LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 May 1915, Page 3

LEVIN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

' The newly elected Levin Borough Council held its first meeting in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. There were present: The Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener) Councillors J. Harvey; E. iM. Herriek, S. Jones, J . Robertson, A. Dompsey, and C. Blenkhorn. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Fosella and Vincent. Leave of absence was granted to them aiuf also to Councillor France. GAB DEPARTMENT. Tho manager of £ho gas works submitted the following report on the working of the gas department during tlje past month:—Matters during tho minnth in connection with the departhave shown a steady forward ' intVement. The output of gas for . tj'e period shows an increase 0? 36,000 |übic feet as compared with the corressjbnding period of last year. The residuals continue to meet with a ready sale, the coke being particularly enquired for, and is cleared away as soon ns manufactured. The carbonising plant is keeping in good order, and a« : far as can be seen at present, no outlay will be required in that direction for some time. -The retort bench is doing excellent work and soon will have reached the average life to be expected from it. but with careful handling I hope to get a further year's service or possibly two before renewing it. With reference to further extension in or out of the borough, 1 cannot see anything that would guarantee sufficient return for the outlay required and considering the increased price of pip- ' ing, mains, etc.. it would ibe wise to go carefully in that direction just now. Some of the street lamps may require renewal during the coming u year, and if so I would strongly advise the council to adopt the square lantern in place of the star arc now used. The square lamp requires considerably less •attention and is infiintely more suitable for automatic lighting. I refer to the small lamps and not to the large pedestals in tho main street. I do not know of anything further *""-■ add. but desire, on behalf of the efaff and myself to thank the retiring council for its resolution or appreciation tendered to us at the last meeting. <■ We will always strive to merit a con--1 tinuance of that feeling, and also to forward the interests ot the department for which I am responsible. The report was adopted. " . / ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. 'During' April the stone-crushing was completed. All the thoroughfares throughout tho borough are in fair order, though a little patching is needed. The main water races are being cleaned out before the wet weather comes on. We are making a start with the kerbifig of the channel in Queen-street, past the saJeyards. Most of the fire plugs have been cleaned out ;i>ir| put . in order. The settling tn.iks have been cleaned and the tunnel well washed out. An attempt to st jp a leak ii the air valve on Gladstone road was not successful owing to the pve«'irc beso low at the point mentioned. In the meantime the valve has been plugged. This will do no harm .inlo+s the main has to be emptied. The report was adopted. The following committees wcro eel up :— .Finance—The Mayor (en it.nipn\ Couinjcillors, Blenkhorn, France an , ! Vincent. Streete.— Councillors -France (chairman), Herrick, Dempsey and Jones. Waterworks and sanitation.—Councillors Blenkhorn (chairman). Robertson, Vincent and Dempsey. Lighting. — Councillors Blenkhorn (chairman), Robertson, Harvey and Fosella. Library. — Councillors Robertson (chairman), France, Herrick and Vincent. Reserves. — Councillors Dempsey (chairman). Fosella. Harvey and Jones. Fire Brigade.—Councillors Fosella Jones and Dpmpeey.