BOROUGH COUNCIL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 225, 17 January 1911, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council last evening was attended by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch), and Crs. F. E. Wilson, J. West, Jus. Clarke, J. T. Mannix, 11. J. Gilbert, and G. W. Browne. An apology for the absence of Cr. Watkins (who is at present in Auckland) was tendered. RESIGNATIONS. The resignations of Crs. E. Doekrili and F. C. Bell ringer, who retired owing to the recent amendments of the legislation governing local bodies, were read and accepted. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer (Mr. Kendall) reported as follows:

V\ aterwonks.—Tile lflin main on the Mangorei road lias been lowered from the south as far as the bridge, and the remainder will probably be ready to lower by t'he early part of next week. The Win main under the Henui bridge has also been renewed. The pipes which were removed did comply with the original specification, but the peculiar location and vibration are, in my opinion, responsible for the short life of these particular pipes. I presume it was from motives of economy that the No. 13 15. W. gauge was u;cd in these mains in the lirst ease, but with a view to making a stronger and more durable job I have obtained No. 10 W.B. gauge in the'new pipes, which is the stoutest gauge made in these pipes. Mangorei—The waterworks caretaker reports that the river lias been frequently in Hood during the past month, and •given him extra work at the pipe head and filters; otherwise hq. states that everytiung is working satisfactorily.

•Morley Street Water Mains. The Morley street water main near Vivian street needs lowering for a distance of about four chains. Racecourse Paddock. I recommend that a. concrete trough be fixed at a cost of £6. > Gill Street Extension. —Owing to the waterworks stall' and almost all hands having been busy during the holidays at the Mangorci road mains, I have been unable to lay the new water main in Gill street, but hope to be able to complete this as soon as other work is overtaken, and when this is done I hone to lay before your Council the total cost of these works.

Powderham Street.—l am proceeding with the balance of ifllling required. llobsnn Street Culvert. —The substitution of reinforced concrete pipes for the culvert, in liobson street will not be the best way of dealing with this case. Although the cost would probably be somewhat less (probably about £125) for a culvert to comply with the very desirable wishes of the Works Committee, i.e., that all future culverts under streets snould be of a size to allow a man to easily go through, I am of opinion that a continuous concrete tube of approved diameter would be the best way of dealing with this matter, and the estimate includes provision for the admission of water from the storm water channels when the streets are put through in the future; and <until the streets arc put through, I understand that a zig-zag track to give improved access through this street between Devon and Lemon streets would meet the wishes of most people desiring to use this portion of 1 l-lobson street, which is at present almost impassible. This track would probably cost about £5, and would serve until some general scheme of street improvement in tliis locality were adopted, iand 'until that time it would probably ■be more advisable to let the culvert stand over. Clemow Roail Deviation.—The earth- : work and formation in this job is now well on to completion.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. Sandilands (acting electrical engineer) reported: —Nine new connections have been installed during the past month, and applications are in hand for several more. During the recent heavy rain the rack at the pipehcad became blocked with moss and rubbish, which entailed extra claming, the stall' being obliged to clear it several times during the evening. It is necessary that the proposed forebav and pipe line be taken in Hand as soon as possible if there is to be any advantage gained during the summer months, when the ground is dry and would be better to work than it would be if there was a spell of wet weather. Mr. Climie has not sent in any further particulars as to what he proposes doing, lie is wasting valuable time in not forwarding his specifications of the forebav, if he intends to get any use of the summer. The winter will be on before the work can be completed, when it will be too late to get any advantage from the forebay aad pipeline. INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

His Worship the Mayor reported re the meeting of representatives of the local contributing bodies to the Taranaki Hospital Board on tile question of delegating their powers to the Board, when Dr. Valintine addressed the meeting, particulars of which' have already been published. In connection with this matter Dr. Valintine wrote stating that under section o of the Hospitals Amendment Act, 1010, the responsibility of controlling infectious disease now devolved upon the hospital boards, and he suggested that until the boards provided the necessary machinery to give effect to tile amendment the Council continue to act as at present. The District Health Officer would approach the Hospital Board at an early date with a view to relieving the Council of the responsibility as soon as possible. Or. Gilbert entered his protest against Dr. Valintine convening a meeting and all for 110 proposal. Cr. Wilson: Yes, it was all piffle. Cr. Gilbert: After asking us to come together, and telling us what to do, it turns out to be useless. It is ridiculous! His Worship said he would move that the letter be received, and Dr. Valintine to be informed that his suggestions had been given effect to. j Cr. Wilson said he felt so strongly j on the matter that he was prepared to move simply that the letter be received. : Dr. Valintine had treated the Council j with scant courtesy, although he admit-; ted he thought it was unintentional. But; it was not right that tlfey should be [ called to discuss the matter, and after, doing so be told that it was all non-i sense. Cr. Wilson said he would second the motion to receive the letter.

j His Worship agreed with Cr. Wilson, land the motion in tlii.s form carried. THE RACECOUHSE KE.SEUV.B.

Messrs. Covett and Quillinm wrote giving their legal opinion of the ditl'i-1 culty that had arisen as to the part ot , the racecourse being cut up and let 1111- j der the provisions ol' "The New lymoulh ' Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Amendment Act, l'JIO." They were ol opinion that the original street:- had ceased to exist, and that the bloek of land must be subdivided as if the | streets were being laid off for the first [ time. j Resolved, on the motion of Cr. Wilson and His Worship the Mayor, that the opinion of the borougn solicitors be referred to the Reserve Committee to report upon. GENERAL. The ' question of arranging for the illumination of the address to be presented to His Excellency the Governor was referred to His Worship the Mayor with power to act. The borough engineer reported that the best method of dealing with the storm water at Liardet street and the western portion of Gilbert street would be 5y putting down a kerb and channel, preferably on the north side from Liardet street to opposite the new entrance to Pukekura Park. Owing to the somewhat flat grades this woiifd necessitate alterations to the drains at the intersection of Liardet and Gilbert streets, and these works together with the necessary works to carry the storm water into the Pukekura stream would bring the total cost to £Bo.—The report was adopted. A committee consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Gilbert, Clarke, and Wilson was appointed with power to act to take such steps as they think desirable, in [compiling the new roll.

Mr. Olave Deacon, New Plymouth, wro'te 111 reply to the town clerk threatening to sue for the amount of his water-rate, stating that he was not liable, a3 he harl not been using the water despite that the inspector' said he had seen a piece of hose (said hose was VSjinch and his standpipe was %irieh). —The letter to be referred to the inspector for further report. Mr. E. L. Campbell, New Plymouth, wrote calling attention to the need foi kerbing and channelling and fixing footpath in Gover street near the Red House Hotel—The matter will be considered later. Crs. Wilson and Clarke were added to the Reserves Committee. Resolved that the borough engineer prepare the necessary specifications for the painting and whitewashing, etc., at the abattoirs, and submit same to the next meeting, with a view to tenders being called for the work.