BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 63, 14 July 1903, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thk Council met on Monday. Present; His Wort hip the Mayor (Mr R. Oook), Ore. Smith, Brooking, o>llis, Oor;n<itt, Tiscb, Eduiuuds, Wood, Ballringer, C' •. Connett drew attention to the absence of any light that evening at the Henili bridge. Or. Smith said he was tired of bringing the matter forward. The lamp ! was cut on Saturday night, a moßt im portant night, and it was time somt faction wps t?.';an in the mutter. Or. Wood urged tint the account should not ba paid until the Lmpa wen lit regularly, rs hj« obj iO'ed to ptying for what was not supplied. Or. Tisch moved that a committee, consisting of the Mayor, Ors. Wood •id Smith, be a committee to wait on 'he cba'imm and directors of the Gas Company on the eu'.j ct.—Seconded by Or. O-mnett and carried. Or. Brooking brought up the subject of removal of sand from Reserve E, and asked that the question of ilbwing sand to be remov. d from that Reserve bj referred to the RfSarvee Committee. Mdssrd Govett and Qailliam submitted form of resolution for pissing ind co .firming alterations in bye-kws —Adop'ed, J. F. Hooker wrote asking the Council to rrcopsider its resolution as, t:> levels of King-strejt. A petition from several property iwm-rs on and adjoining the street was pad asking thit the levels as adop'ed Co be adhered to. Or. Ti-ich pointed out tint one bulldog would be buried up for three o> (four fi;e% and ha thought Mr Hooker's oas<* might be mot half way. Or. Wood said ho voted For the leve's is prepared by the Engineer, but he nrsiderod the grade wall ba modified* (Jr. Collis took the same view, and gave nolice of motion to rescind the previous resolution adopt,iug the level*. A. Kalshert wrote urging that the -xfcra lamp applied for in Buller-streat ie supplied as soon as possible. —Referred to the Works Committee. The local agent of tha Government Accident Insurance Department wrot» asking the Council to reconsider his ipplication for accident cover of the Council's mp'.oyees for- the current rear, and quoting pr miums. Mr Sladden forwarded pUn of land and roads at the water intake. The Engineer reported that be had heen engaged on tha plans and specifi cations for the Henui bridge and the -ipacificitiona would be completed on Tuesday. He-had surveyed and mide plans and estimates for a bridge over the Henui to connect Courtenay-street with Ecapital Roid, also plans and estimates for cottage at the power station. He had interviewed the County chairman as to s'orin water on A venue-road, but he appeared unable or unwilling Co find a way out of the difficulty. I' appeared to be a question whether the <vuter can now be diverted into its natural course wherever that may. be. The permment levels from Daws-jn-streei to Robe-street Wiiuld have to be raised in the lowest phce about 2ft 6in., but if kerbad and channelled that would establish the levels. He d : d not care to recommend wooden kerbing at a cost of £3 per chain as against £5 for concrete. Ha es'.imitd the cost of piping, tunnelling and dnin to tap the storm water at the jur.ction of Stand'sh street and Wallace Place at £36. About 500 yards of metal would be required on the road from O'Brien's I corner to the abattoir property and ht<! recommended tenders being called for carting atone and getting same hand broken unless arrangements can be made for a supply by tbe Oounty. (Jrgont repairs hid been effected at the Waterworks and other m : nor matters would be done when the water was low. The willows obstructing the Huatokt at t he corner of Oonrtenay-street had been cut out and slips phnted on the other side. The Waterworks Engineer reported the plant in good working order. Or. Ooilis inquired the reason at> alteration had been made ia cutting down all the willows along the Huatoki instead of removing only one which wa* said to block the stream. Or. Smith also protested ag linst the 'testruction of the willows at the Henu;. He had already inquired who was responsible for that and the Mayor had premised to inquire, but he had heard nothing more of the matter and he objected to this way of doing business. Or. Bellringer protested strongly against the act of vandalism in cutting the willows on the Huatoki and ho would like to know who to blaine. The Engineer is to be instructed to report on the matter. The Wovks Committee reported at» follows: --That tha tender of Mew. Mc Williams and Andrews (Wellington) of £5595 3s for the hadwork, tunnels, and pipe-head, for the gravitation water supply scheme for the borough, be accepted. Other tenders received were: G. Singster (S'ra'fird) £6431 10', Arms'rong and Henrickson (New Plymouth) £7604 19a 9J, Mays and Gordon (Auckland) £IO,OOI ss, Riwson and Ooulaon (Wangenui) £11,409 4q. That Messrs Kyngdm, Berridge and Hay's tender of £32 for removal of earth at tbe Fire Brigade Station be accepted (no other teod<>i received); that the tender of Messr* McWilliams ai:d Andrews for th> Intake Road of £BO be accepted. Other tenders received : A. Chatterto.' £95, E. Till £lO3 3s 4d, Th-mpsoo an t Campbell £lll Is Bd, Aims roup and Hcnriknon £123 10s, Graham and Co. £ll9 16', J. Kemp £155, J. Oaidy £l6O ; th it Messrs Weston and Weston's lecter re compensation to Mr<Webbar re Lemon-street filling be re ceived and they be informed that the Council is prepired to adhere to its original agreement to fill ia small hole on section 1593, but will recognise no further liability ; hit the Borough Engineer prepare estimates of the cost of removing th* earth from Ariki-street and metalline and kerbing boih sides of this street; ( that the question of Oourtenay-stree extension be referred to His Worship the Mayor, Ors. Smi h and Tisoh to >eporr. upon; that no'iee be giv-n to Mr J. O. George to put in larg r pipeunder eecoion 252, sufficient to cam ! the drainage from the laud above it; that the portion of tbe Mangotuku ' stream mentioned in the Engtneer'b 1 report bo cleued out; that Gover- ' street, from Gill-street to Molesworth- ' street, be kerbed and channelled ; that ' the previous resolution passed ordering prosecution for breaches of bye-law No. ! 10 be rescinded ; that a notioe hi inserted in the papers that the bye-laws , be strictly enforced ; that in future all ' persons obtaining permits to cross footpaths with cartw be cmpelled to ? provide p'ank.s to protect ' such planks to be removed ovu-y oral- 1 ing ; that Mr McLtuwi l it'o- iskina f.> rp;,«ilß t'' :i... <•:>.! i f M J i.'. *, r> t-.vl v.. ti.-i k.i- ; Jgiiluol, with illiiti UCliUu;.' lo liKtkui • 'such repairs aa may he necessary;

that' the letter from the Henui Road Boird re extraordinary traffic oa the old Ddvoa Road be received, and they bt informed tint provided the Rmd fl mrd keep in temporary repair the road as fir ea O'B ien'a corcer, the Oonoeil will form, grade, and from O'Bf ie-i'e corner to the abattoir site j that the question of widening the D<;von Rovi be further deferred ; that notice be given to thi Jockey Club that at the expiration of their present lease n 31st Much nest', the Cmnoil will i-econv-s th<» gorse fence on the Avenue •Soul, and substitute a post and wire fence; that t*:e £3l )ugh Engineer cottier with the Borough solicitors concerning the ceme it cont ac'; that the oon--ractor for Brougham street be permitted to suspend his contract until nivsn notice by the engineer to proi'eol, but in the mean'ime no further progress payment to bo made; tbat Mr Etight be info med tliat tbe Council cannot recognise any liability for earth wa-shed into his gully, and that He be 'orwardod a copy of the opinion of thi Borough solocitors on the matter; that Arbor Day be celebrated by a public holiday on Thursday, 16th July; hit permission be granted to M;- J. S. Hyde to ply his calling «8 a bootbhek in the Borough j that a committee consisting of His Worship th-s Mayor end Ors. Oonnett and Bro king be appointed to report on the qu stion of extending Gill-street that W. J. Lynoh's tender of XII 17a 3d be accepted for the cemetery tunnel, •>tb«r tenders: F. Amy £l4 Is Bd, McLean £l4 18) 4d, E Ti 1 £ls, B»1* noivesand Grylird £ls 10s, - ton and Campbell £ls 3s 41, Palmer £l6 13s 61, Christensen £l9 18s; Armstrong <fc Co. £69 10* 81; that Mr A. Fikett's tender of £265 for tbe Band Ro'unda, completed in accord' ince with specifications, be accept*! (other tend, r, Boon Bros. £329); that as the tenders for channelling and kerbing are much in excess of the Engineer's es'imate, no tender be aooepted, but the work be done by day labour (tenders reoaived, Armstrong k 00, £B7 19s 6d, Thompson and Campbell £BO 3j 61); that tbe Engineer attend to Mr Richmond's requeit for repiira at earner of Filiis and Goveratraets, and also attend to his offer to supply several loads of stone in return for a smaller quantity of orushed gnvelj that two extra brushes be ordered with the street swe»pjr; that the Council's accident insurance rwk b j placed with the New Z aiUnd Insurance Company (Mr J. Shaw agent); that the Borough solicitor ba instructed to take whatever steps that may be netwsssry to recover outstanding rates; that His Worship the Mayor, Ors Brooking, Wood, and risen interview Dr. Valiotioe regarding matters connected with the septic tinks; that the Engineer report on the offer of the Masterton Borough Oouooil to sell certain iron pipes; that Mr H. ' King's letter asking for £l5O extra for permanent rights of way over the new i road to the Intake be received and a , copy of his previous letter be sent to him; that Mr Spencer, Borough Engineer, be appointed to test all cement t delivered under the cement oontract, and tiut the Now Z aland Cement Oompmy and Wilson and Company be [ notified of the appointment; that t , new dray be procured; that a notioe j be advertised regarding all persons who ; desire to be licensed under tbe byej laws as drain connectors to give in ' their names to tbe Borough Engineer; , that the plans of the Henui bridge U now scheduled be approved, and be forwarded to the Borough solicitor with instructions to take tbe necessary steps to ohtain one-half of the oost of construction from the County Council; that the water supply to the premises occupied by the Fresh Food and Ice Co. ba cutoff; that the Engineer bt instructed to complete the road to the abattoirs in accordance with the arrangement with the Honui Road Board; that tbe following applications for lodging noma licenses be granted: W. Moon, E. Liveridge, R. Mom, E. Carter, H. Dixon, Hayes k Ohatterton, G. Arrowsmith, B. C. Jamieson, O. Male k Co., Carter k Weloh, A. Foley, Caddy Bros., A.'Johnston, W. Stride, 0. Harris, Mrs K. Djuglas, J. R. Palpker. The Mayor stated that the Engineer estimated the cos", of the Courtenaystreet extension at £I2OO, and as the estimated cost of a temporary bridge at '.ha Henui was estimated at £3OO, of vhich the Tilue of the material when taken down would be £IOO, it was considered advisable not to go on with the proposed extension. Or. Tisch moved that the part of the report relating to accident insurance ba not adopted and that the Government [nsurtnee Office be substituted for the New Zealand Office. Afrer come discussion the motion was lost. Cr. Bellringer asked whether it would not be as well to join the Henui Road Board with the County as contributors to the Henui bridge. He contended that the ratepayers in 'ths vicinity ought to pay mora than those at Waitara. Cr. Oonnett considered the County would get tbe benefit, and Mr Samuel had advised the Council not to include the Road Board. Cr. Smith moved that the committee appointed to ir quire into the Courts-nay-street extension bj re-constituted, with a view to pracure an offer for ths innh'en giving access to the Hospitalroad. Cr. Connett deprecated spending money on another bridge. Cr Bellringer moved that the quagti m of joining the Henui Rnd Boird is contributors to the Henui bridge be referred to the solicitors for their opinion. Or. Wood seconded the motion. O. Connect pointed out that if this proposal were adopted the Borough would contribute half cost and the remaining half would be borne by the two looal bodies. The motion was carried. Tbe Works Committee's report was then adopted. Che Reserves Committee reported as follows:—That upon the Borough % Solicitors repor'iog that all deeds are "X ' in order and all rent and coits paid, leave be granted to Kathleen Leahy to .'rant an underlease of lot 2of B'otion I, block 111., Ngaire, S.D.; that Mr Simmons' application for lease of portion of the Waterworks Reserve bs deferred until the committee has an opportunity to inspect the Reserve; tint contractors having contracts on hand at present be permitted to remove sand from Reserve Eat Is per load, but that upon c impletion of their contracts they be charged the usuil fee of 2s per load. On he motion of Or. Brooking the clause ref.irrin? to removal of sand from Reserve E was dcUted and ths, muter refer.ol back to ihi oinauttte (Jr. ftellringdr ridv>catfld further • .1-n-in.r o V.-nil' 1? } ~ f ,n ArW [Oontinxwl on puge 4.) "i ■ I

Or. Tiscb. considered that tree planting in the Borough in the past had b.en a failure. The report as amended was adopted. (Jr. Oollis asked for authority for the R servis Committee to spend up to £ls on planting and beautifying Reserve E during the year. He con•idee d the Council wouln be receiving that amount for eacd off the Reserve. Cr. Bellringer moved that £5 be fn horised for improving Weolcombe Tor. ace. *.->. Wood urged £7 10a should be v >te I so as to allow the purchase of b)ce dust. I he expenditure of £ls and £7 10s was authorised. Uu the question of accounts Gr, Goliis inquired who passed the fuiz9 flubbing at the Cemetery and Reserve E., as the work was very unsatisfactory. The Engineer said the caretaker had toll him the work was finished. Or. Collis stated that the Sexton had, in reply to a question as to whether the work was done, merely said the furze Was cut and the man had gonp. Or. Smith strongly protested against Hie laxity in this matter. The Council pajd an engineer £3OO a year for his Mrvicee, and as the engineer let the contract, he should have seen it was carried out. Or. Brooking considered the engineer could not be expected to run about and k> k after a £3 10s job. O*. Wood supported Or. Smith's views, and contended that whether the job was for £3OOO or £3, the same supervision should be exercised. Or. Oonnett agreed to the principle, but thought in the present case the ergineer was not to blame, as he had feken the word of the caretaker, The Mayor stated that in the Gas Company's account there was a charge of £l7 for mantles, 410 being charged for.

Or. Bellringer stated the Company had to supply three mantles per lamp per year and that there 96 lamps. Or. Wood objected to pay for lamp 3 which were not lit, and he moved that the account be not passed. After some further discussion the ecxrantß were passed except the Gas Company's and Messrs. Smart's. ' Or. Smith said that although soma weeks back a promise had been given that the footpath between Hobsonand Watson-streets should be attended to nothing bad been done and he pointed oat that in i+s present state the path was dangerous to the public. He also complained that the.Gill-street crossing had not tent attended to. The the Engineer's time 'hid been fully oscupied on the Henui : bridge dans. Or. Bellringer pointed out that ] though the Council now had a full staff is seemed that less work was done than previously. He did not wish to ba considered as worrying the Engineer, but what he complained of was want of system. The foreman could very well * have attended to the matters mentioned if he bad been instructed to do so. The Mayor said he would note the i matters and have them seen to. Or. Oollis moved that a man be employed to complete the fuiz3-grubbing -»t the cemetery. The Mayor said it should be attended to.

Or. Bellringer inquired why the fountain authorised to be put up at the ojmetery had not been erected. Or. C'ollis replied that the Committee had not sufficient funds, and he suggested the Council should, when visiting the Waterworks, inspect the Cemetery. Or. Oollis moved that Mr Oolson be informed that had the amended byelaws been in operation when be erected hie building in Ourrie-street his application would probably have been favourably considered.—Carried. Or. Bellringer, pursuant to notice, ' moved that Committee business be open to the Press. He pointed out that under the present system most of the ObunaTs business was threshed out in Committee and the public were kept in ignorance of the reasons for the resolutions arrived at, and Councillors were frequently put in false position. The motion was supported by all the Councillors and carried. Or. Bellringer, by leave cf the Council, moved that inquiries be made relative to the suitability and cost of motor conveyances for passengers. He referred to the action taken by Wanganui on -the subject, and pointed out that as the Council would* probably, in the near future, have to go to the ratepayers for further powers, this question might be included.—Carried. The Council rose at 9.55 p.m.