SHANNON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Shannon News, 9 August 1929, 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. T.-C. Thwajtes, A. E. Hyde, R. Downes, R. Hook, Jas. Curran, jun., S. Anderson, R. Laurvig and Jas CurrDISPUTE OVER-ROAD SETTLED.

Mr S. Millar wrote regarding the dispute over use of a surveyed roadway, at the top end of Vance Street, which is at present fenced, stating that Mi Peach and himself had come to a sat-

isfactory arrangement.—Carried. LETTER. OF THANKS. A letter was received from the Town Clerk of Westport conveying .the sincere thanks of his Council for the Council’s symapthy with the residents ot Westport and district in the damage caused by the recent earthquake. The letter stated that the residents in the affected areas have been deeply touched by the messages of sympathy and the practical Kelp which has been ieceived'from all parts of the Dominion. “West Coasters appreciated all that has been done and is being done to assist'them and will not forget,” stated the Town Clerk. > UNIVERSAL HALF HOLIDAY. Mr J. Linklater, M.P., tvrote acknowledge receipt of petition the ■ Council protesting against the .Saturday afternoon half holiday movement. He assured the petitioners that he was thoroughly in accord with their views oh this subject. He realised, he stated, that Saturday was the only day on which country people could shop wita : convenience, owing to school being carried on during 'every other shopping day of the week. He pointed out that it seemed only reasonable that each community should be allowed to judge which day suited them best so far as the weekly half holiday, is concerned.

‘ TOWN CLERK’S REPORT. Thp Town Clerk, reported that he had received no further correspondence from the Railway Department regarding sanitary .improvements at the railway trucking yards. In respect to the damage done to the “ silent policeman” recently by a motor lorry, the owner of the lorry had written asking that the account for repairs be forwarded to him. This has been done, 'viz., 10s (repairs 5s 6d, cartage 4s 6d). During the) past month 12 s 6d was received from the Pound-keeper for poundage fees 7s 6d and 5s driving Cost, of new load scarifier, £5 12s 6d. Cost of metal, Sheehan Street, on the 31st July, ,4s 7d per yard; on the Ist August,,, §s )3d pei’ yard. Borough election expenses: 1927, £32 15s; *1929. £2O 2s. . . f ; fW a t,er Supply; iLpan. Account Credit .3ess/«.ccounts aa* hand £73 ' 3 Ks 4d, *cr“. 'balance £l6 Os 10d. Cost of- laying water to Cemetery Road (new pipes only), £6l 18s sd; including old pipes £74 Os Id. ROADMAN’S REPORT.

Tile Acting Borough. Foreman _ reported that during the past fortnight 106| yards of metal had been put on the Sheehan Street Main Highway. The Waterworks received the usual inspection and water mains scoured out. Attention given to water tables in Clapham, Grey, ' Grand, and Vogel .Street, Bast Road, Nathan Terrace, and Pljmnier Terrace. Owing to the decent heavy rain pipes near the,Fire Brigade station were washed . out, it being necessary to cart clay and repair same. A consignment of 10 drums of tar has arrived. Metal is being obtained from the Borough Pit.—Received. .

DISTRICT ENGINEER INSPECTS SHEEHAN STREET.

V. Cr. Downes, chairman of the Works Committee, reported that during last N week the District Engineer of the Public Works Department had inspected Sheehan Street. The latter had informed him that it was Sheehan Street that the Board referred to as not being maintained up to standard and he had admitted that the remainder of the Borough highways were up to requirements. They had discussed the question of subsidy, but the Engineer had stated that the Council had no hope of getting more than a £2 to £1 subsidy, as they were not paying it aiiywherA Continuing, Cr. Downes said that meant they would have to do the work on Sheehan Street with their own men at the expense of the rest of their main highway. He had told the Engineer that he thought if they were given time the Council could do the job and thus keep other roads up to standard. He suggested that the work could be done at the Council’s pleasure. The 106 yards of metal that have since been put on has brought the road up to the required standard, • but it wants to be widened. The Engineer .stated that the drain on the one side was certainly not right, but he could see no way to alter it and they would have to do the widening on the* other side. He did not think the drain would be dangerous. Cr. Downes said he did not think it would be a very expensive job. Cf. r Hyde moved that the Counci, proceed to form Sheehan Street to the required width, the work to be done by their own staff. Cr. Curran, jun., pointed out that it miglit be advisable to put on an extra' man so as to get the full benefit . of the teams ,and he thought this matter should be left to the Roads Com: Qlltt66 Cr. Hyde said his motion did not mean to nail the Road Committee down as to whom to employ. Cr. Downes said the job would have t 6 be done as opportunity offered and would mean perhaps putting men or. and off. Cr. Anderson asked if the plant was adequate to cope t with the work. Had : they got a.plough and scoops? Cr. Downes replied that they had no

scoops, but no doubt a scoop lvould be very useful on this job. Cr. Hyde’s motion was carried and the Road Committee ivas empowered to purchase a scoop when one is required. GENERAL. Ci\ Hyde reported that the stop cock on the water pipe near Mr K. Carter’s property had broken in half and the water had been running to waste. He had replaced it with a tern porary one. —Referred to the Waterworks Committee. Three applications for a load of metal to be placed at the entrance to houses was granted. * Attention was drawn by Cr. R. Hook to the need for a turn-table for vehicles on the road past the Mayor |s residence. He said the road at this point was very narrow and it was impossible for a vehicle to turn without driving into the Mayor’s gateway and then backing into the drain, with the result that a big puddle has formed. The Mayor, endorsing Cr. Hook’s complaint, said that a load of metal would be a great boon. —The matter was referred to the Works Committee with power to act. Referring to the suggested improvements to the plot in Plimmer Terrace opposite the Club Hotel, Cr. Curran, jun., reported that he had received an offer from tw o Ideal residents to plough and disc the plot. —Left to the Beautifying Committee to deal Avith. LEASING UNFORMED STREETS. The-following motion was moved by Cr. Downes: “That the Government be asked to provide legislation whereby Borough Council’s be given authority to fence off and lease unformed streets in boroughs providing such unformed streets are not being used by the public. ’’ The mover suggested that the motion, if carried, be handed on to the next Municipal Association’s conference. He pointed out the motion referred to those roads that are not being used as thoroughfares. He stated that the approximate area of unformed streets was 20 acres.

The motion wa>s seconded by C ! r. Hyde. The Town Clerk said the mover had suggested that the motion be handed on to the next Municipal Association’s Conference. He pointed out that the conference would not be held until March next, therefore he would recommend, if there was any urgency, that the motion be forwarded to our member and he be asked to go into the matter.

The motion on being put to the meeting was carried and it is also to be brought under the notice of the member for the district.