Levin Borough Council

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 January 1914, Page 2

Levin Borough Council

« The ordinary monthly meeting of the Levin Borough Council was held last evening in the council chambers. Present: Councillors E. S. Lancaster, R. Prouse, A. E. Haswell, C. Blenkhorn, D. S. Mackenzie, A. Uempsey, D. W. Matheson and F. E. Parker, m In the absence of the Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener) through illness Councillor Blenkhorn took the chair. GAS. The gasworks manager (Mr A. Bin-roll) reported that during the last month his stait had been kept very busy -principally in overhauling and general-maintenance work. In consequence of the Christmas holidays the meters were left until January end. In these circumstances, and the absence on holiday of several citizens, the total consumption showed, a small decrease. In a general way, matters connected with the department showed -a gradual improvement, and the manufacturing plant; was giving a minimum of trouble. The report was adopted. "A WASTE OF MONEY." Councillor France drew the attention of the council to what lie considered was a waste of money i;i chipping the grass in the streets. Couch grass was impossible to kill in this way, he said, and the weeds grew up again almost immediately. The money would be better spent, in improving the footpaths or tarring the roadway. Thus a permanent job would be ensured. Councillors Lancaster and Parker pointed out that the council was already doing what Councillor France desired. Any chipping now being done was with a view to the application of tar to the roadway. Councillor Matheson stated that what Councillor France objected io "had" been done in the past, though it. was was true that the ;vactice did not obtain now. THE PIPE BRIDGE. Councillor Blenkhorn that during the holidays he visited the pipe bridge ana found that it needed painting, but it. would have to be scraped first. He also visited the tunnel, and found that iiie concrete in the tunnel was standing well; also the naked rock was standing the exposure well. A lot of silt accumulated in the tunnel, and although it had been cleaned out about three months ago. there was now six or eight inches of silt in it. The engineer had effected minor improvements at the inlet to the tunnel, insuring that the water will always flow into the inlet. The works were in good condition, with the exception of the automatic. gear at the settling tanks; in fact, if was out of use altogether. This was an idea of the engineer's i'ii:"! was not in the specifications, ('•ninciilor Parker said that frc-m the engineer's point of view such ,i u experiment at the expense of the council was all right for the contractor, but the council's position was not advantageous. Councillor Lancaster said the engineer should see that the automatic gear was in perfect order. Councillor Parker moved that the pipe bridge be scraped and painted under the supervision of the engineer. Councillor Lancaster seconded the motion which was'carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS. On the motion of Councillor Lancaster, seconded by Councillor France, it was resolved "That the road overseer be instructed to give notice to owners of land within the borough, having noxious weedrf growing thereon, to have the same destroyed." WATER MAINS EXTENSION. A petition from residents of tlie Roslyn and Fairfield district, for the extension of tne high pressure water supply to these districts, was received. They agreed to pay something towards the cost. The Town Clerk explained that a four-inch pipe would be needed from the Fairfield end and a three-inch pipe from the Roslyn end. The cost would be about £120: This would have to bo raised by means of a loan. Councillor Blenkhorn said that the districts concerned would ny doubt, in the near future, be out up into small blocks for settlement. Councillor France did not approve of loans being raised by the council for this kind of work unless the council passed this loan on the security of the land involved, which was outside the borough. Councillor Matheson considered that the water should be supplied on the same terms as what it had been supplied to the Weraroa Settlement. Councillor Lancasterlsaid that t he whole question gone into by the water tee, and an estimate be obtained. Councillor his idea in *heMli!soUSsion was to to give sonic indication of what they thought of the scheme before it was referred to the committee. The matter was left iu the hands of the water supply committee for further inquiry. Councillor Dempsey asked for exemption in the case of met«l' rents for Friendly Societies, who used only a small supply of gas. To a certain extent they were public bodies doing good and should be assisted. Councillor Parker said that some difficulty might arise in the

matter. ,as religious bodies would ask for the same concession. Councillor France did not think religious bodies were 011 the same footing as Friendly Societies, and failed to see why they should be exempted. Councillor Lancaster thought the council should be careful ttbout establishing a precedent in the matter. Councillor Blenkhorn said he thought the question could be met by leaVing the matter to the Town Clerk. This was agreed to and the matter dropped. , ——- - , n