BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2355, 15 November 1921, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. WATER AND DRAINAGE. ENGINEER’S REPORTS.

“The concrete work in the collecting water tank has been completed, and Mr Read is now constructing the walls of the pump house, joinery for which has been obtained from Palmerston North. The pump house should he completed, as far as the concrete work goes, in the course of a fortnight.” “Septic Tank. —We have the honour to report as follows on the question of the construction of the septic and collecting tanks for your sewerage system. We hand you herewith a plan of this work. It will he seen that both tanks arc 75 feet by 25 feet, the septic tank being Bft. bin., and the collecting tank lift. bin. deep, the tanks being separated by a common wall. The sewerage in the septic tank is maintained at a constant level, and the effluent overflows into the collecting tank, where it is held up until automatically released on the ebb-tide. Ir is advisable, in order that traffic he interfered with as little as possible. and also for constructional reasons, that one tank be built before the other. The septic tank being the deeper, should he the one constructed first. We have carefully taken out quantities and estimate I lie cost at £2.(180 if done by day labour under Mr Read’s direction. If carried out by contract, however, we have no doubt that the cost will he much greater, owing to I be considerable sum that would ho included by tenderers for contingencies and profit. Mr Read has const meted a similar tank under similar conditions at Tauranga, at a cost much below the lowest tender received for the work, and we have no hesitation in recommending that he he entrusted to carry out the work with day labour. Owing to the nature of the work, only about ten men can be employed, and about live months will he required for its completion. The above recommendation is subject, however, to Hie balance of the £20,000 of the loan money being obtainable when required, as the completion 'of the works for which material has been ordered and the construction of the water tower and the septic tank will absorb all but about £I,OOO of this sum.”

Cr. Whibley moved, seconded by Cr. Martin, that tenders he invited for the construction of septic tank. Tenders to close on the 28th November, at 4 p.m. An amendment was moved by Cr. Smith, and seconded by Cr. Bryant, that the engineers’ recommendation re erection of septic tank he adopted. Cr. Thompson said that by previous experience he would support day labour. Tie said that when the matter of erection of the gas holder was gone into the Council turned down an offer to construct the holder by day labour in preference to a tender. The tender turned out to he live or six'times higher than the cost, of day labour.

Cr. Smith said that the Engineers had stated the case very clearly. It would only he a waste of money ad-: vertising for tenders. Cr. Bryant said that he agreed with Cr. Smith. Mr Read was a capable and economical man. He did not think that they could do better than adopt the recommendation of the Engineers. The Mayor said that when tenders were called for the erection of the collecting tank the lowest tender was- £I,OOO higher than Mr Climie’s estimate. Mr Reed did exceedingly well with the laying of the sewers. He was from 6 to 10 per cent, lower than Mr Climie’s estimate.

Cr. Whibley said that there was no overseer when the gas holder was erected. The -Mayor’s statement

about tenders proved nothing. They could not prove anything, as the work was not done. Either Mr Clirnie or the tenderer was wrong. The amendment was carried, Crs. Coley, Whibley and Martin voting against it. TENDERS. , Engine and Producer House. It was decided that Messrs Olliver and Son’s tender for erecting producer house and engine rooms, etc., for the sum of £l4l 17s Gd • be accepted on the terms and conditions laid down, subject to the work being completed in five weeks from date of acceptance of tender. Rubbish Carting. —It was decided that Mr L. Coley’s tender for carting rubbish to the new depot, at 4s Gd for the inner area, and 5s for the outer area, be accepted under the conditions laid down, and Is per yard extra for carting to the Railway Reserve, and the public be notified that the old depot is\closed. CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: —

From the Fire Brigade, requesting the Council to purchase certain material for their use. Cr. Bryant moved that the matter lie held over.

Cr. Smith said that that was only disheartening the Brigade, and pointed out the immediate necessity for the material.

It was decided to go into the matter with the secretary. From the Plunket Society, asking for a donation from the Council, and asking that a reduction he made in the account for installing gas in their premises in Clyde Street.

It was decided that a donation of £3 3s be made to the Society, and no reduction lie made in the installing of gas. From Messrs Parkes and Bergin, asking that the taxi stand be removed from the front of their premises.

It was moved by Cr. Martin, seconded by Cr. Whibley, that the taxi stand he removed to Clyde Street and the telephone he removed at the cost of the Council.

Cr. Thompson said that it was up to the Council to asphalt Clyde Street if they were to be removed there. The Mayor said that they ought to move north or south in Main Street. Cr. Ross suggested that the taxi stand he placed at the apex of the Triangle, in the middle of the road. It was moved by Cr. Smith, seconded by Cr. Whibley that the taxi proprietors be instructed to move into Clyde Street. The Mayor moved, and Cr. Walker seconded, an amendment, that the Council proceed to the next business. The amendment was lost, Crs. Walker, Rand, Ross and the Mayor voting for it. The motion was carried. GENERAL. Library. —It was decided on the motion of Cr Smith that hooks on gardening, bee-keeping, poultryfarming, etc.j he procured for the library. Outstanding Rates. —It was decided that 10 per cent, he added lo all rates unpaid by the 10th December, 1921. Governor-G enor a l's Visit. —A loiter was read from His Excellency the Governor-General’s private secretary, stating that their Excellencies would he paying a visit to Foxlon on Monday, November 28(li, and requesting that a short time be given in (lie programme to the opening of (be Anglican Bazaar. A letter was read from Hie Chairman of the Foxton School Committee, asking for a short time toiie sol aside in the programme, in which llie Goyernor-General might visit the school. It was decided that a commtitec consisting of the Mayor and Crs. Bryant, Whibley and Smith be appointed to make arrangements regarding entertaining the GovernorGeneral and party on their visit, and also that the request made be acceded to.