SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 26 August 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

* TORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mavor (Mr. B. Butt) and Crs T. C. Thwaites, E. Dowues, Jas. Kicbardson, J. Cui-ran, jun., W. H. Gunning, A. E. Hyde and E. J. b. Spencer. „ CORRESPONDENCE. Prom F. Buckman drawing attention to the state of the cutting in Ada Street. He stated that near the top _ of the cutting the metal Has disappear ed and the road is overgrown with grass. He asked that a few loads of metal be placed on the road—Referred to the Roads Committee. _ From + he Telegraph Engineer pointing out that in a certain borough, there is a traffic by-law in operation which provides that all motor cycles shall have affixed thereon a rear red ligy, and that on side cars there shall be a light en the near side showing white to the front and red to the rear. .tie asked if there is a similar provision in Shannon.—A copy of the Borough bylaws to be forwarded. NO MAIL IMPROVEMENT. In reference to a request from the Borough Council for improved mail arrangements a+ Shannon, a, letter was received from the Secretary of the Pott and Telegraph Department, stating that it is regretted that a departure from the existing mail arrangements cannot be agreed to. At present, two mails from Wellington and two from Palmerston North are received at Shannon daily, while two mails for Wellington and three for Palmerston North are despatched daily. The sorting of the mail from Wellington at Shannon on the evening of arrival would incur an exrjense which would be out of all proportion to the benefits received. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply that there is only one direct mail dailv from Wellington, the other being via Palmerston North, which is 12 hours late reaching Shannon. RANGER'S REPORT.

The Ranger (J. Swindlehurst) reported that during the past fortnight he had impounded four her.d of stock. Four head of stock had teen claimed while being driven to the Pound.— Received. ' VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.. Mr. J. V. Burns, secretary of the newly formed Volunteer Fire Brigade, wrote asking for an answer to the. following suggestions, with a view to placing the Brigade on a business like footing, the answers given by the Council being attachad. (1) la the equipment, as supplied handed .over in trust to the above Brigade? Yes. (2) Are the Council covering the equipment with a fire iusuianee policy, or has the Brigade to take out a policy? If the Brigade has to pay this premium he would be glad to know what amount the policy has to be taken out for.—The Borough Council has taken out a policy. (3) I should be glad to leceive from you a detail list of the equipment the Council is handing over to the Brigade, same to be detailed in the minute book. —A list as asked for will be supplied. ' (4) I take it the Borough Council will want representation on Ihe above. If s.O, I would respectfully suggest you appoint two members of your Council to act on our commit tee.—Crs Gunning and Hyde were appointed to represent the Council on th committee. (5) Although the Council has started this Brigade with an equipment costing a considerable amount, of money, can we look to a small subsidy year by yeaj?—This matter will K- left to the Finance Committee to deal with from vear to vear. * (6) I should like the Town Clerk to be clear on the matter as tc whether any member of the Brigade is liable under the Workmen's Compensation Act in case of an accident arising from a fi re .—The Town Clerk was instructed to make enquiries from insurance companies, the information obtained to be forwarded to ihe Brigade. (7) Will the Borough Council grant the use of the Council Chambers free of charge for all committee meetings —Granted.

GENERAL

The matter of renewing the lease of the land on the coiner of Mrs S. S. Bichards property, Stafford Street, which gives Recess to Mr. Woods bridge over the Otaura stream, was held in abeyance. . . ' ' Cr. Hyde said that when the eightinch water-mains were laid down through certain properties in Stafford Street, which were < adly cut up in thQ operation, these owners, he believed, were under the impiession that the water connections to their properties would be made free of charge, as compensation for cutting up their properties. He" understood this had not been done, which to his way of thinking was unfair. As a matter of courtesy it should have been dene. In his own mind the Council were under a moral obligation to compensate these property owners —Councillors were of opinion that some concession shculd be made and it was decided to refer the matter to the Water Committee asking them to forward a renort to the Council. Cr. Thwaites reported that the Beautifying Committee had received a donation from Mr. C. C. Franks ot sufficient totara posts, which, together, with donations of cash from local business men, will enable the committee to complete the kerbing of the new footpath in front of the plot in Plimmer Terrace.—A letter of thanks is to be forwarded to the douars. Cr. Riehajrdson pointed out that metal was wanted on the lower end of Thompson Street, also on Levin and Vance Streets. He also drew atention to the bad condition of the culvert in front of the Church of England.—Referred to the Roads Committee. Cr. Downes reported that the drain through Mr. Gardiner's property has not been cleaned out, as instructed. It wa3 resolved that Mr. Gardiner be given 14 days/ notice to clean the drain, failing which the Council will do the work at his expense. Cr. Thwaites pointed out the need of a light at the intersection of Nathan Terrace and Vance Street.— The Mayor said nothing eould be done m this

direction during the present financial year. THE SHANNON BRIDGE. Official intimation was received from ihe Main Highways Board that the work of constructing the new bridge over the Manwatu river to reinstate the connecting link betwen Shannon md Foxton had commenced and that the total estimated coat, including toad approaches was £30,932. The letter set out that the estimated cost of the bridge was £23,662 of which amount the Main Highways Board would pay £13,442, leaving £10,230 to be contributed by the local authorities, the Shannon borough's propoition being l-12th and not exceeding £BSO. As a commencement has been made with the consti uction of the bridge stated the letter, it is essential before the work proceeds further, for the Board to have an unconditional resolution from the Council agreeing to the tonus. The following resolution proposed by Cr. Downes and seconded by Councillor Thwaites was carried: ''That the Shannon Borough Council hereby agrees to contribute l-12th of the cost of the erection of a bridge over the Manawatu River on the Foxton-Shan-non Road, as per plans and specifications numbered P.W.D. 67010 and Plan of approach to said Bridge numbered P.W.D. 80510 forwarded to the Shannon Borough Council from the Main Highways Board, Wellington and accompanied by a letter from the same Department dated the 11th August, 1927. That the Borough Council's contribution to the cost of such bridge shall not exceed £850."