Borough Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 291, 13 December 1904, Page 4

Borough Council.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. ' The ordinary fortnightly meeting 1 of the Borough Council was held in the Borough Chambers on Monday, and was attended by his Worship the , Mayor (Mr H. Cock) and Crs. Cliff. Brooking, Collis, Eraser, Browne, , Ahier, Medley, and Wilson. —Objection to Drain.— Messrs Govett and Quilliam wrote that as a month has now elapsed since notice was given to the owner of part section 649, New Plymouth, through which it is proposed to carry a drain pipe, they sugt;V_\stcd that a resolution be passed as follows That the council appoints (dote to be fixed) for hearing the objection of Mr A. J. Mcintosh to the council constructing a drain in the piece of land used as a right tof way, part section 649, adjacent to the Taranaki Hotel, and that notice be given tb him accordingly. On the Mayor's motion Monday, the l&th inst., at 7.30 p.m., was

fixed. —Complaint.— The Taranaki l , county clerk drew attention to the bad state t»f Avenue Road north of the Mangorei bridge. —The engineer ■. reported that the matter had been attended to. —Lighting Contract.— The Brush Electrical Engineering Company wrote in reference to the electric light contract, stating that it was under the impression that it required the council's seal affixed thereto, and asked that the borough solicitors be again consulted on the matter. It qjuoted a case in which a contractor had been prejudiced owing to the absence of a harbour board's seal. The. May or said the fborough solicitors and Mr Samuel were of the opinion that the seal was unnecessary.

Cr. Collis thought if it were not too late the seal should be attached, in order to satisfy the contractors. He moved that the seal be affixed. "Hie Mayor seconded. Cr. Brooking contended that further legal advice should be obtained. Cr. Fraser expressed similar views. The Mayor objected to referring ill to the lawyers. Cr.' Collis said he moved his resolution only in order to satisfy the extractors, and he would withdraw it* Cr. Brooking moved that a copy of the solicitors' letters he forwarded to the contractors. Cr. Collis seconded, saving that perhaps in the case referred to some technical flaw had occurred. The town clerk said it was ai harbour board contract, the Harlvour Boards Act being different from ehe Municipal Corporation Act. The motion was carried. —Christmas Hdlidays,— The engineer wrote suggesting that the Christinas •holidays for the workmen bo fixed. It was decided to grant two days at' Christmas and New Year. The 'town clerk 'brought up the question of street lighting during the carnival time.

It was decided to request the fins Company to extend the time until 12 o'clock, in terms of their agreement.

—Defective Asphalting.— Mr M. Andrews, Govcr-strect,wrote complaining of the manner in which asphalting' in Eliot-street was performed. He objected to paying for such work.—The letter was referred to "the engineer. —Kebatc of Rates.— Mr Jas. Nicholson claimed a rebate of rates amounting to £2 lis 8d on a shop owned by Miss Nicholson, on part section 913, on the ground that it had been unoccupied for six months.—Agreed to. —Engineer's Charges.— Mr Mestayer forwarded an account for surveys obtained by hiipi for the water, sewerage, and electric lighting schemes, up to March last. Since then all surveys had been done by the borough engineer. The Mayor said he had no idea that thefce extras would be charged for ; he was under the impress-ion that all surveys would be made by the borough engineer. On the Mayor's motion, seconded by Cr. Brooking, the account was referred to the waterworks committee.

—Finger Posts.— Mr H. A. Ixmnon, secretary of the carnival committee, asked that direction signs to the exhibition and Hecreation Grounds be placed at suitable points-; and that the council put in repair the footpath in Goverstreet.

Cr. Brooking moved that the committee be allowed permission to erect posts under the direction of the engineer, and that G over-street be attended to. He said the committee should erect the posts at their own expense. Cr. Fraser was of the opposite opinion, and said he continually met people from the steamers in port asking the way to the Recreation Grounds.

Cr. Collis pointed out that signs to the Recreation Grounds were already put up in several places. He seconded Cr. Brooking's motion. After further discussion Cr. Medley moved as an amendment that the request be acceded to, at a cost not exceeding £5. Cr. Ahiei- seconded. The amendment was carried.

Cr. Collis moved that the present finger posts to the Recreation Grounds, on the Carrington Road, be" placed in more suitable positions. The motion was carried. —'Hie Septic Tank.— Mr R. L. Mestayer, consulting engineer, i, forwarded particulars of ironwork mfuirod from Messrs ErenfieM and Kennedy, England, for the septic tank. Ha estimated the valvss to cost £35 delivered at New Plymouth.

P Mayor said a wire s-hould be despatched to Mr Mestayer hurrying up" the plans. It was disgraceful that they could not get on with their work, as the summer was coming on. On the Mayor's motion, seconded by Cr. Medley, it was decided to communicate with the engineer, —St. Aubyn Street.--Cr. Medley presented a petition from about thirty resident/! of the West Ward, praying that St. Aubynstreet be metalled! from Dawsonstreet to the Town Belt ; that certain paths be asphalted, and that a water, cart be used in St. Aubvnstrcet. The Mayor moved that the petition be referred to thtf works committee, who could go into the matter. He did not know whether the money was intended to be raised by Joan. If it came out of revenue residents in other streets would be calling out for metalling. This was agreed to. —lnspector's Report.— Mr A. H. Kendall, sanitary inspector, in his report referred to tile assistance rendered to him by the late inspector, Mr F. Stohr, on his taking over 'his duties on December Ist. He rqwrtod inspecting several premises in the town ; wartiing a stablckeeper not to remove stable manure during the day time; arranging for the disinfection of a house formerly occupied by a consumptive, and various other matters. The Mayor congratulated Mr Kendall on his report. Cr. Brooking, in endorsing the Mayor's remarks, said for one thing the practice of riding bicycles on the footpaths needed putting down. Persons were in the habit of driving! full speed over the bridge in Ppwderhamstreet, and the inspector should see to this. Cr.- Wilson moved that the inspector be instructed to prosecute persons riding on the paths. This was agreed to, an 3 the report was adopted. —Works Committee Report.— The finance ami work's committees' reports, as already jmblished, were ' adopted. j Cr, Brooking moved that the tcrl>

ing at the western corner of St. Aubyn-street anil Queen-street be done by day labour. Cr, Ahier seconded, ttrnl the motion was carried.

—Drainage Committee Report.— The drainage committee recommended that the Public Works Department be informed that the council does not contemplate extending 1 h.> sewers along Brougham-street further than the intersection of I'ow-derham-street, but would con 11 mm the system as far as the intersection of Vivian-street and construct tho manholes and provide the pipes necessary to| carry the sewer along Vivian-street to awl ] thence along Robc-s'.reet to Bulteelstrcet, provided the Prison Department do the whole of the earthwork and lay the pipes to the satisfaction of the borough engineer. The report was adopted. —Henui Bridge Contract.— The committee appointed to report regarding the final certificate for the| Henui bridge contract recommended that Mr Pikett be allowed £l3 10s for the four pieces of puriri hit was requested not to use in the new bridge ; thai the other items in Mr Pikett's letter lie

not entertained, they being provided for in the siwcilications ; that an offer be made to Mr Pikett without prejudice that provided he pays £O3 10s, the actual loss the council has been put to, the penalty 1 clause for late completion be not enforced, Considerable discussion took place on the various items. Finally Cr. Wilson asked whether Mr Pikett had had the council's offer in writing. Tho engineer said he had gone over the matter with Mr Pikett. Nothing had been placed in writing, though he had every information he asked for. Cr. Ahier considered Mr I'ikett should have been asked to attend the committee meeting. This sort of thing went on too often. All the committees were composed of practically the same two or three men. The Mayor strongly resented Cr. Ahier's remarks. He said Cr. Ahier had refused to act on committees. He asked thq council's protection. The engineer had gone over the matter with the contractor.

Cr. Ahier maintained that he had never refused to act on committees. Cr. Brooking said Cr. Ahier would have been on the committee had he been present at the last meeting of the works commit'!ee. Cr. Fraser contended that "the contractor should -be met in a fair spirit. Finally the ma'tter was deferred for a week, Mr I'ikett in the meantime to receive a copy of the report. —Cameron Street.— Cr. Cliff moved that Cameronstreet be ' metalled to the junction of Eliot-street and John-street, He pointed out that the work had already been authorised for a certain distance. This street was worse than St. Aubyn-street. Cr. Browne seconded. The Mayor pointed out that they were degrading on ordinary revenue; the loan money was all expended. The motion was lost. Cr. Ahier expressed the hope that when other works were brought up, the re-marks about loan money would lie remembered. He said that councillors who had had their own particular streets done up were the

ones who blocked other works. In accordance with notice of motion, Cr. Cliff moved that Mr A. Berridge's tender be accepted foi' the formation of Morley-street. Cr. Browne seconded. Cr. Fraser said he opposed the work now proposed. The council had once rescinded the motion authorising the works, and the tenders were ■ cancelled. The finances of the council were in a bad state. The Mayor : Hunkum. Cr. Fraser : You yourself said so. The Major :No ! 1 referred to the loan fund. Cr. Fraser : That is the same. The Mayor : No ! We have £3OOO or £4OOO ordinary funds to spend if you wish to do so. C'r. Fraser, continuing, said they had rejected a proposal to metal the South Road, which was a main artery to the country, and now they wanted to make a natural bog into an artificial one. Cr. Collis also 1 spoke. Cr. Cliff said if they did nothing it would not lie necessary for them to meet ofteiier than once in throe months. What had they done dur,ng the past yearlt would be better for them if they had no meetings, but bad for the ratepayers. The motion was lost. Cr. Medley asked who authorised the cutting down of the trees on Carrington Hoad. The Mayor said the view there was much improved to-day. The trees had been cut down now for four years. It was a wonderful improvement now the fennell and acacia trees were down, The council then adjourned for a week, the Mayor explaining that by 10 ■doing .the public business would be brought up 'to date before tae holidays.