BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1921, Page 5

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

NEW PLYMOUTH COUNCIL. STORM WATER DRAINAGE. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, V. Griffiths, T. N. Blackhall, W. Rumball. E. Dingle, R. L. Parkin, R. A. Large, and J. Brown. The council confirmed a special order passed in September in connection with securing land for the widening of Mill Road, Victoria Road, Henui Road. Gover and John Streets, Dartmoor Avenue, and Webster Street. The council decided to approach the Jockey Club asking what they proposed to do in regard to dealing with the flow of water into John Street. A complaint was received from Mr. C O. Hawke to the effect that the rair water, instead of running down th« road recently laid in James’ Lant (between his property and Webster 1 : buildings), was pouring down the foot path in front of his shop. He asket that the council should take steps to have this remedied either by lowering the grade or by piping.—The engineer reported that the matter of keeping the rainfall off James’ Lane was not a difficult one. As the matter of the road was in the solicitors’ hands he had not taken any action, pending the decision as to the council’s liability in altering the grade.

The question of the council’s liability had been previously raised by a letter from Messrs. Collier and Co. stating that the raising of the level of the lane would interfere with their proposals in connection with the erection of a new building, for which plans had already been prepared. It was decided that the asphalt portion of the lane he removed, and that the roadway be Reformed on a grade falling back from the Devon Street footpath to, the rear of the lane. A reply in these terms will also be forwarded to Mr. Hawke. HORSES AT LARGE. Concerning correspom which had passed between himself and the council on the subject of wandering stock, Mr. Frank Tonks (Fulford Street) wrote: 1 was quite aware that I had power to impound any wandering animals foundon the streets. I interviewed my lawver to-day, and he tells me it is against the Public Works Act and also against the borough by-laws to feed horses in the public streets.. In allowing the horses to be fed in the street with or without their bridles or winkers, is breaking the by-laws. The inspector (Mr. R. Day) reported that section 78 (115) of the by-laws seemed to allow feeding. In any case a policeman lived within two chains of the locality mentioned by Mr. Tonks and was prepared to take action if necessary. It was decided to reply stating that the council’s officials would prosecute in the event of the by-laws being infringed. “WITHOUT PREJUDICE.”

Mr. C. J. Wickham wrote: “I wish to make a complaint. Mr. R. Day has turned his property into a farmyard. Ho has two calves running in L s fowl run next to my property. I should like to know whether this is contrary to the borough by-laws. Personally, I object to these calves being kept so near my house, first, because it is not sanitary; second, because the noise is very trying to the nerves. Then again it is not; the place to keep stock. I. therefore ask the council to request the inspector to remove them to a more suitable place. This is without prejudice.” In reply, Mr. Day wrote: Naturally, in my position I am going to take care that everything at my own place is good. The supposed fowl run is the full width of my garden, and the ground where these young calves are kept is greater than Wickham’s garden, fowl run and backyard combined. Mr. Dav enclosed a letter from the inspector of public health (Mr. F. Swindells), who stated that he had investigated the complaint, and had found that there was no evidence of insanitary conditiOnß* 1 It was decided to inform Mr. Wickham that the council is satisfied there are no insanitary conditions at the property. GENERAL. In response to an application from Mr. T. W. Long, it was decided that he be given permission to erect a retaining wall in front of his property on the corner of Devon Street and Belt Road on the same line as the other fences in Belt Road.