BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2626, 7 October 1909, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEEJING. Tlie fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (in the chair), and Crs Kirk, Maynard. Darton, Collins. Clayton, Somervell, Smith, Pettie, and Harris. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. H. Withers, Victoria Township, .wrote requesting the immediate erection of the Lux light authorised to be erected at Victoria Township. It was decided to inform the’ writer that an order had been placed for the lamp. Mr. W. J. Scholium wrote asking the Council to do certain improving work in Stanley Road. The Mayor said that as finances were it was absolutely impossible to do anything more -with new works _or until the loan proposals were carried. It was decided to reply to that effect. The secretary of the Gas Company wrote stating that under the existing circumstances no reduction could be made in the charge of maintaining the street lamps.—Received. A number of residents of Wellington Street wrote asking the Council to consider the installation of the water mains in that street.

Iffie Mayor said that this was another matter that could not be touched at present. Several applications had already been refused, and lie hoped that some provision would be made for the reticulation of the remaining portion of the Borough. Mr. D. R. Do Costa, of the Poverty Ba- Turf Cluß, wrote requesting the Council to declare a public holiday from 12 noon on October 28th, the first day of the chib’s spring meeting. The request was granted. The Investment Registry Limited, London, wrote in reference to the proposed loans of the Council, and asking permission to tender for them. It was resolved to supply information and asked the company to give quotations. The Commissioner of Crown Lands notified the Council of the vesting in the Borough of Section 13, block 7, Patutahi, 60 acres. “A very valuable site for the Borough,” remarked tlie Mayor. “And 1 hope the Councillors will do all in their power to preserve the splendid bush on it. for all time.” It was decided to forward letters of thanks te the Prime Minister and the Hon. Jas. Carroll for! their assistance in getting the section vested in the Borough. A letter was read from the Spiral Steel Pipe Company, Wanganui, to the Borough Solicitor, enclosing the agreement regarding the suspension of the waterworks contract until November Ist. Thev also stated tlie hope that they could recommence work on the date named, but drew attention to the provision in the agreement for the extension f time, if necessary. The Mayor and Cr. Kirk were authoris >d to sign and seal the agreement.

REPORTS. Reports dealing with the Waimata River bridge site and the conference of the Councils on the question of metal suppte were read and adopted. In reply to Cr. Pettie, the Mayor said that the Council was not bound in anv way bv the report. He had only brought up at the conference what the Council had wished him to bring forward. Cr. Clayton said that he did not think it was the wish of the Council for the Mayor to say that they were going to do all the carting by Straker waggons. The Mayor: That is -what the Council decided and what I understood. DRAINAGE EXPERTS’ REPORT. The drainage experts’ report (previously published) was taken as read. The Mayor said that the report was very satisfactorv and made the course clear for the drainage scheme to go forward. . The report was adopted. NIGHTWATCHMAN’S REPORT. The Nightwatehman (Mr. W. Fraser) reported a couple of outbreaks of fire since last meeting of the Council. The report was adopted. OVERSEER’S REPORT. Tbs Overseer reported as follows: “Whitaker Street: The path on the south side of this street has.been formed, and the w'ater channel cut, to take

I away the water from this street as au--1 thorised. At the junction of Wi Pore Streets and Ormond Road pipes have been laid the full width of the roadway and the junction gravelled, as authorised. This will be much more convenient for traffic. Stout Street aud Wi Pere Street junction is at present in a very bad state, and could be improved considerably by the- expenditure of a few pounds, but it need nob necessarily be brought to a finish at the j)rescnt time, as there is a good deal of work required or. this road right through, but something is required to be done for the safety of the public. Gladstone Road: Exception has been taken to my patching this road with river gravel. This would not have been done if I had stone to repair this road with, but as the Council has not provided me with sufficient stone for the work, I cannot allow the road to go altogether. The gravel will at least # keep the formation good, and the road *wi!l be better prepared to receive the metal when we get it. and will certainly not require so much as if left to the wear of the traffic without any attention.” The report was adopted. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Inspector (Mr. J. R. Little) reported as follows: — <: On the 26tli ult. wo started the sealed pan system. The service so far, in my opinion, will prove a success, but it has only been going ten days, and with every disadvantage attending any new scheme, everything being new and stiff, also having to cut up the old rounds to suit the new ones, so that the waggons could make two trips per night, which includes two long rounds and two short ones. Each waggon collects pans Der night, making a total of 280, or 1080 per week. Therefore, to make the whole system complete and allow for expansion, which is occurring every year, it would require another waggon. The borough being so scattered and the roads to the depot being so had it makes it very hard work for two horses. I have therefore found it necessary to have a rod fixed to each waggon so that a leader can be used. There are two men to each waggon, and I cannot see how the work could be done with less, as it takes nine hours to complete the two rounds, owing to the scattered positoin of the houses. At the present time I have got four good men on the waggons, who receive 9s 2d per night, but owing to the men having to work nine hours they think they are entitled to receive 10s per night. If your Council can see your way to accede to their request they would be satisfied. The work of washing, steaming, and cleaning out the pans at the shed requires two men, who are fully' employed, as the handling of 280 pans and the same number of lids requires a lot of time. The fittings and accommodation at the shed prove satisfactory. Up to date 1607 pans have been delivered in the •borough, leaving a balance of 193 to be yet delivered. Mr. Warren has completed the number of lids contracted for, but has still about 100 more pans to make to complete his contract. 1 would recommend a progress payment of £57 10s on this contract. I interviewed Mr. A. G. Beere re the trees growing on his section facing Whittaker Street, and lie informs me that he is quite willing to have them taken down when convenient. Sergeant Hutton notified us that a cabman named Niel Blackley had been found on licensed premises during the currency' of his prohibition order, and was brought before the S.M. and fined a small amount.” Some little discussion followed the reading of the report, which, with its, suggestions, was adopted. Accounts amounting to £562 5s lid were passed for payment, and matters of general business were discussed.