BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 264, 17 April 1915, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ADJOURNJSD .MEETING. An adjourned meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council was held Inst night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. K. Wilson) and Councillors Kibby, Jackson, Ifealy, Smith, Collis, Clarke, Burgess, Sykcs, Mannix and Johnstone. PAYMENT i'OU PLAN'S. The Executive Committee, consisting qf the Mayor and Crs. Kibby, Ambury, and Clarke, reported as follows:—That the committee is satisfied that the conditions providing for the payment 01 1 % per cent, for copy of plans of contracts 5 and 6 were left in the contracts by oversight; that the contractors have not allowed for the amount in their tender; that the cost of the work has not been increased to the council by the amount in question; that under the circumstances the council is not justly entitled to the amount, and that, therefore, the reference in the contracts to the iy 2 per cent, be deleted.

The Mayor gave a full explanation of the reasons that had led to the appointment of the committee, and on which recommendations in the report were based. It appeared that the contractors refused to refund the IV per cent, on the ground that it had not been included in their estimates, and an inspection of their books showing the details of the estimates bore out their statement. Moreover, it was found that in Government and municipal contracts it was not usual to include the item.

In reply to Councillor Collis, the Mayoi; stated that there still remained a possibility of the council being entitled to call on the consulting engineer or his architect to pay the amount. • Councillor Clarke pointed out that the architect had stated that he. told the contractors not to include the l'/ 3 per cent.

On the motion of the Mayor, a resolution was passed in accordance with the committee's report, Councillor ' Mannix dissenting.

Tho sub-committee appointed to (leal with certain matters connected with the sub-station and carslied reported The architect was instructed to arrange for the oflice on the south-east comer of top storey to be altered. by making another room of the landing and balance of waitjjig-room, further provision for lighting i>y way of glass tiles, and a partition Tfi fonn'a cloak-room; that tenders be invited in Aucklahd and Wellington for the installation of electric lighting and heating wiring at the car-sheds.

After explaining the details in connection with the proposals, the Mayor moved the adoption of the report, which was carried. FIRE BOARD -MATTERS. The Fire Hoard wrote, asking the council to have concrete blocks laid on the footpaths in front of the new fire station. The Mayor considered that the centre of the town was in greater heed of work than Liardet_ Street, and he opposed the request being granted unless the board paid the cost. The engineer reported that the cost would be about £ls 18s. The Mayor moved that the board be informed that the council regretted its inability to accede to th 6 request unless the board bore the cost. The motion was carried. A further letter was read from the board, asking that when mains were removed notice should bo given to the board.—The engineer stated that the mains should have been l'claid in Watson Street when the work was done. The matter would be attended to as soon as possible. The hoard further wrote relative to the removal of the fire bell at Fitzroy.—The Mayor (stated that the matter liatl been attended to. The board wrote forwarding a copy of the fire superintendent's report for the year, and' containing stipulations relative to the licensing of the Theatre Royal. Empire Picture Theatre, Coronation Hall, Fitzrov Hall, fiood Temr;lar Hall aiul other" public buildings and churches. Some discussion took place on the stipulation that smoking should not be permitted in the places of entertainment, Councillor Clarke contending that the board should not impose such a regulation. The Mayor .Hated that ■ the council bad no option but to carry out the regulations imposed by the board when granting licenses. NOXIOUS WEEDS.

The borough solicitors (Messrs. Oovett and Quilliam) wrote, advising relative to the duty of property-owners and occupiers in relation to the removal of noxious weeds in front of their properties. They advised that the council could call on the owners of property in borough streets for half the width only when noxious weeds obstruct traffic or interfere with drainage. " vi The Mayor said there was no help for it but" to accept the solicitors' advice, but the new by-laws would contain, a provision for dealing with this question. DRAINAGE.

The manager of the abattoirs wroto relative to the question of drainage from the boiling-down works at the abattoirs.

The inspector and the engineer reported on 'Messrs. Sole Bros.' grease trap to the effect that it was not advisable to prosecute, but that Messrs. Sole Bros, would in future give stricter attention to the disposal of grease.— Messrs Sole Bros, also wrote relative to the matters complained of, and stated that other people used the drain. . Councillor Burgess considered that the council's officers should have satisfied themselves that there was a case before reporting to the council. The Mayor agreed, adding that it would have saved much trouble. Councillor Collis moved that the attention of the inspector be called to the statement that others besides Messrs. Sole Bros, used the drain. The motion was carried.

STORING BENZINE.

Tin 1 , special committee appointed reported that the wholesale merchants lie oll'ered tlie site at the rear of Marsland llill for f< benzine and kerosene stole at a rental to be fixed liv tile council, they to erect a suitable and to control the storage and delivery themselves; and in regard to the retailers that they be notified that tliey must make the necessary arrangements for storm" benzine in a building and on a site to be approved by tlie council which intends shortly to enforce the by-laws dealing with tlie quantities of benzine and kerosene to be stored at their respective business premises. After a brief discussion, this report was adopted.

THE IjGAX PROPOSALS. The "Milvor moved that steps be taken to raise, bv way of loan, the sum of £ mOO for the streets and culverts, £IOOO for tlie destructor, and .town) for the offices and museum building. To tliese sums would liav.c to be added

the cost of raising the loan, pro'vhfJoil /or the tirst year's interest, and sinking fund. This was seconded l>y Councillor Smith and eairied unanimously. VALEDICTORY. * 1 At the conclusion of the business, the Mayor said this was in all probability; the last meeting of the present council, and, as lie understood that some of the present councillors were not seeking re election, he thought that he might properly thank them, oh behalf of the burgesses, for their 6crviccn. He need not confine his remarks to those gentlemen leaving the council, but refened to all the councillors.-. They had had several important matters before them during their period of office, and liad carried them through. He was very glad to think that the matter of the by-laws was so far advanced. No one excepting a councillor could have any idea of the amount of time that members devoted to the council's business. Although the public took every, opportunity of growling at them, he felt sure that they appreciated t'ae work of members of the council, and tliat if those members sought re-election they would all be successful. He himself intended to seek re-election, and he hoped to have the pleasure of meeting them again.