TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1811, 9 April 1918, Page 3

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting the Town Clerk reported as follows: — “I beg to report that the' road staff has been engaged on the following work during the past month, viz., kerbing and asphalting Avenue Road footpath, completing bridge over Awahou drain in Harbour Street, and general maintenance work. It is proposed to proceed with the annual cleaning of the drains as soon as the Avenue footpath is finished, and afterwards to commence re-metalling the streets. Council Chambers: The painters are now at work on the building, and while applying the first coat they have found several matters requiring attention, such as woodwork rotting through holding water, beading and mouldings pulled away, large openings in the woodwork, and tank leaking through rust. The roof has also started to rust, and I have therefore asked Mr Cowley to submit a tender for painting. I have had some of the,above faults remedied, and would be pleased to receive the Council’s authority to get the roof painted, renew timberwork where necessary, and also instructions re tank. Reeve Street: Tenders have been called for forming this street, but no contractor has been to view the work. As if will be impossible for the staff to do anything in this matter 'during the present month, I will have tenders called for next meeting.” The Town Clerk reported that a tender for painting the roof with one coat had been received at £9 10s. Cr. McCall Psked why the painting of the roof had not been included in the specifications. The roof was generally included in painting work. The Mayor explained that the roof had not previously been painted. Cr Bryant asked why the footpath in the Avenue had been taken up. It was not the Council’s intention to construct and lay down a new footpath in the Avenue, He considered this work was a waste of money, as there was a good footpath on the opposite side of the road, whereas in other parts of the borough there were no footpaths. He was not opposed to the construction of footpaths, but he objected to so much being spent on the Avenue while other localities were neglected. It was only intended to sand and tar the Avenue footpath. He urged the further improvement of Main Street. Cr. Thompson said the reconstruction of the footpath was a very necessary work, and the money was well spent. . Cr. Walker said a splendid job was being done in the Avenue. The footpath had to be graded to the concrete kerbing with a fall to the channel instead of the fence. It would have been unsatisfactory to have left uneven patches of limestone formation. Cr Stevenson said the work was a credit to the foreman and was justified. Cr McMurray said that there was a. resolution on the books to the effect that no new work was to be done until certain specified works had been completed. There were a dozen streets in the borough of equal importance to Avenue with no footpaths at all. He objected to the carrying out of new work in the Avenue without the matter first being referred to the Works Committee. The work was authorised as repairs, not a new footpath. Cr Henderson said the footpath could have stood over for, two years, or until other footpaths authorised' to be attended to had been completed. He was opposed to so much being expended on the work, and would like to know the cost. Footpaths should be constructed in rotation as previously agreed upon. The Mayor said he objected to the work on principle, as only maintenance was specified. No objection could be taken to the work being done, but it should not have taken precedence of other necessary work. The report was adopted.