SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 16 June 1922, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Mayor presided over a full attendance of councillors at the usual meeting on Tuesday night. -- MAINTENANCE OF GREY STREET. Mr Dinnie, Engineer in charge Mangiatiao, Was present at the request of the Finance Committee to discuss the question of the maintenance of Grey Street. Cr. Murray stated that the upkeep of the road, on account of the heavy traffic from the Public Works at Mangahao, was considerable, and he had suggested that Mr Dinnie be approached with a view to 'the Public Works Department giving some assistance. Mr Dinnie, in reply, stated that the road under discussion was about 1J mile lojng, and the Department, as arranged with the Council, had the road metalled, the Department spending £4OO on the work, this oeing apart from other money paid to the Council, which w’ould bring the amount up to £475, an amount that should be sufficient for maintenance lor a long time. The Council, on its part, had failed to give the road the attention required after a heavy coat of metal. It should have been raked in and so prevented the ruts that had formed. He would like to know the amount expended on the road by the Council in the past year. The Department had taken over the strip of road from the borough boundary to .the power house from the Horowhe:nua County Council, and that body paid £IOO per annum towards its maintenance. Perhaps some such arrangement could be made with the Shannon 'Council. The Council thanked Mr Dinnie for being present, and agreed to supply the figures asked for, but the general opinion seemed to be that the Council had no case to put to the Department. THE SHANNON BRIDGE. The Mayor reported that, with Mr Edwards, the Borough Engineer, he hid that day waited on the Minister of Public Works with regard to the Shannon Bridge. Mr Newman, M.P., introduced the deputaton. There were no representatives present from any of the other local bodies concerned.

Mr Murdoch represented to the Minister that the Government had sub.sidised the bridge £1 for £l, and surely would not stand by and see .such a valuable structure washed away. Shannon was greatly interested in the bridge, because of the number of settlers and others who would suffer if the road was blocked. Cream and produce were brought daily into Shannon from Moutoa, and without doubt Shannon would suffer most if the bridge was damaged. He asked that all the local bodies concerned he made to contribute towards the bridge. • The Government engineers who had examined the bridge admitted that Mr Edwards’ plan was correct, and that the bridge was unsafe, and might be affected by any flood.

The Minister asked that the matter he put in writing. He would first see what action the Horowhenua County Council were prepared to take, and if they would not put the matter in order, he knew how to act. The Council moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Engineer for their action in the matter, GENERAL. The advice was received that the transfer of the five acres 'and roadman's cottage had been completed and the money paid.

The new by-laws regarding the storage of dangerous goods were discussed, and finally the* inspection of permits for same was left in the hands of the Engineer. BUILDING BY-LAWS.

Considerable discussion also took place with regard to building permits, the Engineer having declined to pass certain plans and specifications that were considered by the builder to be in order. The matter was left over for a special meeting on Friday evening, when the Engineer would be present. Word was received that the £4500 loan for workers' dwellings was available, that the terms of the "loan would be for 36£ years, and the rate of interest 4J- per cent. The Mayor agreed to fill in the necessary forms and proceed with the matter. Mr C. C. Franks wrote asking for a new culvert to allow access to his property with gravel for his new building.—Left in hands of Road Committee.

Cr. Fargher stated that, in view of the business people employing a night, watchman, he considered that tfit? Council should erect, a fire-bell and perhaps get a chemical fire engine. 'This was left for discussion later. . Word was received from Mr Edwards stating that the water scheme would be ready to put before tbe ■Council by tbe end of the month. Cr. Hyde asked if the Council intended to proceed with the kerbing and footpath around the plot being beautified, and also when work was to commence on the bridge over Stan-

selTs drain. As the hour was late, the matter had to stand over > until next meeting. Cr. Murray gave notice of motion: That a loan of £2OOO he raised for street improvement. Accounts totalling £7l 10/ were pas'sed for payment.