BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2604, 10 July 1923, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. TENDER, It was decided to accept Mr S. J. Thompson’s tender for the removal of the windmill in Avenue Road, for £l4 ss. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: From J. Parker making application for a horse collar, also for a new gate to at paddock leading to nightsoil depot.—Decided to purchase collar and in future deposit night-soil on the Target Reserve. From the gas manager, stating that with the advent of electric light in the town, he would like to procure a 5-light Humphrey outdoor lamp and fix same on a stand at the corner of the triangle in the Main St., and 1 near the gate (this piece of street being badly lit) and it would give a good idea of what lighting by gas can do with a suitable lamp. Estimated consumption would be no more than 10 feet per hour. Price of lamp £5. The Mayor said the manager was to be commended for his suggestion. Cr. Ross said that it was not a wise proposal. The Council should boost the heating and cooking, not street lighting. Cr. Walker said that, electric light was preferred for street lighting. Referred to the Gas Works committee. From the Horowhenua County Council re conference of engineers re Shannon bridge and stating that the survey will not be completed until July 10th. —Received. From Mr J. Wyeth , suggesting that the Council pay him £1 per week to watch municipal buildings between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.—Decided to grant Mr Wyeth 10/- per week to look after municipal buildings in the No. 1 area between the hours stated. From R. J. Thompson, asking that a culvert be placed over the drain in Spring St. —Referred to the Works Committee. From the Health Department re registration and supervision of eating houses. —Decided that the Council is willing to be gazetted a licensing authority under the regulations governing eating houses; that the license fee be 5/- per year, to terminate on the 31st December of each year.

From the secretary of the Beautifying Society, stating that the Society cannot see its way to allot £SO for the purpose of preparing another ground for the purpose of football. It was decided that any new work in Easton Park be held in abeyance until the Council reviews the position of the football club at the end of the present season.

Cr. Ross said that he moved a motion previously under a misapprehension. He thought that the Beautifying Society held upwards of £SO on behalf of the footballers. A motion by the Mayor was held over. Cr. Coley’s notice of motion re sewerage connections was held over. PUMPING STATION MAINTENANCE. The pumping station engineer reported as follows on the working at the pump station: —Maintenance cost: Coal (lton Bcwt. lqr. 81bs.) £4 2s fid; oil, li gallons, 6/9; wages (water) £l4 12s Hd; do. drainage £3 14s sd; miscellaneous 2/6, total £22 19s Id. Number of hours spent pumping, 47; number of gallons of water pumped, 400,000; number of hours outside work 50. The report was adopted. ROAD FOREMAN’S REPORT. Tre Road Foreman reoprted as follows:—

“During the past month the road staff have been engaged on the following work: —Carting and spreading metal and blinding material, Johnston Street, discharging screenings to yard, patching up Purcell and Park Streets, making up paths in Purcell and Francis Streets, working with road grader Purcell and Union Streets and Montoa Road, taking up old culvert in Russell Street and laying new one, and general maintenance. Owing to various reasons we have not been able to do any further grading work, but hope to complete this at an early date, weather permitting.

“None of the metal ordered from the Manawatu County Council has come to hand so far, nor have we received any from Tiakitahuna for the kerbing in Johnston Street. .Up to the 30th of June we have had 348 tons of. Belmont metal. The bulk of the metal lias been put on Johnston Street, and by the time we reach the Avenue the remainder will be absorbed. “With reference to footpaths, I would suggest, that cinders be obtained, if procurable, from the Railway Department for putting on some of the paths which are in a bad way, and are not likely to be asphalted for some time. If only a track three or four feet wide were done in these streets it would be very beneficial to residents.” Cr. Smith requested the Council to asphalt Clyde Street to the full width ox the road by the taxi stand. The Council collected fees from taxi drivers and it was only fair to give them a decent stand.

The Mayor said that they would like to do many things but could not. Clyde Street was a good wide street and there was more important work to do than that. He did not want to take the road foreman away from Johnston Street a minute longer than possible. The report was adopted.

GAS MANAGER’S REPORT. The Gas Works Manager reported as follows: — “The apparartus Ims worked quite satisfactorily. The stoker has been away on sick leave since June 15th, and I did the stoking myself for over a week, but I was able to secure the services of Mr P. Parker to relieve me of the stoking, and he.has given me every satisfaction. I expect H. Leaver will he back during this week. I altered the main in Union Street to the pump house, making it a separate supply to the one to Mr Berry’s mill. One new service has been added in Park Street for the Association Football Club. I would like to call your attention to the amount of coke we have in stock (roughly about 90 tons), and I would advise a reduction in the price, and try and sell it before the winter is finished. I would suggest the price be £1 17s fid in ton lots, and 2s per single bag. I might add we have been selling on an average 12 tons n month since we started the new setting in October last, which shows that the setting is very economical in burning coke to keep up the heat required.” The Mayor .said that he considered a reduction in coke to £2 per ton would be quite sufficient. Cr. Parkin said that in Palmerston North coke was sold at Is fid a bag delivered. The Mayor: Make it the same per bag as by the ton. It is not fair that the small man should pay more than the big man. Cr. McMurrav said that'- the Council should go into the matter of meters.

Cr. Bryant said that the reduction recommended by the gas manager for coke should be adhered to, viz., £1 17s fid a ton. At the present price of coke it was better to buv coal.

It was decided that the report be adopted.