SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 25 March 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and Crs. T. C. Thwaites, R. Downes, A. Richards, E. J. S. Spencer, A. E. Hyde, «!'. Richardson, and H. Hook. CORRESPONDENCE. Johii Duthie and Co., Ltd., wrote forwarding quotation for fire hose and hydrants for fire brigade work. This letter, with one from the Feilding Fire Brigade, offering two double-head hydrahts for sale, was held over till next meeting, when Crs. Thwaites and Hyde will have completed their canvass for donations towards purchasing fire fighting appliances. The clerk of the Horowhenua County Council, wrote stating that the matter of his Council permitting the County Engineer to give an estimate in connection with the cost of the permanent surfacing of the Main Highway through the Shannon Borough, has been referred to the Works Committee for consideration. In respect to the hiring of the County’s plant to the borough for 'he purpose of doing the work, when, the plant is working in the vicinity* his Council are prepared to consider an arrangement for the hire of their plant when further desired by the Borough Council. —Received.

From Shannon Football Club applying for the use of the lights on the Domain for the season for training purposes. on the same terms as last season. ' ■ * ROADMAN’S REPORT.

The roadman (F. Haley) reported on the past month’s work as follows: — Have carted 64 yards of metal to the dump in Sheehan street, 17 yards to the Council Chambers, and 15 yards of sstnd to the Borough shed to dry, also carted seven loads of clay to the Council* Chambers. Have, had the grader over Margaret and Ballance streets and the Main North road. The handrails on the bridges over Stan sell’s drain have received attention; also cut the grass on the cricket pitch and running track at the Domain" An inspection has been made of the pipe lines and -galleries at the waterworks and the water-mains have been scoured. Battens have been carted to the head of the waterworks for wrapping the pipes. Have cleaned out drain at the southern end Of Plimmer Terrace and collected and carted rubbish. BOROUGH DRAINAGE.

A letter was received’ from Gifford Moore, Ongley, and Tremain, solicitors, acting on behalf of Messrs Jas. Curran, Harry Muidoch and F. Bryant, with reference to the action of the Council in leading the drainage from certain streets and from the paddling pool on to their properties. The letter stated that the Council, by leading this water into the drains through their clients’ properties, has very considerably increased the water on these properties and has caused the same to become polluted. The letter stated that it appears that drains were at one timekept clear by the Council and no damage was done to the properties, but that lately the Council had failed to clesn the drains and the increased volume and polluted nature of the wate • now brought on to the properties is causing considerable damage to their clients. Unless, therefore, the Council at once desists from draining this water. on to their client’s properties or makes satisfactory arrangements for dealing with it when brought there, clients will be compelled to seek an injunction against the Council. Cr. Thwaites said that as far as diverting the water there were two points. In the first place, the drain was a watercourse and secondly, he believed he was right in saying that Mr. Curran, during the time he was a member of the Council, had advocated the water being carried along Plimmer Terrace and into the drain referred to.

Cr. Bichardson said he had always understood that a borough or county was not permitted to spend money on private property. The Mayor said that was so. Cr. Spencer said he thought the matter was one in which the Council should obtain legal advice. He moved that the letter be referred to the Mun icipal Association’s solicitor, for hi* opinion. Also that the Boads Commit- ' tee make an inspection of the drain and report to the Town Clerk.--Thi: was agreed to. THE WATEBWOBKS. Cr. Downes, chairman of the Water works Committee, reported that along with Crs. Spencer and Hook, an inspection of the head works of the waer supoly had been made. They hal found everything satisfactory, but there would be any amount of work to be done, as it must have constant attention. An exceedingly good job ha l been done in wrapping the pipes. The reservoir .had been inspected but they had failed to find any leakage. They recommended that later on it should be emptied. There was a log lying across the stream at the heatlworks which the Engineer had advised should be cleared. When the foreman removes the material he should be instructed to cut the log. The bolts in the ladders at the influent chamber are hardly long enough and should be replaced by longer ones. —The report was adopted. „ . It was resolved that the Engineer be. asked to forward his full account in readiness for next Council meeting. Also that he be notified that his services will not be required after April Bth, this being the date of the expiry of bis twelve months’ engagement.

GENEBAL

The Horowhenua Bugby Distict Council were granted’ the use of the Domain during the football season on the same terms as last season. The matter of cutting the grass was left to the Beservea Committee with power to act. An application was received from Mr. E. H. Moody, solictor, acting on behalf of Mr. P. Gill, for a rebate of half the rates on a building of his which h&a been unoccupied for the past nine months. —-The Town Clerk stated that under the Act, where a building is not tenanted for six montis, Tan owner can claim this rebate on the

capital value. The application was granted. A circular asking the Council to become members of the Manawatu Employer’s Association was received. The Town Clerk was authorised to purchase a typewriter, the price not to exceed £25. —A vote of thanks was accorded Cr. Hyde for the use of his typewriter, which the Town Clerk has been using for several months. It was resolved to employ a competent person to put down the new planking on the bridge on the Levin road. Cr. Downes said his attention had been drawn to persons taking cuttings from newspapers in the reading room. — Cr. Thwaites was instructed to have a notice placed in the room, notifying the public they were liable to prosecution if caught in the act of cutting or removing papers. Cr. Spencer said the ladies rest room was now ready for use and he recommended that a notice board be erected drawing attention. —The Town Clerk was instructed to secure a notice board

Cr. Bichards, on behalf of the Athletic Club, asked for the Council’s permission to tar the pegs on the cycle track at.the domain. This was granted. He said the Club were forming a working bee to build up the track from the outside to a uniform width of 18 feet and to assist them he asked if the Council would grant them the loan of a horse and dray.—Granted, providing one of the borough employees is willing to go in charge. Accounts totalling £239 8s 2d were then passed for payment.