. Tho Grey Street reserve had been planted wit'll nines and cabbage trees, and trees had also been planted at the depot paddock. The report was adopted. Tho committee appointed to inspect the Victoria Esplanade reported that a woqden protection wall'would cost about £l2 per chain, but would not recommend that the work bo undertaken.

Cr. Sheridan said that about £IOO had been spent on the esplanade, and the whole of the work had been wash ed away.

The Alavor thought a tracx should bo formed along the esplanade, so that people could walk along the seaside.

Or. Bright: AY hat about the beach ? The Alavor: People cannot get on the beach always.

Cr. Sheridan: To erect an esplanade would cost nearly £4JUO The value of the land given by me residents did not total £2O. Cr. AYhinray : The residents did not ask the Council to take the land, but tho Council asked that the land be conveyed. The documents had been lost, and in view of that he thought it was useless for the residents to pursue the matter further, but that fresh arrangements should be made, tf a fence was erected, and the sand ploughed in, many residents would now be satisfied.

Cr. Sheridan: The newspaper icports of the meeting at which tlm question was considered show that the offer came from the residents. He could not believe, that l !, e mini;to booh and the newspaper reports v< re. incorrect, and tho documents, of which Cr. AVhinray alone had any knowledge,, had been lost. Cr. Bright: The total area of the land was two roods, eleven perches, and the frontage only 37 chains. The average width of the esplanade would lie only 8 foet 6 inches.

The Alayor thought, no costly work could be undertaken at present, and that it would bo useless to attempt to carry out any work that was not permanent. Cr. Sheridan: Tho Council is still willing to contribute £l5O towards the work if the residents find the remainder.

Cr. Williams: I suggest that these ratepayers he told that if they agreo L> raise a special loan tho Council would do something of a permanent nature.

Cr. \\ hmray: I think it a very likely contingency that these people would raise a loan over their properi<jr, the convenience of the rest ol the borough. It is quite possible tfiejv will even import marble from It was decided not to undertake tlio forming of the esplanade at pro*,; sent. .The Alayor said it would he fair to 7 ask the Harbor Board to allow a portion of the royalty received on gravel carted at Ivaiti to bo spent on the Kaiti road. He thought tho Board should pay Is per load, for the Council now bail the whole expense* of maintaining the road. Cr. Bright thought tho members of the Harbor Board should bo told they had no right to flood the Kaiti road

with water from the dredges. Cr. Darton : AVo should call upon the Board to reform the road. 1 move to that effect. Cr. Somervell seconded the motion. Cr. Darton: I think the Council could call upon the Harbor Board to remove the mud they placed on tho road.

Cr. Pcttie thought the Board should not he coerced.

The Overseer said the road liad boon formed to tho required level. The Alayor: If my suggestion is fCcepted tho cost of the damage would soor. he made up. Cr. Williams: If at any time tha royalty is removed the income would cease.

Cr. Alanu: Let the Harbor Board say how the damage will be paid for. Cr. Darton’s motion was adopted. Mr. Oxenham asked that the resolution prohibiting the ' passing of heavy loads over the Wainui Road bo revoked in fine weather, as builders would he unable to obtain bricks. Cr. Sheridan: Let the applicant change has conveyance and use a fourwheeled vehicle.

3 '0 Mayor thought no proceedings sbculd bo taken if loads weie cart«d in fine weather.

Cr. Alann: It would he a weak position to pass a resolution at one meeting and rescind it at the next Cr. Darton: Nothing can he d<ne without notice of motion. We are only wasting time.,, Cr. Bright: The proprietor of the brickyard showed no consideration for the Council’s roads, but carted heavy loads over them in tho heaviest weather.

The Alayor moved that no proceedings be taken against drivers of heavy loads over the road in fine weather,, hut the Council ruled the motion out of order, and the matter dropped. The Finance Committee reported that to the Overseer’s estifnates for road forination.be added the following amounts: Tarring Read’s Quay 1510, footway Ormond Road £420, metalling and kerbing Roebuck Road £420. The Committee recommended that Ike loan proposals he placed before the ratepayers. Cr. Darton sugested i !i« the iPscussion..of the loan proposals sin uid he adjourned so that Councillors would have an opportunity to consider tlio financial aspect of the loans. Other Councillors agreed with Cr. Darton, and the suggestion was adopted, consideration of the report being deferred until the next meeting of the Council.

TENDERS. The. tender of Alessrs Rodgers and Alansoif at 8s lOd per yard was the only offer received to supply 1000 yards of Patutahi stone. The Alayor thought the tender should be neither accepted or declined until the question of purchasing 'a motor tractor had been discuss’d. Lfe was confident tlio metal could he obtained at a chea'per price thau offered in the tender, and over £3OO sa red on the contract. Cr. Alann: Compare the price with the agreement made with the County Council to take metal at 3s per yard. We have entered' into an agreement to take 40,000 yards when the tramwav is completed. “• Cr. Darton : Is it wise to accept the tender? The Council might reoeiie better offers if fresh fenders are called.

Cr. 'Williams: The Overseer wants the metal for the roads, aud it should be obtained at- once. By accepting this tender we will have 1000 yards of metal on hand by the. end of November. T ’ ' •• Cr. Sheridan (jokingly): Let us buy a motor tractor at once. The Alayor (seriously): There is a motor tractor available. Cr. Williams: How can it be i aid for? The Alayor: That could be arrauged. Cr. Sawyer thought the tender should be accepted. The acceptance of the tender was deferred until the next meeting of the Council. Cr. Sheridan moved that a motor tractor be purchased for use in the town. The Alayor seconded the motion. Cr. Pettie thought the Council should wait for tho committee's report. Cr. Sheridan withdrew liis motion. The Alayor: I have gone closely into the question with Air. Jickell, and he recommends them.

Cr. Bright: Did he not say he could put the drainage for £20,0'.!)? The Alayor: No. Cr. Alann: AYell, £30,039? 'The Alayor: He did ’ot. The Mayor said Air. Gilrutli had informed him that the present- stock inspector could not continue to carry out his duties at the abattoirs as at present, but- it was intended that one of the meat inspectors from the freezing works should be there at stated times. He suggested that a man should he given a house rent free and a small salary for the work. Cr. Bright: This question has been discussed before. The Department merely wishes to force a man into the office of manager. The Alayor: Tlio abattoirs are lot m a satisfactory position. Cr. Alann: In what wav do \ou mean? ' ‘ .

The Alayor: The whole question wants to be looked into, and I am not going to ask tile Council to do anything until we can compare the position with those of other abattoirs. Cr. Alann: Is it not a fact that rm® "V s :l profit of £2OO last, year? The Alayor: Yes,-hut the ratepayers arc being.penalised for it. The Mayor submitted a report of the work of the Alunicipal Conference and suggested that the Council should pass a resolution disagreeing with the principle of the Bill now before Parliament to extend, the Parliamentary franchise to municipal elections. Crs. Sheridan and Darton did not think any such resolution should be passed.

Cr. Alann moved that the Council inform the member for the district (the lion. James Carroll) that they disagreed with the principle,.' Cr. Darton thought Councillors should have time to think over tho question. A boarder helped to pay rates when lie paid rent, and shouicl have a vote.

Cr. Bright: A man who did not nay rates would then have a voice in the expenditure of a town and clear out snd leave the property owners to carry tho burden.

Crs. Sawyer and Pettie expressed similar views. - fc The motion was carried. The Council also passed a resolution that Parliament bo requested to oats no legislation that would decrease tho subsidy to Charitable Aid Boarc.s. A vote of thanks was passed to fhe Alayor for attending the conference, and the Council adjourned.