SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 21 October 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 W. H. Gunning, A. E. Hyde, K. Downes, Jas. Richardson, J. Curran jun., J. Curran sen., T. C. Thwaites and E. J. S. Spencer. SHANNON-FOXTON MAIL SERVICE Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., forwarded letter received by him from the Post-master-General, re the re-establishment of the through mail service between Shannon and Foxton, which stated that owing to lack of business the car service between the two places has been discontinued. In the circumstances it is regretted that the Department cannot at present arrange for a direct exchange of mails between Foxton and Shannon. Prior to the completion of the new bridge over the Manawatu river, the matter of re-establishing the through service will receive further consideration., FOXTON ROAD DRAIN.

From W. Mason, Sheehan Street, requesting that the drain on the Foxton road be cleaned out, as it is very dirty and causing the water to back up into his property. —It was pointed out that it was useless cleaning out the drain unless the outlet for the water, which is on Mr. Burling's property was cleaned. —lt was resolved that Mr. Burling be given notice to clean the outlet. LIGHT AT FIREBELL.

The Secretary of the Horowhenua Power Board, wrote stating that the matter of a light at the firebell, had been referred to the Board's engineer, Mr. Smith, who will inspect the site and discuss the matter with the Council on his next visit to Shannon. : The Tbwn Clerk stated that the Engineer had not yet visited Shannon, but in conversation with him he had suggested removing one of the street lights to near the bell site. BUILDING PERMITS.-

An application was received for _ a permit to make additions to a shop in Plimmer Terrace, owned by Mr. J. S. Wilkinson and also one from Mr. C. C. Franks to erect temporary wood and iron additions to his garage in Ballance Street. —Both were referred to the Building Committee. RANGER'S REPORT.

The Ranger (J. A. Swinellehurst) reported that during the past fortnight he had impounded one horse which had been found wandering at night. —Received.

SWIMMING BATH,

In connection with the -swimming baths for Shannon, Mr. Ronayne, District Engineer, in reply to a request from the Council, forwarded a plan of the baths and also a short specification. The original estimate of the tank itself, taken off Mr. Edwards plan, amounted to approximately £7OO, but as the proposed new tank is larger, the estimate is now in the vicinity of £I2BO. Mr. Ronayne -states that he does not think that the tank should be any less than 33 and one-third yards, but the width of the tank can be made according to the funds available. The new estimate is only approximate. Cr. Spencer expressed the opinion that the cost of a portion of the work was over-estimated, while other items were under-estimated. Generally, the cost was much over-estimated, and a portion could be done for considerably less. They wanted a plain and simple baths.

The Mayor: The plan submitted provides for up-to-date baths, in which swimming carnivals could be held. Cr. Spencer said they only wanted facilities for swimming. It was not so much a question of the baths being up-to-date . They should study the scheme for the best benefit to- the people; the matter of holding carnivals should be a secondary consideration. Cr. Thwaites said the Councils had in mind that for the few extra feet in length they would be able to hold championship meetings, the revenue from which would thus help towards paying the interest and sinking fund on the loan. In reply to Cr. Curran, jun., the Town Clerk stated that Mr. Ronayne had been informed that they wanted a plan of baths of the standard size.

Cr. Downes said that he would sooner see the scheme turned down altogether, than to go in for one they would be sorry for in years ot come. Cr. Hyde pointed out that with the likelihood of polls for further loans being in sight, he thought the scheme would be thrown out by the ratepayers. The majority of ratepayers would look at it from a financial point, more than as from a benefit to the community, lie asked if, it would be wise to put it before the ratepayers now and lot it take its chance, or allow it to stand over until a more favourable time. The Town Clerk in reply to a question from Cr. Curran, pun., stated that the cost of taking a poll would be £ls. Cr. Gunning in stating that the Education Boards assisted in constructing baths at the schools, said he would rather see the Council subsielise baths at the local school, as the children were more to be considered than the aelults. He felt sure that if the suggested scheme was put before the ratepayers it would be turned down. The Town Clerk pointed out that even if the Council decided not to go on. with the proposal at once, it can still be submitted to the Loans Board for their approval. On the motion of Cr. Curran, jun., it was decided to submit the plan and specifications to the Loans Board for their approval. The matter was not further discussed. CEMETERY ROAD. The Town Clerk submited the statement of accounts for the construction of the new cemetery road. Mr. Gagliardi's estimate for the work was £420, but the actual cost was only £360 9s Id. The Council raised a loan of £250 of which £216 18s lOd was spent together with a subsidy from the Government of £143 10s 3d, leaving a credit balance of £33 Is 2d. The Mayor stated that the cash in hand could be used for invproying the

road from time to time. It had been suggested that some of the money be used in forming a parking place for cars at the cemetery. Cr. Spencer said he had been over the road that morning and the fine work carried out had appealed to him, the road being a long felt want. During the progress of the work it had come under his notice the amount of time and attention given to the work by Mr Gagliardi, this being considerably more than was expected of him. He would like to see his services recognised in a fitting manner. These sentiments were endorsed by the Mayor and Councillors, Avho resolved that a letter be sent to the District Engineer expressing the Council's appreciation of the attention and time devoted to the work by Mr Gagliardi. WATEEWOBKS EEPOET.

Cr. Downes stated that "the Waterworks 'Committee had inspected the intake and found the same old trouble, viz., that the gravel is getting into galleries, owing to every fresh in the .stream opening up the channel. Mr. Edwards some time ago had suggested putting in a box culvert to obviate the trouble, but the Committee favoured putting in pipes to take the place of the channel.

Cr. Gunning was of opinion that they should get an engineer to inspect it. He said he had come to the conclusion that if they put. in the pipes they di< not know what the result would be ■should the water wash out and scour the galleries. The whole of the mischief had been caused when the rocks were blown out. At present there was no immediate cause for alarm and ii an engineer's opinion was obtained they might manage to overcome the difficulty without any great expense. On the motion of Cr. Curran, jun., it was decided to. ask Mr. Gagliardi io make an inspection. FOREMAN'S COTTAGE. Cr. Curran, jun., said the question :>f making improvements to the foreman 's cottage had been left to the Building Committee, but they are powerless to : do anything owing to nuance. The committee's report had been referred back to them for a further report as to a scheme to' raise funds. The improvements were badly needed and something will have to be done. The Mayor said there was'no money in the general fund; and he thought the only way out was to raise a loan for the work.

It was decided that the Building Committee confer with the Town Clerk as to ways and means of obtaining the necessary finance and bring down a recommendation to the Council. GENERAL.-

An application from the People's Picnic Committee for the use of the Domain on New Year's Day was granted.

Owing to his business taking him away from town on a good many days Cr. Spencer asked to be relieved of his duties of Chairman on the Roads and Building Commitees. This was granted. Cr. Downes being appointed chairman of the Roads Comittee and Cr. Thwaites, chairman of the Building Committee. The accounts were then passed for payment.