GISBORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2195, 20 May 1908, Page 2

GISBORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTN’IG H TLY AIEJiTING

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Alayor (Air. W. D. Lysuar), Crs. Pettie, Whinrny, Sawyer, Darton, Somervell, Sheridan, and Williams. COR DESPONDENCE. Air. J. D. Kelly invited the Council to view a portrait of Mr. John Townley, which lie had painted. A committee consisting of- Cr«.- Williams, Pettie, AVhiuray, and Sheridan, with tlio Alayor, was appointed to view tho picture, many of the councilors praising the work. The manager of tho Bank of New ■Zealand wrote stating the rate of interest on the Borough over draft had been raised from 5 per cent, to 5J per cent, per annum. Air. J. Bciiney and sixteen other ratepayers asked that a lamp be erected on Abattoir Road. Cr. Darton said the Gas Company should- inform the Council where tho mains were laid, so that the overseer could know where lamps could be placed. Cr. Wltiuray said there was greater need for a lamp in Victoria Town-

ship. Cr. Sheridan suggested that the overseer -be asked to report upon tho most suitable site for a lamp. On the motion of Cr. Somervell it was decided to defer consideration until next meeting, so that tho overseer could report ou the most suitable sites for additional lamps in the Borough. Mr. C. Bolien, lion, sec. of the Gisborne Private Band, informed tho Council that if they received financial assistance they would be prepared to give a series of open-air concerts.

The Alayor said last year £-10 was granted to the Amalgamated Band, and this band was an off-shoot of the joint band. The £4O had been in excess of tho amount that could be voted by the Council, and until the special expenditure was known he thought the application should be turned down lor future consideration. Cr. Sheridan said he did not think the amount was excessive, hut ho was opposed to giving any financial assistance to a private baud. There was a municipal band, and that should be supported. Cr. (Somervell said there was no municipal baud. The hand that took the name was a private baud, pure -and simple. Cr. Sheridan said there was a public baud, or at least- a band whose property was vested in trustees appointed by the public. Cr.. Darton said lie thought he ■Borough should support the private band, provided a good bargain could be made.' Cr. Pettie thought the baud that had been longest in existence had a prior claim ou the Council. The Alayor said the status of tlie band should no be taken into consideration. They should only consider the entertainment of the pubic. Ho would like to know from the audit department how much could be silent for this purpose, and the letter would be considered when that answer was received. The Alayor’s suggestion was adopted. , . Mr. A i'll veil Williamson wrote setting forth the merits of the “Mercer” lire-extinguslier, for which he is a lie Mayor said he thought fireextinguishers should be attached - to the fire station. A sub-committee should inspect the appliance. Cr. Williams said he had seen the applaiice, and thought it would bo verv effective in a case or incipient outbreak, but it would be useless in a fire depot. - A committee was appointed to inspect the Aiercer extinguisher and report to the Council. Mr. R. Mitchell asked that a water pipe be laid to his house in (Stanley l{< The Town Clerk said Air. Alitcliell offered some time ago to contribute £5 towards the cost of tlie work. The Alayor said - it was impossible to "o ou laying additional mains out of ordinary rates, but a loan should be authorised for the work. He thought the Borough solicitors opmon should be sought as to whether an extra ten per cent, could. <be borrowed for the work. He moved that consideration be deferred until the solicitors’ opinion was received. The motion Was carried. Air. F. C. AViddop, District Engineer for Railways, offered to lease the land between the Gisborne' railway station and the sea to the Council at a peppercorn rental. : It was decided to accept a lease of the laud.

The General Manager of Railways informed the Council that he would expedite the carriage of gravel from Kaitiratahi. The station master at Gisborne had promised to place ten trucks at the disposal of the Council.—Received.

REPORTS. The Works Committee recommended that in terms of Air. Adam’s suggestion tho. Council ask tho State nursery at Rotorua to ,supply a numoer oi trees for planting on tlio Oeach, and that the Council pay half the cost- of the Sin drain pipe required on Mr. Pavitt’s property. Mr. Pavitt wrote suggesting that a (jin pipe be laid down to divert tho ivater into the Avainui.

it was decided to inform Air. Pavitt that lie could lay down a Gin pipe at his own risk.

The committee that waited upon die Cook County Council in reference to a supply of road metal front Patutahi il a tramline was laid down recommended that SouOyds be taken iioni the quarry, each (year for five years.

the Mayor said the question of royalty would have to bo considered. t ua. Pottle thought tlio royalty should bo abolished, with ds per yd as the maximum charge, and m hope emit the metal would not cost- more Uiau 2s a yd m a low years. Or. Williams si id the biitiim on -Uonday convinced him that the could not d 0 without Patutahi metal. “ "as important that the Council, diould encourage the County Council to lav down the tram. It was agreed to take 8000yds of metal per yo.ir for five years. i-ur. M. .Morgan, Borough ovprsoer reported that during the ffim 0 lu a good deal of sandin'* and tnr *'<■»»»« .te-Cpiti! S miuS'Kf W *»