SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Shannon News, 25 January 1929, Page 3

SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL

fortnightly meeting.

The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr B. Butt) and Crs. Vf. H. Gunning, T. C. Thwaites, R. .Downes, A. E. Hyde, R. Hook, Jas. Curran, jun. The postmaster, Mr H. C. Jones, reported that on the morning of 21st. January, one of the Council’s nightsoil pans was found in the private box lobby at the Post Office. He stated that as this is not the first time the. offence has happened, he would be obliged if the Council would take the matter in hand, so that the offenders may be brought to book. —The r°wn. Clerk stated that, he had reported the mater to the officer-in-charge of the '(Police Department, asking for Ins assistance in an endeavour to bring the offenders *before the Court. The Town Clerk’s action was enMAln’ HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE. A circular was received from the District Engineer stating that the Main Highways Board had expressed disappointment at the non-expenditure, or the slow expenditure of grants for Main Highways . construction. He wrote that he was directed to urge that every effort be made to accelerate progress by the employment of all available teams and plant, as well as workmen who can be economically placed. , The Town Clerk said that the Borough had not yet carried out any construction work. As far as-: claims for maintenance for the main'' highway through the borough this had cost the Council £463 18s, but of this amount he expected to receive back £167. Tlie old Foxton road had cost £IOB 11s, of which they would receive back £67* The ’ maintenance of those roads was very heavy. • In reply to Cti. Curran, jun., as to why there was such a difference m the proportion of tl\e amount of allowances to be received/back from the Board, the Town Clerk stated these were based on the cost paid by the . adjoining • counties. . In the first, case they were right up: to the limit. Cr. Thwaites pointed out that by capitalising the amount, it showed what a good .wicket the Council will be on by bitumenising these roads. .The letter was received. v : DONATION GRANTED.

A request for a donation towards the initial expenses of obtaining a guarantee for the doctor was received from the Shannon Medical 'Committee. —On the motion of Cr. Curran, jun., it' was decided to grant the sum of £8 ' MAILS TO MOUTOA. Cr. Hyde said that now the bridge ovei' % the Manawatu river was open, the attention of the Postmaster-Gen-eral should be drawn to the delay in getting mails to and from Moutoa and Shannon. Under present arrangements a letteT to Moutoa is sent fo Levin, then on to Foxton and from there to Moutoa, taking two. days to reach its destination. He understood that, the present mail contract had nearly two years to run, but now the bridge is open a new arrangement should be made.

■ Cr, Curran, jun., Said they should receive some consideration seeing tha.t the bridge is open and on his motion it was decided to write to the Post-master-General asking that these mails / be re-arranged. THE FOOTPATHS. Cr.- Downes reported that the Road Committee had made an inspection of the borough, particularly the footpaths. In regard to the latter they recommended trying out one of the fi-ew brands of tar on two of the paths. Cr. Curran, jun., said that in conversation with, the manager of the Dannevirke gasworks, he had ascertained that a supply of coal tar cap be procured from them at 9d per gallon Cr. Downes said he preferred the coal tar if it wa3 procurable. It was decided to procure eight barrels and if it should prove satisfactory an order be placed for aMurther plyPROTECTION OF MANAWATU.

The Mayor and Town Clerk reported having attended a conference of delegates at Palmerston North that day of all the local bodies interested in dealing with the flood menace in the Manawatu, when a modified scheme of river protection was submitted by Mr F. C. Hay, engineer to the ManawatuOroua River Board. After a lengthy discussion no finality was reached. They had refused to support the scheme oa the grounds that moral support might involve a financial contribution later. The outcome of the conference was that the local bodies will be circularised with a view to arranging a deputation to the Government. *

The delegates were thanked for their report and the action-taken by them.

RANGER’S; REPORT.

The ranger (J. Swindlehurst) reported that since his last report he had impounded three head of stock.

GENERAL,

The Town Clerk reported that an ' owner offered to sell hiß house to the Council on easy terms, so that it could be let by them to a resident doctor.— The offer was declined. .' Mr C. Veale’s application for the grass in the cemetery was granted. Cr. Thwaites drew attention to the danger of the overhanging branch of a tree at the corner of Ilallance and Venn Streets.—Cr. Downes was authorised to have it removed. The action of the Beautifying Comntittee lii clearing the plftts opposite ; , the* Albion Hotelj was approved of. The committee being thanked for the ’ good work they are doing. Cr. Gunning said that before, the work of bitumenising the main street is commenced, the two underground t : culverts for carrying the flood water

across the road should be taken up and pipes be re-laid in concrete. It was decided to writg/ to the Main Highway Board pointing out that as Sheehan Street 'is now declared . a main highway that financial assistance be given the Council tc enable them to put the road in order.