BOROUGH COUNCIL

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 831, 4 March 1903, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was lieiei last evening, when the following members were present : His Worship the Mayor i.Mr ,1. Townley), Crs Jones, Mason, Whinray. Hephurn, Bright, .Miiler. iirid Hitr iing. I’fNES ESTATE.

The Council's solicitor wrote in regard o the road through the Pines estate, jiving an opinion which has already been

published. Cr Wiiinray complained of the smallness ui the sections, and asked ii it was not pn.-sibie to prevent properties being cut up in such a manner. As custodians of the public weal the Council should have a by-law to previ in such a thing uccurriug again. It was uelm-uenial to the public health to have buildings put up so close to one another.

Cr Harding thought a man was .justified in trying tu get ;i5 much for his property as possible. The public were good judges, and it was not likely they would take such small sections and erect buildings. Such a thing might be done in Queen street, Auckland, but it would not be dono in Gisborne.

The Mayor said that the Council had no power to discuss the matter. After some discussion of a desultory character the subject dropped. WATER SOURCES.

Mr Wilson wrote in regard to a sito for a water supply, and stating that if the Council decided upon it ho claimed the sum of .£SO offered by them. The Mayor said he had visited the locality in company with Cr Whinray, but he personally did not consider the source a good one. Cr Whinray referred to the source as the best yet found in the district. It was, in his opinion, bettor than Waihirere. It was a grand llow of water. Cr Miller suggested that a record of flic committee's visits should he made on tin: minutes.

Cr Lysnar said that there was no question that thy source mentioned by Mr Wilson was far superior to Waihirere. Ho saw difficulties in both sources, as there was nuL sufficient water in either. There was not sufficient water to keep a freezing works going. Ho contended that the only source for the Council wus to go straight for the Waimata supply, whero there was water enough to keep a town like Auckland going. He hoped the Council would give the matter careful consideration.

BRIDGES AND LAMP-POSTS. Mr A. Britain, of Christchurch, wrote stating that- he was in a position to tender for bridges ; ho had been appointed agent for the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company, Darlington, England. He also quoted prices for lamp posts. The letter was referred to the Committee framing the estimates. T U RAN GAN U I BRIDGE,

The County Engineer wrote stating that the repairs to the Turanganui bridge, costing from £“250 to £260, would be completed in a few days. Traffic had not been impeded, and Mr McLeod, the contractor, had displayed great ingenuity in regard to the work. The Mayor said the Council were indebted to Mr Fraser for the trouble lie had taken. Whon the bridge was puinted it would last for a long time. Cr Lysnar thought an estimate should be obtained as to the cost of decking and asphalting as suggested by the County Engineer. The Mayor said the cost would bo considerable. Cr Jones said that the County Engineer might bo asked as to whether he could devise some moans of widening the Taruheru bridge.

OVERSEER’S REPORT. The Overseer reported as follows : “ As authorised at last meeting, I have made the alterations to the foot bridge at the Ballance street end, together with several other necessary repairs. The alterations made to the end of Balianco street have'made it necessary that the footpath should bo gravelled ; this work would cost about 17 shillings per chain. I would respectfully mention to your Council that for some time there has been a good deal of petty mischief carried on in tho recreation ground, disfiguring of the work done and other wanton mischief that should bo checked before it goes too far. I htlve had the briars cut down in all the Borough paddocks and adjoining roads in the Act. I have had the fences renewed at the Cobdcn street property, the same having got into a bad state. I have also made new gates for the front entrance, as the old one was altogether out of place for the property. I would recommend that the footpath in Lowe street from Gladstone road to Read's Quay on the west side be kerbed ; the property owners, I understand, are prepared to pay their share of tho same, and desire it to be done. We have the timber on hand which is getting well seasoned. I could undertake tho work in a weok or so if your Council desiros to have it done. Many of our footpaths are much in Deod of repairs. I would respectfully ask your Council authority to obtain 100 or 150 yards of gravol for same, or that tenders be called for, before tho wet season seta in. Stone contract 2 : 8581yds delivered to date.”

It was decided to proceed with the work recommended by the Overseer. DAIRY INSPECTION. The following report in regard to dairies supplying disborne with milk was received from Mr Wilkinson : “ Since the 20th of this month I have made an inspection of each of the dairy farms that supply milk within the borough. The cattle are all looking fairly healthy, despite the scarcity of grass feed, and in some cases a shortage of water. The following are the numbers of cattle being milked at the respective dairies : Willan 38, Bell 38, Tombleson 34, Baty 23, Martin lb, Goldie IS, Wilson 16, Willoughby 15, Liddell 10. This makes a total of nine duiries, with ten carts supplying milk to the borough. The following is a lactometer test of the milk : Baty 30, Wilson 30, Willan 29, Bell 29, Tombleson 29, Martin 29, Goldie 29, Liddell 27, and Willoughby 27. The tests are much lower than on previous occasions, and I attribute this effect as caused from the scarcity of water and feed, With the exceptions of the two lowest numbers, the remaining tests show a fair quality of milk.” I INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Borough Inspector reported as follows : —“ .Since your last meeting, 1 have been inspecting in various parts of the borough. I would respectfully ask your Council to consider the advisability of procuring another horse to assist in the nightsoil and rubbish work, as the horse which we have been using as a leader for the nightsoil cart belongs to .Mr Orey, and he has given me notice he requires it himself. One of the Borough cottages in Carnarvon street being without a tenant for a week, and as a new one was going in, it was found necessary to have the floors in the two front rooms taken up and relat'd with new joists and Mooring at a cost of .413, the old floor being full of dry-rot, and dangerous. Health Report : I have thoroughly disinfected rooms occupied by scarlet fever patients, mentioned in my last, report. I have also to report live cases- of enteric fever, which ha'C been notified since your last meeting. All the eases have been removed - to the Hospital for treatment. r have visited all tne places where eases occurred in the borough, and inspected same, and can -see nothing /flat would lead me to believe could cause fever. Two of the cases came from the same house, one of the patients having been working at the freezing works, where i am led to beliexe the drink iltc water is not, of the best quality. TOWN CLOCK. The Town C-'trk staled that the clock would he in Auckland Lsc and at Napier a few days later. ' The'Mayor sain ero ; had ficulty with tiie Bank in IOEa. _ -- the payment* for the clock. Ik’ cumiu not, understand how this could be, as the Bank had both his own and tin: Town Clerk's personal guarantee. Or Miller thought that some explanation should he obtained from the Bank. Cr Harding thought that it wa.-> a rellection on the Mayor of the town

If he (Cr Harding) iiad given ii is guarantee in regard in payment. be would have fiit'ii annoyed to find thatthere was some trouble with tho London agent. He moved that the Bank u! New Zealand be asked for an explanation of the matter. This wa.-, agreed to.

Cr Bright .suggested that Mr Arnold Williams, whd had inspected the clock at Home on behalf m the Council. should tie given some small memento. symbolical of the district, for the trouble taken

The Mayor said that this would he done later on.

The question of raising subscriptions to pay the balance owing on the clock and chimes was then discussed. The Town I'ierk said that about t;l2u was in. and there was snl! illJo to collect. The Government was coinnhuiing t;2fiii. Cr Lysnar said that an active canvass should be made. Tit was decided that this should be done. DRAINAGE. ...

Mr Andrew Gregg wrote, asking that Hie drain through Ins property should be cleaned. Tins had not been done for two years.

The Mayor said the work should lit; done, it was not a big job.—Agreed to. WATER SUPPLY.

Cr Bright asked if there was any report from the committee that visited tho source for a water supply discovered by Mr Cooper.

Cr Lysnar said there was no doubt that the source boro out what Mr Cooper claimed. After visiting the source the committee visited 'Waihirere.

Cr Bright: The agreemout is entirely at an ond. Cr Lysnar: 1 do not express any opinion about tho agreement at all. Cr Whinray said that Mr Cooper showed them nothing but what the Mayor and himself had seen on the previous Wednesday. The matter was worthy of further consideration. He wished to seo nn expert opinion on the threo sources, including tho Waimata. Councillors wore not experts, and it was only guesswork with them in regard to the hoigbt. He wished to see the matter hold in abeyance for a time. In regard to source, quality and supply it was worthy of consideration. He hoped tho Council would deliberate calmly and dispassionately in regard to the supply at Gray’s Hill and the Wftimata. For himself ho was disappointed in regard to Cooper’s supply, as lie expected something bettor.

Cr Mason did not want any more exports. He was satisfied that tho spring of water at Gray’s Hill was not sufficient to supply one freezing works. The Mayor followed in the same strain. He did not consider that there was sufficient quantity of water at Gray’s Hill, although in regard to tho quality it was all that could lie desired. lie was opposed to further exports boing obtained. Ho was satisfied with Waihirere, which hud stood the test for the past twenty years. He thought it was now high time, instead of spending more money on experts, to get to work with the Waihirere scheme. Every expert had pronounced in favor of it. Mr Mestayer, from the actual surroundings of Waihirere, had decided in favor of it. Mr Boylan had stated that there was sufficient water at Waihirere for a town of 20,000 inhabitants. It was time that the shilly-shallying and shuffling of the Council was stopped, and others got to work. The present position in Gisborne in regard to a water supply was a disgrace to the Council, and was damaging tho town. Ho had been anxious to inspect Cooper’s supply, but after seeing it he thought that the Council had been misled.

Cr Harding said that for the first time in his life ho was opposed to tho suggestion that expert opinions should bo obtained. He was highly amused that Cr Whinray should suggest that an expert should be asked to inspect tho source they had visited on Monday. He contended that tho Council shouid devote all their moneys to forwarding the Waihirere scheme. It was ridiculous to ask for an export’s opinion on what they had soon on Monday. He maintained that the flow at Waihirere was over four inohos at tho present time, and he was prepared to back up his opinion to the extent of fifty pounds, tho proceeds to go to tho hospital, that there was such a How.

Cr Lysnar : I will put up fifty pounds that there is not a ilow of water equal to a four-inch pipe.

Cr Harding : We want something more practical than your statements. We have had enough of them in the past, and it is time we got to work. Cr Lysnar replied at length to tho remarks of His Worship and Cr Harding. It was true that Mr Mestayer had decided upon Waihirero at once, and that was his (Cr L.ysnar’s) complaint. Ho oxpected that Mr Mestayer would have visited and roported upon tho Waimata' scheme, but ho did not do so because it was a pumping scheme. Ho denied tho statement mado by tho Mayor that tho Council had boon had in regard to tho source pointod out by Mr Cooper. Continuing, Cr Lysnar complained of the class of country at Waihirore. He did not desire to seo tho borough forced into a position of bankruptcy, and ho would do all he could to oppose tho loan. Ho contended that Waihirero was absolutely beyond their means. They had the example of Napier in regard to tho success of a pumping scheme. The Council was blocking a proper scheme in the attitude they are pursuing. Cr Whinray, referring to tho nonsuccess of tho borough loan, said that he looked upon it as an intervention of Providence that they could not get the money. (Laughter.) The Mayor said that the reply to be sent to Mr Cooper should be to the effect that the Council did not at present intend going any further in the matter. Cr Harding : I think the Council should come to a definite decision in this matter. The source pointed out by Mr Cooper was previously known to the Council, and the Clerk should receive instructions as to the reply to be sent to him. Cr Whinray : Tho Council is not going to ado; t it.

The Mayor : At any rate, if we do adopt it, Mr Wilson's letter comes in first, and he simply claims the reward offered by the Council. However you treat it, Mr Cooper’s claim must be superseded by that of Mr Wilson. As far as I know, Mr Wilson did not know that this was the source to be pointed out by Mr Cooper. It was decided to write to Mr Cooper thanking him for his letter, and informing him that the source mentioned by him had been previously pointed out by Mr Wilson.