BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 132, 13 September 1910, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. j The Borough Couneil held its usuai ■ monthly meeting last night. Present: : His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch), presiding, and Councillors E. Dockrill' P. C. J. Bel I ringer, F. E. Wilson, A. E. Watkins, Jas. Clark, J. H. Hobbs, H. J. Gilbert, and G W. Browne. i MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERTS. \ Mr. F. A. Coleman, secretary of the iaianaki Garrison Band, asked if the Couneil would grant payment of the £l2 subsidy lor last season's municipal concerts, notwithstanding that such concerts were not completed (four wert given out of six) owing to ,a combination of circumstances such as a change of conductor, and the fifth concert was advertised to held when the news came of the death of His Majesty the King, 1 which, of course, put an end to such for, some time. Mor. Coleman referred to the large number of occasions upon which the services of the band had been freely and willingly given for public and charity causes. The band intended commencing the municipal concerts earlier in the coming season, so as to avoid the possibility of having to con-1 tend with cold and" wet weather. I

Councillor Wilson moved that the Garrison Band be informed that the letter will be considered at the end of 7iext season. Never, ho said, had the Council received value for its money, and last year it was a positive scandal. The death of His late Majesty was given as the reason for not holding the last two concerts of the series, but then the concerts should have been concluded long before that. Councillor Dockrill said the real reason for the non-completion of last year's series was that the band was "ail out of joint." The letter was referred to the Bands Committee.

THE SANITARY CONTRACT. Inspector Tippins reported that the proprietor of the Terminus Hotel refused to allow the .scavenging contractors to remove refuse from his property, having made other arrangements, and the inspector asked if the borough solicitors should be engaged to conduct the prosecution. Councillor AVilson interposed in the discussion that merchants in the centre of the 1 town were allowed to employ other expressmen to .remove trade refuse, which did not come within the scope of the by-laws. The Council was making fish of one and flesh of the other. Councillor Gilbert wanted to know what constituted trade refuse. It was decided that the matter be referred to the borough solicitors to proceed if they thought an information should be laid. MORLEY STREET SOUTH. A petition signed by 23 householders and ratepayers in the west ward was presented by Councillor Hobbs, asking the Council to undertake the completion of Motley street south. The petition stated that the formation and metalling were completed up to the gates of Western Park. From that point onward the street was at present in a dangerous state of disrepair, both for wheeled traffic and pedestrians, some of the ruts being nearly two feet deep.' The grading and metalling of this small I section would confer a great boon on I residents and settlers, and give a val-! liable thoroughfare to the town. The ; street would, when completed, be one of I the best in the borough, as it offered an easy grade, a 'magnificent view ot mountain and sea, and was the main entrance to Western Park. The whole of the west end would benefit by this -work, as a promise had already been given that a 'bus would run through Devon street west, Morley street, and Westown, as soon as the metalling was finished. The present unfinished condition was almost as unsightly as it was dangerous. No other street in the borough was in such a condition.—Referred to the Works Committee.

ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT. Upon the Electric Light Committee's report being presented, embodying the recommendation of the sub-committee that upon the Electrical Light Department's clerical work being transferred to the Town Clerk's oiTice, certain staff ire-organisation should take place, Councillors Bellringer and' West objected to the report, and particularly to the transfer of Mr. A. L. Dixon from the Town Clerk's staff to the electrical department at an increase of salary. Councillor Wilson, chairman of the sub-committee, twitted the objectors with not. bringing down some alternative scheme, and said no better man than Mr. Dixon could be obtained for the position. An amendment by Councillor Bellringer to strike out the clauses re staff arrangements, was lost on the following division: Ayes. —Councillors Bellringer and West; Noes. —The Mayor and Councillors Dock-rill, Wilson, Watkins, Clarke, Hobbs, Gilbert, and Browne. POWDERHAM STREET CULVERT. Mr. Kendall, borough engineer, reported that much of the -filling that would be required at Powderham street filling, provided that Mr. Kerr and the church authorities were agreeable, could with advantage be taken from Fulford street between Robe and Brougham streets, and this would assist in the formation of this portion of Fulford street.—Referred to the executive. IMPROVED MACHINERY. Mr. Newton King wrote forwarding a catalogue of Messrs. Llewellins and James' tar spraying machines, for which he had the agency! These machines, he said, were being largely used in England and elsewhere by municipal bodies, and he thought should prove suitable for the requirements of the Council.—Referred to the Works Committee.