SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 12 August 1924, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council postponed from Iftresday evening was held in the Council Chambers on Friday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr Wi. Murdoch), and Grs. Ghnning, Carter, Curran, Beard, Butt * and Hyde. CORRESPONDENCE. From secretary, Municipal Association of New Zealand, stating next conference will'be held in Auckland during October and requesting the Council to'forward any remits to go> before the Conference not later than the 31st August. ' From Minister of Public Works relative to the Council’s desire to acquire a carpenter’s shed at Mangaore when the works in connection with the Mangdore scheme are completed, stating he would give the request every consideration. i From chairman of the Main Highwavs Board, replying to the Council’s or >miiry as to their position under the Main Highways Act, stating that provision is made in the Act for the

Main Highways Board to grant assist-

arr'* towards the maintenance of any , road running through a Borough, which is a continuation of a Main Highway. . The assistance which the Board can .grant in such cases is based on the amount of expenditure applied towards the maintenance and repair of the adjoining main highway. He suggested that foe Council put /its pro-

posals in a concrete farm and forward to foe chairman of No. 9 District Highways Council.—-Decided to write the chairman of No. 9 Highways Council what' steps are. to be taken by the Council to get foe necessary particulars. -

From General Manager, New Zealand Railways regarding the Council’s request in respect to lighting of foe railway premises at Shannon ' with electric light and the erection. of an electric light at the entrance to foe railway station, stating it is the Department’s intention to fostal electric light at the .various railway stations as ‘funds become available and as only a limited amomit of money is available each year for (his work, the claims of Shannon will be rioted.

The secretary of foe. TTorowhcima , Electric Power Board requested the j Council jo improve the approach to , foe Board’s property in Stafford street.. The -locality he staled was very wet and could be much improved by bet- ; ter surface drainage, forming the lootpath and a few loads of metal.—Deferred to the Road Committee with a. favourable recommendation to give the , •request attention. ; ( I WATERWORKS MATERIAL,. 1 \ A report from the engineer shows < i that very favourable arrangements i have been made in obtaining 5 , the nec- , essary waterworks fittings showing a • saving up to date of £?3O 4s, and the j report goes on to say very satisfactory < progress is being made. It is expected within about six weeks’ time to have , pressure on the 8-inch service main : > i the Borough. The time has now a-r- , rived when tenders should he got for 1 the smaller pipes and foe. question of < lighting the open trenches should be atended to. A workshop is . required , at once. This is a matter that must he attended to as the men require a bench i and tools to cut, ill am] e i - rr\v the pipes and fitting.—The Council resolved that foe Waterworks Committee be instructed to rent a suitable shed and if unable to. do .so, to build one. WATERWORKS COMMITTEE REPORT T/he chairman of the Waterworks Committee (Mr W. H. Gunning) reported as follows:—Since my last report! -have so far as possible, endeavoured to keep in touch with Me progress of the work. A good deal has been done in the vicinity of the reservoir. The various pipes and connections for scouring and taking away the overflow, also main supply pipes, are now in an advanced stage towards completion and' a. considerable length of trenches have been taken out in Stout, Grand and Vogel streets. At present, the Engineer informs me he is being delayed by the non-arrival of angle pieces for foe. B-inch pipes, ordered from the Wanganui Co. some time ago. On arrival of these pipes (some of which have since been in- ' voiced) I understand be will be in a position to .complete the laying of the 8-inch main, as the trenchesare already excavated. This work be estimates will take about 16 days. The ordering of the small pipes should now be attended to. also foe erecting of a workshop on one of the Borough sections. The providing of a workshop with the necessary bench, vices and appliances is absolutely necessary for cutting and fitting.:pipes, etc., and will be required permanently. It need not be an expensive or elaborate building. The Engineer also draws attention to the necessity of lighting ' the various excavations. We suggest that in future, fi’enches should be opened up (as far as possible) as the work progresses so as to minimise the risk of ■accidents. Whether this could best and most economically be clone bv day labour or contract, should engage the Council's attention. The Engineer considers that about 10 chains, per* day of piping can be' laid by his present staff, so the opening up of the trenches would probably find work for another gang of six or : seven men. We think that this policy would advance the rate of progress very materially and obviate foe necessity of drains being open for so long a period and the consequent risk of accidents. While giving foe Engineer every credit for large savings in the obtaining of the bends, etc., from outside firms,—savings amounting to a considerable sum of money—we are oi opinion that foe time has now arrived lor accelerating the progress of the vrork. . _

Mr Gunning said the rate of progress should he quickened up. There are several miles of pipe lines opened and should an accident occur the Council would he held liable. It is a position that should hot have been allowed to occur. He thought the trenches should 'be dug,and the pipes

put in immediately. Cr. Carter said with, reference to> light in" the trenches as they are at Vresenf is an impossibility, but everything possible should now be done to catch nip with the work. Some of the ■’ are filled with water and

should ally, one fall, into them the Council would find themselves in an awkward position. The Engineer said tlie delay in laying tlie pipes was due to the bends not arriving- in time. These should be here in about eight days. They can then be laid in position and about ten chains done daily. The Mayor in making reference to the report, said it was impossible to light all the trendies dug and so fur as lie was concernedjie did not take any moral responsibility. He also took strong exception to foe two reports not providing a solution. Such lengths of drain should not have been made. / , Doth reports were confirmed. GENERAL. The Town Clerk reported he had received a’ complaint that a vacant section within file 'Borough is being used tor dumping refuse. —The matter to be referred to the Health Officer. It was resolved that foe registration fee for eating houses in Shannon be Is. Applications are to be received for renting the Council’s house in Stout Street and a ballot will be taken. . Cr. Gunning drew attention to the Otauru' stream which is becoming blocked and needs cleaning iout. In its present state it is liable to flood without a heavy rainfall. Near Mr Bryant’s property foe water is unable to get away fast enough. If it is cleaned out foe flow would be increased 100 per cent.