SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 9 April 1925, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

l,ae fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Cnainbers on Tuesday evening. Present; His Worship the Mayor (Mr \\. Murdocu), and Crs. Gunning, Cui'ran Murray, Butt, Hyde. COHRESPUiNDENCE.

From, the Shannon ttugby League FootWali Club making application for tne use of the Domain on Saturday, April 18th, for a game with Foxtoii; also asking for permission to make a dharge.—Matter to be considered in conjunction with report of committee re Uie use of Domain to football clubs. From Mr J. Linklater, M.P., in reply to a letter containing a resolution from the Council asking him to use his influence to have the Main Highways Act amended so as to compel thq Board to give consideration to those cities and 'boroughs which have main (highways running through, their districts. . He stated he was heartily in accord with the resolution and when he visited Wellington he would interview the chairman of the Highways Board when (he would point out the injustice that is meted out to

boroughs situated as Shannon is. A letter was alsQ received from, Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works on the same matter stating that the Council's representations will receive every consideration. From Public Works Department, forwarding copy of regulations as to the use of motor lorries made in accordance with the of the Public Works Amendment Act, 1924. Left in the. (hands of Town Clerk to carry out The following letter was received from the Secretary, Wellington Education Board re payment of water rates at the local school: "The Board understands from the School committee, that your Council proposes to impose an annual charge of £lO for water supplied to the school.. Will. you permit me to point out that the Board is nowlherfc charged at so heavy a rate as your Council proposes. Until a little while ago all that the Board paid in Wellington for instance was £75 lor about 25 establishments. The Masterton Borough charges less for three large schools than Shannon charges for one. In some instances hardly any charge is made as tihe governing bodies usually recognise that the children are. the children oi ratepayers and if they are using the water at the school they are not "afco using it at home. Moreover, the Board does its very best to utilise wisely tihe. money at its disposal for the best service of the schools. The Board therefore asks for a reconsideration of the question."—lt was decided to refer the matter to the. incoming Council with a recommendation that the amount be reduced by hal.l. From the Inspector otf Noxious Weeds drawing "the Council's attention to blackberry growing on a section (he believed to be. owned by the Borough in Nathan Terrace—Resolved that the lessee &j notified to remove the blackberry. nr , nfXnv ROADMAN'S REPORT. The roadman, Mr F. Haley, report, ed as follows;—I have carted U yards of metal eighteen yards on to Balance Street and Levin Road and six yards to valves on water mam. Have concreted three valve pits and put in all fire boxes. I have finished filling in all trenches on the town side ol the railway 'and dug awl filled in £< chains in Nathan Terrace and ha\e also carted balance of pipes to finish the water works. ATX , USB OF THE DOMAIN. The Reserves Committee reported that they had met the representatives of the Wy and League: Cl.uhs for the purpose ol j discuss.ui b ■the allotment of the ground for loot. .hall. And it had heen agreed t ldt Rugby should have the use,, oj the ground for three Saturdays and the League for one. The arrangement to start from when tne fixtures for hot commence. If a club is re dy to sUi t before the other this is not to count. Tn this the Council agreed. In rlspect to the League's application for the use of t<he ground cm fc.«nurday April 18th. it was resolved to toe the matter in the hands of thj Mayor and Cr. Butt the irroiihd to be granted providing « S?l not clash with the Rugby fixtures, should they be ready.

BOROUGH LEASES. The Town Clerk stated that the lease of the two sections m Nathan Terrace expired on March 31st. It was ciecidld P thal -tne prejent tenants * offered a renewal of lease at lag vmur'n rental, and in the event oi Si notrenewing applications be called for the lease. . BY-LAWS AND CONNECTIONS.

Cr. Butt asked the Mayor li uw bylaws were ready. The Mayor said they were ready, but had not yet been submitted to the Council lor consideration. Cr. Gunning said they should have come, before the Council as at present in respect tQ the water connections they were working in the dark ana he took exception to the Mayor's views that one water connection could be made to supply two houses. .Cr. Murray; It was a point vie Council should be. clear on. He was of opinion that it should be one house one connection. Councillors had an instance oi where two houses were being served bv one connection and the question was raised as tq what would happen if three different property fwners were allowed to take the water o their respective houses from the one connection; thereby f°J *» 10s Thev were of opinion mai the bjMaw should be one house one °T&£ning strongly opposed one connection being allowed, lor two ho Cr e Cu,ran said the Council should make enquiries as to whether they could force each ihouse to have a separate connection. . On Cr. Gunning's, motion it was de tided that a special meeting Of trie Council be called for Tuesday evening to consider the new by-laws. Cr. Butt asked if any one was getting water without paying for tne connections. ~„ The Mayor said not as far as ne knewi He had instructed the foreman that wnen he was putting in conn.ec-

tions where the fee had not been paid to put in plugs and noit taps. GENERAL. The Town Clerk said the Council had no one in authority at present to issue drivers' licenses and building permits.—lt was decided that the Housing "Committee deal with building permits and the Town Clerk be auinorised to issue motor drivers' licenses and eating house licenses. Cr. Curran stated the drains in Sheehan and Bryce Streets were blocked owing to the County dram being blocked at the outlet" on the County road irom the cutting by. Mr Bryant's.—lt was resolved that, the Horowhenua County Council, be asked to clear the drain from the cutting neai; Mr Bryant's property to the Manawatu river as i.t was causing a blockage of drains in the Borough.

An account lor expenses was received from the late engineer (Mr Edwards). The account covered a period of several months to which Councillors took exception, the Mayor pointing out that the minute book showed that accounts for expenses were tq. be rendered monthly .--It was resolved that payment of the account be held over until the account for expenses in connection witti the water works came to hand. BOROUGH FINANCES.

The Town Clerk submitted a lengthy balance sheet which showed the Borough to be in a sound financial position. The general account showed a credit balance of £157, the workers' housing working account £230 in credit, the housing loan account credit £lO 8s 10d, and the water loa|n account showing a bank overdraft ol £4402 In reference to the water loan, accounts wailing to be paid are £135? for purchase's. The Engineer's fee and expenses had still to be paTS. The sum of £SOOO was expected shortly from the State Advances Department, and £llOO should be available from the Wellington City C&uncH during the next fortnight. On receipt oi the £SOOO the sum of £4500 was due to the Bank of New Zealand to meet the advance by way of overdraft. The Mayor stated it was a very satisfactory state of affairs and paid a high tribute to the Town Clerk (Mr .1. T. Bovis) for the manner in which he had placed, the facts before the Council.