SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 20 May 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. Butt) and Crs Gunning, Ttnvaites, Hyde, Downes, Bieliardson, Curran jun., and Spencer. CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary oif .the Shannon Football Club wrote stating that the Club agreed to remove the fences on the sides of the football ground at the end of the season and re-erect them, if so required, at the beginning of next season. —Received. The clerk of the Kairanga County Council forwarded cheque for £8 8s being the Borough’s proportion of heavy traffic license fees collected for the quarter ending, March 31st _ last He also enquired if the Council is satisfied with the present allocation, o.' did they desire his Council to call a further conference with a view to alteration. —Received. ' ‘ From the Prime Minister’s office stating that the letter advising of the attitude of the Council to the suggested alteration in the name of “Palmerston North” will receive careful consideration. —Received. RANGER’S REPORT. The borough ranger -(J. Swindlehurst) reported that during the past fortnight he had impounded three hea-J of stock. ROADMAN’S REPORT. The roadman (F. Haley) reported as follow?: —Have carted yards of metal, of which 791 yards were placed in the dumps in Sheehan and Grand streets, the remainder being carted to Margaret street, Plimraer Terrace, Main North and East loads. The drains •have been cleaned in Johnston, Vogel and Thompson streets ana about 80 chains of waner tables have also been cleaned. Have been over the pipe line and galleries, and scoured water mains. Also collected rubbish and carted same to the dump. —Re- 1 eeived. LADIES ’ REST ROOM.

The caretaker (Mrs Nicol) reported that the above room was opened on the 23rd April, the hours being from 9 a.m. to sunset. Necessary appliances for the rest room has been purchased amounting to £2 5s 6d. The room is being made use of by the public. The pipe leading from the sink to the drain leaks and requires attention —Referred to Sanitation Committee. DRAINAGE COMPLAINT.

The committee consisting of Councillors Gunning, Spencer and Richardson set up to inspect and report re Messrs Curran, Murdoch and Bryant’s complaint of the Council diverting certain storm water into a natural watercourse, submitted a lengthv report to the effect that they could find no evidence of pollution in any part of the creek and the water passing through the drain, on being measured at the culvert on Mr. Murdoch’s nroperty, found to be barely an inch deep at the bottom. The drains were quite clear for some distance in Mr. Curran’s property ana. contained but little water. Further along the drain, the seipage and water from other drains "flowing into the main drain caused it to fill and the flat nature of the land resulted in the drains not flowing properly. It was also noted that the water had been diverted from the original course of the creek. The committee were unanimously of the opinion that the Council should not acknowledge or undertake any liability for cleaning or enlarging the drains. The result of their doing so would be very far reaching, in fact, they failed to see where the Council’s liability would end. On the motion of Cr. Curran, jun., it was resolved to forward a copy of the committee’s report to the complainants’ solicitors. ' ESTIMATE? AND SEWERAGE.

The chairman of the Finance Committee (Cr. Gunning) in presenting the estimates for the onsueihg year, said that although some of the work carrier out last year would be non-recurr-ing, there was not too much money to spend *on necessary work. In thv> year’s estimates no provision had been made for the ladies’ rest room or for sewerage. The former had not come under the committee’s notice, while in regard to sewerage they had come to the conclusion that, as thcJowest cost for an estimate they had ever received was £2OO, and others they had been acquainted with were 2\ per cent, of the cost, approximately £350, They did not feel justified, in getting an estimate unless fairly certain that the scheme would be gone on with, and they believed the majority of coun eillors would have turned it down. Cr. Thwaites stated that, he had pointed out at the committee meeting that if the Council were of that opinion, then they should not go on with sewerage. He realised it was madness to bring down an estimate in such a case. At the same time they should look at it from the point of view that sewerage is necessary, and it should hv put in as part of a scheme. He asked whv was the time not opportune. There were several reasons why it was opportune. Firstly, from a health point; secondly, it should be put in before the surfacing of the loads is commenced, thirdly, several residents were contemplating putting in septic tanks on their sections. For every septic tank that goes in they going to lose two votes for sewerage, as these parties would certainly .not support ?t. Sewerage should be put in. The feeling of the ratepayers would benefit scheme, the Council went to any expense. The ratepayers would benfit by the scheme, and'to assist them in connecting up, a short-dated loan could be raised. He said that was the position he took, but he realised that they could not get the money for an estimate unless-thej were-prepared to go on with the scheme. ' Cr. Curran, jun., agreed that thev should have sewerage, it was cheaper and more desirable than septic tanks. He thought they should test the ratepajera as to whether they were in favour of sewerage before they got an estimate. The health of the town should first be considered, septic tanks were hot beds for disease and there would be no end of trouble. Then there was the surfacing of the roads to be considered. Ha contended now was the time for them to make a move. Cr. Gunning, while agreeing that

sewerage was desirable, said that the time was inopportune. There was only a few people to carry the burden and already the Borough was fairly high rated and it was a working man’s town. • It was not wise to embark on such a scheme. There are a good many things that were desirable for the town, but they did not have the people to carry them. To reticulate the whole borough was going to be very expensive and was going to be a big hurdle. If cnly the main street was served they would still have to keep their sanitary contractor. At present there were approximately 200 persons served over a big area and he believed it was a fact that two depots Avere .necessary. He certainly thought it would not be

wise to enter into such a scheme, as it was a working man’s town and they would make it that they could not live in it. He agneed with Cr Curran they should get the opinion of. the ratepayers before obtaining an estimate. Cr. Spencer was of opinion that they were too few in numbers for such a scheme. He said it had been stated

that-septic tanks were not sanitary. This was not correct, as if the sumps were put in correctly, they were quite sanitary. If a scheme could be put to the ratepayers at no great cost he would say “Go for it,” but he would be against it. : Cr. Richardson, speaking as one of those outside the congested area, said they could not stand any more ratesf en the farm lands.

The Mayor said'Mr. Edward’s estimate for the congested area was £7OOO. He thought this was what Cr. Curran had in view.

Cr. Curran said that was what h< was referring to, and until they gel these improvements they were not go mg to get people to take up their re sidence in the town.

Cr. Hyde said that even if they put sewerage in the congested area, they would still have to pay wages to a sanitary contractor. To serve the whole \borough would mean doubling the pre'sent rate, and house rent would be iiry creased by 2/- per week. It would have to be all or none. A scheme for the whole borough would penalise the outlying lahd out of existence. The Town Clerk expressed the opinion that a special rateing area could be made 'over the portion served, where a petition had been presented to the Council signed by a majority of ratepayers in that area. He believed it was the Council’s duty to give it consideration. Such a petition should come from the ratepayers.

The Mayor said that until such time as a" petition has been received from the ratepayers, the question of sewerage be held in abeyance. >This was agreed to. OVERHEAD EXPENSES.

Cr. Thwaites drew attention to the fact that out of £2316 provided for in the estimates, £llOO was paid out in wages alone. He asked if there was anything the Council could do to get better results for the amount of money paid out. He said he did not cast any i-eflectiori upon the staff, but they - now had a lot o*f machinery aiid were they getting the full benefit. -The different committees, lie said, only had £SOO at their disposal. Cr. Gunning said the heavy proportion of overhead expenses in local Government Avas quite unavoidable and they could not alter it. , . COST OF METAL.

Ci\ Hyde said he noticed that, the upkeep of the roads was approximately <■l2 per week. Personally, he did not think they were getting value. He did not infer the employees were not doing their work; but the system was wrong, rle advocated committees meeting more frequently and: each carrying out its own work. If this was done, it would only be necessary for the full Council :-o meet : monthly. There was not enough committee work; too many triflMig matters were referred to the Counoil. ~As far as the roads were con cerned, inplements were being used when possible. Cr. Spencer said that no committee had devoted more time to the roads ,han the previous one. There had been no slackness on their part. Getting doovn to tin tacks, he said, it was not the duty of the Chairman to give instructions to the employees, but they should come mutually from the Committee. If the men would not carry out instructions in detail, they must get new men.

The Mayor: The instructions you wrote for the coming fortnight—were they carried; out ?

Cr. Spencer: There were some glaring cases. Continuing, he said, the Council’s method of dealing with metal was too costly. They should deal with putting the metal in dumps. Cr. Curran, jun., contended they should call tenders for putting the metal in dumps and their oivn men coulc utilise their time in spreading. He considered the Council had good men. In the Council’s interests he had seen the men go to the creek at six o’clock in the morning to get metal out. He asked if the Council had any idea what it cost them for their own men to put the metal on the dump. The Mayor: The Town Clerk has the figures. Cr. Curran, jun., held that' a contractor would keep his teams going and therefore be able to do it cheaper.

Cr. Gunning said a meeting should be held to go into the cost of metal. Some time ago he had advocated disposing of the horses. He was satisfied it could be spread cheaper by mechanical means. This is the day of machinery and the Council should go into the question. It had often been said that too many shovels are used. Cr. Downes said councillors had got the idea that the metal should be put in the dumps by contract . He sail that it should be the other way round. Use their horses in the c-reek and let a contract to have the metal spread by motor lorry. The discussion was then allowed to dr iTEE FIGHTING APPLIANCES. Cr. Richardson, referring to the sum of £BO on the estimates for fire fighting appliances, and also to the previous resolution of the Council whereby they, agreed to contiibute £1 for £1 up to £SO for this purpose. He asked whatwas the position. The Mayor replied that the canvassers had not mot with success in their canvass for donations. *■*—

Cr. DoAvnes: Is the previous minute to be-rescinded?

Cr. Gunning said they had taken the view that the congested area only, needed immediate precautions against fire. They Avould require appliances of greater value for the Avhole area, Aviiich Avould cost £3OO to £SOO. It Avould be grossly unfair to rate highly over a small rateing area for a small sum, Avhile by striking a rate the poorer area would have to be rated also. It bad been stated that Cr. Curran, jun., and he had advocated a scheme to cost £3OOO. Nothing of the kind Avas further from their minds, but they had had the Avater for 2 years and it Avas time they had something. This Avould be a start, but he -would-not rest until the outer area Avas also pro Added for. It Avas riot much expense but Avould be a great safeguard. ' Replying to Cr. Downes as to the cost for the Avhole area being £3OO, he said that if they could not get a motor engine, a manual engine \vas available, Avhich Avill be better than nothing. - Cr. DoAA r nes said that if the Coun- , cil could agree on anything Avhich Avould ; be of value to the Avhole area, he would 1 be with them; but he did object to supplying only a portion. The Mayor said that to rescind the ! preA 7 ious motion the Council Avould have to be unanimous, othenvise a notice of motion Avould have to be given. Cr. Curran, jun., moved end Cr. Hyde seconded that it be rescinded. On a vote being taken Crs DoAvnes and Richardson opposed it. Curran, jun., then gave notice of motion that the minute be rescinded. Later, Cr. DoAvnes said that as the motion Avould no doubt be carried at the next meeting, and the matter Avas .thus being held up, he would Avithdraw his opposition if Cr. Richardson Avaagreeable to do likeAvise. The latter agreeing, the item of £BO Avas passed. ESTIMATES. Ihe folloAving are the estimates for the ensuing year 1927-28: — Receipts. —Balance from April Ist, 1927, £4l, outstanding rates £lB4, rates general estimated £1230, ■ sanitary charge £330, Government subsidy on rates £144, Licenses £237, rents £SO, fees and fines £lO, sundry sales £lO, Main Highway subsidy £SO, sundries £SO, total £2316. ' Expenditure. —Salary £lB2, Mayor £52, Health Officer £29, Valuation Department £l2, Audit Department £ls, licensing expenses £ll, Municipal Association £6, bank interest and charges £6, travelling expenses £lO, street lighting £167, wages £490, liorsefeed, shoeing etc., £IOO, purchases £IOO, Ranger £52, Poundkeeper £l2, pound expenses £5, royally on metal £4O, freights £ls, sanitary Avages £286, sanitary supplies £2O, legal costs £5, unauthorised expenditure £lO, dangerous goods £2, insurances £2l, tar sprayer, roller and sundry accounts £l7O, election expenses £25, printing and advertising £3O, office expenses and stationery £55, interest on loans £145. Grants: Domain £3O, library £SO, cemetery £3O, Hospital, and Charitable Aid £2O, fire brigade appliances £BO, beautifying £5, fittings £6, sundries £l3. Total £2316. The Toavii Clerk referring to 1 the i estimates said they Avere all subject to ? be revieAved in about four months time. j Not all the Avorlc during the past year in the Domain and cemetery had been I charged to these accounts, Avhich Avas : wrong. He referred to such Avork as cutting the grass and carting a load of metal to the cemetery and such like. ! In future this Avill be done and the j Council Avill then get a true statement. - The above estimates were then pass- . ed.