NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81833, 28 August 1906, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was he.d on Monday evening. Present: His Worship the Mavor (Mr E. Dockrill) and Crs. Montcath, Bcllringcr, Wilson, Brooking, CoUis, Uutcticn, Browne . and Webster. ' Mssrs Okcy and RoUo asked it the Council'would sell the turbines at the old waterworks, and at what price..—The Council has no intention at present of dismantling the old waterworks. Mr F. Bayly wrote that he had no objection to the proposed filling in Gilbert street encroaching on his property, provided the work was expeditiously completed ,and fences to be re-erected and things generally left in proper order without expense to him.—Cr. Bellrmger, in moving the acceptance of the offer, referred to Mr Baylv's generosity in so meeting the Council. The Mayor seconded, and the offer was accepted. Mr W. Kerr complained of the frightful state of Fulford street, leadini' from Brougham street to Marshland Hill. It was "up the axles m mud, and certainly gave a bad impression of the place and of municipal management to the numerous visitors, who. almost invariably climbed the hill to enjoy the view. Referred to the Works Committee. THE TUNNEL AGAIN.

Mr J. W. Tong, late assistant overseer under the Council, wrote that as Mr Mestaver had taken it upon himself to throw upon the contractor the responsibility for the leak in the waterworks tunnel, wondering how the inspector could have passed it, the writer was certain that when the engineer made such remarks he had not the slightest knowledge or how the side drive had been closed, and under what instructions. Mr Tong denied the statement that the side drive had been filled with roots, rubbish, and lumber of all sorts, and explaining how it had been done, at the same time disclaming any responsibility. In regard to Mr Mestayer's recommendation to fill in with "good clayey material otherwise anyescaping water would inevitably sooner or later find a new outlet," the writer asked how it was the engineer had not thought of this at the time—The Mayor said it was impossible to form an opinion on this matter without seeing the specification, and he had been told there was no specification.—The letter was received.

The Wellington City Council wrote that the City Solicitor was paid a fixed salary, and his charges for perusal of leases were paid into the Council's general account, the fees varying from ii to 10 guineas This course will be adopted he.re. THE TOWN CLOCK.

Mr W. L. Newman, for the Town Clock Committee, wrote asking the Council to pay into the public account the principal, £225, and accrued interest, &$, in all .6300, in order to prevent further delay in obtaining the town clock. Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., telegraphed from Wellington: "You must pay in the £3OO and apply for clock, stating the class you require,; then it will be procured without delay:"—The Mayor announced the money would be paid into the bank to-day (Wednesday), several councillors expressing surprise that the clock had not been supplied as promised by Sir Joseph Ward when interviewed on this matter. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Mr Kendall, Borough Engineer, reported, inter alia, that the work in connection with the stopping of the leak at the side drive was now well under way; arrangements had also been made to enable Mr Grayling' to enter the tunnel to carry out his agreement with- Mr Gibbon to stop the leak at the contractor's sump under the Mangamahoe stream. In

company with His Worship the Mayor he met the Public Works Engineer (Mr Cook) at the railway station on the 21st inst., re the gaol sewer, and laid the matter of suggested joint action before him. Mt Cook promised to give the matter further careful consideration, and communicate with the Council later. The work of house connection had not been neglected, and sanitary work was in progress since the last report at the Terminus Hotel, Messrs Grayson and .Cock, Healv, White, Ward, E. C. Griffiths, W. Brown, O'Neill, and was about to start at Messrs F. W. Hall's, Collier Piano Co., H. H. Ward, while several other premises were about to be taken in hand. Baths alterations were wll on towards completion. Mr Ewing had drawn his attention to a"dangerous filling in Gill-street, near his residence, which should be fenced for the public safety. In spite of careful inquiries, I have so far been unable to discover the name of the person who deposited rubbish in Hobson and another street, but I do not intend to lose sight of the matter, concluded the report.

lii answer to questions, Mr Kendall said Mr Grayling would complete his repairs next week; the filling- of the side drive would take rather more than a fortnight.

Dealing- with the mattter of Mr Herberts application for leave to dispense with brick wall, Crs Brooking and \\ ilson drew attention to the danger of allowing- nests of wooden buildings m the town centre. The Council must take a define, stand' and have the bylaws enforced. Cr Be , l 'f il -'«R r s P° k e '« a similar strain. 1 ho Works Committee will report I he engineer was authorisd to sue those property-owners who refused to construct proper crossings, and in all future cases tq t»ko action with- ;■'" reporting to the Council where bylaws were infringed. The foreman reported on the work of the past fortnight. Cr Brown moved that the channelCo?np">? eVOn " 10ct wm ' f ™m Mr „„ \ * corner towards the, coiv vent be proceeded with, at an estimatd cost or £45, providing- proper-ty-owners agree. ■ The foreman's report stated the ork of kerbmg the footpaths would mJZ f W,t ' ,oUt affcctinff the P«h next the fences, sider^lTr 0 " " M CarrM » aftCr c »- sule able discussion. The foreman was authorised to efcrushor CeSSa i > '," pairs totl > e stone «™Wd to h,S ° thor refiUisitionS 7 ,o'n n, 00 ™"?!. 1 i" len ad io«™ed till 7-30 p.m. on Wednesday.