SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 12 November 1926, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

- fortnightly meeting. The above meeting was held in the Shannon Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and Crs. J. Curran, T. Thwaites, R Downes, J.' Richardson, H. Hook, A. Richards and A. E. Hyde. An apology for absence Avas received from Or. Spcnccr* Resignation of Cr. Curran. The resignation of Cr. Curran, held over from the previous meeting, was put before the meeting. In moving that the resignation be accepted with regret, the Mayer stated Cr. Curran had been a member of Ihe Council for the past four year's, during which time he had devoted a lot of his time in the interests of the. Borough. In ieply to a question from Cr. Curraii as to whether the Council intended to hold an election to fill the vacancy cause! by his retirement, at the Mayor’s request the Town Clerk read to the Council the Act bearing on Municipal Elections, which clearly states that it is not compulsory to have an election to fill a vacancy, within six months of the expiry of the Council’s term of office.

The Mayor stated, that as there was only about five months to go, he did not think it wise to go to the expense of an election,' but the Council would go into the matter. ( ' Cr. Curran them withdrew from the meeting. - Later in the evening the matter came, before the Council when it was decided not to hold an election to fill the vacancy. Sheehan Street Crossing.

From Mr J. Linklater, M.P., in re ference to the crossing at Sheehan St., stating that he would interview' the Minister of Public Works, at Wellington that day,, when he hoped to get his j assurance that authority will be given ioj- the construction 'of the bridge.—Prior to this being received the Minister had written stating that he did not agree that conditions at this crossing justify the erection of a

bridge. Cr. Richardson contended that if the bridge which has been erected above to give access to a small area wacs warranted, surely the one requested was-, as it would give access to several properties. ' The Mayor: That is quite so, but the Department thinks differently. It was decided t° hold over any further discussion as to what further steps will be taken until a reply is received from Mr Linklater, Railway Matters.

The letter from Railways, held over from the previous meeting, in reference to the formation of, Advisory Boards in,the four centres, was dealt with. Cr. Thwaites stated that the Chamber of Commerce had recommended that a sub-commit-tee be set up at Palmerston North, on which the neighbouring towns would have i representation! On the Mayor’s recommendation it was agreed to leave the matter to the 'Chamber of Commerce. ' v Heavy Traffic. From the Ma'nawatu County Council offering the, assistance of their Traffic Inspector to the heavy traffic authorities in No. 9 group. His duties will be to i heck loads and see that licenses hayo been issued ip the right class; to take legal, proceedings on behalf of the interested-local body where necessary and generally:to see that heavy traffic vehicles comply with regulations, the local inspector to assist where required. Local bodies will be charged £3 per day for the Inspector’s services. —Held over. Borough Remits. From Secretary of the Municipal Association of New Zealand, requesting that remits for the conference of delegates must be in the hands of the secretary before December 9th next. The conference will be held at Palmerston North in February.—Held over till next meeting. People’s Picnic. On behalf of the People’s New Year’s Day Picnic Committee, Mr A. E. Hyde made application for the use of the Domain on New Year’s Day, with permission to make a charge for adults and to admit children free. —Granted. Request for Metal. From H. Pettit, Grey Street, asking that metal be plaeed at the entrance to liis property, which at present was in a very net state. —The Mayor said the Council’s practice in such cases was to dump metal where required, at a charge of 12s per load—Mr Pettit is to be notified to this effect, Reports. Cr. Richardson reported that the fence around the dump was completed and a satisfactory job had been carried out. He said he had received a request from Mrs Retter that a dangerous well ou her property be fise-d by the Council for duiTiping rubbish in so that it edu be filled up. Now that the weather was improving, he asked that some metal be carted to the cemetery sc that the work of concreting the footpaths can be gone on with. It was decided to accept Mrs Retter’s offer. In regard to the metal for the cemetery the Mayor said he would make arrangements for it to be carted ps soon as possible. ■ General. The roadman reported that two wires on the swing bridge in Sheehan Street were broken, the bridge in its present state, bring a danger to podestrians.' —Resolved that the necessary repairs bo carried out at once and the ■ uoadwan be informed to this effect ■ Consideration of closing the Borough

roads for the grazing of stock Avas held over until next Council meeting. Accounts totalling £748 9s 9d Avere passed for .payment. Storm Water. Cr. Hook stated that '.there Akas no outlet for rain water‘-at the rear of the business premises occupied by him. He asked if a pipe could be put down, to connect up Avith the system of disposing of the rain Avater from the Council building. He pointed out that the fall Avas in that direction. Cr. Hyde said the disposal of Storm Avater was a trouble, experienced by al' the occupiers in that particular block. He contended it Avas necessary for all parties to combine and put in a pipe to connect with the storm, Avater drain. The Mayor stated that if this course was decided upon, he had no doubt the Council would be agreeable. It Avas decided to leave the matter to the Building Committee to deal with. Removal of Refuse.' Cr. Hyde asked if any provision was made for the removal of rubbish from the rear of the shops backing'on to the right of Avay leading to the rear of the theatie. He said that at present rubbish Avas being dumped on the right-of-way, which Avas in a filthy state. On three' or four occasions, although not a culprit himself, he had paid a carrier lo remove it. Cr. Thwaites, in endorsing Cr. Hyde’s complaint, said it' A\;as most objectionable that cabbage leaves, potato peelings, rotten fruit and onions should be deposited there. This refuse should be placed in tins with suitable lids. The time, he said, has arrived when this right-of-way should not be made a dumping ground. In its present state it Avas a menace to the health .of the town. .The rotten fruit Avas put out in boxes with open slats, which make the place a feeding ground for rats. This class of refuse should be put in proper receptacles. The Town Clerk stated the Health Officer had made an inspection that morning and he had been very disgusted with the state of the place. He had ordered the rubbish to be removed at once and Avill take steps to prevent a recurrence. He had suggested that a conference, of these shopkeepers be held at once to make arrangements to have the place cleaned up and their rubbish removed regularly. The Mayor said the Council had their monthly clean up, but they could not lemove rubbish from this quarter tAvo or three times a Aveek. Those shopkeepers interested Avould have to bear the cost of removal, * Cr. Hyde offered to approach "the local carriers |o ascertain Avhat they Avould charge to remove tire refuse as required, after which he Avduld interview the shopkeepers affected with a view to coming to an arrangement t. shave the cost. He Avould also inform them that the refuse wtuld have to be placed in proper receptacles. It Avas decided to leave the matter to Cr. Hyde to deal Avith. Committees. Owing to th- r.iccnt, changes on the ersov nel of the Council, the vaiiqus committees have been draAvn up as follows : Finance: The Mayor (chairman), Crs. Tlavaites, Spencer and Hyde. Library: Crs. Thwaites (chairman) \ Downes, Hook and the Mayor Cemetery and Reserves: Crs. Ricli-i artlson (chairman), Hyde, Richards and the Mayor. ■ . Roads and Sanitary: Ors. Spencer (chairman), Richardson, Hyde, Richards, and the Mayor. Water: Crs. Downes (chairman), Spencer, Hook, and the Mayor. Housing and Building: Crs. Spencer (chairman), Thwaites, Downes, Hoojr, the Mayor. By-Laws: Crs. - Downes (chairman), ThAvaites, Hyde, and the Mayor.