BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 25, 23 February 1909, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met last night, present: His Worship the Mayor (Air. G. Tisch), presiding, Councillors Boon, Bellringer, Coleman, West, Collis, Mills. Morcy, Cattley and Browne. EXULNEER'tJ KIEiPOKT. The engineer, Mr. A. H. Kendall, reported:— Tarring v. oil.—ln accordance with instructions I have made a trial of pet-1 roleum and tar for the purpose of combatting the dust nuisance, and would strongly recommend at least another dressing of tar in a few days on the tarred portions of the streets should the weather continue favorable, and after that observation and experience should show which is the most preferable dressing—under local conditions—of the two. The second dressing of tar would require about twenty to twenty-live barrels, and I bog to ask your Council's authority for the purchase of this and also of at least thirty barrels in addition for the large amount of 'patching requiring to 'be. done to footpaths, as some of these have received very little attention for a very long time. Channelling and metalling.—l am preparing a list of metal, channelling and other works requiring to be carried out during the next year, and will shortly have this completed. Waterworks by-pass—The whole of the spiral pipes have now come to hand, and we are awaiting the promised arrival of a large valve still required, when this work will be pushed on and shortly completed. Water main, Mill road.—The re-lay-ing of this main has been commenced.

Waterworks reticulation. Several matter* in the general upkeep of this have had attention, and a sharp lookout is being kept for any waste or unnecessary use of water. In a -supplemental)' report he wrote: Waterworks—The waterworks cavetake r reports that there is during the present very dry spell a very great consumption of water, so much so, in fact, that he has had sonic difficulty' in keeping the reservoir full, lie also reports having cleaned the filters and screens as required, and done the necessary Hushing. Willi regard to the alleged waste E have given strict instructions to all officials to immediately to report any case of wanton or unnecessary waste of water coming under notice, and. beg to point out again, that the provision of a water-level indicator at the reservoir and a supply of quartz for the filters would be of great advantage, while the installation of meters on, air mains as they enter or leave the town would very greatly assist in showing the exact area in which any abnormal use or I miis-use of water is going on. Inspector Evetts reports that he has notilied several people re overhanging trees and has had these cut bad! t-j tho boundary in several places, also noxious weeds removed. He also reports the collection of several license fees, while in the matter of infectious disease ho has taken all -due precautions in two cases of scarlet fever which were reported. Ik two other cases of other diseases which were reported some time ago it was established beyond doubt that they originated in towns outside New Plvmouth.

The. Council discussed the question of shortage of water, and the opinion was expressed that the street-flushing was causing a good deal of waste.

Cr. Browne said that the trouble was at. the other end. The Council constructed a tunnel Bft by sft, inside measurement, but where it passed under the .Miing.iuiahoe stream the tunnel had been contrasted to 3ft lOin by Ift Din. Tie could not see that there was any-

thing else to blamo for the reported shortage of water, and he would like

the whole matter to be referred to the engineer for a fuller and stronger report. The whole of the reports were referred to tin'. Works Committee. WORKS COMMITTEE.

The Works Committee's .report was read, as published. In reference to Messrs. Smart Bros.' reported breach of the by-laws by extending a sewer and connecting buildings without the prescribed permit, the town clerk reported that the application for a permit hud been received. Cr. Mills questioned the avisability of the Council's undertaking the maintenance of Clemow road, in the Fit/.roy town district, leading to the abattoirs land tho Council's .stone depot.—The'

Mayor and Cr. Bellriager explained that the' agreement was very satisfactory to the Council, for the road had to be kept in tip-top order for the Council's traffic and not necessary for that of Eitzvoy. and in return tlie Town Board charged the Council nothing for tlie extraordinary traffic of the Council passing over its roads.

Cr. Mills also dissented from the practice of charging local bodies a royalty for stone carted over the borough streets.—The. Mayor said that considerable damage to the streets resulted from the cartage of metal from the Waiwakailio to the Toads' eastward of the borough. THE BATHS.

The Baths Committee recommended: That permission be given to the Swimming Club to hold the West Coast championship meeting at the Baths on Thursiilay, February 25th. That the Council be recommended to pass for payment the balance of Messrs. Wallaih I Bros.' account, viz., i' 7ls lid. That, I with the exception of members of the Swimming Club engaged in practise, all bathers be charged usual rate after timetable hours. That th° custodian be instructed l» keep a separate record of all money taken after time-table hours. That the .Swimming Club be informed that tliey must on no account use the laundry, except at sports and championship meetings. In connection with Wallaih Bros.' account it was explained that the firm had made a contract with the late carptaker for the erection uf the chute, and the work had not been fully paid for. LESS FREQUENT MEETINGS. Councillor Tiellringer moved, according to notice, that Council meetings lie held monthly instead of fortnightly. The monthly meetings, lie urged, were quite sullicient, as they had been before the big loan expenditure had brought about u change. Councillor Mills seconded. Several Councillors thought the matter beyond the province of a Council that was so soon to go out of ollice. In reply to a suggestion that under the new order of things there would be more ratepayers willing to undertake the couucillorship in future, Councillor Browne said that sort of man wasn't wanted. The -Mayor pointed out that this Council did not go out of ollice till the end of April or the beginning of May. The motion was carried by 8 votes to 2, and the system of monthly meetings will be initiated in March." THE WARD SYSTEM.

Councillor llellringer moved, and Councillor Collis seconded, that the ward system in the borough ho abolished. The Town Clerk detailed tho formal procedure required, and said there was time to make the change before the next general election of councillors. The motion was lost, only the mover and seconder supporting it, THE I'XECTIIIC LIGHT CCMMITTKK. Councillor Bellringcr moved to rescind a former resolution by which Hie Klee-

trie Light Committee was empowered lo withhold letters and other business from open council. He pointed out Una (lie conditions which had led to (lie passing of the. resolution no longer existed. It was pointed out that the Klcctric

Light Committee's letters were no more private than those of the Works Committee or uf tlio Council's ollicials. Councillor Browne, chairman of the Electrical Committee, supported the change, lor the committee could always Inivo the Council moved into committee whenever necessary.

'J'lie motion was carried, Councillor Mills dissenting. (fKNKML. The Kducation Board acknowledged receipt of Hie. Council's vote of CiO to the technical school funds.

A letter from .Mr. .1. 'Kemp h regard to the unused road'running through his ]iroperty was referred to the committee concerned.

Mr. John Abbott forwarded a compkint concerning the action of the, Council in raising the Devon Street east footpath above the level of properties abutting on 'it.—Ucfcrred to the, Works Committee.

Mr. ,f. Buckman asked the Council to raise the Mill ltoad bridge and do the necessary 'earthwork on the town side in connection with it. He said that lie had a promise of money to do the six-feet filling necessary on'the other side.

The application was supported hv Messrs. A. A r ealc. .1". Harvey, Sole tiros'. W. Bewley, 0. T. Bundle; L. Tim*, F. A. Lee, 0. E. Baker, and It. Cock.-lte-fcrred to the Works Committee.