BOROUGH WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1939, Page 9

BOROUGH WORK

REPORTS FOR PAST MONTH. At Monday night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council, the Borough Engineer. Mr S. R. Mabson, reported as follows: — Streets: Titoki Street metalling, con-1 solidation and tar sealing has been completed. The entrance and yard in front of the railway station was scarified. regraded, metalled, consolidated and tar sealed as arranged with the railway department; it will be given a second coat of bitumen shortly. Pownail Street kerbing on the east side from Renall Street to point opposite southern alignment of Tararua Street has been completed and the path will be regraded a little later to suit new kerb levels. Kirton Street kerbing on the east side from Bannister Street to Worksop Road has been completed. Waipoua River: The Waipoua river works are proceeding steadily. The swing bridge.is partially erected, and the actual erection should be completed within the next ten days. The closing of the old channel on the hospital side immediately below the horse paddock is practically complete and men and teams are being transferred to Colombo Road end to excavate the approach and exit to the new spans in the bridge and to close gap in the stopbank next to the saleyards. Building permits: during the month six permits were issued, having an estimated value of £1.305 15s. The fees thereon amounted to £6. For the corresponding period last year, eight permits were issued, having an estimated value of £3,343 ss. BOROUGH INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Borough Inspector (Mr T. A. Russell) reported as follows: Notifiable infectious disease: We have again a clean sheet for the month. A suspected ease of diphtheria was reported but proved negative and the patient was discharged from hospital. Hydatids: I sincerely trust the public will to its utmost in assisting the Government to eradicate this disease, not only by using the arecoline bromide tablets provided but by refraining from feeding their dogs on raw offal. Milk supply: The usual milk samples were taken for general analysis. Several supplying farms were visited. The Government Veterinarian, Mr W. Gray, has again completed the T.B. testing of town supplying herds and it is pleasing to note that none of the cows which were previously tested and found clear have contracted the disease in the meanwhile. Cows bought in between tests may be a potential danger, and whilst we are grateful for the amount of cooperation on the part of the farmer, as long as T.B. testing is on a voluntary basis there is a possibility of infection being introduced between tests. Some of our farmers recognise this and are notifying Mr Gray when new stock is bought so that the test can be carried out immediately. Residents should make sure for themselves that the particular farmer from whom their sup-, plies are drawn is giving this matter' his attention. Food premises: An inspection of all licensed food premises in the Borough has been carried out. Applications, for licenses have been received from the following: Aerated farmer, cordial and essence manufacturers 3, bakers 15, butchers 11, dairymen 13, eating-house proprietors 26, fish retailers 5, total 73. Subject to conditions outlined in a separate report on these premises I respectfully recommend that a license be grantedin each case. Hairdressers: Thirteen hairdressing establishments have also been inspected and as the premises all comply with the regulations I respectfully recommend that a license be granted in each case. Tenement dwellings: Eight applications for tenement dwelling licenses have also been received and I also respectfully recommend that each applicant be granted a license. Traffic: Heavy traffic fees for the month amounted to £613 12s. Twenty-two applicants for drivers’ licenses were examined, four failing to pass the test. Five persons were prosecuted for breaches of the traffic regulations, a conviction and fine being secured in each case.' GAS MANAGER’S REPORT. The Gas Engineer-Manager (Mr D. Y. Douglas) reported as follows: —Gas manufactured: Total gas made corrected N.T.P. was 3,742,700 clibic feet, being a decrease of 437,800 cubic feet or 10.4 per cent over the corresponding period of last year. A large amount of the decrease is due to the fact that the holders were being patched during March, 1938, and a large gas loss occurred while the holders were being madegas tight. Gas sold shows an increase of 2 per cent, government inspector: The inspector visited the works on Tuesday, March 28, and the calorific value of the gas was 471 B.T.U. and sulphuretted hydrogen was absent. Boiler: During the month the boiler was retubed and the shell thoroughly cleaned. A hydraulic test of 2101 b pres-' sure was put on the boiler on completion of work and the original working pressure 1501 b has been granted on the certificate. The boiler is now in first class condition and should last for a good number of years and a big saving in fuel should result from this overhaul. As the water gas plant was out of operation during this period a drop in the make per ton of coal will be noticed. .Water 'gas plant: While the boiler was out of action the plant was overhauled and a number of plates rewelded and strengthened and onelength of pipe renewed.