LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 February 1915, Page 3

LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

j The oidinary meeting oi lho Lcviu j Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening. There were present: Tho Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener), Councillors E. S. Lancaster, jj.. B. France, R. Prouse, Al. Fosella, F. E. Parker, A. Deiupsey, D. \V. Matheson, D. S. Mackenzie and C. Blenkhorn. The question of paying the expenses of the Fire Brigade's representative to tne Timaru Conference and which at last meeting of the Council was referred back to the Fire Brigade Committee for further report was again brought up by Councillor Fosella, a member of the committee, who moved that the request of the Fire Brigade for the sum of £8 for delegate's expenses to the Conference at Timaru, be granted. Councillor Dempsey seconded the motion. He said that the matter had buen gone into thoroughly by the Fire Brigade Committee. The conference was a most important one to country (ire brigades whioh a had a. lot to io to hold their own, especially in the matter of insurance against the city brigades. The rules oi the fire brigades were also discussed and revised. The Fire Brigade benefited considerably by having a representative at these conferences though it was not always able to put all that was learned into practice. Councillor Fosella endorsed Councillor Dempsey's remarks. He added that the delegate to Timaru was not appointed yet. If it was refused it would only create dissension. Councillor Lancaster said that the recommendation had now come through the proper channel and he would support it. Councillor Blenkhorn supported vho motion. Councillor France also supported it. Councillor Parker said that it was easy to follow the lino of least resistance and support such a motion., but on*! had to do his duty. He wanted to know if the Council was getting an adequate return for the expenditure on these conferences. If he had proof ol that he would support it. He again enquired would not tho brigade ru , better pleased if the money was spent in gear or clothing? Ho noticed a letter in the paper the other day saying something about being short of uniforms. Councillor Mackenzie said that he felt the same about it as ho did at the previous meeting. The delegate upon his return had never made any report to the Council, and he took it that they learned nothing. ft was a suitable year for economy. Councillor Matheson remarked that it was not necessary for the Fire Brigade to bring all new ideas connected with brigade work before the Council. Some councillors did not take sufficient interest in the brigade. He would support the motion. Councillor Prouey said that councillors had talked too much about t-ho matter at the last meeting of the Council and it Had got into print. They should have said "yes" or " no t0 tne request. He would support the motion. They were glad to have tho services of the brigade in cases of fire, and it did not get a great deal of remuneration. Referring to a letter received from the captain of the brigade, Councillor Prouse said that it was hardly within bounds. The Mayor said that tew local bodies took as much interest in the brigades as did the Levin Borough Council. \o one begrudged the money being voted but they wanted to know first what return they were likely to get for it. Councillor Dempsey's explanation had : enlightened them to an extent, yet tho information was not what he had expected. As for the letter sent to the Council, had he seen it previously he would l nave prevented it from being read- It was not a proper letter to write to the Council. They were quite right at the previous meeting n referring it back to the Fire Brigade Committee for report. The motion was carried. THE WATERWORKS. Some little difficulty has been experienced lately at the intake to the tunnel at the head of the high pressure water system and Mr H. W. Climie was asked by the Council to visit the works and inspect them. 'Mi , Cilmie did so a few weeks back and submitted the following report:—As you are aware, 'n company with Councillor Blenkhorn and your foreman, Mr Hook, I recently visited the intake, and 1 was informed as to the shortness of water flowing into the intake tunnel when the water was low. I have given the matter considerable thought, and have also consultiKl with my son who knows the position thoroughly, and we are of opinion that the best thing to do is simply to deepen the channel on the up-stream side of tho intake so as to deepen the flow ot the water past the grating. This also will confine the water to one channel. We considered Air Blenkhom's suggestion to 'build a small weir on the down-stream side of the intake. This would be rather costly as it would have to ho carried right across the stream, otherwise we would draw the water away from the present channel. As there is still plenty of depth in the intake tunnel no harm can accrue by carrying out my suggestion and at the same time being the cheapest way of drawing the water towards the grating At some future date it will be necessary to build a weir, but not at pre- I sent. To prevent gravel and rubbish flowing through the grating I think .f some small sheets ol sheet steel were fixed to the grating bars, this trouble would be greatly lessened. The Council decided that Mr Climic's suggestions be carried out. ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. I beg to report that I have dono the grading on the road sides in Queenstreet. The spoil thus removed has gone a good way towards completing the road across the gravel pit. Tho binding of metal on Weraroa road and other streets has been carried out. A lot of patching has also been oompletWANTED KNOWN. Before sending outside town every woman requiring a first-class riding skirt should first visit W. M. Clark's Oxford-street, Levin. When you see the style, make and quality o fClark's new riding skirts, at a lowe* price than outside stores, you will give Clark's your busineee.—Advt.

ed. I should like to get on with tihe stone-crushing as soon as possible, as it is an advantage to do this work in fine weather. The metal can be put through faster and also broken smaller. About 1500 yards will be needed. The waterworks have been in a satisfactory condition for some time, but ihave taken a good deal of attention. I have had the settling tanks cleaned out which were very -dirty owing to slips in the river. The anchor holes have also been pumped out and re-limeS. Mr Climie recommends that more rock be taken out at the intake. With your permission I will get it attended to at once. I have repaired the leak in the one-inch main in the Fairfield extension. The report was adopted , .