INGLEWOOD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 5, 6 June 1913, Page 6

INGLEWOOD NEWS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL. (From Our Own Correspondent). The monthly meeting of the Inglewood Borough Council took place on Wednesday night, when a fair amount of business was dealt with in an expeditious manner. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — ' A request from four residents of Konini street for a light at the first turn of the street (from Rata street) was acceded to in accordanee with a recommendation from the Lighting Committee. Applications for consent to transfers of Borough leaseholds, from T. W. Scott to A. Paulger, and from Martin to Chant, were granted. The sexton asked to be allowed to charge, in future, for repairs to his pick and for explosives when used. He also* asked for a pump and piping to save .baling of ] water from graves. These matters were I left tp' the Reserves Committee with power to act. I The clerk was instructed to furnish the Plumbers' Board with a list of licensed plumbers, as requested by the Health Department. The clerk of the 'Stratford County Council wrote for £9 19s 7d, the Council's share in the expenses of the Stratford Licensing District.—To be held over.

/The committee recommended as appointed at the annual meeting of the Public Libi-ary, were approved. Tir&naki Hospital-Board wrote that the Council would be later' of the dat6l when the money for the: new hospital would be required. Mr. Allen Taylor wrote that he was unable to comply with the request of the Council, as to alterations to his property for sewerage connection, and it was decided to refer the matter to the mortgagees of the .property, Mr. Hood wrote that he required further particulars as to the cost of diverting the creek across his property before agreeing to contribute. —After discussion as to the Council's liability in the matter, it was decided to refer the question to the Works' Committee. The Mayor explained that this creek flowed across Mr. Hood's and Mr. Bennet's property on to the road, and that they should keep it from backing up on to " road as it was now doing. Mr. W. E. Percival wrote that he waa unable to accede to the Council's request to act as their assessor in the Assessment Court to sit on the question of Borough valuations, as he was already retained in that capacity by the Government Valuation Department. It was decided to appoint Mr. G. W. Bennett, it being understood that he was willing to act. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

The report of the Works' Committee stated that the road had been raised at the intersection of Richmond and Carrington streets, and a pipe laid to carry off the storm water. The estimated cost of completing the western end of Carrington street was £9O. The street was being gradually raised by deposits of soil. The work was essential. All the drains in the, lower portion of the town had been cleaned out.—On the motion of Councillor Gibbs, the report was adopted. The working overseer,_ Mr. Scally, instructed by the Works' "Committee, fur-

nished plans of sewering connection to the new Town Hall, at an estimated

cost of £79 Bs. His report dispelled the idea that the sewer could not be connected at the level obtaining there, and that it was only available for the centre of the town. He had the backing of Mr. A. H. Kendall for this statement. —On the . motion of Cr. Gibbs, it was resolved to proceed with the work. The Electric Light Committee's report recommended an expenditure of £176 for improvements to plant, including the extension of the transformer house, and repairs to dam. This was necessary to keep the works up to a proper standard. The engineer had been instructed to Teport on the eost of extending the circuit to Kaimata, whence several applications for current had been received. The report recommends that the minimum rate for irons be increased to Is ltd per month. An inspector for the Fire Underwriters' Association had condemned some of the old connections, which were accordingly being rewired.— The report was adopted. The Street Lighting Committee recommended that lights be placed on the corner of Brook and Miro streets, at the end of Carrington street, and opposite the Fire Brigade Station, and that no light be placed in the centre of Standish street. The wiring had been extended to the quarry.—The report was adopted. * » Cr. Gibbs presented tlie report of the Cemetery and Reserves Committee. The present svstem of farming the reserves was unsatisfactory in that it precluded the man in charge from making a fair profit, unless he engaged in stock dealing operations, and this was not the object of the Council in dealing."with'the reserves. When stock waß wanted to keep down the grass it was all sold. The only satisfactory metliod was to go in for good ewe 3, and to graze their increase. The ComHttee recommended that a pipe culvert lie put over the creek opposite to the metal pit; that the fences be repaired and made sheep proof, and that the plantation at the back of Trimble's Park be replanted.—The report was adopted, and the committee empowered to take what steps it thought fit as to future fanning, and report. A plan and specifications for a concrete cemetery fence was received from Messrs. Russell and Son, but the committee were instructed to procure other designs before any action \\"'s taken. The recommendation of the Hall Committee that Mr. de Launay's tender of £225 7s for complete furnishing be accepted, was adopted. A deputation from the OporaO Society asked permission to stage "Pinafore" on_!,he first night the new theatre was available for public use. It was resolved .to consider the application at a later date. Mr. Rolston, the Fire Inspector, made his report. It was resolved that the rates, as advertised, be struck. A resolution to borrow £3OBB at not more than G per cent by way of working overdraft at the bank, was carried. The resignation of the poundkeeper was accepted with regret. The passing of general accounts amounting to £177 19s sd, and Hall Loan acounts, amounting to £204, concluded the business. CONTRACT OR METER? Some of the Tnglcwood consumers are not satisfied with the method of charging for electric current as represented bv the contract system now in use. Their grievance seems to be that they consider they are paying for more than tliev consume, and one consumer strenuously objects to the proposed increase in the rate for irons, because, he states, |tis rate is out of proportion to that charged to other far larger consumers. Ho considers it would be more fair to put in meters, and let each consumer pay for what he actually consumes. In conversation with our correspondent on the subject, the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Young, explained that the Council intended to make an all round and equitable increase in the maximum as well as the minimum rates for irons, and large consumers would be charged more than small. He was opposed to the meter . system at present, because he considered it would not pay the revenue re-

quired to carry oil and extend the electrical department, which wag at present in its infancy. Working on contract, as at present the Council knew just what revenue would be earned, and' was saved the cost of meters, some of which would have to be carried as dead stock till disposed of to consumers. When the to the various classes of consumers were properly adjusted, they would! get a fair proposition from the Council. BLOCKING THE FIRE EXITS. SHOWMAN'S MISDEEDS. In making his report to the Inglewood Borough Council on Wednesday night, Mr. Rolston, the fire inspector, made forcible reference to what he described as the highly dangerous practice of blocking the fire exits at the Parish Hall. People were allowed to stand in front of the exits, and chairs were placed! Iso '.that if (overturned l in a ' stampede they would form a serious obstacle to escape. Travelling showmen we're, he said, too much inclined to think that there was no limit to the number the hall would hold', and nothing they might not do. He had seen the proprietors of the local picture shows, but had been told, in effect, to mind his own business. The Council assured him of their backing in support of his' authority, and the agent for the hall stated he would write the local showmen that they must either clear the exits or cease to use the hall.