SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Shannon News, 30 November 1928, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL

fortnightly meeting.

The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, there being present: The Mayor (Mr B. Butt) and Crs W. 11. Cunning, B. Downes, J. Curran, sen., R. Ilook, A. E. Hyde, and T. C. Thwaites. ESTIMATE FOR MAIN IIIGHYVAA PURPOSES. The clerk of the Horowhenua County Council writing in reply to the Council's request as to when it would be convenient for his Council's Engineei to give an estimate for the permanent surfacing of the main highway througn the Borough of Shannon, stated that at >a meeting of his Council, he had been directed to state that, 'as the .time of the Engineer would be fully engaged on County work for some condderable time, the Council regretted that he would be unable to undertake any work for the Borough at present. In view of the position, it was suggested that this Council obtain the necessary report from some other source. •Cr. Hook said he did not know if it was advisable for the Council to be too eager to get on with this work, as the terms with the, Highway Board seemed to improve as time went on and it might be as well to deal with the reply as received. The Mayor said that, as it was likely the Horowhenua County Council would carry out the work, lie thought it best to hold over the question of getting an. estimate of the cost, as the Borough Council had no money at present for that purpose. This course was adopted. , INCREASES IN 'SUBSIDIES PAY- ’ ABLE ON MAINTENANCE AND BRIDGES! A circular letter Was received from the District Engineer stating that, as from the Ist of April, -1028, all expenditure on maintenance and all expendtiure on new bridges was to be subsidised on tlie basis of £2 for £l. Where a subsidy on expenditure since the Ist of April last had already been ■paid, the necessary , adjustment would be made. The increased subsidy would apply to secondary highways as well as to primary highways, and also to main highways in boroughs. The basic rate of subsidy for maintenance work was fixed a" £2 for £l, and for construction at £1 for £1 on work other than bridges. Special cases, would be dealt' with by the Board on their ■merits, and it would be necessary as heretofore for local authorities to show good reason for receiving better subsidies than those set down as the basic lates. The increased rate of subsidy was not intended to reduce any subsidies' being paid at a higher rate than £2 for £l,.aior was it proposed to make any increase in subsidies which were at present being paid on a £2 for £1 or higher basiss, unless there were very special circumstances and the case ha 1 been represented to the Board and approved. The,Town Clerk stated that the increase would make a difference of £37 on the Main Highway and £ls on the Foxton-to-Shannon road. Of course, he said, the Council had to do the work. The letter was received. FENCING OFF ROAD. Mr Rod McKenzie wrote applying for a lease of 'a strip of ground round property leased by him in Grey Street. The Mayor said the Council had not power to lease the road, but the applicant could erect a fence at his own risk.

Cr. Downes: “This sort of thing has got to be watched closely; othenvise we will have everyone wanting to fence off portions of road.” In this case there Av*as a large area of land, but if a fence was erected it Avould be at the applicants ’ own risk. < The matter was left to Cr. Downes, to make an inspection, Avith power to act.

HEAVY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS

The Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department Avrofce stating that ia movement had been promoted by owners of heavy vehicles,, with (the object of inducing the Government to discontinue the regulation .which authorises local authorities to charge heavy traffic license fees. In order that the matter might be properly considered at a conference -which is to be held in the NeAV Year, he Avould be glad to have a statement of the amount the Council h'ad received each year since the heavy traffic regulations came into force, together with a -shore indication of the use to Avhich the money had been put. The Town Clerk was instructed to forward the information asked for. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT.

The Health Officer (Mr J. 11. Huggins) reported as follows: Infectious disease eases investigated, nil. Sanitary inspections: Habitations H, food sellers’ premises, 3; plumbing and drainage. He stated in his report that it was pleasing to present a “nil” return for infectious diseases for the month of October.—--Received. WATER RATES AT SCHOOL.

A letter was received ' from the Wellington Education Board stating that all water rates on account oft the School from Ist April, 1928, would be paid by the Board, and that consumption previous to that date must be paid by the Committee; also that all water hates on account of the headmaster’s residence were payable by the Board.

• ROADMAN’S REPORT. \ The- roadman (F. Haley) reported on the month’s work as. follows: —Have carted IOOf yards of metal on to Thompson, ißallance, and Margaret Streets and Plimmer Terrace; also on. to footpath in Ballanee Street as far as S. Millar’s gate; and carted 132 yards of'sand to the shed. Had grader on Stafford, Margaret and Grey Streets, and the main road from boundary to boundary. Have grubbed grass on side of road in Plimmer Terrace and Ballance Street. The pipe line and galleries have been inspected, and scoured Water mains. Rubbish has been col-

lected and carted to dump. Fifteen drums of tar have come to hand. Will require some 9x2 planking to repair kerbing between W. fi. Gunning’s and Albion Hotel; also new hose for cleaning paddling pool; the old one being past repair. Cr. Downes said that it was only a matter of a few years since the planking was put down, and if more was put down and it lasted no longer, it was going to be expensive. He said he recognised that it was going to be a costly job, whatever was done. . It was decided to procure the timber for repairing the kerbing; also <a new hose for the paddling pool. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger (J. Svvindlehuist) reported that since his last- report he nad impounded one cow; while four other head of stock had been claimed by owners when being driven to the pound. He reported that the hc-rd of cows that had been on the streets during the flood period had been, well herded. —'Received. THE CEMETERY.

Or. Hyde reported that the earth had been removed off the at the Cemetery and a man had been put on to cut the grass around the graves and trim up the plots. Referring to the Council's section next to the cemetery, he said the foreman had suggested to him putting in a mower and cutting the grass for hay for the horses. —Adopted. ROAD COMMITTEE. Cr. Downes reported the, borough roads to be in fairly good order, 'and that everything was progressing satisfactorily. Soon after Christmas the committee, intended getting on with the tarring of footpaths. Cr, Hyde asked if it Avas possible to put the mower over the grass on the sides of the main streets.

The Council were of opinion that it would be a rather costly proposition, owing to the rough nature of the roads; but it was decided' to give it a trial, Cr. Curran, sen., being authorised to engage a man with a mower. Cr. Hyde said that, now that the grass had been taken off Plimmer Terrace between the station gates and the monument, he thought that if the grader was put over it occasionally it would, help to keep 'it clean. Councillors did not approve of the idea, as the grader would only help to cultivate the grass. It was decided to purchase sufficient weed destroyer to treat the piece of road mentioned.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW BRIDGE. Cr. Curran, sen., expressed the opinion that the Council should meet soon and appoint a clay for the official opening of the new bridge over the Manawatu river.

The Mayor pointed out that the con trolling bodies would have to be inter viewed in the matter.

The Mayor and Town Clerk were appointed to make enquiries, the former stating that Mr Gagliardi had assured him that the road would be open for traffic in a fortnight’s time.