BORORUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2313, 9 August 1921, Page 3

BORORUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING,

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night.

CORRESPONDENCE. . Correspondence was dealt with as follows: —

From E. -J. Martin, Avenue Road, complaining of trees blocking the light from his property, and asking the Council to take steps to have same removed.

The Council decided to serve notices on the property owners in Avenue Road to cut down trees, in compliance with the Municipal Corporations Act, and that the necessary steps be taken to have the notice given effect to.

From the Health Department, stating that an endeavour will be made to have the house to house inspection made as soon as possible. —Received.

From the Chamber of Commerce, thanking the Council for the steps taken by them to have the borough thoroughly inspected. —Received.

TENDER

It was decided that no tender be accepted for the erection of an additional room at the Pound Cottage, and that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, to report to the Council.

NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS,

Cr. Coley moved (seconded pro forma by the Mayor) that estimates and plans be obtained for the erection of new Council Chambers and Library, to replace the building burnt down, and necessary steps be taken to raise a loan for the purpose of re-building. Cr. Coley, in speaking to the motion, said that the time was opportune for this work to be undertaken. The Town Clerk was greatly inconvenienced, and on some nigh Is the present room was unfit to sit in. It was about eighteen months since the building was destroyed, and it was about, time something was done.

Cr. Whibley, in moving an amendment, stated that in his opinion Iho time was not opportune for raising a loan. The prices for material and labour would not get any higher by waiting, and they would not lose anything by a little delay. He agreed, however, that the Town Clerk was certainly greatly inconvenienced in the discharge of his duties. .

Cr. Martin stated that when lie moved in the question of raising a loan to put the footpaths and streets in order recently, it was stated that I lie time was not opportune. He had come to this opinion now, and did not think it would be. advisable at present to raise a loan for rebuilding 'the Council Chambers. He said the Council had first to consider the people who were compelled to “paddle” home, and their convenience should be the first consideration when a loan was raised. He pointed out that there were people living in worse rooms than the Council Chambers. He was opposed lo any loan unless it was for the benefit of the people as a whole. Cr. Coley pointed out that many tilings were down to pre-war prices again.

Cr. Ross stated that they had got over the rvorst now, and he did not think anything need be done immediately.

The Mayor stated that a little improvement might he clone to make the rooms more comfortable. The amendment, that in the opinion of this Council the time is not opportune to proceed with the reerection of the Council Chambers, and that the matter be considered in six months’ time, was canned, Crs. Bryant, Walker and Coley voting against it.

BOROUGH MAP.

Cr. Whibley moved that Mr Hillary be paid the sum of £1 11s Gd for the map at present loaned to the Council. — Carried.

OBJECTION TO SEWER

THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTY. Mr A. Hopwood wrote, objecting to the sewer pipes being lajd through bis property at the back of Main Street.

Decided that Mr A. Hopwood’s objection to the course of sewer through his properly be not sustained, and that 22nd August ho fixed for bearing of further objections. SITE OP GAS ENGINE.

The Mayor said, in bis opinion the plant for pumping, etc., should be put where originally suggested. He considered the gas. works staff had finite enough work to do without further responsibility. He thought that probably one of the mill engineers could he engaged to look after (he engine.

Cr. Bryant suggested that the Committee go into the matter thoroughly.

Cr. Ross said hat he had gone carefully into the matter. He was of the opinion that the whole thing rested on the time that would elapsg before the hydro-electric scheme was available. If it was ready within two years, the best place to have the plant would be on the original site, if not, the plant should he at the gas works. He asked if it would not he better to have two small pumps instead of one. He thought this would eliminate the danger of being held up by any mishap. Mr Cliinie pointed out that one pump would he the best. They were very reliable, and spare parts were ordered with the pump, and any mishap could he rectified within 24 hours. Cr. Martin said it would be it mistake to put the plant at the gas works with the idea of saving labour. He said that the Council could not expect the staff to look after it. Resides this, there was no yoom<

Cr. Ross moved that the site of the gas engine be referred to the Water and Drainage Committee, and that the matter of additional bores be deferred in the meantime. —Carried.

MAINTENANCE STAFF.

Cr. Martin moved that the question of increasing the maintenance staff he investigated by the Works Committee, and to report to the next meeting.

In speaking to the motion, Cr. Martin said that the staff was not sufficient to do the work required of it. They had too much to do. The staff should he increased by two men.

Cr. Walker pointed out that the streets had not grown any bigger. Cr. Martin replied that they had not, but the grass had. The motion was carried, Crs. Bryant and Thompson voting in opposition. Cr. Whibley moved, seconded by Cr. Martin, that the Engineer and foreman of the Water and Drainage Works be instructed that, everything else being equal, preference shall at all times be given to married men when engaging labour. — Carried. PERMITS.

Cr. Whibley moved-that the Town Clerk he instructed to take legal proceedings against any ratepayers who have erected buildings within the borough without having first obtained a permit for same. Cr. Whibley stated that the only way to stop the practice of building without a permit was to prosecute some one. The Council had .successfully stopped people riding bicycles on footpaths by prosecuting one or two. He stated that there was no excuse for-some people, especially those who bad been resident in the borough for a length of time. He instanced a case in Noi’biton Road, where a building had been erected without a permit. There were also other cases. He thought they should all be pul in the same box and sued. C'r. Rand stated that be bad similarly moved lost year, but nothing bad been done.

Cr. Coley stated that lie Jiad put up a whare on bis property, Norbiton Road, at bis own expense, and given it to a man, rent free, Jpr as long as lie lived. He derived no benefit from it. He said that he would .i/oI plead ignorance, as he knew the Act, but lie had at the time quite forgotten it. He thought that they .should all he treated alike and prosecuted, He said that there were hundreds who had erected buildings within the borough without permits. Cr. Bryant moved an amendment tlial. in future any person erecting any building without a permit be prosecuted.-—Carried, Crs. "Whibley, Rand and Martin voting against the amendment.