BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 189, 12 August 1903, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Council met on Monday. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Cock), Ci'S. Wood, Bellringer, Smith, Brooking, Collis, Connett, Tisch, Edmunds, Alexander.

Mr Mestayer wrote, applying for a payment of a, further sum of £350 for professional charges, £45 of which was in respect of payment out of pocket. Previous payments amounted to £403. Cr. Alexander moved that Mr Mestayer be referred to the resolution of the Works Committee expressing surprise at the delay in the plans for the electric light supply.—Carried. Mr Mestayer wrote stating that in his revised estimate for water supply he had provided for a 15 inch main, for a 14-inch from the pipe head to the filters, and this would decrease the cost of the reservoir. The total original estimate was £11,626, and he now estimated the work at £9,500 for an improved supply. The filters would also cost about, £4OO less. Messrs McLaren & Co. wrote in reply to an enquiry as to the waste from the crusher, and stating they would make enquiries and give fuller information later ou.

The New Zealand Express Company applied for water supply for an hydraulic lift at their new premises. The Mayor moved that the application be complied with on condition of a meter being used and the Engineer reporting that the waste water could be carried off.—Carried.

Mr E. M. Smith wrote, resigning his position of turncock and suggesting that the Council should grant him leave of absence for three months at full pay. Cr. Edmunds moved that' the resignation be accepted, that the Council record its appreciation of Mr Smith's past services and giant him leave of absence for three months at full pay. After some discussion, iu which it was pointed out that the rata of pay I for the work done in the past had been J very low, and that Mr Smith's services for 20 years deserved recognition, the motion was carried.

The Sinitiry Inspeator reported mueh improvement bad been effetted in the condition of many cf the premises visited, and though uoue of the old buildiugs on which he bad reported b id been demolished, he hoped the demolition would be effected after the visit of the Chif f Health Officer. Six cases of scarlet fever had oocurred in a four-roomed cottage in a thickly populated part of the town. All precautions were being taken to limit the outbreak. There was room for improvement in the condition of vehicles distributing food supplies, tpa meat being brought from the slaughterhouses not being in all cases as cleanly handled as might be. Meat was frequently sent for delivery in uucovered oasketf", instead of having a clean cloth to line the basket and cover the meat, I Bread was often placed on the top of carts uncovered, and some of the milk carts were not as clean as might be.— Received,

The Engineer reported the completion of the tunnel at the Cemetery, and advised that the stream should be cleared on the Cemetery side, Mrt Mitchinson being willing to clear the other side. About nine stone breakers had been engaged for the Abattoirroad, and they bad broke about 130 I yards of stone. The excavations at the bath site was about completed, and tbe concrete walls commenced. The concreting of the walls and floor of the bind rotunda had been completed. The waterworks pumps were working sa'isfactori ! y, tna average pumping hours per week being 76, The Nuisance Inspector reported all licensed vehicles in good repair. The scale of Cdb fares being placed under the seat ot each cab. All boardinghouse keepers, except Mrs Kent, who refused to pay the fee, had been licensed. The kerosene in store on the /es'aimed land was 60 cases, and in fhops 93. Furze was growing on the footpath in Powderham-street, and tree boughs were overhanging, Several Councillors protested against the scale of cab fares being placed under the sea*", as the bye-laws provided for its being exhibited in a conspicuous place. It was decided that Inspector's attention be called to tiia nutter, and tfce byo-law enforced. Also that action ba taken agaicst any ooirding-house keeper not carrying out 'the byp-laws.

On the question of passing accounts, Or. Tisch queried >u item for fypewiiting. The Engi&ear t xplaitei trat ihe charge was for copies of specifications to be Bent to Sydney. The Mayor considered tbe staff should do such work and not employ ou: side labour. Cr. Alexander considered that the expense should have been authorised oy tne Council. The Mayor drew attention to Messrs Weston aed Weston'o account of £7 7s t'or opinion on the Imperial Hotel case, and said he had never seen so large a chirge for small a case, Ha moved that the account be referred back.— Carried.

The Mayor also objected to ft charge for oat sacks, and moved tbat the account for oats be p:id less the charge for sacks.—Carried. | Or. Wood inquired why some men at the crusher received 7 a a day and others Bs. The Engineer explained that the feeder was paid 8s owing to the exceptional nature of the work, j I It ww decided tbat in future nil

Oommit cs ijt. ill- Vku >.-.hy ut.fxre the Council mo :, .H, h»■.'! *!)•<•, rvy amount sonfc in after the Wodneso:iy be no* included ir.t oho l-'s\ The Mayor rwporaVs !:ru';:>3 intcrviewel Mr Weston, who was wiHng to fekb arbitration vaiuo for l-iia 14 foot fi outage rtquuvd f.;r extending Gillairout i.o lkougaaru-street. He con-,-i<i.:red su offer should bo naado co Mj' Mc[»tosb for bi;i Fi'outago.—Referred | to Fiu&nae Committee. r>„ ti, e motion 01 i>, Wood the Ea:aa iuotruc'<j(l to an-anged thst V-.e iunni'l already atatoa a 5 the b.v.'k of Maraiaud Hill should bo continued,' «ith a vi-:-\v to :.m (.ruining if thoro I was a supply of gravid. ilcfonvd to Works (Juii.unii.Ue 1.0 make the sblaotiou, tho Commiiitoo to meet oa Wfdsiea-.iiv,'.