BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2434, 24 February 1909, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present:— Crs. J. Whin-ray (chairman), A. Sawyer, J. W. Bright, G. E. Darton, W. Pettie., E. H. Mann, J. Somervell, 'and J. S. Sheridan. CORRESPONDENCE. The lion, secretary of the Turanga Garden Fete (Mr. C. Gray) asked that the half-holiday on Thursday next be from noon instead of 1 p.ni. It was resolved to accede to tlie request. Messrs. Nelson Bros, wrote that, they would be pleased to freeze any meat to be sent Home for the unemployed, if it were provided at once.— The offer was gratefully accepted. Mi*. J. Currie, architect, wrote in regard to the. proposed additions and alterations to the Gisborne Hotel.— It was resolved to refer the matter to the Public Works' Committee and the Building Inspector to deal with. The Cook County Council wrote regarding a dam that had been made in the Arai River at White’s crossing by the insertion of a water pipe in connection with- the Gisborne, waterworks, and asked that the pipe be sunk so that no obstruction is caused to the free flow of the river water.— It was resolved to refer the letter to the Waterworks inspector to report upon.

Mr. Roland T. Robertson, Italian Consul at Wellington, wrote acknowledging receipt of, and returning thanks for, a cheque of £lO 15s 6d in aid of sufferers at- Messina.—Received. Messrs. G. Oppenheimcr and Co. wrote re the Council’s complaint that their Taruheru factory was causing a nuisance, and asking for suggestions towards making permanent remedies. Cr. Bright said Inspector Munro had inspected the premises yesterday, and would doubtless report on them in due course. The matter was ,ordered to be held over in the meantime. Mr. G. E. Darton wrote enclosing a sketch of a pressure-reducing valve in use at the Palmerston North waterworks. Cr. Darton explained the working of the valve, and stated that it was giving practical satisfaction in the southern town. He proposed that the matter bo referred to Mr. Hay for information as to whether the valve could be used in connection with the break pressure tank, or in lieu thereof.—Carried. Mr. A. Graham, vice-president of the No-Liccnse League, wrote regarding the election of the Licensing Committee. (This letter was published in the “Times” -a few days ago.) It was resolved to allow the Licensed Victuallers’ Association and the No-License League to make their own -arrangements regarding candidates for the Licensing Committee. «Ml*. J. Hall, secretary Trades and Labor Council, wrote in connection with the Licensing election.—Received.

Mr. Donov.a.n wrote asking for a satisfactory reason for his dismissal from the Council’s staff.-—Received. Mr. T. Rouayne, General Manager of Railways, stated that- he proposed to shortly transfer a locomotive of greater power than those at present in use to Gisborne.—Received. The secretary of the Poverty Bay Turf Club asked for a reduction in their water rates.—The Council decided that as the charges were, in accordance with the regulations, no steps could be- taken. The Auckland City Council wrote asking the Council’s co-operation in having certain 'amendments made to “The Local Bodies Loans Amendment Act, 1908,” in regard to the Public. Trustee being sole Sinking Fund Commissioner.—Received. REPORTS.

The Financial Committee reported that in lieu of compensation to Messrs. Bathgate and Edwards for widening Russell Street, the Council should fence the frontage, form and shingle the footway, and put gravel oil theroad. The committee had also interviewed Mr. C. J. Parker re a site at Te Arai for a break pressure tank and custodiall’s dwelling.—Adopted. The Sanitary Committee recommended that a public urinal should be erected in Custom-house Street. Italso recommended that the question of prohibiting by by-law the hawking of meat in carts stand as at present. —-Adopted.

The nightwatchman (Mr W. Fraser) reported am outbreak of fire at Whataupoko on the 9th hist., when a building owned, and occupied by Mr. Johanssen was destroyed. The report of the-Overseer (Mr. W. Morgan) was as follows: “Gravel Pit.—The work at the pit is being pushed on as fast as possible. The laying of the line is not yet completed to the river, but we -are well -down on the gravel bed. The crane vail be completed in a few days, when it will be taken to the pit, and a trial given of its capability to do the work required. So far it appears to be a very serviceable machine. The repairing of the fence authorised at your last meeting, which was broken by the rubbish cart, has been done. General Street Work. —Only urgent, repairs such as cleaning drains, patching the roads, repairing breakages, and street watering is undertaken at present.” Cr. Pettie drew attention to the state of the footpaths hi 1 the back streets, many of which were overgrown on both sides' with weeds. He asked if the Council could undertake the work of clearing some of them. Cr. Bright spoke in regard to the Council’s financial position, and advised caution. 'He said the Council was at present running dangerously close to the limit. Crs. Sheridan, Whinray, and Barton spoke in a similar strain, and Cr. Bright moved that the Finance Committee, with the Town Clerk, review the position, and report to the Coiunwil as to its finances at the earliest possible date. The mlotion was carried. Cr : Dart-oil.’ inquired how often tlxe trailer had been used in connection with the Straker waggon. / The Overseer said the trailer was not a very useful machine, ;and was at present undergoing' repairs. Cr. Sheridan said . the . Council should stoi> expending money on machines such as the Straker waggon, and should devote its energies to assisting the Cook County . Council ;in connection ' with the Fatutaln tramway.

In reply to .inquiries the Overseer said the Straker waggon carried live yards and the trailer three - yards of metal, and that - the waggon was never in danger of capsizing when /loaded. It was considered unwise to do two trips a day with the trailer attached. Gr. Darton said he would like to know what work the waggon had actu- , ally done, and wished to see .a return prepared showing wliat the machine had been doing and at what cost. If the machine was doing satisfactory wio-rk then -the Council should stick to it, and if it -was not- paying then it- was useless to use it. The Overseer said it would be au unwise policy to run the waggon two trips a day, 'as the machine depreciates in value rapidly owing to tlie state of the roads. Cr. Pettie said he was almost sorry the discussion had taken place in the Mayor’s absence, for Mr. Lysaia-r had at the last meeting spoken of the value of the Straker waggon, stating that such means of conveyance was superior to the proposed tramway. The Overseer was instructed to report as requested at the next meeting. GENERAL. | Cr. Sheridan, pursuant to notice, moved:—“That in future 'all advertisements relating to borough financial matters, whether in newspapers or by leaflet, bearing the signature of any of our officers, shall before publication be submitted to the Finance Committee for approval.” He spoke briefly in support of the motion.

Cr. Mann -seconded the motion. Or. Pettie considered that to carry the motion now would practically amount to a vote of censure on the Mayor in connection with, the recent loan proposals,- and he did -not wish to be a party to that. Cr. Bright spoke briefly in favor of the motion, which was carried, Cr. Pettie. dissenting. Cr. Bright moved that the motion imposing £1 per annum on septic tanks be rescinded. He react a petition received from a nuinbewof ratepayers, -and said they were being charged extra for keeping their places sanitary, and the extra taxation was unfair to them. Or. Aln mi seconded the motion. The gain to the Council was so small that it was perhaps somewhat unwise on tlie Council’s part to enforce it, especially as there was a good supply of water.

Cr. Sheridan opposed the motion. Tlie rate charged was 'very reasonable, and was in force in nearly all other towns. He saw no reason for exercising tlie exemption clause. Cr. Pettie considered that the saving of nightspil cartage was a point to lie remembered, and no charge should be made to a man who was endeavoring to keep -his place taui-' tary. Cr. Somervell referred to Dr. Dc Lisle’s report, which condemned septic tanks, and lie thought no hardship was being imposed on the ratepayers in question. Cr. Darton felt that in the Council’s present financial condition, tlie charge could not be rebated. It- was not unreasonable, and tlie privilege of using the water should be paid for. Cr. Bright briefly replied, and the motion was lost, Crs. Darton, Somervell, Sawyer, and Sheridan voting against it.

Q'r. Darton moved that the necessary steps be taken to have a proposal for rating on unimproved values placed before the ratepayers at an early date. He said the principle was a good one, and there were 38 boroughs at present working under it. It was unwiso to put a check on improvements, and it was a progressive step. Cr. AVhinray thought the time chosen to move in the matter was rather in opportune. Or. Somervell believed in the principle, which -was the most just one known at the present time. Ho thought, however, that the Council’s circumstances did not permit- of a poll being -taken at present. He seconded tho motion ipiio forma. Cr. Sheridan did not consider the principle of rating on unimproved values to he .a good one, and he furthermore thought the present time inopportune to put the pi'oiposad before the ratepayers. * Cr. Bright opposed the motion. It was a drastic change brought forward at the wrong time. •’ . Cr. Pettie said lie would like to give opportune to put the proposal before voting for it. ... Cr. Mann spoke in a similar strain. Tlie motion was lost, Crs. Darton and Somervell only voting for the motion.