TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 903, 11 October 1910, Page 2

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

The following is the Town Clerk’s report submitted at last night’s Council meeting : During the past month the Jackeytown metal has been coming forward and spread on the roads where most urgently needed. The total amount to hand is 323 yards. Should the limestone now being put down to keep a crown on Main Street prove to be a lasting one (and I think it will), it would well be worth the consideration of the Council next year, in ordering metal for roads, whether the substitution of limestone would not be advisable as the cost is about the same, and sets and binds 100 per cent, better. The fence on each side of cutting in Johnston Street has now been completed. A culvert has been placed across Cook Street to carry surface water to drain leading into Awahou drain, and the water tables cleaned out to meet same. As this surface water passes three sections before it enters the drain and the owners are complaining of the water spreading, [ would recommend that pipes should be laid through these sections, about 5412-inch pipes would be required. The footpath on north side of the Avenue, Park to Russel Street has been completed, and the formation of the footpath in Johnston Street from the Avenue to Coley Street is now being gone on wtth. The pipes which carry the surface drainage from Purcell Street across Harbour Street are blocked up, and I think it will be necessary to carry the pipes through to the river bank, a distance of about a chain and a half, soma 3612- inch pipes would be required. The most important occurrence of the month is the gas works poll, by which it has been decided to invest ,£II,OOO of the ratepayers money in the Fox ton gas works, which is by far the greatest undertaking the Council have yet had to control as up to the present the total indebtedness of the Borough is only ,£7,215. The responsibility of this commences at once, for, according to the agreement under which the Council has purchased, they have to take over the whole business in a week from the poll. In connection with the gas works it will be necessary to open a new and separate set of books, which in my opinion should be kept in double entry and balanced monthly, with a quarterly trial balance and yearly balance sheet showing the profit and loss account, and a statement of assets and liabilities, such as would meet with the approval of the New Zealand Society of Accountants (of which I am a member), but I think it would be advisable to first ascertain what form of books are kept in other boroughs with gas works, and that have been approved by the Government auditor. The road grader belonging to the Manwatu County Council is now in the neighbourhood, and I think that some of the roads would be greatly improved by being crowned up with the machine, the cost ot which is about .£2 5s per day. The Public Works Committee perhaps could go round the roads and decide which should be done, if any. J have had some enquiries about poisoned grain for sparrows and would suggest that the Council procure a sack and distribute same to those who require it.