BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1918, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING.,I The monthly meetin? of the New Plymouth Borough Council was hokl lust night. Ilis Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess) presided, and there were also present: Crs. G. W. Browne, W. A. Collis, J. Clarke, J. Deore. V/. Short, •cd J. W. Hayden. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Iliil. REPORTS. The monthly reports of the departmental officers were received and approved, as were also the various committee reports. WORKS COMMITTEE. Subsequently a meeting of the Works Committee was held, the same councillors being present. A PECULIAR COMPLAINT. G. E. Blanehard wrote asking lor an inquiry into the circumstances of the dismissal of Roadman Evicts from the council's employ. He had been working in the St. Aubyn district for the past 2tf vear3 —first for the County Council, also in the St. Aubyn Town Board, and, lastly, for the borough, and now, after a few months under the council's foreman, ho had been dismissed. Continuing, Mr. Blanehard said: "Surely until I complained of the inefficiency of Evitts, he should have been kept on. I would have been the last person to ask you to hold this inquiry if I did not know that liis work compared favorably with a lot of work done for you by other workmen "

1 The engineer stated that Evitts had not been dismissed- He had been given a fortnight's notice that lie vould be no longer regarded as a member of the peri inanent staff. Evitts was getting up in years, and it had been arranged to put iiim on lighter work, such as goi'se-out-ting and clearing. It was decided to inform Mr. Blanehard that if Mr. Evitts had any complaints to make tliß council would Be prepared to hear them. BUILDING BY-LAWS.

The engineer drew attention to the fact in connection with the erection of four cottages for Mr. Griffiths at Whiteley Roau, Moturoa, the fencing did not comply with the by-laws and the arrangements made between the council and tb» owner. The frontages Lad to he 40ft, and the fences as erected, provided only 15ft. frontage to the road for the two cottages at the rear of the section. As hedges had been planted, it appeared that the owner had overlooked the matter o{ correct frontages. ]t was decided to call the attention of the owner to the fact tiiat lie had not complied with the eonditioss-

VIVIAN STREET FOOTPATH.

A petition was received from six residents of Vivian Street protesting against the council's proposal to raise the footpath in front ot their properties between Kobe and Dawson Street. It was pointed out that at present tile fences and gates were too low. and to further raise the footpath would depreciate the value of thy properties and cause them to he an eyesore to the general appearance nf the town. ' The engineer stated that lie did not know from what source the residents had got their information. So far the levels had not been taken, and until tlicv were it could 110 L be said whether the'path would be raised or lowered, li did not appear to be necessary to Wise the path, judging from a cursory examination. GENERAL. The Now Plymouth Fire Board applied to have concreted, the portion of the footpath round the central fire station. which at present is oniy sanded. The board ofT.ned, to provide the labor if the council would supply the material free of cost.—The engineer recommended accepting the subject to the nost to the council not exceeding £l2.—The application was granted sabject to the approval of the engineer. The sub-committee appointed to confer with tie general laborers on the matter of a Etw industrial agreement reported recommending the adoption of an agreemeir 4 - providing for an all-round increase of wages practically identical with the new award recently made with the union through the Conciliation Council in New Plymouth.—Tlia recommendation was adopted. _____