Levin Borough Council

Levin Daily Chronicle, 6 February 1917, Page 2

Levin Borough Council

OxxiDiMAltiY i< ORTN'iG 11ILY MEll<riINIG. Levin Borough Council hoid its first February meeting last- night in the municipal chambers, the mayoi (Aii C. Blenkhorn) presiding.' The councilors present were Messrs JVI. Fosella, K. M. Herrick, J. Harvey, fci. Jonos, J. Robertson, A. Dempsey and H. B. Franco. Hawera Borough Council wrote jce the need for a classification of the Stolid Division of the Military Service Records, and suggesting that representations bo made to the Government. *« itio mayor remarked that the petition was for a. modification of the existing state of things. • 'Ho th Might the council might deal with it, without departing from the stand it tc'ok over another matter at its last meeting.

Councillor Dempsey agreed and moved "'that the council agrees with the proposal put forward by the Ha* wcra Borough CUinel."

Oouncillcr Jones seconded the modioli.

Councillor France said he did not know if it was the- Government's intention to lump the Second Division to-

siother. Councillor Robertson said that the debate in the House when the bill was pnssocl showed that the Government intended to make a classification. Ha did not see any present need for the ■notion. After further debate the motion was carried on the voices. •Councillor Dempsey reported concerning an improved road machine for which a patent now is pending, and ivhich he had the opportunity of infpecting lately. It is a road-roller and tar and sand-sprayer combined, worked by traction power. It struck Councillor Dempsey as being a desirr.hlfe article for the council, and he i bought the council would do well to defer any piirha so of a road-rolleir until it had seen this roller. The town clerk added! that the patentee was prepared to fit up a machine in Levin and work it for two weeks, giving an undertaking that unless the machine gave complete satisfaction there would h& no charge made.

It was agreed that the streets committee make further enquiries into the matter. ;

HOSPITAL SEVERANCE.

Councillor Robertson .reported l to the • council regarding the conference bold in Levin recently to consider the question of hospital severance. He said it was resolved that a deputation representing the three bodies wait upon Dr Valintine on 9th February. The delegates will be Messrs G. A. Monk (Hoirowlienua County Council), B. R. Gardener (Levin Borough Council) and Tatton (Otaki Town Board). Mr ißlobertsnn mentioned that to give elf'-r to severance it might be necessary to get a private bill introduced into Parliament ; therefore it wias desirable to speed the preliminaries as much as possible.

The mayor moved and Cbunieillor Ilobertson seconded "That the town clerk be appointed the council's representative on the conference to be held v/itli Dir Valintine." This was agreed to. LEVIN' FERE BRIGADE. Councillor Fosella supported 1 a proposal by Captain McTaggairt, that £8 b i granted towards Levin fire brigade's expenses for sending a delegate to the annual conference to be held at Balclutha on 13th March. He moved accordingly. Councillor He wick secondded' and the motion was arried without dissent. ELECTRICAL POWER. SUPPLY. Councillor France spoke of the Palmerston North effort to expedite the installation of electrical power supply by tTie Government, to supply power t:> this coast. He thouglit the effort should be supported. Couneilj!or Harvey .mentioned- itliat latest reports were to the effeot that the Government was prepared to do preliminary work at present, but not to incur the expense of carrying .out the work i*dtil world matters were more settled'. Councillor Robertson asked was it likely that the council would use electricity for street lighting. He thought, too, that the scheme when carried out would stimulate new industries. He and Councillor Harvey had to prepare a report and' he would like to have the council's views.

The mayor thought it would be sufficient for the present if the report spoke of the probabilities of demand.

Councillor Prance thought the council should send a delegate to the conference.

The mayor thought this unnecessary in view off the fact that while things were as they now were the Government would not hurry to give -effect to the proposal. Why / expend power now. he asked, when the thing was likely to bang firei.

Councillors Dempsey and France supported the proposal to send a delegate.

'Councillor Dempscv said that by sending a delegate they might ascertain just what the scheme would be.

The mayor said it was not impossible that the borough council would have to declare itself against the scheme, should the council not be allowed a voice in the matter. On the voices it was resolved that Councillor Robertson be authorised to attend the conference. THE CUP THAT KILLS. Sidney Smith, district health officer, wrote regarding the dangers of drinking from public drinking" cups. He advocated the institution of "bubbling fountains" as a substitute.

The mayor commented that the doctor evidently had discovered a cup that was worse than "the cup that inebriates." Fortunately; for Levin, there were no public cups in tho thoroughfares. Tho council resolved to forward the circular letter to the public school, where it might be considered. BOROUGtH OVERSEER'S REPORT. The borough overseer reported that d/uring the past two months lie had had various works carried out. On Levin domain the grass had! been cut from around the trees and the rubbish cleaned from the hedge. Manuka had been woven into the hedge to pro toe;, tho trees oil the south side of the scenic reserve; the gates had been put in and the fern cut, but the cutting would have to be done again as soon as time could' be afforded l for the work. The tanks at the -waterworks had :been cleaned out. thoroughly, and anchorholes pumped out and lined. There had been a little trouble at the intake of the reservoir during the day weather but a good supply had been kept up. Two water connections had been made in .Bruce road, two in the Village Settlement, one in Weraroa road, and one in Mako Mako road. Tho tarring and sanding in Oxford-street had been completed-, at a total cost of £49 4s 9d, made up as follow®: 32 casks tar £32; cartage £5 14s 9d; labor, £11 10s. The area done was 2750 square yards. The cost por yard was a shade under 41d.

Councillor France mentioned that there had' been interferenco with the water-races during the Oast month; water had been cut off time after time by unauthorised people, and the consequence w:;s that settlers' stock had) been kept short of water. Even the mayor's cow had been short of water for two days (laughter). The mayor: "This quickens my interesit in the complaint!").

After discussion the council u-esolv-ed that the borough foreman .report concerning any interference with the races, and tha/t proceedings be taken against any persons where the evidence seemed sufficient. 'GAS. The gas manager's ireport showed that there was good progress being made. ©wring January two cookers were sold' and installed; - also a failamount of fitting was done. The output of gas for January showed -an increase of 100,000 feet over that for January, 1916. The carbonizing and other manufacturing plant was keeping in good order and giving satisfactory results. Supplies of coal had to hand regulairly and fair stocks were held. The street lamps were being put in order and street-lighting would be resumed in the near fuiture.

Councillor Herrick expressed the view that the streets should be lit (at least) on Saturday nights, even in the midsummer months.

The mayor replied' that this subject frequently had been discussed, and the council had resolved that rthe advantages gained l outweighed any little inconveniences. The ireport as brought down was adopted. • "WASHING-UP MATTERS." The remainder of the business was of the nature which Parliamentary reporters term ''wasihing up." The mayor reported concerning the proposal for setting-up a protective fence in the public gardens, that a compromise had been arrived *vt; but personally he was still of opinion that the people should be educated tap to looking after their own property, instead of fencing them off from it. An attempt should be made to keep children off the gairden beds by softer methods than concrete fences represented (laughter). It could bo done, he was sure; and he was in a position, these days, to speak with some degree of authority.

Councillor Dempsey was very glad to hear that the fence was to be erected It would be a fine thing to train ,roses Oil.

The mayor said it was desirable that is a small public garden t'he whole area should be viewable without obstruction. However, he moved in accordance with the compromise arrived at "That a concrete kerbing be placed behind the seat at the pond, 'andi that provision be made for erecting a fence at any time when occasion demands." This wins agreed to.

Councillor Fosella asked if the sanitary inspector had supplied a report on •the saleyards, as instructed, on Councillor Fosella's motion.

The town clerk said it had; it had been brought down nnd read during Councillor Fosella's six weeks' absence from Levin.

Councillor Fosella remarked (that the. work had not been carried out.

The need for a subway in Levin was brought up by .the mayor; he did not care where it was put in; but there was need for on&<

Councillor France said Kawiu road was the proper place for it. A subway for stock was absolutely necessary.

Councillor Robertson thought it was little use in approaching the Railway Department on this subject.

The town clerk explained that drainage difficulties had been part of the trouble when the matter was approached some few years ago.

The mayor thought the subway really desirable; even if the two local bodies had to bear the whole of the cost it would be desirable.

It was resolved, finally, thait the town clerk look up the minutos beaming upon previous efforts to this end, and report to next meeting of the council.

It was resolved that the Levin school committee bo notified that the charge for waiter supply to> Levin- .public

(The telegrams appearing in this issue accredited to the Times have been published in that journal, but such news the editorial opinion of only where expressly stated is

?ou won't keep a cold or sore throat above a day or two if you use Nassol. Acts like a charm. Get it today. 60 doses Is 6d.

school bo £10 per annum. Councilioti Deinpsey said tho time had; arrived when motor cans should be numbered fore and aft. It would be possible, then, to identify "scorch, era." He moved that it be a recommendation from his council to the controlling authority : the Horowhenua County Council.

Councillor Robertson said it would bo well to suggest that the numbering of cars fore and oft be made a condition of registration.

The town clerk believed that a magistrate in the South Island had rilled such a provision to be .unreasonable.

Councillor Robertson said it now was compulsory in Wellington that .motor cars be numbered back and front.

The mayor took exception to the proposal to make compliance with the order a condition of registration. He suggested that the words "seeking to compel motor-car numbers, etc." be made the terms of the resolution.

Councillor Fiance (sotto voce) suggested that the whole difficulty would be overcome "if pedestrians were allowed to carry a. gun!"

With the amendment aboibe suggested, the proposal was agreed .to.