SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 8 February 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the Shannon Borough Ccnneil was held on Friday evening, it having been resolved at the previous meeting to hold the meeting on that night instead of the usual night, viz., Tuesday, as it was desirable that the Town Clerk should bring down a statement of accounts as early as possible to enable the Council to ascertain whether sufficient money was available for the purchase of a tarboiler, sprayer and roller, before March 31st, the end of the financial year. There were present: The Mayor (Mr E Butt) and Crs. Thwaites, Downoa, Richards, 'Spencer, 'Richardson, Hook and Hyde. THE WATERWORKS.

The consulting engineer (Mr Edwards) forwarded a detailed plan, free of cost, of the wooden race for extending the capacity of the galleries at the waterworks, which will be placed about the level of the present gallene* and extended to about 50 feet up stream. WATER CONNECTIONS. It was reported by the waterworks foreman that two houses in Margaret Street are being supplied with water from the one lead.

The Town Clerk stated that the owner had waited on him and admitted that this was so; but contended that he was within his rights in -doing so, as he had paid the Council for the one connection. The Mayor pointed out that the bylaw stated distinctly that only one house could be served by each lead. Cr. Hyde contended that the by-law was unreasonable. He took it that tho charge of £2 10s was for the labour of putting in the connection. If a person could get the -water they required for two houses off the one lead, they should not be put to the expense of putting in a second connection. There was nothing detrimental to the Council by the owner supplying two houses from one lead. It looked to him as if the Council wanted to get something for nothing. Cr. Downes pointed out that Cr. Hyde's idea of the matter would have far-reaching effects, if permitted, as it would then be possible for a row of houses in a street to be supplied from one lead.

The Mayor said this question ffad been before the Council on previous occasions, when it had been thrashed out. He asked if some councillor would move that a test ease.be made and have the matter settled once and for all. Or. Downes then moved and Cr. Richards seconded "That the Borough. Solicitor be instructed to make a test ca.se of the person in question."—Carried. PALMERSTON NORTH JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.

Mr J. A. Nash, chairman of the Old Identities Committee in connection Avith the above, wrote stating that Friday, March 4th, has been set apart as a special day for the old identities. Ho asked that a list of all persons knoAvn to have resided in the ManaAvatu district 40 years ago, be supplied, so as to enable his committee to send them inA'itations to be present at the seiwice, luncheon and afternoon tea. —The Town Clerk Avas instructed to forward a list as asked for. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.

The Town Clerk tabled a statement of accounts to January 24th, 1926, which showed the general account to be dr. £3ll 6s 3d, library dr. £122 3s 2d, cemetery dr. £26 Is 7d, housing cr. £282 7s lOd, water loan interest account dr. £228 2s Id, hospital dr. £B2 19s, water maintenance cr. £lO7 3s 6d, main highways cr. £SB 5s 6d, interest cr. £46 15s lid, water supply loan cr. £Q6 Is lOd, workers' housing loan cr. £55 T7s 4d, Municipal Building loan cr. £97 8s lOd. A full statement of receipts and expenditure of the various accounts were also submitted, showing the finances of the Borough to be in a very satisfactory state. TARBOILEB AND ROLLER TO BE PURCHASED.

As a result of the disclosure of the healthy condition of the finances of the Borough, Cr. Hyde moved; "That the Road Committee be instructed to purchase a tar-boiler, sprayer and roller." Cr. Downes, in seconding the motion, said the Council should make a practice every year of adding to the Borough • plant. These purchases could be made out of the general fund. If this was done it would not be many years before the Council would, have an up-to-dat: plant. e He said it was a waste of money to do work by hand which machinery can do. Cr. Thwaites, in supporting the motion, referred to the footpaths that had been started and not completed owing to the Council not having the necessary plant. He instanced the footpath formed in Vance Street, which h< : - said was now a wilderness. Doing work in this manner was only throwing money away. The motion Avas then put and carried.

PUBLIC SWIMMING BATHS. Cr. Spaneer asked if the Council would support a movement to erect public swimming baths in Shannon. He said they W3re badly needed and something should be done. He thought a lead from a public body like the Council would be of great assistance. The Mayor said the matter of baths had been raised at the School Committee meeting Ho was strongly in favour of something being done, as during the

hot weather he had noticed not only children, but men and women bathing * in a filthy stream adjacent 1o the town. This was most undesirable. Crs. Hook and Hyde also spoke qjrongly in favour of a move .being made to get public swimming batlw. The former suggested that a public meeting be called. It wa3 decided, on the motion of Cr. Hook, seconded by Cr. Hyde, that a public nieeting be held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, February 16th, when, a scheme and estimate of coat for the construction of swimming baths ia the Domain alongside the

paddling pool be placed before the •meeting. GENERAL. The roadman was instructed to effect, repairs to the three small bridges over Stansell’s drain. ,It was resolved that ten per cent, penalty be added to all om standing rates after February 23rd. On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that during the hot weather the paddling pool at the Domain be t cleaned twice a week '• 1 The accounts were then pased for j payment. j rrrrrrrr- ‘ j