BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 123, 15 November 1911, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

W-X1 iILV MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Borough Chambers last night, when there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Gr. G. W. Browne), and Crs. J. C. Morey, J. T. Mannix, W. Amhury, J. Clarke, J. G. llartuell, J. Buttimore, 11. Gilbert, and T. L. Buxton. THE BALANCE-SHEET. R. J. Collins, Auditor and ComptrollerGeneral, forwarded the balance-sheet for the year ending March 31, 1911:,. duly certified, subject to certain exceptions, viz., that the Council had expended more than the limit allowed under the unauthorised expenditure, and that two credit balances of separate accounts had been placed in the district fund account. A councillor remarked that this tag was a hardy annual. It was resolved that the balance-sheet be approved and finally adopted, and that the same be printed and published. SEAS] DE IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. A. L. Humphries, secretary of the Seaside Improvement Committee, asked permission to have the borough water laid on from the Belt road along the railway reserve to the camp near the Bayly road. •He also asked the Council to give a £ for £ subsidy up to £25 to assist in carrying out the work. He pointed out that the property on which (he water would be laid was leased to ■ I'nuncil, and had been handed over

■n (he Seaside Improvement Committee for the purpose of encouraging residents outside of New Plymouth to come here for the summer months. Already his committee had done much in that direction, and the number of campers ar increasing so rapidly each year that for health purposes alone a good water supply was absolutely necessary. They therefore trusted that the Council, in the interests of the town, would accede to the request and assist in making our seashore the recognised watering place of the province. The Mayor thought, that the Council should do all in its power to assist in improving the sea beach. It was time the people of New Plymouth woke up and realised what a valuable asset they had along the sea front. Cr. Gilbert pointed out that more campers were making use of the beach every year, and good water was an absolute necessity. When they made their estimate they were of opinion that the water pipes could be extended from Belt road. The people who put down the Belt road main objected, and it would be necessary to take the water from the borough boundary. They thought, however, that £SO would purchase the necessary pipes, and they proposed having a working bee to lay them under the supervision of experienced plumbers. Cr. Ambury raised the question as to the legality of the .proceeding. Could the Borough Council subsidise work outside the borough ? The town clerk said there might be difficulties, but suggested an alternative proposal. Cr. Gilbert remarked that this was one of the quibbles of the wet rags of New Plymouth. Cr. Ambury objected to this remark. He was not a wet rag. If he was he would be quite prepared to leave New Plymouth. He quite agreed with the proposal, but wanted to satisfy himself as to its legality. It was resolved, on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Gilbert, that upon the New Plymouth Seaside Improvement Committee contributing the sum of £25 towards the cost, the Council provide material to the value of £SO for the purpose of laying a water main from the Belt road to the camp on the reserve near the Bayly road. It was also resolved, on the motion of Crs. Gilbert and Ambury that the Seaside Improvement Committee be charged 30s for the water until March 31, 1913, on condition that no charge be made by the committee to any of the public requiring water at the reserve. FITZROY IMPROVEMENTS.

Mr. C. P. Foote. clerk to Fitzroy Town Hoard, stated that his board had decided to tar and sand the footpath on the south side of Devon road, from the borough boundary to the end of the path, and also on the north side of Devon road to the railway gate, and rom Roland street corner to Nobs-line and around the stores at Fitzroy. They asked the Council to supply material and get the work done, charging same to the Fitzroy Board. He pointed out that they had not the appliances, and to get, them now would be waste of money, seeing that they were soon to merge. The request was acceded to, and the borough engineer was instructed to proceed with the work at the earliest opportunity. SEWER CONNECTIONS.

Mrs. 51. J. Cooper and Mr. W. Payntor were granted three months extension of time within w-hich to connect their properties with the sewers. It was also resolved that the borough inspector be instructed to withdraw informations for not connecting with the sewers in all cases where permits have hcen obtained for drainage works and the costs of the informations are paid. REPORTS. Tho reports of the borough engineer, electrical engineer and abattoir manager, as published, were read and The reports of the Electric Light, Works, \\ater Reserves and Finance committees were also adopted, as was also the Abattoir Committee's report, as follows:: That, as recommended by the manager, he be authorised to employ Mr. J. Hodgson to run the chilling machinery for the coming season; that the question of the charge for the hire of the abattoir motor to the Hooker Printing Company be referred to the chairman to deal with: that the question of draining the holding paddock be referred to the borough engineer to report. upon; that the borough engineer lie authorised to drain Xoa. 1 and 2 paddocks at an estimated cost of £55. STREET SWEEPTXn. Cr. P.uttimore thought that it was time the Council dealt in a more economical manner with street sweeping. The present method was too costlv. He ' considered that the Council should have a hand sweeper, and he asked the engineer for a return of the cost of the : present method. After some discussion it was resolved that the question of obtaining a s trect sweeper be referred to Crs. Amburv. liuttimore and fiilbeit, to report to the next meeting of the Works Committee. 1! L' ILD L\ G 1-5 V -LAW R.

Cr. TTartneM referred to the dissatisfaction that was existing over the build'ing known as Can Fun's Laundry being allowed to be repaired. He considered that when such an application came before the engineer it would he just as well if it was referred to the whole Council for discussion. It was very hard for the engineer to decide whether to issue a permit or not. The Mayor pointed out that the bylaws were not bein*< infringed. The question of condemning the building was a matter for the health officer. " I Cr. llartnell said that he understood that the permit was for a new shop front only. Yet other alterations were being made.

The engineer pointed out that the permit was for a shop front and repairs to the building. The by-law did not prevent fresh boarding being put on. It would only be infringed if they interfered with the studs. Or. Ambury pointed out that the health oflicer coukl interfere if necessary. Or. Gilbert remarked that the law was faulty. Cr. Clark said that the Council had no power to refuse the permit, and the matter dropped. GKNERAL. The borough engineer wrote that the open storm-watea - drain which runs through Mr. Shaw's property was 3 chains, 1 foot deep at the Gilbert street end and 4 feet at Pendarves street, and was dangerous to children playing there. The cost of laying pipes would be £45. —Referred to engineer for further report. Chas. Zachariali, district manager for the Public Trustee, wrote claiming £G 5s 6d due in the estate of Jabez Rose, deceased, as wages during the time in which he was incapacitated.—Referred to Ocean Accident Company. . Messrs. Collett & Co. wrote that they had made arrangements with Mr. J. Iv. Collett regarding the completion of the exchange of the Huatoki deviation, and had instructed Messrs. Govett & Quilliam to proceed with the work. —Agreed to. Mr. T. Pot Roberts applied for a proper culvert in front of his shop at the corner of Eliot and Lemon streets, as since the cutting back of his verandah somci years ago the old culvert had choked up by natural gravitation.—Referred to the engineer. It was resolved to draw the attention of the borough inspector to the barb wire fence and the noxious weeds near Mrs. Francis' shop. Devon street west. The borough engineer was instructed to submit a report and recommendation upon the question of placing surfacemen in charge (under tke engineer) of ■definite sections of streets in the borough.