MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 2 October 1917, Page 3

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

q I BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETS. ! The fornightly meeting of the Levii [e Borough Council was held last evening ii c I the Council Chambers. The Mayor (Mi :r i C. Blenkhorn) presided, and there were e ! also present—Crs D. W. Matheson, E. S 0 ' Lancaster, T. Broome, W. Ryder, W - Bull, D. S. McKenzie, F. E. Parker, K. ii Aitken, and Dr Bryson. e TREE PLANTING IN WAIOPIEIHI y SCENIC RESERVE. The Mayor reported that he had not " yet been r.ble to arrange a date with Mr 5 Cockayne for the proposed inspection of ' the Domain owing to the latter having ' been away. It was suggested that Mr > Cockayne should advise as to the best 5 class of trea to plant on the side of the ' reserve nearest the main road, with a ' view to keeping down the fern, which, ' each year, became a greater source of danger through fire. - Cr Parker: Is the treo pbnting very 1 necessary ? The Mayor said the main object was to i kill out the fern, which it was stated would die when the light was excluded. Cr Lancaster doubted whether the trees would do this, and mentioned that in the Domain atPalmerston he had seen fern 11 and 12 feet high growing under the trees. His idea was to run a few furrows through ■ the reserve, so that next year, when they put the trees in, they would come away. If put in now, the fern would smother them in the next two months. The Mayor remarked that an old resiI dent (Mr J. C. Moxham) assure 1 him that if the fern was battered down and bruised, in October, it would be killed. He added that he would like Mr Cockayne's visit to be orranged, as it would be very interest-

ing and instructive. Cr Lancaster cordially agreed with the proposal, and the discussion was closed by Cr Aitken, who said nothing could be done

until after the visit. DRAINAGE WORKS. Mr H. Channings, the municipal overseer, forwarded a plan of the proposed drainage of the larger portion of the domain on the western boundary, along the proposed shelter belt of trees. The total distance along the boundary is about 25 chains, and to the lake about four chains. He allowed for a drain about three feet wide and two deep, which would be sufficient so long as it was kept clean. He suggested that the soil that came out ot drain should be spread on the tree line, so that when planted they should have a good chance. Tlie cost of the boundary and two centre drainshe estimatek at £41. If the work were done before next winter it would go a long way to keep the reserve fairly dry. The Mayor said he believed there was money enough to do the work. Cr Lancaster said the scheme was an excellent one, and he would move that the work outlined in the report be gone on with as opportunity offered. Cr Matheson seconded the motion, which was carried. The Town Clerk reported that there was £70 in hand in connection with the reserve, and £32 more would be dae at the end of the month. The Mayor remarked that these moneys must be spent on the reserve. WATER FOR HORSES.

Cr Parker said that a few years ago it had been decided to erect a water trough at a convenient place in the town for horses to drink from. A site was approved but nothing was done, and he thought it was time the Council took some action. There was no place other than the water races for country people and town caters to give their horses a drink, and with the summer coming on it was very necessary to provide this convenience. The Town Clerk said the previous decision was rescinded because these troughs were considered to be insanitary and to spread disease. Cr Parker said this did not effect the position. Every little country town had these water troughs, and a place the size of Levin should certainly be equipped. Cr Lancaster was in agreement with Cr Parker. He had voted for the propo ;al before and would da so again. Carters with a big load could not g®t thoir horses down t o the water races. Ho suggested referring the matter to the streets committee for a recommendation. Cr Aitken was quite in accord with the two previous speakers in regard to the necessity for the convenience. Cr McKenzie questioned whether any other town had so many water races with running water on the road sides as Levin, and asked whether these could not be made sufficient. Cr Lancaster : A country horse would not look ot it. The Mayor: We have the makings of a very good argument here. Let us consider it as " continued in our next." ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £103 were passed for payment.