BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1197, 8 November 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Borough Council took place last evening at the Council Chambers at the usual hour. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Townley, Tutchen, Lewis, Clarke, Clayton, Whinray and Tucker. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

JNCOMING <.’ORRESPONDENCE. Several letters were read, including one from the Clerk of the Cook County Council, ' re the quarry from which the gravel was j brought for the road. M r A. Allanach wrote to the Council with ' reference to the state of the footpath oppo- ! site his hotel as it was in a most dilapidated condition. He asked that it might be repaired and kerbed. Cr. Lewis thought that this footpath wanted looking to as there was a great deal of traffic at this particular comer, Crs. Tutchen, Clayton, Clarke, and Lewis spoke on the subject. Cr. Clayton moved, and Cr. Townley seconded, that the footpath in question be repaired, and that the Engineer be asked as to what the cost would be per chain. Mr Drummond, the Engineer, stated that the cost of repairing the footpath and kerbing it would amount to about £4 per chain. Cr. Clarke w’as of opinion that this was entirely a question for the Public Works Committee, and they were only frittering ; away the time of the Council by discussing it. It was only a matter of £lO. His Worship —Oh * of course, £lO are no- ! thing. ; Cr. Clarke did not mean it in that light, ■ but he thought a question of this description should be left to the Engineer. Cr. Townley was of opinion that the I Public Works Committee could not go into I such matters ; it was for the Council to vote ‘ the sum, but the Committee might recom- ■ mend.

• His VVorship—.J think you are quite ' right. Cr. Tutchen moved, and Cr. Whinray •seconded, an amendment to the effect that as soon as the timber for the kerbing be obtained, the work be carried out. Cr. Lewis considered the work was a necessary one.

Cr. Tutchen thought they should call for tenders, and have thing done at once. Cr. Clayton also spoke on the subject. Un the motion being put the votes w r ere equal, and His Worship gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment. The Engineer was therefore instructed to repair the footpath in question. Messrs. Brassey and Fraser wrote to the Council with reference to a right-of-way from Lowe-street to the Argyle Hotel. After a great deal of discussion as to whether the privilege should be granted or not, it was carried, on the motion of Cr. Townley, seconded by Cr. Whinray, that His Worship consult the solicitor of the Council before the request could be granted, or the deed forwarded by Messrs. Brassey and Fraser could be signed. An amendment, moved by Cr. Tutchen and seconded by Cr. Lewis, to the effect that the request be acceded to, w r as lost.

Mr G. Humphreys wrote in re lamps. On the motion of Cr. Clayton, seconded by Cr. Lewis, the amount ivas ordered to be paid. Messrs. Kennedy and Bennett wrote to the Council with reference to the drain underneath their premises, and asking permission to lay a 1A inch water pipe underground from their premises to the river. It was resolved that permission be granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer. Mr J. Hearfield applied for permission to bury nightsoil on Captain Tucker’s land. Cr. Tucker explained the position where it was proposed to place it. Cr. Whinray moved, and Cr. Tucker seconded, that the request be acceded to, so long as the matter was buried and covered with 15 inches of soil. His Worship the Mayor called attention to the fact that the effluvia would be something dreadful, and moved an amendment to the effect that the permission be not granted. After some discussion the amendment was carried. A request from Mr J. Somervell to erect a verandah at Messrs. Graham, Pitt and Bennett's new premises in Gladstone Road was granted. Mr E. Gruner’s request to transfer his interests in certain reserves to Mr Greenwood was granted. Mr D. Johnstone jr. wrote with reference to the Nesbitt Road. After some considerable discussion, it was resolved—That the Council has no reliable information as to the taking and proclaiming of Nesbitt Road, and would be much assisted in their ultimate decision if they were put in possession of such information in detail, with dates, &u., and further that the present lessee in possession requires a sum of money in compensation which this Council considers quite beyond their contemplation.

A letter from Dr Pollen, Health Officer, dated 24th October, was then read. He informed the Council that the Borough of Giswas at the present time quite from any disease of an infectious or zymotic nature, and that it had been so for the past five months. It was hardly to be expected, however, that this salutary state will continue through the summer months, as in every summer and autumn season heretofore there have been cases more or less numerous and severe, of typhoid and other zymotic affections. He thought it behoved the Board to take every care to keep the township in a fairly sanitary state owing to the coming warm weather. With this object in view he would strongly advise that the Inspector of Nuisances be employed to give ail his timo to the duties of that office, it being hardly possible for him at present to do his work thoroughly. He would also advise that a system of dustbins for the reception of house offal and rubbish be introduced, and that the contents of these bins be removed at the name time as the night soil. Without some such arrangement the town would always be a favorable nest for fever germs. Night soil was removed, but more dangerous materials in a sanitary sense are allowed to be got rid of or left as householders think best.

The letter was ordered to be acknowledged with thanks. engineer’s report, | The Engineer’s report wss then read as I follows ; — Council Chambers, Nov. 7th, 1882. | To .His Worship the Mayor, ■' Sir,--1 Leg to lay before you the following report on works Ormond Gravel Contract.—The delivery | of material for this work is being proceeded with in a satisfactory manner. The first section from the Borough boundary to Roebuck road will be completed in a few days, embracing a quantity slightly over 6000 cubic yards. Appended is a complete schedule of quantities delivered from the commencement up to date, showing amount due and | progress payments paid and asked for. I have again inspected the gravel bed, and find I that an extensive face of very good gravel ' has been opened out, varying in depth from Bto 10 feet. At a rough estimate the quantity of gravel at present available is about 200,000 cubic yards. I consider it of great importance that as large a body of this deposit should be conserved for future use, and in view of the annually recurring heavy summer rains, which will have the effect of displacing and silting up the present bed. I would therefore suggest that your Council ' should endeavor to make some arrangements I with the contractor for the conservation of say from 100,000 to 50,000 cubic yards, or a guarantee that your Council will take delivery (at a fixed price to be agreed upon) from time to time, and in such quantities as the requirements of the Borough may warrant, of all gravel required, the contractor to find his own depots from which to distribute. Carnarvon Street Formation.—l have

to report the completion of this contract and would request payment of balance due as per voucher. An extra thickness of shingle has been spread on the roadway between Palmerston and Aberdeen Roads. The extra thickness was laid down by the contractor in mistake, but in order to prevent the removal of the extra shingle I agreed to recommend the sum of £4 being granted by the Council as extras. Outlet Drain through Allotment number 180 Derby Street.--Complaintshaving been made as to the bad effect likely to arise through the accumulation of stagnant water lying in this drain, I agreed to afford soil for the filling up of the same from the lower part of Derby-street, the cost of the work amounts to £4, and I have agreed with the owner to recommend that one-half be borne by the Council. Waikanae Drain.--Before cleaning out this drain it will be necessary to lower the culvert at Nesbitt Road, so that the total fall from the river outlet to Bright-street may be made available, and the drain cut to a uniform gradient. In connection with this work a communication in reference to Nesbitt Road, will be laid before you, containing the opinion of the Surveyor-General in reference to the legality of the taking over of this road. Childers Road. Complaints having been lodged as to the dangerous state of that portion between Stanley Road and the bridge, I have employed one day laborer to fill up temporarily, and level the worst portions.—l am, etc., J. Drummond, Engineer.

It was moved, seconded, and carried, that the report with a few slight alterations be adopted. The Inspector of Nuisances and Ranger’s report was adopted, and it was ordered that all dead animals be buried, and not be permitted to be cast into the stream.

Accounts were passed for payment as follows :—To be paid by the Borough Council, £373 Is ; and the Cook County Council, £521, making a total of £894 Is. Rates.—The attention of the Council was then direqted to the question of the payment of rates. It was pointed out that the rates would require to be paid on or before the 1 st December next. Public’ Works Committee.—lt was resolved that it be an instruction to the Engineer that he go round and see the works before they are passed. Cr. Tutchen moved, Cr Townley seconded, and it was carried, that tenders be called for carting up to 31st March next. Cr. AVhinray spoke as to the destruction of trees. Jt was resolved that the Clerk write to the Sergeant of Police asking him to use his best endeavors to prevent the reckless destruction of the trees planted in the Borough, and to prosecute any wilful damage done according to the by-law on tree planting. It was decided that as the matter had been previously before the Council that a note should be made of it. Re Water Scheme. Cr. Clarke said that he thought it would not be necessary to read his scheme as be had placed it before the public by favor of the Press on the day following his having given notice of motion on the subject, he would therefore, move “That a suni of £12,000 be placed on thes estimates for a good and sufficient water supply for Gisborne. Cr. Tucker would second the motion for the purpose of having it discussed, as it really was a most important subject, but was surprised that it had reached this stage as he thought it was merely a notice of motion. What was the proposal ? Cr. Townley thought the Council was rushed upon this subject. It was only a few weeks since the Council wrote to the Government to get information of cost of pipes from the Agent-General in London, and there was no necessity to do anything until that information had been obtained ; he had taken an active part in the matter some time since, but lie was not prepared to vote for the same thing again. If another scheme had been proposed he would vote for it, if it was cheaper, say to cost £4OOO or £5OOO, a supply might be obtained from the Waimata at that cost, he was informed. Cr. Tucker said that the Waimata scheme could not give the pressure, if even the water was suitable, and that it would be most desirable that any water scheme should combine good water, with an adequate pressure. He would be in favor of offering a premium of £lOO for the best scheme, £25 to be paid at once on the scheme being adopted by the Council, £25 on the endorsement of it by the public, and £5O upon the commencement of the works.

Cr, Whinray said that there was one great mistake in Cr. Clarke’s scheme ; he had allowed nothing for the cost of puddling the whole bottom of the dam. He considered it would be necessary to remove the vegetation and to puddle the bottom, to prevent leakage. It also appeared to him that the cost of the dam was far too low.

Cr. Clayton said that he was prepared to vote for a water supply, but where was the money to come from to pay the interest upon such a large sum of money, supposing that this scheme could be carried out. Cr. Tutchen said he would vote against the scheme in,tofo. He would have to pay such taxes that he would be driven out of the place, in fact, if the scheme was carried, he would sell off and emigrate. Cr. Lewis was in favor of water supply. Great consideration would have to be given to the subject. The Council was asked to endorse a scheme and call upon the public to support it. He would like to give the matter more consideration, as it was one of vital importance. He knew very well that the use of the well water was injurious, but he was not prepared to say that the new scheme should be adopted.

The Mayor said iie was against any water scheme. People could construct tanks to conserve any desired quantity of water, and he thought the cheapest way for the Council was to pass a bye-law that every house should have storage accommodation sufficient for all purposes. Cr. Clarke replied to all the objections. The Waimata scheme was not fcsible, as the water could not be brought in with pressure, and would be contaminated by human and other animal ffvcal matter, than which no« thing could be more disastrous to the maintenance of health. J’lie puddling of the bottom of the dam would be a great mistake. He had experience of the same thing, in which it had in consequence been found necessary to go to great expense in filters, as the water was so much impregnated with the light clay that its appearance was quite yellow and turbid. The matter of finance he had not gone into, except so far as to eliminate an opinion from a qualified and independent source in Auckland that a company could most probably be formed with a guarantee of a minimum dividend of five per cent., but certainly if the interest could be guaranteed at six per cent. Such being the case he would prefer the Council borrowing at six. Cr. Tucker said that the importance of the question was really so great that he would move the adjournment of the debate to the next meeting. His Worship the Mayor ejaculated “ better make it six months hence.” Cr. Tucker : I do not think so, as the discussion we have had to-night has brought out much information, and it is so important that we cannot afford to shelve it without very considerable reflection. The motion of adjournment was seconded and carried. The Council adjourned’at 11.30 p.m., and a special meeting will be called for the 14th instant, and at that time the Rating Act will be considered.