BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 7108, 5 May 1880, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 4. Present — The Mayor (in the chair), Crs Chadwick, Nathan, Brown, Hurley, Sharpe, Spurdle, Willis, and Carson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Rutland Reserve. — Letter from Hon Mr Rolleston, stating that he found that the Rutlaud Hill Reserve could not be changed from "Municipal purposes," except by Statute. Leases. — Certain transfers of leases were agreed to. Patents. — Letter from the Patent Office, Wellington, enclosing copy of regulations. The writer stated that if the Council wished to take any action with regard to applications for patents, it would be necessary to appoint an agent in Wellington. New Zealand Cement. — The Clerk read a notice, from the Gazette, of an application for a patent for the making of New Zealand cement. Resolved, That the Town Clerk, Wellington, be respectfully requested to act as the Wellington agent for the Wanganui Corporation re patents. Caithness Flagging — Letter from Messrs Travers and Son, Wellington, as solicitors for Mr C. O'Neill, stating that an action for £2000 against the Wanganui Corporation would be commenced shortly, if the matter were not at once arranged. Resolved, on the motion of Cr Sharpe, seconded by Cr Brown, That the Mayor, with Crs Willis, Carson and Sharpe, be appointed a Committee to inquire and report on the subject of Mr O'Neill's claim. Fish Hatching. — Letter from Mr Brewer, Secretary of the Acclimatisation

Society, asking for a couple of loads of gravel for fish-hatching purposes. — Granted. Melbourne Exhibition. — A number of letters were read with regard to the Exhibition to take place in October next. The Street Lamps. — Telegram received from W. Drysdale re the Council's complaint as to breakage of street lamps, and saying that he had written to glaziers on the subject. Registration. — Letter from Mr D. Murray, resigning his seat as a Councillor. Hospital Bill. — The Bill proposed to be introduced by the Government at the ensuing session of Parliament, was referred to the Hospital Committee to report upon. Drugs — Tenders were received for the supply of drugs to the Hospital. That of Messrs Wakefield and Hogg being accepted, at 7s per patient per month. Foreman of Works' Report. — I have to report that since April 6th the following works have been carried out :— The Asylum-road drains have been dragged and cleared out. The contract for forming the road and cutting drains in Lon-don-street has been completed. 296 chains of streets have been repaired with gravel from Mrs Hair's pit, and 25 chains of now work have been done in Harri-son-street. 20 chains of Victoria Avenue have been picked up and trimmed into proper shape. By doing this work there has been a great saving of gravel, and the street is kept at its proper level. Several service pipes have been laid on, and hydrants repaired ; also, tools and barrows for prisoners. 18 lamp globes have been strapped, and the rings and crowns of the sound globes altered to give more ventilation. All the globes that have been fixed since the crowns and rings have been altered have stood well. Some of the strapped ones have been erected and look very well. I would suggest that the lamp posts be painted. The mud tanks and cesspools have been emptied. Carting ashes and clearing along the water channels have been attended to. The furze has been cut and grubbed in Gloucester and Hallswell Streets, and in 25 chains of Londonstreet. Works in Progress. — Repairing and top-dressing asphalte footpaths when the weather is favourable. Trimming and gravelling Harrison-street, and attending to newly-gravelled streets. The contract for widening and deepening Londonstreet drains is progressing slowly. The prison labour was handed over to the School Committee on Friday morning last. I would recommend to have the side of Victoria Avenue, from Glasgowstreet to the bottom of St John's Hill, filled up to the level of the roadway before the wet weather. It was impassable for people on foot last winter. This work can be done with the Council drays, and the clay can he taken from St John's Hill. I wish to be informed if the Council requested me to go and sit in Mr Gibbs' office and give him all the information relating to the position of ten miles of water pipes. Mr Gibbs told me that in his letter to the Council he meant it to be understood that I would have to give him all the information to prepare a plan of the water pipes. His letter does not say so. He offers to supply a plan showing all the water mains and all the drains through the town for a certain sum, and he has requested me to go to his office and give him all the information. This I refused to do. It would take a considerable time to give Mr Gibbs all the information it would require to make a correct plan. I think the Council would not wish me to sit in Mr Gibbs' office during working hours, and neglect the Borough works. I have not time to do my own office work in the working hours, but have to prepare the men's pay-sheet and do my office work at night. If the Council will allow me a little time, I will prepare a plan showing all the water mains and fireplugs through the town for the Council. The Fire Brigade can have a copy from this plan, which will not be intermixed with any other pipes. The plan of this gas pipes will be for the use of the Council office. Lamp Post. — Ordered that the lamp posts be painted. Footpath. — Ordered that the footpath in the Avenue, from Glasgow-street to London-street, be formed and metalled. Map or the Town. — The Foreman of Works' offer to prepare a map for the Fire Brigade, was agreed to. Gas.— It was resolved that the Gas Company be requested to furnish a plan of the gas pipes throughout the town. Accounts. — A number of accounts were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.