SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 18 November 1927, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. , w

The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr Ji. Butt) and Cr*. W. H. Gunning, T. C. Thwaites, R. Pownes, E. J. S. Spencer, -Ins. Curran, jun., and A. E. Hyde. .

' MOTOE REGULATIONS. A copy- was received of th<> regulations" under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924; as to the equipment and'use of motor vehicles, as to notices and signs and generally as to motor traffic. An accompanying letter asked the Council to peruse the regulations and tcrforward any comments.—The; Town Clerk was instructed to bring down a brief report at- the next Council meeting. SURFACE WATER. A complaint was received from Mr A. Merwood that the metalled footpath in front of his, residence was causing the surface wateV to bank up, with the lesult that the water Lacks over his lawn and flower garden to a-depth of six to nine inches in places and flows over the asphalt drive. Previous to the path being formed there was an outlet at the boundary of the borough property and his neighbour's boundary. Cr Gunning stated that the same trouble was occurring on, other properties in Stout "Street .It had been brought about by raising the footpath, thus causing the water in the outlet drains from the properties to flow back. He contended that in undertaking such work the services of an engineer were required It was permanent work and should be made permanett and not ah inconvenience to property owners. After a discussion as to the best means-of obviating the trouble, it was decided on the suggetion of the Mayor that the Eoad Committee make an inspection, to ascertain what is best to do. '-/. FOOTWAY ACROSS STANSELL'S

DRAIN

The Mayor stated that.pedestrians who wished to„go from Graham , Street to. Vogel Street had to cross Stansell's Drain by means of a<plank about a foot wide and which was 8 to 9 feet abovcthe water. It was not safe. He had received several complaints of children falling into the water and of women being too nervous to cross it. A lot of people used the crossing and something should be done to make it more safe. He suggested that a wide plank with a hand rail be placed there. It was left to the, Road Committee to have this improvement -earned out. WATERWORKS. For some time past there has been trouble at'the intake after heavy rain owing to the galleries becoming blocked with silt. On Thursday afternoon the Council journeyed to the headworks to foy and discover the true cause of the blockage. After inspection,, they had .come to the conclusion that a weir of some kind should, be put in. *Cr. Gunning said that he had been informed that Levin had experienced & similar trouble about five years ago and they had put in a.groin running up stream balow the galleries. They had had no trouble since. He favoured this being done in their own case. Cr. Curran, jun., stated that then* was a large tree nearby and he suggested that this be felled and placed across the stream to throw the .water over the galleries to act as a weir, the iree to be deposited slightly below -.the; level of the top, of the boxing. He said this would/De cheaper than a groin and. he was of opinion that it,would 'do what was required. Cr. Hyde said he would move that Cr. Curran's suggestion be. carried out This was seconded "by Cr. Dowries. Cr. Gunning said he "would prefer get ting the opinion of a man who has hat! some experience with groins. He did not think a log could be manoeuvred into position as they would like it. Cr. Downes said whatever was pu f in must go across the stream to act as a dam.

Cr. Hyde's motion was then pat tt the meeting and carried. Cr. Downes was appointed to make arrangements / to have the work carried out.

The Mayor said he would like tt the reservoir emptied out, so that it could be ascertained, if there .was any leakage, as in his opinion, :'t emptied very quickly. Cr. Downes said he thought 'the cause was owing to the large quantity of water allowed to run to waste in the borough. He pointed out that tin water'in the paddling pool was running continuously, through children turning the taps on. Cr. Spencer stated there was a tap on the market which could be padlocked. He thought*it would pay the Council to procure some. He was instructed to find out if they would be suitable; and if so, to purchase the number required. ROADMAN'S COTTAGE. • The Town Cl-'rk reported that he had visited Wellington to enquire if it was possible for the Council to use the money in credit in the Workers' Loan account for making additions and repairs to the roadman's cottage. The Auditor-General after going fully into> the matter had informed him that the money could not be used for this purpose as it had I een specially loaned' to purchase land and erect workers' dwellings thereon, Cr. Curran, jun., asked what was going to. be done now this money was not available.

The Mayor said if they carry out the work recommended they will have .to raise a loan. There was nothing else for it, as they could not get sufficient money out of their general fund.

As a means of raising the money .without getting a loan, Cr. Hyde suggested selling two acres of the area occupied by the roadman. He did not think all the land would be required in the future. . Cr< Curran, jun., did not favour selling any of their assets. He would sooner see a loan raised. The Mayor said he did not think they could sell the land. Cr.' Spancer pointed out that in the part nothing had beeu allowed, for

maintenance .of the building, therefore the amount it was proposed to spend was very small when* spread over a number of years. He suggested reducing the proposed alterations. The Mayor said he could not see how the finances could be arranged to do the work before March 31st of next ve;ir. He suggested that the matter be held over until after that date, and then probably they would be in a better position 'to make the financial arrangements. Any urgent hiijuor repairs could be done immediately. It was decided to hold the matter over untii March 31st. 1928. The Building Committee is to inspect the house and f asccrtain what repairs are urgentlv required. RESOLUTION FROM EKETAHUNA. The Eketahuna Chamber of Commerce forwarded a copy of a resolution passed by them to have the basis of allocation "altered from population to mileage in connection with the petrol tax. They asked for the Council's support. The Chamber all pointed out that the Main Highways Act should be amended to empower the Highways Board to subsidise , construction work of main highways in small boroughs on the same basis as prevails for County Councils. It was decided to point out to the Chamber that this was what the Council have advocated all along and the Town Clerk was instructed to notify the Chamber accordingly. RANGER'S''REPORT.

The ranger (J. Swindlehurst) reported having found one horse wondering at Marge at night time, which he returned to the owner.