OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, 15 June 1923, Page 3

OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. I The ordinary monthly meeting of th a t,ove Council was held yesterday morn ing , Present: His AVorship the Mayo (ill J- p - Brandon), H. Kilmister, H i= Taylor, H. Cockrell, T. O'Rourke, C Kilsby, and P. Kikihana. Correspondence. I Correspondence was r«ad from Mis acs Ritsou and Liddell asking if watei was to be installed at Rangiuru, antpointing out that at present they depended on a wind-mill for their supply. The Mayor said it had been pointec, out to him that Rangiuru, which was an old settlement, was more entitled than the kiosk end, a now settlement, to water, and that the former had eon tributed far more in rates. He thought if finances could be arranged that waV ter could be laid on, and it was agreed to point out that water would be sup plied provided iinancial arrangements could be made. Prom Mr Clarke (Utaki Jieach) asking for permission to plant trees. —Permission already granted. Prom Chamber of Commerce, drawing r „ ■■ ntioii to the bad lighting facilities at drains in connection with waterworks.—Matter to be attended to m future. Prom Miss Baxter, declining permission for conveniences at her business

premises.—Decided to approach 11. Rest Resort Committee on the matte Or. Kilmister suggesting that a respei table place with septic tank be erectei Prom Otaki Fire brigade asking fo financial assistance. —Decided to mak a grant ut ' £ l3 for tht ' time beijl SProm Otaki Library Committee, ask ic* for a grant, and pointing out tka if it was not forthcoming the reading room would have to be closed on cor tain day*—Decided to donate £lO. Prom Medical Superintendent 01 ki Hospital, asking if the Council woub supply, approximately, 5000 gallons oj water daily, and if so at what price.— Held over, no price yet being fixed. Prom Clutha Mackenzie, returning thanks for money (£93 10s (id) raised by Otaki and district for the Blnid Mcraoral Fund.—Received. Prom P. E. Kilmister stating he owned eleven acres of land on Waerenga Road, but only had an 18ft. frontage. In view of this he was afraid he would he unjustly rated for water and drainage and asked for exemption from special rates-.—Cr. Kilsby did not see that any thing j/ould be done; if exemption was granted the Council would receive other similar applications.—Decided not to accede with the request. Miscellaneous. Cr. O'Rourke asked if it was advisable for the Works' Committee to accept large contracts, or would it be better to have such matters considered by tie full Council. He said in othc: places it was usual to bring such matter* before a full Council.—Decided to refer large tenders to the Council as a whole. In answer to a question the Engineer said it would take an additional £o'i for pipes to reticulate Waerenga Road with 6-inch pipes instead of i-inch, but oa the whole job the extra cost would be £IBOO. The Mayor said by substituting the 6-inch pipes there would be a big delay in the work, while the Engineer pointed out that it would mean at least throto four months' delay. Cr. Kilmister considered other parts could be reticulated in the meantime. L'r. O'Rourke thought it inadvisable to wait for the G-inch pipes, considering i inch sufficient for years to come. On thi* they had the Eng fleer's guarantee, and he moved that the scheme, as originally outlined by the Engineer, be carried out and thus avoid delay.—Seconded by Cr. Rikibana. Cr. Kilsby moved as an amendment that 0-inch pipes be secured, pointing out that the delay would only be a matter of two months. They were well within their limits as to finance. Cr. Kilmister seconded, pointing out that more water was going to be used than original!:- intended. Water would now be wanted for pumping sewerage —it would be cheaper and as efficient as electricity. The Engineer said he had recommended that Pinch pipes were sufficient, but. naturally, 6-inch pipes would give more - water, For town supply the 4-ineilt would be sufficient, but for motor use would be insufficient. It was now proposed t.o extend the system and use water for punrping. In view of this he now recommended 6-iuch pipes. He considered hydraulic power preferable to electricity. Cr. O'Rourke said after hearing the Engineer's remarks lie was willing to withdraw his motion, and this was accordingly done. 11 was then agreed " 5 to serve -Wac-renga Road with 6-inelt pipes. It was decide.! to take action against owners of wandering stock. It was agreed that the Engineer submit a plan of a shed suitable for the foreman '.§ requirements. The Mayor and Cr. O'Rourke were appointed to consider accounts before same were passed for payment. A vote of. appreciation was accorded the Hutt and Petone Borough Council's staffs for courtesy extended on the occasion of a recent visit. fit was decided to effect road improvement at the residences of Mrs Cook, Mrs Griffiths, and JTr Mills, all of Rangiuru Road, and to effect improvement at Dunstan Street and Arthur Street corner, and at tlie domain gates. It was resolved to obtain particulars relative to a fire board. The Mayor said remarks had been made to him concerning their foreman, and surprise expressed that he was not being paid better wages. It was considered wages should be increased and that censure be withdrawn. Webby, in his mind, was a conscientious man fmd the wages inadequate.

Cr. Kilmister "said he had said not' ing against Webby's capabilities, bi had said he did not think that he shoul have condemned the work of a moi practical man. The Mayor considered if the forema saw that specifications were carric out he should not be interfered witl Cr. O'Rourke agreed. Cr. Kilmister: We have not had ou I 24 hours' tost yet! | The Mayor said arrangements ha' been made for a test. Cr. Kilsby said they had not had th. test, nor could they have it. The tanl was not full, the by-pass was leaking uid whether the meter was registering igtit he did not know. The Eugineei •,ad put on men to find leaks, and till these were fixed up they could not have a test.

The Mayor considered if things were Lt unsatisfactory a full meeting of the i- Council should have been held, d Cr. Kilmister said a test had been , held and he was not satisfied. Several s joints had found to be leaking, while the meter registered nothing. Cr. Cockrell said he had found that - the meter had registered something; certainly not very much. The ground j , was found to be subsiding and it stood | i to reason that the joints were still moving, and naturally there was a little leakage. He considered Cr. Kilmister unfair in his criticism of the Engineer. The Engineer said the Council had failed to express an opinion on the work, and lie had endeavoured to improve matters, especially as he could j sec the Council was not satisfied. He . considered Cr. Kilmister one of the, most unfair Councillors he had ever j met. He (the speaker) had acted hon- j orably and no man could say he had I not. He had found a leak and had it fixed, and done other improvement that j he thought necessary. Cr. Kilmister was grossly unfair in stating that the meter had not registered. He only ask- | ed for a fair deal, and if he could not get the Council's confidence he would have to look after himself. If the Council was satisfied with the small j percentage of water going through the meter he would be satisfied. The Coun- j cil could have any test it liked, but he i , would like to point out that it was not | ;

necessary to have the tank full for a test. Cr. Kilmister said the Engineer had been kind enough to say he had been unfair, but he would like to point out that the contractor's work from Mouterc Hospital to the P.O. had been done and passed, yet other parts were leaky. They knew there were leaks and he would like the Engineer to take the Committee to read the meter. The Engineer said he had been willing to do so. Cr. O'Rourke considered the time of the Council was being wasted. lie agreed that there were leaks but it should be remembered that the contractor had solid ground to work on. There seemed to be no fault as far as the Engineer was concerned. Cr. Kilsby said if the matter had not been forced there would have been no test, and there would have been thousands of gallons of water a day wasted. The Mayor considered the Engineer had ably done his duty, looked after the Council's interests splendidly, and that his explanation had been quite satisfactory. He moved accordingly. Tiro motion was carried. Town Clerk's Report. Mr Da vies reported:—Streets—As directed by the Committee, several matters, particularly at Rangiuru and Tasman Road sections, have been attended to. A contract has been let for carting and spreading 100 yards of metal on Tasman Road. AVater Works:—The mains are nor, complete up to the Post Office. The last section was tested on the Bth. and i found very satisfactory. A test of 1 pressure by gauge was made, and prov- I ed to be Vlo lbs per square inch. The ) bend in the by-pass (around the tank) ' has been repaired, but cannot at present be considered satisfactory; it is also proposed to take up a little more of tiie by-pass, and examine same near to the steel main. A small section of the steel pipe line, running through Glover's paddi "k, has been uncovered for the purpose of proving if any of the water, coining through the trench line, was from leaky joints. One small leak was found at the angle, but was repaired under pr".'Mire. Sewerage;- The Works' Committee and self paid a visit of inspection to the sewerage works at Lower Hutt and Petone; every facility was grantel and much valuable information given. I must draw the Council 's attention to the necessity of deeiding what rates shall be struck thij year. Foreman's Report. The foreman (Mr Webb}-) reported: During the month most of iny time has been taken up supervising the sv-itor main contract. Good r:\SRSS has been made with the work, amd the work has ' been done satisfactory, with the excep- ' tion of the first 17* chains, which I l cannot give a certificate for. The testing has been satisfactory. I would* like the Council to put up a small shed j as my own sheds are full of the Coun : ; cil's property, Works' Committee Report. The Works' Committee reported:— I A discussion arose as to the amount of deposit left on tenders. The Engineer pointed out that the deposit was made small to allow local working men to tender. After discussion Councillor Kilmister moved that future deposits be 0 per cent.; this was seconded by Cr. Kilsby. Councillor Cockrell moved as. an amendment that 2§ per cent be charged. On the easting vote of the Chairman the motion making deposits 5 per cent, was carried. The Engineer then produced the detailed plans re drainage. Councillor Kilmister mo\-ed that eonideration of same be postponed until after the next meeting of Council, as he considered they were not getting a fair deal over the water works. This was seconded by Council-

it that the Council had specially ask d them to make a report for the next < e dinury meeting. On the motion bei put the Chairman, Crs. Kilmister a: n Taylor voted for the motion, and C d Cockrell against. l " Health Inspector's Report. , ' The Health Officer reported:—Tv cases of diphtheria have been notifit . in the Borough during the past mom Both cases were visited and steps take to prevent the spread of infectioi ' During the month I met, in conference the local plumbers and the Borough El I gijieer. The By-laws were fully clis ' cussed and all doubtful points wer discussed, and understandings reachei The matter of cess-pits being- prohibit I ed in the Borough was a matter whicl . was brought up. I an of the opinioi that it wot- 1 - 1 , be unreasonable to pro i liibii the construction of a soak-pit tf I tnlf. (tin nrrliiinr-u- liTmsolinlil wnttns ir

take ttie ordinary nousenolcl wastes ir J the area of the borough, which will be | never sewered. Also, the distance of • a septic tank from a house is a matter ; which should be dealt with specially, and not genet..Ly. Per instance, at the Beach where he subsoil is \er ne:. the surface, :..e by-laws could not be complied with on account of fall. I would therefore suggest that these two matters be left to be dealt with—each case on its merits. Regarding inspections of sanitary work: —It appears to me that any urgent inspections or drainage tests be done by your Engineer in the event of my being unable to visit Otaki at the moment these inspections were needed. ]( this can be arranged it would he of great benefit to the plumbers as well as a convenience to the householders concerned. ; On further perusing your by-laws I noticed an important matte,- which is not all clear. This is the Licensing of Plumbers—Section 77, page 75. givii •• the Council power to license plumbers ivith certain qualifications. Ido not think that a local by-law can be made to over-ride an Act of Parliament, and he plumber's registration is quite deinite in its requirements. I would hcreforc suggest that this matter be rone into thoroughly.—(Signed) .1. \V. luggins, Inspector of Health