BOROUGH COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2262, 12 April 1921, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION.

RETROSPECT OF THE LAST TWO YEARS.

At last night’s Borough Council meeting the Town Clerk presented the following report of the work done during the present Council’s term of office: —

“It is needless to enumerate the many proposals which have been considered by the Council. Some of the more faVoured ones have had to be deferred on account of finance, and others have proved Quite impracticable for several years to come. The Levin-Great ford Railway Deviation has received considerable attention by the Council, and citizens can rest assured that if it is at all possible to influence the Government to have this essential route constructed the Council will do its utmost in this direction.

“On the night of the 3rd of Octor her, 1921, the whole of the 'Municipal Offices, including the library and librarian’s residence, were destroyed by fire. The disorganisation caused by this event will take some time to get over, and although temporary premises have been provided it will not be until the new Chambers are erected that things will get back to normal. “The loan of £1,200 for the erection of the original premises falls due in December, 1921, and I am advised by the Public Trustee that the accumulated sinking fund will total approximately £1,249. The surplus can be utilised in part payment of the coining yeai-’s interest, and the balance, £ll, will be all that is required from the ratepayers. This loan will (lien lie extinguished. The insurance money in hand amounts to £1,232 Os lid. but it is not likely that new buildings could be erected at a le.-s cost than £3,500, and it will be necessary to ask the ratepayers to carry a loan lor the balance, namely £2,278. In the meantime plans could tie drawn and estimates of the cost of tlie work prepared. In this connection it anight be advisable to consider building along the lull frontage of the section, and to have a lire brigade station under I tic same roof, but with a separate entrance. It is pleasing to note that more vacant sections are being built on, the latest being the erection of employees’ residences by the Railway Department, in this connection it is a pleasure to know that the Department agreed to build at the south end of Main Street, and not, as originally intended, in the heart: of the business area, although Councillors are no doubt aware that the by-laws of the municipality do not bind the Government in these matters.

PUBLIC WORKS. “In accordance with n resolutiou of the Council, the roadway in front of the Town Hall has been asphalted for a width of 40 leet, and tlie next consideration will no doubt be Clyde Street, which U beginning to break up rapidly. “The establishment of the taxi stand telephone is an important improvement, and is a step in the direction of efficiency. The proposals fur a night-watchman and garbage cart fell through for want of support. Tlie iron shed standing on the road reserve at the rear of the Council section was removed by the lessee, and the boundary fence has been moved into line with Harbour Street, giving much-needed relief in tlie Council yard for the storage of metal, and asphalt mixing.

“Eight hundred tons of metal were ordered for the .1919 season, and about the same quantity has been delivered during the season just ended and put on the roads. A good quantity of limestone from A a pier has been used for footpaths and road repairing, and is giving good result- when tarstaled. From both the point of view of ultimate ecenomy and efficiency there seems to be little doubt that tar-sealing is one of the best methods of road formation. Expert opinion differs on the question of boiled tar against raw tar for road work, but there can be little doubt that the results in the ease of cold tar are quite satisfactory. “The footpath on the north side of Union Street lias been graded and asphalted, as far as Flitter Street, and is giving great satisfaction. The footpath along the eastern boundary of the school has been kerbed and asphalted, and as time and weather permit the asphalted path on the south side of the Avenue will be extended. In view of the increased demand for tar from the maintenance staff, it might be advisable to curtail sales of tar to the general public, in order that stocks may be conserved.

GAS WORKS. “On the 10th May, 1920, the resignation of Mr N. C. Baildon as manager of the gasworks was accepted, and Mr A. C. Kenuerlev, of Waihi. was appointed manager in his stead, “The two new purifiers have been commenced, and these should shortly he in working order, thus relieving the strain on. the present purifyers. “The Council has carefully considered (he question qf extending the mains along the Avenue, Purcell Street, Jenks Street, and Norbiton Road, and an extension down "Whittaker Street has been carried out. Six new consumers are thus being obtained. “The piping of the Awahou drain -along the full width of the gasworks section alongside the retort house is an improvement, and has prevented the danger of erosion which was daily growing imminent.

“The new retort beds have been authorised, and work on these is in progress.

“The- employment of the Lamplighter for 25 hours a week as a lit - ter has relieved the staff of a considerable proportion of outside repairs and renewals, and the question of utilising the services of a filter for full time will require to he considered in the future, as in the past a fair amount of fitting has had to be carried out by the Manager, whose time could be employed to better advantage, and a lower wage man employed on fittings. “Repairs and renewals have been very considerable during the year, and is a great factor in explaining the financial loss during the year. Repairs and renewals this year amount to £l2O 7s 4d, aii increase of £79 10s 3d over last year, while meter repairs total .£213- 16s fid, an increase of £l2l 15s Id. The increase of expenditure as a whole is £1,184 0s 9d, while the increase in receipts is £1,025 15s Od, Capital expenditure totals £3Ol 4s 2d. A suggestion has been made that the gasworks rate should be reduced, but it seems only right that capital expenditure should be borne by the rate, as the capital outlay is an asset to the whole borough, and as the. rate collected this year totals £397 12s Id, the major portion of the rate collected has been expended on capital improvements.

TOWN HALL, “9/6/19. It was decided that the tablet at. the entrance to the Hall should be re-leaded and shifted to a higher position. It was also decided to upholster 100 seats in the dress circle. This latter is a great improvement, and it would be advisable to have the balance done as opportunity occurs. “On the Bth December, 1919, a tender was let for painting the Hall and supper-rooms, at a cost of £.130 13s od, and the appearance of the Hall has been greatly improved. “The new fire-extinguisher lias been supplied, and minor repairs to tlie Hall have been effected. “After payment of interest and sinking fund, a refund to general account of £10(3 17s lid has been made, leaving the sum of £BO 12s 9d still to refund. RESERVES. -Round Bush.—On the lllh August, 1919, it was decided to offer tfie* Government a contribution of £BO towards the acquisition of this scenic reserve. The contribution was legalised by the Reserves and Other Lands Empowering Act, 1920, and the preservation of this old landmark as a scenic reserve is now practically secured. All that is now required is that tlie Manawatu County should construct a roadway into the reserve, which would then be available as a picnicing ground and general pleasure resort. “Easton Park. —This fine piece of land in the heart of the town was donated to the borough by Mr A. 8. Easton, and slow but steady progress is being made in its adaption to the purposes intended by the donor. As is usual with all efforts of this kind, the first few years’ expenditure brings in no return, the reserve dicing a steady draw on the district fund account. The fencing has been completed, as also has the entrance gateway. The work to be done in the future will consist of laying out the tlower beds, giading and making footpaths and approach, erecting band stand and pavilion, sowing down lawns and planting more trees. The hercc spiing gales and the extremely dry summer have considerably retarded the growth of the £SO worth of plants and shrubs planted this last spring by the Beautifying Society, but the advent of a water supply should nullify the effects of droughts in future. It will tie necessary for the Council to have the water supply reticulation extended to the Park, as there will be always fair demand from that quarter for water, both for drinking and horticultural purposes. The establishment of lavatories in the Park is also a matter that will require attention in connection with the sewerage system. Unfortunately, the Council had to purchase a section on the Main Street to get a suitable entrance to the Park, and this, with transfer fees, etc., cost the borough approximately £3OO, in addition to which the rateable value of the reserve was lost, to the borough. The sum expended altogether on Easton Park totals £Ol2 Is fid, and this is likely to be increased to a small extent as time goes on, although the reserves account is now in debit to the extent of £219 8s lOd.

“The Target Reserve (Sec. 477). —A portion of the Target Reserve (37 chains) has been fenced off, and the area enclosed( about 2 acres) has been planted with pinus insignis trees. The benefit of this forethought will be felt by future generation^

“The acquisition of the Native Cemetery is almost an accomplished fact, and this eyesore will no longer exist under the hands of the energetic members of the Beautifying Society. It is quite possible that the present unsightly fence will be removed and a low rough-cast concrete wall erected around the reserve, which latter, when properly graded back and planted with shrubs, will be a fitting adjunct to the monument and school, both of which it considerably mars at present.

Two new seats have been placed in the Triangle, and possibly similar seats may be placed in the reserve. It is to he regretted that the natives who handed over the reserve would not agree to hand over the adjoining section, as this will always mar the western end of the cemetery.

SANITATION. “The spare sanitary cart was disposed of for the sum of £52 10s. EIRE -BRIGADE. “The establishment of the local tire brigade has proved one of the most beneficial,public services undertaken. The brigade has been supplied with sufficient appliances for immediate requirements; and the activity of the voluntary members has made the brigade an established success. The advent, of the water supply will naturally enlarge the scope of this useful organisation. The question of erection of brigade station and-the purchase of a suitable fire engine and equipment will be a matter requiring to he dealt with by the incoming council.

CEMETERY“This trust has received the usual careful consideration of the Council, the grass kept cut, and various other improvements have been affected, chief of which has been the provision of a lavatory lor public use, A matter which may require consideration in the future will be the institution of an annual charge, payable to the sexton or any other person appointed for the purpose of keeping graves in, order. Owing to the distance from town many persons cannot give the graves of relatives the care they would like. In Wellington a charge varying from 10s to £1 per annum, or £3 to £5 for all time is made, and is freely made use of by relatives and others. “The. extension of some of the paths will also require attention in tlie future, as some parts of the cemetery are difficult, of access for elderly people. LIBRARY..

“Since the fire the library has had an uphill struggle, but except, for about a fortnight in all subscribers have been able to exchange books. About SO books were in subscribers’ hands at the time of the lire, and the purchase of. 200 more lias given the library a new louse of life. Mr Reid, lessee of the Town Hall, is now librarian, and the library is situated upstairs in the Town Hall. Sufficient money is available for more books, and this \ult employ the attention of the Library Committee in the future. Unfortunately the reading room has hail to be abandoned until the erection of new premises. It is pleasing to note that the membership has not fallen off. The sum of £9l 18s 7(1 stands to the credit of the account, and the purchase of additional hooks should not tie unduly dela ved.

WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY. “Wednesday is still the day fixed for the Statutory half-holiday, but ir i> u matter for conjecture whether this will be the ease in future years. With the neighbouring towns adopting Saturday as the haltholiday, it is finite on the books that Foxton will, tutor on adopt Saturday. Perhaps a conference of Chambers of Commerce, Retailers’ Association and local bodies Irom Bovin. Shannon and Palmerston N., etc., might bring forth a definite policy for future guidance. Uniformity is as much to be desired in this matter as any.

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY. “This important matter has received very serious consideration, and the formation of a hydro-elec-tric power board, comprising the llorowlienua County, Shannon and Foxton, is well on the way, it not an accomplished fact. A matter that will require consideration is whether the 'cable should be laid underground in the reticulation of the borough. It cannot be said that overhead wires are any ornament. INSPECTION OF NUISANCES. “The Health Act &f 1920, in an endeavour to define more (dearly the duties of local authorities in matters of health and sanitation, has dearly made it plain that all these matters, including infectious diseases, in future come entirely within the scope of local bodies, and has thrown the whole responsibility on them. A Board of Health lms been set up as a supreme tribunal, and it affords an interesting insight into the official mind, to know that in spite of the onus thrown on the local bodies, the Health Department were persistent, nay, insistent, that in lawns of the size of Foxton, Departmental Inspectors should be employed, some inspectors having lour whole counties to supervise. From a financial point of view FoxLon saves £22 per annum.

WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE. “On the sth July, 1921, the Council decided to put this important loan proposal before the ratepayers, and on the Bth September, 1920, a poll was taken, the voting resulting as follows-For the proposal, 222; against, 78. The fact of the money required, namely £30,000, being advanced by the State Advances Office is one that requires much appreciation, resulting in a considerable saving to the borough over the whole period of the loan. Contracts have been signed for the supply of portion of the cement sewer pipes, and ihe work lias been commenced. York is being started at the deepest point, so as to get as much of the deep trenching done as possible before the winter months. Work in the shallower trenches can proceed during the winter months. It is proposed* to have the two systems installed simultaneously, aud for this it is necessary that work on the sewers should be in hand now. Once the drainage and water is installed and in working order, it will be wondered how the town existed so long without these necessities . The first bore sunk reached a depth of 192 feet, and a steady flow

of 48 gallons a minute was obtained.

MISCELLANEOUS. The Council’s cottage in Francis Street was disposed of in December, 1919, and realised the sum of ninety pounds. “For the first time during many years all the dog taxes have been collected by the 31st March, and these amount to £4l 12s fid. “The debit balance this year amounts to £lO3 fis fid, although the sum of £2,000 has been placed -on fixed deposit for a period of sixmonths. The interest on overdraft shows a decrease of £2O 4s Od. I. he increase in expenditure on General account totals £2Bfi 14s lOd, as against an increase of receipts of £473 7s lid. Maintenance totals £1,276 8s od, an increase of £304 19s 8d; office-salaries and expenses, in spite of the damage by fire and smoke, total £396 12s (id, an increase of £lfi 17s Od. The debit balance in this account lias been reduced from £343 10.4 lid to £l5O 17s Od, which is undoubtedly very satisfactory.

“Rates amounting to £2,237 3s lid have been collected, an increase of £1 5s Od over last-year's total, and the total unpaid is £32 12s 4d, as against £lO 7s 2d vast year. £l4 0s 4d is in one amount. Unfortunately a property against which the sum of £l4 lfis lOd is owing for rates, and which was sold by the Registrar, litis not yet been fixed up, or the arrears would be even less than they are.’’ The Mayor said that the Town Clerk was to be congratulated on the very comprehensive report. It was the best that had ever been submitted to tlie Council.