BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2614, 23 September 1909, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. Tlie fortnightly meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council was held last night. Present, the Mayor (in the chair) and Crs. Kirk, Maynard, Barton, Clayton, Collins, Somervell. Pettic, Harris, and Smith. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Secretary of tlie' Gisborne Gas Co. wrote notifying the Council of the early arrival of the large gas mains. He outlined the work that was to be done, and trusted that the Council would offer no objection to the opening up of the footpaths whenever a service is required. On the suggestion of the Mayor, the matter was left in the hands of the Works Committee, to take whatever advice they desired and report to the Council. Several Councillors expressed their opinion of the importance of the subject. , Mr. H. J. Brownlee applied for permission to lay a drain from Messrs Hallenstein Bros.’ building across Gladstone Road and down Peel Street to low water mark. [t was decided to grant the request, subject to the work being carried out to the satisfaction of the Overseer. A number of ratepayers in Whittaker Street wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the disadvantages they suffered owing to the great height of the pine trees on Mr. A. G. Beerc.s property. , , , The matter was left in the hands of the Inspector to confer with Mr. Beere. Mr. L. G. P. Spencer, M.1.C.E., wrote regarding the proposed bridge over the Waimata river, and recommending the. erection of the structure to connect McLean Street with Hurnhura Road, as this was a better site than the other proposed. Some discussion ensued as to the respective values of the sites, and the matter was referred to a committee of the whole Council, with power to act after inspection. The Secretary of the Hospital Trustees wrote asking the Council to place the portion of Roebuck Road between Gladstone and Aberdeen Roads in good repair, as it caused a great deal of inconvenience to patients going to and coming from the hospital. The Mayor said that a good deal bad been done in that quarter, and beyond a few loads of shingle for patching purposes nothing could be done until the loan proposals were carried. Messrs Robb Bros, wrote asking permission to erect a waggon weighbridge on the roadside in Grey Street. It- was decided to agree to the request, providing that the work be done to the satisfaction of the Council’s inspector. and that the machine be removed at any time at the will of the Council. .. The Secretary of the Trades and Labor Council wrote asking that Labor Day. October 13th, be proclaimed a whole holiday, and the request was acceded to. The Secretary of the Trades and Labor Council also forwarded a special invitation to the Council to give a display in the trades procession to be held on Labor Day, and the invitation was accepted. The Clerk of the Cook County Council forwarded a request for the Borough Council to meet the Cook County Council in conference on Friday, October Ist, for the purpose of considering what amount the borough should contribute towards the cost of repairing the Patutalii main road. A discussion resulted as to the damage or good done to the roads by the Straker waggon, and it was eventually decided to accede to the request, Cr. Barton expressing the opinion that the Borough Council should not try to “make” trouble. . The Secretary of the Gisborne Drivers’ Union forwarded a copy of the demands of the Union, and asked if they, were approved by the Council. It was decided that the Council should oppose the demands. The Secretary to the Gisborne Gas Company wrote for particulars as to the lighting and extinguishing of the street lamps, and the number of men emploved on the work. It was necessary, h© stated, for the company to have the information in order to consider the Council’s request for gas at a cheaper rate. . The Mayor said that the information had really been supplied, but that they could supply it again. It was also resolved to inform the Harbor Board that the Council was prepared to take over the lighting of their lamps at present rates. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. J. ItLittle) reported l as follows: — ‘Since last meeting of your Council I have been inspectipg the different parts or the borough, distributing pans, and getting the place ready at the depot to start operations on the new system, which will he started on Sunday night, the 26th inst. There are still a lot of house owners who have not yet complied with the request to get a new soil pan, to join in with tho new system. The number of new pans which have been delivered and paid for up to date is 1450, leaving a balance of about 350 not yet provided for. Owing to the large number which have now been sold and delivered, and as everything is ready to make a start, I deem it necessary that a start should be made on tho above date. I have taken delivery of 250 lids from the contractor, and to complete his contract he has about 150 more lids to make. The number of soil pans contracted for have been completed, but have not yet been handed over to the Council. I would recommend a progress payment of £BS on the contract. I shall also, be pleased to receive instructions from your Council what jiroceduTe I have to take with regard to those who are not providing new pans. For a considerable time the borough has been removing tho nightsoil from the Mangapapa and Kaiti Schools free of cost. The new system will cost a considerable amount more, both in removing and upkeep of same. I would recommend your Council to take into consideration tho making of fresh arrangements with the above-named schools, which are

both outside the borough. Two of the horses which we have been using at the nightsoil work .are not suitable, and I would recommend that they be sold and others purchased in their place.” The report was received. Cr. Collins moved, and Cr. Maynard seconded “That the by-laws be enforced, and proceedings be taken against those who refuse to adopt the sealed pan system.” 'The motion was carried, the Mayor remarking that it was a pity some people seemed inclined to obstruct a necessary scheme. Tho Council would not be able to remove the refuse from the houses if the proper receptacles were not provided. Cr. Kirk drew attention to the fact that all pans were sterilised before being returned to the owners. It was decided to notify the School Committees and the County Council that the Council would be unable to continue the removal of nightsoil from tho ciiburbs. STREET LIGHTING REPORT.

Mr. John Hay, Borough Turncock, reported as follows: “I have the honor to submit for your information the detailed arrangement made for lighting, extinguishing, and cleaning the 74 street lamps of the borough. ('Tho harbor lights can also be .included if deemed advisable, and this would make a further saving in cost). The present lamplighter will commence .lighting the lamps in the West End 11 hours before sunset, his round occupying about 21 hours. At 11.30 p.m. lie will commence extinguishing lamps in the West End. finishing at Carnarvon Street by 12.30. The nightwatchman will start, extinguishing on Whataupoko at 11 p.m., then the Kaiti lamps will be done, and he will finish up with the city lamps as far as Cobden Street at 12.30 p.m. The lamplighter will clear and repair all lamps every afternoon, nutting in a week’s day-work in the yard during moonlight nights when he will not be required at night. This arrangement will not entail any additional expense to the present cost, and the Council will have a week’s work from the lamplighter every month to the good.” Tlie report was adopted.

WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT. The Works Committee reported as follows:—“Gas Work's: Your committee have to report that they met on .Friday, lOtli September, and waited on the directors of tho Gas Company, when is was ascertained that the Board were favorably disposed to selling the present works to the borough at an amount not under £60,000 for fixed capital, and new material afloat would probably run into another £15,000. With this total cost of £75,000 the works would be capable of supplying from 75 to 90 million cubic feet of gas per annum. The output at the present time being about 30 million feet per annum. Street Loan: Your committee met again on the 13th, when street loan estimates were considered at length. Tlie Engineer was asked to prepare a schedule of localities where he deemed 1 it not advisable to adhere to the permanent levels, and it was agreed to obtain Mr. Grant’s o7>inion on whether it would.' be advisable to give the roads generally more crown by lowering the footpaths on the transverse section. It was agreed to 1 allow Mr. Spencer 1§ per cent, for preparing full working plans and specifications for the Waimata bridge and approaches (five, copies in all).” The report was adopted. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORT.

The following report was read: “The special committee of the Gisborne Borough Council met oil 13th September, 1909, at 7 p.m. Present: The Mayor and all Councillors except Cr. Pettie, who was absent from the district. Your committee have to report that they met Mr. Jones, and the question of lighting generally was discussed at length. Mr. Jones advised the Council not to entertain the idea of purchasing the gas works at £60,000, as a sum under £IO,OOO would instal electric lighb equal to the present gas consumption—viz., 30,000,000 ft per annum, and he would' prefer electric light to a .second gas plant. He also advised the installation of electric plant for lighting the streets, driving drainage pumps, and for sale to the public, for both power and lighting .purposes. The surplus water power and producer gas would be the best means of driving the dynamos, and the question of obtaining i»wer from a destructor should be kept in view. The engineer was instructed to bring up a detailed report on electric lighting, with power to employ outside assistance for the necessary details, on the lines suggested by Mr. Jones. Your committee would also suggest that arrangements- be made with Mr. Marchant to find the amount of .power required for driving the drainage pumps. Your committee also discussed the question of trams, and a feasible scheme was submitted, and a copy of report is attached, the committee considering a length of seven in lieu of four< miles necessary. Another special committee meeting was held on 18fch September, at 7.30 p.m., when there were present: The Mayor, Crs Clayton, Darton, Kirk, Harris, Smith, and Somervell. .Vr. Jarrett waited on the Council and submitted his report on metal and shinglesupplies for the borough. The report was read, and Mr. Jarrett explained several details in connection therewith, and after a vote of thanks being passed to Mr Jarrett, the meeting adjourned.” The report was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS.

The Nightwatchman (Mr. W. Fraser) reported several outbreaks of fire since last meeting of the Council. The report was adopted, the Mayor exclaiming: “We have never had such a report before us. It is extraordinary.” The Overseer (Mr. M. Morgan) presented a report on several works m progress. The report was adopted. Accounts amounting to £IO7B 0s lid were passed for payment, and the Council proceeded to discuss several matters of general business.