SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 3 July 1925, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MELTING. The Shannon Borough Council met in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr Murdoch) and Crs. Butt, Curran, Thwattes, Dowries, Spencer, Richardson and Hook. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Roberts. CORRESPONDENCE. From Nurse Linklater, drawing the Council’s attention to the ■ approach to her property in Grey Street, pointing out that during wet weather it is nothing short of a quagmire, and us the hospital serves a public need, she would esteem it a favour if an improvement could be made to the entrance.—Referred to Road Committee.

From Mr H. Warrnan, who is routing the Borough house in Stout St., drawing attention to the condition of the footpath outside the premises, which under the present, \Veather conditions, the letter stated, a person required a pair of knee boots to get to and from the front gate. The tetter also stated that when the high pressure was put in, tiie connection was removed from the rain water tank, and the water now runs straight through the same, distributing itself around and under file house, making things very unpleasant. Hie suggested that the tank be removed and substituted by a down pipe from spouting to the drain.—The matter to he attended to by the Housing Committee, and the tank be used at the cemetery. From secretary, Discharged Prisoners Aid Society, asking Council to make a grant towards, the iunds of the Society..—Received. From Medical Officer qf Health, forwarding copy of model by-laws under the Health Act, 1920, relating uj dwellings and buildings lor human liabiui,tion.

. The secretary of the Shannon School Committee wrote requesting the Council to do something to improve the approach to the main entrance to the school, by way of forming and re-metalling.—Referred to Road Committee, .•!;

From the clerk, Horowlienua County Council, acknowledging receipt ol letter requesting a grant from his Council towards improvements to the Shannon cemetery. He pointed outi that at a recent, meeting of the Council it was decided \to grant £lO for the purposes mentioned and the amount 'will be forwarded in due course.—Letter to be forwarded to the Horowlienua County Council thanking them for grant. The district engineer (Mr Hannah; of the Public Works 'Department, acknowledged receipt of letter re state of drains on the Foxton-Shannon road and advising that the matter has been brought under the notice of the Horowhenuu County. From Mr A. H. Richards, asking for ! permission to erect a temporary fence on the unformed portion of Whittaker Street to . enable him to get access from Grey Street, until such time as the roadway is required by the Council.—Resolved to Inform him. that the Council have no power to grant the request, but he can fence at 1 his own risk.

From Mr C. Hausmann, of Stansell Street, asking the Council to supply metal to form some sort ol track to his house, also that the water pipes be lowered across this road as they are above the level of the sections and therefore of no benefit for drainage purposes.—Referred to the Rioud Committee to' deal with, the Mayor stating he considered the writer had a genuine complaint. Mr R W. Taylor wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the narrowness of the road at the entrance to the Parish Hall.—Left to the Road Committee to attend to. Mr G. Jude made application for permission to erect a fence across Sheehan Street on the lower side of the street, leaving gateways so that there will be through access, and to

have use of same for grazing. Tie pointed out that by granting The request there would be no inconvenience as that portion of fne street has practically ceased to be a highway.— He is to be informed that the Council have no power to grant the request. Air Edwards, the late Borough Engineer, wrote re the plan showing water in certain streets in Shammii. He said it was not a question ol levels, but only the location of points in a street. He may require tire services of two men to assist in the measurements and it may also be necessary to have a search. He had deemed to prepare tiie plan, aitnougii lie was in no way responsible legally.—it was decided that Mr Edwards no informed that the plan be prepared as iur as. he can gq as the j council cannot see its way clear to j go to any, further expense; also that \ ad plans, documents, etc., be liandeu to tiie Council when cheque will lie lor warded him.

ROAD COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Cr. E. Spencer, chairman of the Road Committee submitted the following report;—We have interviewed Air Richards since lie received tiie ietter from tiie Council re getting access to die creek at the end oi Grand street through his property, riis conditions are a rental of £5 per annum and the gate be fixed as first suggested. We have had some lengthy discussions on the advisability of installing a “stone crusher” but at present have nothing definite tq report, , Have interviewed Mr Bresneban about cost of carting metal on to tiie roads from a permanent pit it procurable in Mr Hennessey’s property. He is prepared to deliver on to tiie roads ior 6s per yard. Through the scarcity of metal near at hand and the roads throughout wanting a fair dressing of metal, we ask the Council to accept Mr BresneliaiTs offer, providing arrangements can be made to get access to the metal. As per arrangement Mr Troirip, of Messrs Booth MacDonald, gave an exhibition ol road treatment by a grader. This proved perfectly satisfactory and tiie portion of road treated was reformed, giving greater width and good shape to allow of water getting away, arid bringing to the light of day metal that has been buried in the grass grown edges for years. We would ask the Council to confirm The purchase of this grader, which would be a step in the right direction of getting more permanent and better road conditions. We recommend the Council to have the whare occupied by Mr H. Butt lined to give greater comfort. Have submitted plans and specifications for borough, implement shed and instructed the Town Clerk to forward order for timber and when on site, would call tenders tor labour only. The following refers to water mains running through properties to reach the township. Is any concession made • toi owners for the laying of pipes through their land? Was there any promises made by the Engineer and known to the Council to give concessions? Properties through which the pipes, were laid did not receive the treatment promised by the Engineer, but were left in a bad condition. Mr Dickhoff informed Cr. Hook that the price for fixing the drav would toe £ll. This drav

would be of use if in order and would recommend it being repaired. The Housing Committee held a. meeting to discuss municipal buildings, and it was decided that Crs. Roberts and Spencer* submit to the- Council some •idea what would he necessary by drafting a rough plan.

M£T*L SUPPLY. .Dealing with the question of procuring metal from the creek at Mr Richards, who wanted a rental of £5 per annum, Gr. Curran stated that Mr Woods was prepared to contribute half this amount. Cr. Spencer said he did not think that, for thg amount of fine metal that could be obtained from there, it would be worth the Council’s while.

It was not fine metal, most of it being consolidated gravel* cr. Hook, wno bad Inspected the deposit, estimated the quantity of suitable metal at 30 to 40 yards. Cr. Curran contended /there was nearer 200 yards. The Mayor said everything depended on whether it was worth it, as on top of tiie rental there would be the cost of formation oi the road and the erection of gateways.

On Cr. Spencer's suggestion, the alternate portion oi i.he report deulffig vvith Mr Bresnehan’s offer to cart metal was considered, during which Cr. Curran stated he knew of a man who was prepared tq cart metal from the creek anywhere from the crossroad to Mr Hennessey’s, ior 5/9 per yard and dump same on any .road in the Borough where wanted, the Council to pay the royalty. Finally, it was decided on tiie motion of Cr. Downes, seconded by Cr. Butt, “That tiie Town Clerk be instructed to call tenders to cart 209 yards of metal on tq roads where instructed by the ltoa,d .Gonnnittee, the latter in the meantime to make arrangements for the supply of metal from a suitable pit.” Cr. Hook said he had inspected the

ifftt on Mr Hennessey’s property anu expressed tiie, opinion that if the Council could see its way to purchase the land they would be able to secure metal enough to; last for years to come and they would then only have to go into one pit. Cr. Spencer said he was satisfied there was metal there in large quantities.

In respect to obtaining metal from Mr Richards’ creek it was decided to let this matter stand over. THE ROAD GRADER.

The Mayor said he had looked over the piece of road, on which the trial had been made with the road grader, and although it had formed the road, the latter was in a bad condition owing to the wet weather. Cr. Spencer contended the roads had been allowed to go too far before being attended to. Cr. Hook thought it was a bad proposition to throw the earth to the middle of the road In wet weather. It was alright to tin the sides. Cr. Curran was of 'Opinion that the work the grader had done could have been done with & plough. Cr. Hook: A plough would not take off the edges so evenly. Cr. 'Thwaites said it was not. fair to criticise owing To) the wet conditions •under, which the grader was used. The Alayor said it had shaped the load well, but metal was needed on the road. Cr. Spencer said the grader would naturally widen, the roads, and he was "satisfied no one could say anything against the grader. \ At this point Crs. Curran again con-

tended that a plough could do all the work the grader had done, at which Cr. Downes said he had had as much experience with ploughing as any councillor in the room and he differed. r Cr. Curran questioned whether Cr. Downes had done more ploughing than he. Cr. Thwaites stepped the little till by stating he was satisfied that the men would do more work with the grader in a week than they would do in three months under the, present method of treating the roads and he moved that the grader be purchased. This was seconded by Cr. Spencer and as there was no amendment, the motion was carried. The cost of the grader is £42 10s.

The Mayor then pointed* out that the Gouncil were getting to the end of their tether as regards spending money. He said several sums had now been spent that had not been provided for in the estimates and if certain things are required at the end of the year they should not blame him if there was no money. Cr. Richardson said he understood the grader had been provided for in the estimates.

Hie Mayor said it liad been discussed but nothing had oouie of it BOUUUGiJ, SHED. The Mayor said he did not think it rigiit that the Building Comiiniiittee should have gone on wall the sued. They should have reported to the Council.

Cr. Downes: Why bring down a report?

The Mayor: Because it had not been settled as to vyliether the work should be let in one contract or not.

Cr. Downes: According to the minutes, the matter was left to the Building Committee to deal with, and they dealt with it.

The specifications for the erection of the shed were then read, after which the Mayor asked if the work would be done within the estimate of £6s.—Cr. Spencer ossified him that it’would be. 1

Cr. Curran, who had purchased the shed at Mangaore, which the old Council had at first purchased for removal to erect on the Borough section and which had been disapproved of by the present Council, said the Mayor’s estimate for removal and reerectioh was £25 and the Buildings Committee’s £3O. It had cost liiim L 0 to remove it and to re-erect it on piles another £7, a total of £l2. Cr. Thwaites said the point was that the material was not suitable and would not last. . Cr. Spencer said he and Cr. Roberts had been instructed to report on the shed and the Council had accepted their report and he did not see why it should be brought up again and thus the matter ended.

RE-VALUATION OF THE BOROUGH. Cr. Butt asked what the cost would be for a re-valuation of the Borough. The Mayor replied'£3o. Cr. Butt: Well it is time we had another valuation.

The Mayor; 1 agree it is. He went on to state that there was land in the Borough valued* at £lB per foot which could not he bought for £4O per foot, and there were farm lands which could not pay interest on £6O per acre valued at £IOO per acre. The valuations in the Borough, he said, were not equitable, and he would move that application be made.to the Valuation Department for a re-valua-tion of the Borough. This was carried. GENERAL. In reply to Cr. .Richardson, the 'Town Clerk stated that nine taxi licenses had been issued and that the register of all licenses was open for inspection. It was decided that the Finance Committee in conjunction with the Waterworks Committee meet on Friday night to go into the finances of the water scheme.

Accounts were then passed for payment.