NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 10 December 1907, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met last night. Present: Ilia Worship the Mayor (Mr.

E. Dockrill), and Councillors Boon, Bellringer, Coleman, West, Collis, Mills, Morey, and Browne. Councillor Cattley forwarded an apology for absence, owing to indisposition. THE CEMETERY.

Mr. C. M. Leppor, secretary to the Hospital Board, forwarded a resolution of Jtlio Board requesting the Council to set aside a piece of ground in the cemetery for the interment of inmates of the Old Pople's Home. Explaining the letter, Councillor Bellringer said the idea was that the plot would be kept in order and beautified by the other inmates. At present the graves were scattered and neglected

•ferred to the Reserves Committee, THE BATHS.

Mr. A. L. Dixon, secretary to the New 1' ..'mouth Swimming Club, applied for the use of the municipal baths on the evening of the 13th inst—Request ac- <•.',-,! to. A LANDOWNER'S COMPLAINT.

Mr. Henry King wrote tint the Council had not kept its agreement with him. His road had not been repaired, and the water from his scour pipe had flowed across his road continuously, causing him much inconvenience and loss in working his farm. He had offered to waive his claim for compensation if the Council would connect his residence with the electric light system free of cost. The engineer had reported that the suggestion was impracticable, as it would lie necessary to carry a wire from Mr. Malone's house to Mr. King's, a distance of 3% miles, because if the light were transmitted direct from the power-house it would be unsteady and unsatisfactory. He bad, however, seen the light in use at both the power-house and the cottage there, and similar light would suit him.

In answer to the Mayor, the engineer said the complaint re scour pipes was an old" one. Everything was now satisfiijctorv.

Referred to the Electric Light Committee. GENERAL INSPECTOR. The committee set up to consider the appointment of a general inspector, dogtax collector, pom d-keeper, etc., recommended to the no.ice of the Council Messrs. Wm. Evctt-, Geo. Hatherly, J. Loveridge, E. P. Li ter, L. K. Webster, and H, J. Wilkie.

Councillor Bellringer moved that the pound-keeping be deleted from the conditions, and fresh applications invited. Councillor Boon considered it impossible for one man to carry out the prescribed duties. Councillor Bellringer: Hear, hear. Councillor Browne: The present engineer is doing it all except the poundkeeping, and doing his engineering work as well.

Councillor Bellringer: And how are you working him Up till midnight every day of the week, and all day Sundavs. It's been a disgrace to the Council.'

The Council then set to work to make an appointment, reducing the names from six to four, four to two, and two to one. Those who survived the first liallot were Messrs. Evetts, Lister, Webster and Loveridge; second billot. Messrs. Webster and FiVetts; and Mr! Evetts was appointed by five votes to four.

DRAINAGE. The Engineer reported the completed the completion of the work in I'owderham, Fulford, and Bulteel Streets. He estimated the cost of sewers in the east ward, to connect with the present septic tank, as follows:—Courlenay Street, £280; Leach Street, £238; Lemon Street, .£140; Gilbert Street, £192; I'endarvcs Street, £344; Cameron Street, £200; Gover Street, £240; Davidson Street, £4O; High Street, £4O; Eliot Street, £'J2; Duller Street, £340; Octavius Place, £72; making a total of £2208, exclusive of works already authorised or those streets previously reported upon, which latter, ineluding Molesworth Street, would bring the amount up to £3ooo—Referred to the Drainage Committee. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. After considerable discussion the Council decided to pay to the Education Board the sum of £SO provided in the estimates for the purpose of encouraging technical education. PROPOSED TANNERY. Mr. G. 11. Liudstrom applied for a, permit to erect a tannery in tile borough upon section 818, Milt lioad. The buildings would be up-to-date, and no nuisance would arise.

The District Health Officer wrote that he saw no reason to refuse permission. Councillor Bellringer objected to such a place being erected near the hospital. Councillor Mills said the Council should be careful in keeping such refuse as tannery refuse out of the Iluatoki stream.

Deferred till next meeting. GENERAL. Mrs. Douglas asked the Council to defer action in removing the clay bank from her Pendarves Street frontage, pending some extensive improvements she intended to effect.—Referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Two applications for assistance in connecting properties with the borough sewer were referred to the Drainage Conimittee, the Mayor remarking that there were likely to be further applications of a similar nature. It was decided to close the borough offices from December 24tli to January 6th for the Christmas vacation.

DOG-TAX. It was decided to call tenders for providing the dog-collars for the ensuing year.

Councillor Browne gave notice to move that the tax be reduced to iis. The Mayor: You make no distinction? Councillor Browne: No, male or female; all the same!