BOROUGH WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1938, Page 2

BOROUGH WORK

REPORTS FOR PAST MONTH. At last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council the Borough Engineer, Mr C. R. Mabson, reported as follows on work carried out during the past month: — Streets: Akura Road path has been formed and sanded on the eastern side from Levin and Co’s, bulk store to the Dairy Co’s, entrance. The Colombo Road Bridge contractors (Messrs McCalmont Bros.) are making satisfactory progress with the extension the beam and deck false work being nearly completed and they hope to pour the beams early next week. Also good progress has been made during the last fortnight on the river diversion work a start having been made with the eastern bank across the horse paddock and the gap in the western bank closed. A gang is continuously employed casting kerb blocks for the season’s work including kerbing for the new Government Settlement streets. The new Ladies’ Rest Room has been renovated and re-decorated throughout and is now ready for furnishing. Building permits: During the month 7 permits were issued having an estimated value of £2803 10s, the fees thereon amounting to £9 15s. For the corresponding month last year 7 permits were issued having an estimated value of £1974 ss.

BOROUGH INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The Borough Inspector (Mr T. A. Russell) reported as follows: —Notifiable infectious disease:Three suspected cases of diphtheria were reported but on bacteriological examination all proved negative and I am pleased to be able to report, that there has not been a positive case in the borough since August 7. The only other case notified was one of septicaemia. To date this month one case of scarlet fever has been reported. Food premises: Twentysix applications have been received for ice cream licenses and as the premises comply with the regulations I respectfully recommend that a license be granted in each case subject to the payment of the usual fee. Milk supply: The usual milk samples'were taken for general analysis. Fly - control work: The various sports grounds were visited and the co-operation of the groundsmen sought in the disposal of grass clippings. We would be grateful if householders would prevent the accumulation of decaying vegetation which is best disposed of by burial as any organic matter which has a tendency to heat will act as a breeding place for the house fly. Rubbish bins should also be kept covered. Prevention is much more efficient than any other method of dealing with the fly menace. The Railway Department has undertaken to remove by rail all sheep and cattle manure resulting from truck cleaning operations and this should considerably reduce our fly population. Traffic: Heavy traffic fees amounted to £5OB 18s lOd. Fourteen applicants for drivers’ licenses were examined, 3 failing to pass the test. Four persons were prosecuted for breaches of the regulations.

GAS MANAGER’S REPORT. The Gas Engineer-Manager (Mr J. Douglas) reported:—-Gas manufactured: Total gas made corrected N.T.P. was 4,192,600 cubic feet, being a decrease of 1.4 per cent over the corresponding period of last year. Gas sold per meter shows a decrease of 5 per cent. Government Inspector: The inspector visited the works on Friday, September 23. Calorific value of gas was 450 B.T.U. and sulphuretted hydrogen was absent. The works are running very satisfactorily at the present time. .During the month I have fitted the purifiers with a self draining device. The new method not only saves time but it also cuts out any danger of a man being gassed when running the water out of each purifier. The Bannister Street governor is now working very well indeed. A new device has been installed on the governor and the pressure can now be controlled into three different readings and I am sure that by this new method a large amount of ‘“unaccounted for” gas will now be saved. I might mention that the device is the work of our meter repairer, Mr H. Bungate and I would like to express my appreciation for the manner in which he has carried out his work.