BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2405, 16 March 1922, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

GAS MANAGER’S REPORT,

The Manager of the gas works ported as follows at Monday’s meeting of the Borough Council: — li:, “My report for the month is as follows: We carbonised 4G tons of coal, giving an average of 1T,230 c. feet per ton, which, I think you will admit, is very good for the old setting. We are still hanging on to the old retorts, which do not seem to have got any worse since I took charge. There are still several minor repairs to effect to the other settings to put them in working order, and I hope to start them up in a week or so, although- we shall' only have fiv'e retorts, as we have n6t been able to procure a mouthpiece.- There is still much to do in the works before I have everything to my liking, hut I trust to get things righted very soon. The rest of the plant is working very well at present. lam sorry to report that at Levin and Co.’s fire we lost two meters, one 100-light, and one threelight. I cut off and plugged the 2-ineli service into the building, and so saved any loss of gas. Re water supply at the works, we have had considerable difficulty in getting enough to keep us going, and in talking to the engineer, I find that you ,are not yet putting the water mains'W' in Cook Street, and would suggest y that we get a temporary supply off the Main Street until such time as the other work is completed. The outside work is being kept fairly well up-to-date. The stoker has applied for his holidays, and you will note my suggestion at the foot of letter.”' ■ ' v

Decided that the report be adopted, and that the question of shortage of water supply be referred to the Gas Works.- Committee, with power to act.

ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT. . V' “I have the honour to report as under: —During the past month the road staff have been engaged in top-dressing Main Street with tar and coke ash, mixing asphalt' in .Council yard, carting and Spreading , . clay on the new portion of Whyte repairing fence and gate at x Victoria Park, carting and spreading metal in Harbour Street, covering sand drift with flax bands in Harbour Street, weeding water- tables in Wharf, Main and Union Streets, and filling in drainage trenches in Union and Johnston Streets, laying asphalt approach to Easton Park, and general maintenance work. The top-dressing of Main Street- lias been completed, and another coating is being given to tWfportion of the road facing the Town Hall. There is not much tar available for Clyde Street just at present. Wo have used all on band at the gas works, and have only a few barrels in our own yard. We are likely to need a fair quantity of tar for repairing Main Street footpaths after the water pipes are put in. We have carted some of the metal from the septic tank excavation on to Harbour Street, a quantify of same has also been c|eposited at the western end of. Union Street. This will be available for patching ruts in Htirbour Street, and making good along the line- of sewer trench . in Johnston Street. This particular trench gives us a good deal of work, as it runs into the metalled portion of the road, and is continually sinking. As opportunity offers I propose going on with the annual cleaning of drains before the wet weather begins.” -

The Mayor suggested calling tenders' for the cleaning of drains, • Cr. Martin said that it was only fair to let the work \by contract. The road foreman has plenty to do without going down in the drains. Cr. Bryant did not think there was much work- on hand at present. / The report was adopted. ■ jV”’