BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 100, 18 October 1911, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ADJOURNED MEETIXG. At the adjourned meeting of the Borough Council last night there were present the Mayor, Mr. 0. W, Browne, and Crs. Hartnell, Buttimore, Buxton, Stacker, Clarke, Mannix, Morey and Gilbert. Cr. Ambury was granted leave of absence owing to indisposition. TAMAR STREET. The Council discussed at some length the position in regard to Tamar street, which had recently been closed 'by the Council at the expense of the Hospital Board, the latter body having been given an unollicial underta king some time ago. that the Board could obtain the freehold, if they closed the street, at a nominal figure, their idea being to include it in the site for the new hospital.

Councillors, following the lead of Cr. Clarke, headed off the Mayor's suggestion to go into committee on the matter. Mr. Quiliiam, the borough solicitor, was in attendance to advise as to the legal position, and submitted the following opinion: "We are instructed to advise as to the Council's power to vest the closed portion of Tamar street in the Taranaki Hospital Board if it de■'res to do so. Under Section 182 of 'it; Municipal Corporations Act, the . iimcil lias power, when a street has i. en stopped, to sell the same to any ljoining owner. If the adjoining owner is not willing to purchase the land at the fixed price, the Council may sell or lease the same by public auction. Sub-section 2 of the same section provides that in lieu of selling or leasing the land, the Council may "apply" the same to any purpose of public convenience or utility approved by the Governor-in-Council, or, with like approval, may grant a lease of the same for such term and on such conditions as it thinks fit, for any purpose of public utility. In our opinion, the words in the section, ''the Council may apply the same," whilst authorising the Council to permit the land to be used for public convenience or utility does not authorise the disposal of the land, and the only way the Hospital Board can acquire a title to the land is by purchasing the same at auction."

Councillors were unanimously of opinion that the Hospital Board should be given every assistance, in view of the proposed large expenditure in erecting the new hospital in the borough. It was eventually decided to submit the land for public auction, as provided for in the Municipal Corporations Act. A DRAINAGE DIFFICULTY. , Mr. C. Ahier, representing Messrs. Henry Brown & Co., waited on the Council. At a recent meeting of the Works Committee it was decided to recommend the Council to grant an extension of time in which to connect a cottage in Morley street with the sewer. At the I Council meeting a report from the borough inspector was read to the effect that the building did not look as if it wore to be pulled down (as had been j represented), and that t,wo rooms were I being re-papered. The Council thereupon ' decided that the firm be required to [ make the connection forthwith. Mr. I Ahier now pointed out that the Council had l)een misinformed. The cottage had come into their hands quite recently, and had been let for six months just about the time the borough required him to make the sewer connection. It was their intention, at the end of the six months, to move this cottage and turn it round, thus making room for two new houses, which would be erected forthwith. He pointed out that his firm had considerably improved that end of the town, and had put in several sewerage connections without any trouble. The only reason for requesting an extension : in this case was their proposal to erect new houses. If they had to connect now the house could stay where it was, and the next generation could erect the new ones.

_ C'r. Hartncll further explained the po- | sition, and said that the sewerage emild j i be installed so as to make one connecj tion servo the three houses. I The Council was favorable to granting six months' extension, but as they had decided to make no extensions of longer than three months it was decided to adopt this course, and to ask the firm ■■to apply again at the end of that time. OUTFIELD ROAD. Mr. M. Fleetwood, clerk to the St. j Aub.vn Town Hoard, wrote asking the Council to have estimates prepared for a concrete culvert, also forming and metalling the Cutficld road, from South road to Gladstone road.—lnstructions given accordingly. IMPROVING DEVON STREET. "The borough engineer reported that the cost of reducing the width of the fodtpatli to twelve feci in Devon street, between Mis* dories' shop and Stephens and Co.'s motor garage, would be CD. This included the taking up of the stone kerb and cobble gutter and putting down a concrete kerb and channel. The two verandahs. .Miss Jones' and Mr. Percy Lenland's, had been erected contrary to permits, which were granted for a 12ft. width mily. The cost of shifting back the other verandah woidd be £5. was decided to reduce the width of the Devon sheet footpath, from Liardet street lo (iover street, to twelve feet, (he cost being estimated at C7M. Cr. Gilbert, opposed going on with the work, urging that the money could be better spent in other streets. I Notice will be given to owners of | verandahs all'ected to cut (hem back to the 'width of the footpath. GENERAL "•■The'electrical engineer was authorised to ;!< ■■! pi: Messrs. I'mvi3 & Co.'s '['dotation of C 7-0 for screens, sluices, etc.. tor the forebav.— Carried. The borough engineer was instructed to remove the earth in Eliot street, fronting '.Mr, I'cwlev's property, and to dipn-.ii s;inw in Leach .street. l! was decided io continue the sewer ill iSiiliccl street, to connect four houses, at a cost of til. -Mr. I'\ _M. Grayling wrote offering to make a Mdc cutting in llendrie street a|. his own cost to give him access to his .section, and asking the Council to put a crossing over a deep drain in llendrie street near the High School. work authorised.