SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 11 March 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

1 . FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The above meeting was held in the floimeil Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E Butt), and Crs. Thwaites, Downes, Richards, Hook, Richardson and Hyde. "SILENT POLICEMAN" A reply was received from Mr Martin, solicitor to the Municipal Association, of New Zealand, as to the Council's liability in the event of an accident arising through the "silent policeman," to the effect that the Council has power to set up the structure in Question provided there is no negligence on the part of the Council, such as the selection of a dangerous sits, or. the existence in the structure of any inherent cause of danger. As the -structure is removed before the light has faded to the extent of interfering with the clear visibility of the structure, in his opinion the Council would not be liable for accidents. THANKS. A letter of thanks was received from Mr J. E. Connor, of the Levin Fire Brigade, for Council's donation. USE OF DOMAIN. A request for use of Domain for the football season from the Horowhenua Rugby District Council was held over rill next meeting. " > WANDERING STOCK, I The Ranger reported that since December 13th he had impounded eleven head of stock, eight charges arising from same . These cases had come before the Court on February 24th, fines being inflicted in all cases. Since that date four head of stock had been found wandering on the streets and prosecutions will follow. Re stock wandering in Bryce street. On numerous occasions during the past three months he had visited the street both day and night and had found no stock wandering there. During the period the roads were open stock was grazing there, but in ease they were herded, -r,. On the motion of Cr. Richards it was resolved that the Ranger be notified to submit a report to the. Council fortnightly. TAXI-DRIVERS' LICENSES. The Town Clerk reported that the issuing of taxi drivers' licenses was most unsatisfactory. He said they should be compelled to take out a license within a given period, failing which a prosecution should follow. At present one driver, who had not taken out a license, was plying for hire.—lt was resolved that seven days-' notice be given the driver in question to pay : failing which action will be taken against him. UNFORMED ROADS. Cr. Richards complained of the number of unformed roads in the borough. He said he referred particularly to the three at Newtown. He did not think it fair to property owners, he contending that every residence was entitled to a formed road. The Mayor informed Cr. Richams that the Council were quite aware of the number of unformed . roads. But if anything was done in this direction, lie said, the first street that should receive attention was the continuation of Vogel Street,, where it joins Graham Street. This stretch of road was used by a lot of people, who had to cross a > creek on a plank with no handrail, which was dangerous for women and children,. Cr. Hyde said the forming of roads at this time of the year, was out of the question. Cr. Richards said he would like to see the matter go as a recommendation to the incoming Council. Cr. Downes strongly opposed a kt of recommendations going on the minute book for the incoming Council. Other councillors agreeing with Cr. Downes, the matter was allowed to drop. THE WATERWORKS,.

Cr. Downes reported that owing to unforeseen circumstances, the Waterworks Committee had not yet made an inspection of the headworks> An endeavour would be made to make an inspection during the week-end. PETROL TANKS UNDER FOOTPATHS. Regarding the action recently taken by a local authority in granting permission to private persons to install petrol tanks under public footpaths, a letter was received from the District Telegraph Engineer pointing out that the Minister of Public Works is empowered to construct, place and maintain electric lines of communication in, on, along, over, or across, or under any road, street, or other highway and for any or such purposes may open or break up any road and alter the position thereunder of any pipe (not being a main) for the supply of water or gas. The Post and Telegraph Department has, therefore, statutory authoritory to make use of reads and footpaths for the purpose of laying underground cables. Recently, however, as indicated above, the freedom of thcDepartment—and incidentally of Power authorities —to make full use of footpaths for the laying of underground cables has to some extent been menaced by the action of the local body referred to granting private individuals (motor garage proprietors and others) permission to install underground in the footways of its principal streets patrol tanks for accommodating supplies of petrol sold and delivered through the medium of kerbside pumps. The letter pointed out while not questioning the right of local authorities to grant such permits, Ihe inadvisability of the Council adopting such a course, both from the point of view of the Department and their own townspeople. The Council were asked to co-operate with the Department in the direction indicated and give to its officers an opportunity of first deciding upon its ultimate telephone requirements before any privatj persons or firm is granted permission to encroach on the public streets for the purpose of laying underground petrol tanks or similar obstructions. —The opinion was expressed that this matter referred more to larger towns and the letter wa3 received.