BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2367, 13 December 1921, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night.

WATER TOWER

It was decided to accept Mr F. W. Williamson’s tender for the erection of the water tower, for the sum of £3,039. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT. The borough foreman reported as follows: —

“During the past month the road staff has been engaged on the following works: Removing tree guards in Park, Clyde and Liddell Streets, levelling spoil over water and drainage trench Main Street, cleaning up rubbish depot, mixing asphalt in Council yard, grading footpath in Avenue Road and asphalting same, work in connection with GovernorGeneral’s visit (erecting platform at Triangle, etc.), repairing river bank, Harbour Street, trimming sand over culvert at gas works, and also levelling .sand south end of Harbour Street. The tree guards have been stacked in the Council yard. The rubbish depot closed, and notice board taken to yard. Avenue footpath grading has been completed, and given one or two fine days we shall complete the asphalting. The showery weather has retarded this work. River Bank, Harbour Street. —This was in a bad state, owing to erosion caused by heavy weather. We have planted willows at high water mark, and filled in with spoil, with flax bands at foot of bank to retain same. .1 intend covering face of bank with turf to prevent blowing out. The filling in over the gas works culvert is almost finished, only needing a few more yards of spoil to level it up. The grass at the cemetery will need cutting before the dry weather sets in. Would suggest that this be gone on with as soon as possible. Also that grass be cut in Victoria Park.”

Cr. Ross suggested using ice plant instead of turf for the enbankment. The report was adopted,-and it was decided that ice plant be planted in lieu of turfing the embankment, and that applications be invited for cutting of grass, and that the matter be left in the hands of the Mayor and Town Clerk. WATER AND DRAINAGE REPORT.

The water and drainage engineers reported as follows: — “We beg to l’eport as follows on water and drainage: The contractors for the engine house, Messrs Oliver and Son, have, with the exception of a few minor details, completed the work under their contract. A certificate for progress payment of £IOO was given on the (ith inst. The foreman of works, Mr J. J. Read, has finished the concrete work in the pumphouse, and has excavated the sand bank for the site of the septic tank . The necessary timber for the timbering of excavation is coming to hand. Mr Read asks that the Christmas holiday period extend from Friday night, 23rd inst., to Tuesday morning 3rd January, 1922.” It was decided that the report bo adopted, and that the request re holidays be acceded to.

Cr Martin suggested that better use be made of the spoil from the excavation. He said that it could be used to better advantage on some of the low-lying roads. He considered that the road foreman should be consulted in such work.

The Mayor pointed out that the Foreman had been consulted in the enoe.—Matter left in engineer’s

hands

Cr. Ross said re 1 lie road at the end of Union Street leading to Mr Berry’s mill, where the exoaval ions were being made, he had been in conversation with Mr Berry, and the latter was willing to shorten the skids if the Council would cut down the corner of the road, and so enable traffic to use the road while the excavation was in progress. If this was not done it meant that all mill traffic would have to go round by the N.Z. Shipping Coy., and this meant a great deal of inconvenience.

GAS MANAGER

It was decided to appoint Mr George Davis as working gas manager on the terms and conditions of appointment laid down by the Council. There were thirteen applications.

WHYTE STREET EXTENSION, ROAD TO BE OPENED FOR TRAFFIC.

Cr. Ross moved, seconded by Cr. Martin, that a culvert be laid at the Johnstone Street end of Whyte Street extension, and that other necessary work be done, so that the road could be opened for through traffic.

Cr. Bryant suggested that the spoil from the septic tank excavations be carted to the Extension and be tipped in readiness for the filling in of the culvert. The Mayor suggested that provision for this work be held over till the New Year. Cr. Coley said that they had the chance to do the work now, and the road ought to be opened. The Mayor said that he was quite in accordance with the road being opened, but it was a matter of finance. The work would run into approximately £l3O, and they had £IOO only to meet it.

Cr. Coley suggested laying sufficient culvert only so that the road could be opened. The motion was carried. GAS MANAGER’S REPORT.

The Gas Works Manager submitted the following report:—

“The amount of gas manufactured during the month of November shows an increase over the corresponding period of last year. During the month four meters were changed, and three choked services cleared. Six meters were not registering. Five new services were installed, and four houses and one gas cooker fitted up. The connection from No. 2 holder to the town main has also been made, and No. 1 holder is now out of use. Since the governor on the large engine was fixed it has been working first-class. A new block and spindle is required for the big exhauster. Re station meter: I emptied all the dirty water out, and refilled same. If the Council think this should be overhauled, it would be necessary to obtain the services o.f an expert from Wellington. As it is too large to shift, he would repair same at the works.” The report was adopted. DOG REGISTRATION FEES.

It was decided that the fees for dog registration for the year 1922 be as follows: —For all bona fide sheep and cattle working dogs, 2s (id; for all other dogs 19s. The above fees to be 'paid before 31st January, 1922. CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — From Secretary of the Palmerston N. Municipal Band, asking permission for the Band to hold a concert in the Town Hall on Sunday evening, December 18th. —Decided to grant permission.

From the Chairman of the School Committee, asking on behalf of the Committee for the usual rebate on sanitation charge.—Decided that a rebate of half the ordinary rate be allowed.

From the Fire Brigade, requesting the Council to procure an extension ladder. —Decided to accede to the request.