BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 193, 13 February 1912, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. G. Browne) presiding. Members present: Crs., Gilbert, Morey, Mannix, Clarke, Stocker, Ambury, Buxton, Buttimore, Hartnell, and Kibby.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE. The Electric Lighting Committee recommended: (1) That the electrical engineer be instructed to extend the- lighting mains to Sackville street, Fitzroy. at an extended cost of £34 10s, and to Fitzroy road after / the expiration of four months, at a cost of £4O; (2) that Mr. E. Gilmour be informed that the Council cannot see its way to hold the inquiry asked for in his letter 0 f th« 23rd ult.; (3) that Messrs. Bobing and Co. be requested to ascertain by cable the date when the electrical machinery ordered from them will be shipped; (4) that the committee visit the powerhouse on Thursday, the 22nd inst., and that Mr. Climie be asked to be present; (5) that the v electrical engineer embody in his official monthly report the cost of the work at the tail race and forebay, the number of men employed and the progress of the work; (6) that the seal of the. Council be affixed to the agreer ment with Messrs. Turnbull and Jones for alteration of their contract; (7) that Mr. W. H. Howlett be informed that the Council cannot see its way to increase his salary; (8) that a copy of the summary of additions to plant supplied by the electrical engineer be forwarded to each councillor; (9) that the chairman (Cr. Clarke), the Mayor and Crs. Stocker, Mannix and Ambury be appointed to report upon the re-organising ol the staff of the electric light department; (10) that the application of the electrical engineer for an increase in salary be referred to the above committee to report upon. The report was adopted. The Fire Escape Committee recommended that Mr. Lewis Jackson, of New Plymouth, be appointed inspector of buildings and surveyor of buildings, at a, fee of 7s 6d for each.—Adopted. On i the recommendation of the Executive Committee, it was decided to accept the tender of -the Reef Post Furnishing Co., at £l7 6s, for the supply of chairs, cushions, etc. VARIOUS MATTERS.

.The borough engineer reported having visited Lemon street in connection with the junction of Lemon street and the new proposed street through Mitchison's Estate as surveyed by Messrs. Sladden and Palmer, and he thought the present level of (Lemon street at that spot would fit in with the new street.

' The Principal of the New Plymouth; High School intimated that the annual swimming sports in connection with the school would be held on the following dates: Boys, Thursday, 14th March; girls, Friday, 15th March. The committee was anxious to hold, the sports in the municipal baths and application was accordingly made.—The request was referred to the Baths Committee with power to act.

The Returning Officer (Mr. J. Terry)! notified that the election' of a Licensing. Committee for the Taranaki district takes place on the 12th March, and submitted a list.of polling places for consideration, and asking the Council to make suggestions as to alterations, deletions or additions considered desirable. Owing to the Supreme Court sittings the courthouse would not be available.-rA committee was set up to deal with the matter.

In asking for a reduction in the amount of the license fee, (£5) chargeable by the Council on the occasion of its recent visit to New Plymouth, the manager of Wirths' circus stated that it was less than twelve months since they had visited the town, and they were under the impression that the license covered them for twelve months.—The application was refused.- k Arising out of a case in point, it was decided that a report be presented of all those of the staff who save the time of the council by riding bicycles. Mr. R. Blanc'hett, an assistant in the town clerk's office, wrote resigning, his position.—The resignation was accepted, and he was allowed a fortnight's holiday on full pay. - ■ . In view of the race meeting on Wednesdayand Thursday next 'the secretary (Mr. Webster) of the Taranaki Jockey Club asked the Council to have the several roads leading to the racecourse watered on those dates.—The engineer was instructed to accede to the request. Mr. Stanley Smith asked the Council to put the Mangorei road and footpaths in a proper state of repair.—The mattet was left in the hands of the borouah engineer. °

The borough engineer was granted permission to lay three chains of sewer in Eliot street, between <Gill and Molesworth streets.

Mr. C. Hughes, president of the Beautifying Society, reminded the Council that seven months ago he had asked if to improve the access to Marsland Hill from Brougham street. This the Council agreed to carry out with the consent of Mr. Kerr, the owner of the property. The owner had given his consent, but nothing had been done by the Council in fulfilment of its promise. Meanwhile the muddy ditch or track to Marsland Hill continued to vex pedestrians and amaze visitors—lt was decided to put the work in hand forthwith.

On the recommendation of the Bathß Committee, it was decided to reduce the cost of season tickets of admittance to the baths to half price. Authority was given to the engineer to remove anything of value in the shape of timber and machinery on the waterworks site. >

On the motion of the Mayor, the engineer was instructed to report on the cost of erecting a cottage on the section on which the borough stables are located, for occupation by the head carter.