BOROUGH COUNCIL.
The ordinary meeting of tho Borough Council was held last evoning, when the following members were present : His "Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Crs Morrison, Whinray, Hepburn, Somervell, Kennedy, Johnstone, Miller, and Lysnar. WATER SUPPLY.
The following communication was read from Mr Mestayer replying to question!) in regard to the water supply "1. Scour main from rosorvoir: Of oourse I have allowed in my estimate for all works necessary to carry out the work in a proper manner. This necessarily includes the provision for a scout main, which would of course be carriod to the bottom of the reservoir, and enable it to be drained dry if reguirod. Tho passage in my report referring to the 9 million gallons left in tho reservoir, refers solely (as is clearly shown by the context) to the water drawn off for supplying tho town, which should for easily understood reasons be kept some littlo distanco abovo tho bottom. I understand that some stress is beiog laid on tho assorted fact that I had mado no provision for thfß scour-main. If my report had boon moro carefully read it would have been seen that this assertion is incorrect. See item No. 3on page Bof tho report,'-whore I provide for " By-wash, _ wash out main, and valves, £1150.” " 2. Holding capacity of tho ground : I have already stated that I consider the Waihirere site a favorable one in this re spect. As to water being lost by absorption, there is no four of this, as the ground can only take up a limited quantity, and onco saturated it will take up no moro. The some objection holds good for every storage reservoir in the world, but I never yet heard of any trouble arising from this . cause, although I have had many of them nndor my charge. As to the possibility of percolation through underlying porous Strata, I consider that far too much importance is being attached to such loss. Anyone who has over used a drip filter knows how slow percolation through porous stone renlly is, and how infinitesimal would bo the loss in any year from such action. I have not altered my opinion in tho slighost degree, aB to the suitability of the ground. “3. Effect of raupo swamp, decaying vogetablo matter, and eels : I do not consider these points of tho vory slighost importance. There is no storage reservoir in / tho world which is free from something of the same kind, and tboro are vory few in•deed which arc so freo from similar objec-
tions, as tho Waihirore. Eels are no objection, as they act as scavengers, and remove other impurities from tho water. It is usual to stock such reservoirs with fish of some kind or other. Tho amount of de-
caying vegetable matter which tho raupo swamp would contribute to the reservoir, is bo insignificant, that oven if it were in anyway injurious—which I deny—tho rosult would bo entirely inappreciable.” Tho Mayor said that this was the result of his interview with Mr Mestayer at
Wellington. They were also informed that thero would be a saving in tho cost of the mains. Tho Engineer recommended the use of steel pipes, which he had proved of be superior to tho iron pipes. Mr V’ l ]inray said that provision should be mado for a supply of water from a reservoir whilst the dam was being cleaned. The scheme was incomplete on this ac count, There was also the doubt as to whethor tho ground would hold water. Mr Lysnar, who was absent v. hen tho letter was read, after perusing the same, uddressod himself as to the loss of water through percolation through htnoßtone. Ho claimed that Mr Mestayer had not mado this allowance. Limestone was porous, and tho water percolated through it. These were not points to be answered in a bald way or in a general way. Dr Eisher had referred to tho question of percolation. The matter was a very serious one. Cr Miller said that Councillors would have an opportunity later on. Cr Konnedy : Lot him make his speech. vL_ Cr Lysnar, continuing, said that Mr Mestayer’s reference to raupo was news to him. He claimed that the discoloration of the riv-tr water was due to raupo. Cr Hepburn: I say that there is no raupo swam]), He is making a great song about a raupo swamp, but I say that there is none there: After some discussion of a desultory character the next business w as proceeded with. VISITS FROM EXPERTS.
A letter was received from the Minister of Minos declining to send a geologist, on aooount of the question having been previously reported upon, and there was no new matter for investigation. Dr. DoLisle wrote stating that the Chief Health Officer regretted that he could not visit Gisborne until tho present session of Parliament was over. BRIDGES.
The County Enginoor forwarded plans and reported in regard to a bridge over the Taruheru at Roebuck road, at a cost of about £4241. Or Morrison spoke in favor of the work proceeding, and moved that the matter be referred to the Bridge Committeo. It would not mean a very heavy rate. Cr Somervell supported the proposal. Or Whinray said the bridgo was a necessity, and should be pushed on without delay. . „ . Cr Lysnar thought the cost of widening the present bridgo should be obtained, and a poll could be taken for both the works. Cr Whinray said that it was not necessary to take a poll. Cr Kennedy supported the motion, The Town Clerk said that the Engineer bad stated that £IOOO could be knocked off the estimate it a swing were dispensed with. . It was pointed out that the Marine Department would not allow this to be done. Messrs Somervell, Morrison, Kennedy, Whinray, and Hepburn were appointed a Bridgo Committee.
KAITARATAHI GRAVEL.
Mr C. E. Armstrong, Engineer of the Public Works Department, wrote stating that the charge for gravel loaded on the trucks at Kaitaratahi would be Is 8d per yard. This did not includo the railway freight. The Clerk said the railway freight was Is 9d per ton. The Mayor said that when in Wellington he had soon the Minister, and he understood that the cost of the gravel would bo 2s 9d per ton. There was a royalty on ! tbo gravel. Cr Konucdy thought they should not grumble, as tho gravel was cheap at the , price. Cr Hepburn said that the poorest quality of gravel was brought on account of it boing easily filled. If tbe Government insisted on having their own men the latter could give them tho poorest stuff. He did not think tins was satisfactory. The Council should have their own men, who could select superior quality of gravel. Cr Lysnar endorsed Cr Hepburn’s remarks, pointing out that the river was a long one, auu surely the Council could got another part of it, where they could fill tho trucks. The Mayor : There is a royalty to pay. Cr Lysnar : They are not paying any royalty, and wo can got all wo want. Cr Hepburn urged that tho Ovorseor should be sent to select tho quality of gravel they requirod, Cr Morrison : They will toll you that they are not contractors. Tho Mayor: Thoy will refuse to supply to, Cr Whinvay : That is the most extraordinary part of it. Thoro aro millions of tons of gravel that can bo utilised, and I cannot see why the Government will not make uso of tho permanent way. We could make tho railway pay double what it is doing now. ~ \ Cr Morrison wanted to see sufficient gravel obtained for Grey street and Peel eet, and at tho same timo thoy should sVe that they got the best quality. Cr Somervell complained of the action of the Government in not meetiog tho Council in a fair manner. It was decided to instruct tho Overseer to visit Kaitaratahi to arrange with, the Government Enginoor for a supply. SANITARY INSPECTION.
DeLislo, District Health Officer, wrote' congratulating tho bodies interested on the action they had initiated In the event of Mr Little, the Borough 3 present inspector, being recommended for (he position of inspector of the town and suburban districts, be would have pleasure in reoom-
mending the appointment to the Chiof Health Officer. HEALTH REPORT.
The following report was received from the Sanitary Inspector: “ Since your last meeting I havo been inspecting tanks, spouting, etc,, and various plans in different parts of the borough. The thanks of your Council are due to the Beautifying Association, who have this last week suppliod and planted at the depot over 150 trees and plants of assorted kinds, which are likely to grow on the beach. I might state that over 50 per cent, of what were planted last year are in a healthy condition. Health report : I havo to report one case of diptheria which has occurred in the borough, and one case of enteric fover from To Arai, which have been reported by tho doctors since your last meeting." A voto of thanks was passed to the Beautifying Association. OVERSEER’S REPORT.
The Borough Overseer reported:— ll As authorised at your last meeting, I have had the traction engine at work on the lower block of Gladstone road. It cannot bo oxpeeted to obtain the same results from work of this kind as from tho use of a road roller, which is made for the express purposo of rolling and smoothing tho roads, and the traction for gripping same for haulago ; it should at least prove the advantages to be gained by a rollor. I would recommend that your Council call for tenders for tho carting of the usual supply of stone at as early a date as possible, so that no advantage in this respect bo lost. With the prospect of obtaining gravel for Peel street, I have started the formation of the footpaths and completion of tho street. I have to thank your Council for the purchaso of two young horses, without which the working of the gravel could not bo successfully carried out. I think they are a good investment, and hope they will give your Council every satisfaction.” Referring to the need for a traction engine, Cr Lysnar said that the amount required to strengthen the bridge would bo saved in one year by securing a traction ongiuo. Ho wanted to see the question faced in a business like manner. He suggested the rnattor should be referred to a Finance Committee.
The Mayor said that they could not havo the traction engine and the metal in tho same year. He hoped the Council would agree to the recommendation of the Overseer.
Cr Morrison preferred to see the question deferred until after the taking of the loan poll. Year after year they had put off purchasing a traction engine. Cr Lysnar : Thero 13 the samo indecont haste every year in regard to metal. The Mayor : It is tho obstruction that is indecont.
Cr Somervoll thought tho Council was paying too much for tho motal, which was chiefly spent on Gladstone Road. They should havo all information as to the cost of a traction ongine. Tho Mayor: It is all in the office. You can have it in five minutes.
Cr Somervell, continuing, said the bogey of strengthening the bridge was only a putoff. He contended that it was time a new bridge was erectod. He had not examined the structure, but looking at other bridges ho considered that it had gone past the prime of life. He seconded the proposition that they should obtain the motal, for it could not be done without. The motion was adopted. TENDERS.
Tho following tenders were received for the erection of a stnblo in Childers road and a loose-box at tho Fire Brigade Station : Clayton Bros. £l5O (accepted), Muckrell and Colley £167, H. J. Reed £IBO, Haisman and Sons £lB5, H. Walker £l9l. CR LYSNAR’S OBJECTIONS. Cr Lysnar said that thero were two matters that he desired to bring up in regard to water and drainage, so that it could not bo afterwards said that the Council were not given an opportunity to act upon thorn. Tho first was in regard to a special district, in respect of which he thought the Council should follow the recommendation of the solicitor. The Act was clear that the portion of the borough benefited had to pay for it. Cr Miller : That is so.
Cr Lysnar : Then how is it that provision is not mado for proper reticulation of the borough ? You are thousands of pounds short. Cr Miller : There is nothing beforo the meeting. Cr Lysnar : I will put something before the meeting. The Mayor: It will have to be done by notice of motion,
Cr Lysnar said that he would give notice of motion in regard to the subject, and would also move that the Council go into the question of drainage and sewerage. No provision was made or contemplated in the loan proposals for drainage, it was only sewerage. It was wrong to put anything in the loan proposals in regard to drainage. He gave notice of the following motion : As there is no provision in the loan proposals to reticulate of whole of the Borough for the water and sewerage scheme, this Council should form a special district in terms of the Municipal Corporations Act, for the special part intended to be served, seeing that the Council are not acting up to the position placed before the Council upon being advised upon this question.” 11 That the reference to drainage should be eliminated from the loan proposals, a 3 there is no provision in the Engineer’s scheme for drainage, only sewerage, the reference to drainage being misleading.’’
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Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 984, 2 September 1903, Page 3
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2,300BOROUGH COUNCIL. Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 984, 2 September 1903, Page 3
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