SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 25 September 1925, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday eveiiinff Present; Crs Butt (Deputy Mayor) and Crs Roberts, 'Lhwaites, Spencer, Richardson, Hook, Curran and Dowries. CORRiES'PONDESGE. From M. Coakley making application lor permission to erect fence in Grey Street on that portion iotf the Borough footpath fronting her property. She pointed out that this portion is on the rise and not used by the public, and that the fence would be taken down again on instructions from the Council. No barbed wire would be used.—Permission granted provided a decent fence is erected. Application was received from A. W. Richards for permission to fence the unformed portion of Whittaker Street opposite Dr Mackereth's residence so as- to give him access from Grey fet. to the property he is leasing m Whittaker street.—Mr Richards to be notified that the request is held over in the meantime. j The Ranger (Mr J. A. Swindlehurstj ] wrote drawing the Council's attention to the fact that the pound is at present heing used as a calf paddock, also that there > are minor repairs needed to the fence around the pound paddock.—Mr Mason to >be notified tiiat he must discontinue putting calves in the pound. The poundkeeper (Mr M. J. Curran) wrote notifying that he had received advice 'from the Horowhenua County Council that they have ceas ed to .share' any responsibility in the Shannon pouiiu and as he has been receiving wages from that hody, he would he pleased lo know if the nomugh Council intend takn.- .ne puunu over and if his services will be required as poundkeeper.—The poundkeeper to be notified that the Council are taking over the pound and desire to : retain his services.

From the Valuer-General regarding the Council's application for a revision of the valuation roll of the 80-' rough, advising that it has been de cided to caiiy' out this work so as to make the new valuations available, if possible, for the'rating year commencing on April 1, IM>.—Received. The secretary of the Shannon Cooperative Dairy Company wrote stating that at a meeting of directors a vote of thanks was passed to the delegates, who met the Parliamentary Committee, Wellington on September 3rd, in connection with the Manawatu .bridge business and further that he was asked to convey to the Council the thanks of the. directors for the (assistance the Council have g',ven and the genuine interest they are taking in this matter. From the Minister of Railways wihi letter in regard to the Napier express stopping at Shannon, advising that the matter has been carefully reviewed, but he regrets that the Council s request can not be acceded to, as any further stops would only tend to throw the train out of its regular schedule and the consequent late running would he reflected on other equally , important trains—Received. A letter was received from the secretary of the Shannon branch of the Plunket Society, placing before the Council an appeal for the furtherance of the good work already done by the Society in Shannon. The appeal stated that the Society has been m operation 4n Shannon about three months and during that time a strong committee has. been formed and by various means the sum of £ao has been' raised. ■ As the expenses for a start will be somewhat heavy, they asked for the assistance of the Council in the matter. The work, as all must agree, is of the highest importance and even in this short time valuable assistance has been gi™ ll ," l many cases. They hoped that the Council would view the matter in its true light and may see its way clear to make a grant towards the Shannon branch of the Society. Such assistance cannot fail to be of untold value in the district and the Councils help would very materially assist in curry in" on a work that has become a national one of the most vital importance.—lt was decided to make a donation of £2 2s to the branch. ROAD COMMITTEE'S REPORT The-Chairman (Cr Spencer) reported as follows; Rubbish tip; As in. structed we have inspected the tip, but did not notice any. smell at he time of inspection. A portion ol the tip was exposed to the view of the travelling public, which we have had covered with spoil. The tip has also been inspected by the Health Officer who will report to the Council ( The' footpath improvements at the comer of Stout Street and PUmmer Terrace should be completed during the coming fortnight. The delay has neeri caused owing to waiting for metal and more favourable weather conditions.

The grader lias been considerably used during the past fortnight on a portion -of Ball&hce Street and side streets. We hope to be able to concentrate on grading work for at least a month. The moist conditions experienced at present makes this sort of work more easy. The work ot the grader is practically re-metalhng (he roncV a striking instance of this is to be seen in Ballance Street. Metal —Would suggest that as soon as the weather is suitable that arranoomentß be made to haul all available metal from the creek out to dumpsat suitable points to be selected. If this work is decided on, suggest that same he done, bv contract, With the use of the two Borough drays, the metal could be carted from these flumps by single .horse ioa:ds when required. This would result In a great saving of time and expense. Crs Butt and Curran have inspected drain through Mr Gardner's property and are not satisfied with the present state, of affairs.

Dray—Suggest that the dray at present lying at the blacksmith's be repaired and put in use. We suggest the purchase of a drag

to work in conjunction with the grader. The drag should cost about £5 and works better than the grader in keeping the metal in place. The drag loi'icnes uu the highest points and collects anything loose and sweeps it into the centre of the road, it pulls the loose'metal into potholes and depressions. Cr. Hook, ;in referring to the metal question, said that owing to the exceptional spell of wet weather it Hvas impossible to get metal out of the creek, and he agreed with the suggestion of getting the metal out when the weather improved and putting it out in dumps in suitable places. The Deputy Mayor, white agreeing with the suggestion, said the work should be done in the summer. Cr Spencer said he had suggested it as a principle to work on as he left sure it would prove a saving to the Council and a benefit to the roauinan. The Deputy Mayor said it was a good suggestion and it should be held over until the fine, weather. This was agreed to. It was decided that the roadman, under the supervision of Cr Hook, be instructed to carry out the work of cleaning the drain tlnough Mr Gardner's property on Foxton road. The purchase of a drag to stand over until next meeting, Cr. Spencer to ascertain the cost and report to the next Council meeting. The estimated oost of repairing the dray was £l3.—lt was decided to hold this over until the Finance Committee had met, RUBBISH TIP.

At the request of the Council the following report was received from the Health Officer (Mr J. W. Huggins) dealing with the question of rubbish disposal in the Borough: "In my opinion the existing rubbish tip on the Levin road should immediately be closed. The choice of this site was unfortunate in the first instance, being hoth close to a house and on a main road. You will also remember that I bad cause to complain of the state of this tip during last summer. The tip should be left as sanitary as possible and this could be assisted by putting a fire through the rubbish and then covering as much as possible with earth. Even if the tip has been quite satisfactory the highways scheme of the County (which will be commenced shortly) would put this tip site out qf action. I will be pleased to co-operate with you in the choice of a site for a mew tip. At the moment I think the holes left by the stop bank excavations by the river appear to be the best suggestion." After the report had been read bythe Town Clerk, the Deputy Mayor asked the Council If they had any recommendation to make. Cr Thwaites recommended that the . Town Clerk approach the people concerned and an endeavour be made to secure a dump over the second ramp 'on the Foxton road and. he moved in that direction, but later withdrew it in favour of the offer of a site toy Or Hook on his property situated at the top of Grey Street. On the motion of Cr s Richardson and Curran it was decided to accept Cr Hook's offer. I GENERAL.

Cv Thwaites' notice of motion given at hist meeting that.the two motions passed at a previous meeting be rescinded, was carried, viz (1) That the plan as submitted he, altered without the big hall and reduced space in the bottom floor; (I) That a plan of municipal offices, reading room library living rooms, one shop ana picture theatre he prepared. Dealing with the heavy traiflc fees on the motion of Cr. Roberts it was resolved "That the allocation of motor lorry license fees as suggested by the local bodies be agreed to providing the Shannon Borough are allowed to retain 50 per cent, of the fees it collects op the amount which it would receive under the general classification, which ever proved the creator The arrangement to remain m i force for 12 months. The division of fees so arnnged to be made on the hasis of the valuations as at March, 19?fi." It was decided to Two a notice hoard erected at the Pound.' The accounts were then passed for navment.