SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 15 June 1928, Page 2

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Shannon' Borough Council, was held in Ihe Council Chambers on Tuesdav evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr E. Butt) and Crs T. C. A. E. Hyde, R. Dowries, E. J. S. Spencer, Jas. Richardson, Jas Curran, iun/., Jas Ciirran, sen. SHEEHAN STREET BRIDGE.

In reference to the representations made by the Council for a* grant from the Public Work Department towards the cost of tlie erection ; of. a new bridge over the Mangaore Stream, a letter was received from Mr J. Linklater, M.P., stat ng that the Minister off Public Works had ‘ written to him stating that he regretted that as this bridge now forms part of a declared, main highway there is no authority for him ns Minister cf Public Works to mak.e a grant towards the' cost of its erection, any subsidy towards the cost of . the bridge being payable by . the Main Highways Board. The Mayor: “It seems we cannot get anything from the Department.” Cr. Curran, sen: Some time ago the Council were asked by the Public Works Department if they required any bridge and when the matter came before the Council the latter had informed them this was the only one the borough wanted. The Department have erected three or four crossings up the stream for private individuals., The Council only wanted one, but every man up the stream- that wanted a bridge got one. Cr. Curran, jun., pointed out that since then the Sheehan Street crossing has been taken over by the Main Highway Board which alters the Department’s position in the matter. Crs agreed that conditions have altered since -the Department made their inquiry. ; _ The reply was received. UNEMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY.

In reply to the Council’s enquiry re unemployment subsidy the Public Works Department stated that they will look into the matter and advise the Council as early as possible. In regard to the proposal by the Council to carry out the work ,of widening Sheehan Street at once - with a view to giving relief to local unemployed, an enquiry was received from the Public Works Department asking for the number of local married men unemployed. . The Town Clerk stated he had advised the Department that lie had the names' of 34 married men.

The Mayor said the Council had got to find a certain amount of the money for this work. The question / was where were they going to find it? : ■ Cr. Thwaites said the idea was to approach the Main Highways ‘Board and point out that now the road has become a main highway, the Connell would widen it to comply with the Board’s conditions and that they intended to do the work with unemployed labour if the Council could get the Board’s' subsidy now. He pointed out that the entire stretch of road would then consolidate at the same time.

Cr. Downes was of opinion that from the Council’s point of ; view the work was not suitable for engaging unemployed on. , He said that if the Council's own tWo men with the aid of a big grader were engaged, they, would do the work in a week. The cost to ,the Borough would be twice as much if the work is, carried out by unemployed. ' ',

Cr. Curran, sen: “The idea is to give relief to unemployed. ’ ’ Cr. Downes: “If we hfive . got to create a job for unemployed it is no good to the ratepayers.” Cr. Thwaites: “Does Cr. Downes insinuate that the road to the eemetery cost the Council too much?” Cr. Downes: “No! One was a block cut> but the widening of Sheehan Street can be done by the grader.” The discussion then terminated.

A 'RETURNED SOLDIER’S REQUEST. A request was received from C. Vaughan for an increase in the price of contract for cleaning drains. He stated that he had worked hard but had been unable to a fair day’s wages on those drains he had undertaken to clean at Is 3d per chain,, which price had been fixed by Cr. Downes. .

Cr. Downes stated that Mr Vaughan had complained to him and had threatened to knock off.- He pointed out to him that he had done the worst drain and advised him to finish the work and he would see what the Council could do for him. He had told Vaughan to trim the edges with, a hook but he had done it with a spade, which took longer.-. He had given them a good job; Cr. Curran, sen., to Cr. Downes: “As chairman of, the Roads Committee don’t'you think you should have got the opinion of another member of the committee as to what the work was worth. If I was chairman I certainly would, then there would be no mistake.” Cr. Downes: “There is no mistake. This man is ojt relief work, the money for which is provided by the Returned Soldiers’ Association. It is not Council money.” Cr. Downes pointed out that the Mayor had asked him to find a job for Vaughan and’ he had done so. * . ' ; \ Cr. Thwaites said the money had been entrusted to the Mayor to spend on employment for returned soldiers and this man’s case had been specially mentioned. It was for the Mayor to say what should be paid. On the motion of Cr. Curran sen., seconded by Cr. thwaites, it was resolved that he be paid 14s per day. METAL FOR STREETS. ■ Cr. Richardson asked -if the Road Committee could do anything to the pot holes on Foxton road. He said there was also a bad piece of road in front of Mrs Venn’s property in Clapham Street. Cr. Downes said the trouble was that they had no metal. He had seen a

man in reference to procuring some but had received no reply. He had been advised that Mr Jamieson had some good metal which ‘could be obtained at 4s per yard.—lt was decided to refer this offer to the Road Committee. >

Cr. Curran., sen., said he also had received an offer from a married man who was out of work to get metal out of the creek and pfaee on dump, for him for 2s per yard if he (the speaker) provided him with a horse and dray. Cr. Curran said he was willing to hire out a horse and’ dray to enable the Council to get the metal. The Council decided to take as much metal as the contractor can get out at , 3s 6d per yard, the latter to pay for the hire of the horse and dray. NEW FOOTPATH.

Cr. Dowries said a returned soldier had been put on to form the path from Vogel Street •to Margaret Street, but the work had been held up for want of a horse and dray. He. was now engaged in cleaning the footpaths at the top of Ballance ' Street. Cr. Curran, sen., stated .that as the man was married and uneinployed he would lend him. a, horse and • dray for nothing. This generous offer was accepted by the Council who will provide feed for the horse while it is being -worked. . wXTER CHARGE AT SCHOOL.

Cr. Hyde said the School* Committee hall asked him to inform the Council that the Board had refused to pay the charge of £5 for' water at the school, stating that the Committee have to pay it out of the incidental expense? account. They recognised that the Council had been generous in making no sanitary charges; but they wished to know if tliey would go a step further and give free water. On the motion of Cr. Downes it was decided to give free water to the school, but not to the master’s residence, the, opinion being expressed that the Board should pay the latter. ROADMAN’S REPORT.

The roadman (F. Haley) reported as follows :--Have carted 110 yards of metal on to Plimmer Terrace, Nathan Street, Main North Road, Margaret Street and to the stable yard. Was engaged for three days with the teams carting clay for filling in Plimmer Terrace. The approach to the bridge over Stansell’s drain in Vogel Street has been widened out to about six feet r, to. the top of tlie bank. Have taken the levels of the footpaths from Venn Street to Margaret > Street. The pipe line and galleries at the intake have been inspected and the water mains have been scoured and are in good order. The handrails oii‘ the bridge on the Main South-road were knocked off last, week; they have been fixed up but vviil want renewing, also some of the decking. The rubbish has been collected and carted to the dump. Adopted. GENERAL. Mr A. Jamieson was appointed poundkeeper. Attention was drawn to the dangerous condition of a verandah in Ballance Street. The owner had been written to, but no reply had been received.—Referred to the Building Committee.

A letter was received from Moynihan Bros, making application'for a refund of rates of unoccupied buildings for last rating year.—Referred, to Finance Committee .

In reply, to the Council’s enquiry re iron rail poles for the electric lights at the Domain, the Wanganui City Council wrote stating that they are using ordinary gas lamp posts that have been discarded since the adoption of the electric light. Over them arms of galvanised pipe have been extended and from these arms a. light is suspended. —The letter was received.