BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2650, 4 November 1909, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers last night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar presided), arid the Councillors present were Crs. J. R. Kirk, J. Maynard, G. E. Barton, W. Lissant Clayton, J. Clive Collins, John Somervell, Geo. Smith, William Pettie, and F. Harris. TOWNLEY MATERNITY HOME; The committee of the Town ley Maternity Home wrote inviting members of the Council to he present',at the laying of the foundation > stone on the afternoon of the 6th inst.—lt was resolved to accept the invitation. THE LIGHTING QUESTION. Mr. W. H. Clayton and others wrote requesting that a lamp should bo provided at the corner of Wi IN re Street and Ormond Road, a Lux light for preference. The Town Clerk intimated that there was already a lamp post at this corner. On the suggestion of the Mayor it was decided to inquire from the Gas Company as to the best way of reaching the main from the corner. With regard to the improvement of Gisborne’s gas .supply, Mr. IToare wrote as to the desirability of laying the new mains on the footpaths, as is done in other cities. He asked for an expression of opinion from the Council, and added that as no direct refusal to the Gas Company’s proposal had been received, he took A that there was no objection, and in the event of not hearing to the contrary before the date of the meeting, would proceed with the work of laying 6-inch mains underneath the footpath from Grey Street .to Kaiti bridge, and to Roebuck Road on the south side of Gladstone Road.

i The Mayor suggested that permission should be given, subject to tho work being carried out under the supervision and approval of the Overseer, and proposed a motion to that effect. Cr. Pettie .said that in many oases where tho gas company had taken up the ground they had not made it properly level again. Cr. Barton asked that tho Overseer he instructed to see that the laving of the pipes did not interfere with the Council’s drainage scheme. The Mayor said that if the places complained of were not properly levelled the Council could do them and charge them to the Gas Company. His Worship’s motion was carried. THE WATERWORKS. Mr: R. Hay, waterworks engineer, wrote that he had examined tho pipeline contract works from Gisborne to the intake, in company with the contractors and their foreman of works, and Inspector Hay. He had pointed out the various works required to be undertaken in order to complete the repairs, and had instructed the contractors fully in the matter. There were several river crossings still to be lowered, and a number of weirs that required extending or repairing. The engineer added that the work generally as completed up to date had a stable appearance, and had withstood several floods without deterioration. With good weather everything should be finished in a month or five weeks. The Mayor mentioned that he had told Mr. Hay that the Council, wanted the work carried out without any deviations. THE PREMIER’S THANKS. A letter was received from the Prime Minister .thanking-the Council for .the courtesy shown by them in forwarding a resolution expressing appreciation of his action in making arrangements in London whereby money will he available for the purpose of" loans to local bodies at a lew rate of interest. The Premier also wrote in appreciation of the vote of thanks passed for the assistance he gave the Council in respect of the quarrv reserve at Patutahi. CORRESPONBENCE. Mr. George Grant, surveyor, asked, on behalf of the owner, for permission to form a road, now called Temple ; Street, five chains long, from Berby Street, being part of section 4a of the Borough. A plan of the grades was submitted.—Ou the suggestion of the Mayor it was decided to grant permission. subject to the work being done ‘to the Overseer’s satisfaction. The Inspector of Factories wrote complaining of the insufficient sanitary accommodation on the premises occupied by Messrs Joune (tent-maker), McCJymont (tailor), Bunbar and Aston (saddlers), and two small shops. —The matter was referred to the Inspector. With regard to the proposed private siding at Stanley Road, Mr. E. C. Widctop, Bistrict Engineer, wrote stating that the cost of providing a loop siding to accommodate 15 waggons would be £260. ’ » Tho Mayor said he thought the requirements in this respect could be cut down by half the number of trucks. He suggested that the matter should be referred to the Works Committee, with power to reduce the scheme. Lr. Collins seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. William Webb, on behalf of theratepayers of the West End, approached the Council on the matter of erecting a Lux lamp at the corner of Gladstone Road and Lytton- Road, ultimatinf that the residents were willing to pay half the first cost, and to attend to the lighting, extinguishing, etc. On'the-motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Barton, it was resolved to agree to the request, subject to the residents hearing half the cost. On the suggestion of Or. Somervell it was decided further to ask the Cook County Council to share the co,st. Mr. J. McKee, owner of sections 12 and 13, at the corner of 'Stout and Sheehan Streets, asked that tho Council should form the footpath at the proper level, to enable him to .get the correct levels for putting in the crossings at his house. _ . , It was resolved to give the levels, and to inform the writer that the tootpath could not. be made before the loan proposals were carried. . L An application by* Mr. Stafford for a refund of £2 10s< paid in rates on an unoccupied, building, was referred to the Clerk for report as to dates, and to see if the .application was m order. A letter was received complaining ot an overcharge by a cabman, and it was resolved to write and ask the latter lor an explanation. Oil the motion of Ci. Clayton it was futlier resolved that cab proprietors be instructed to fix a table of fares in their vehicles. Mr. L. P. Symes wrote drawing attention to the bad condition of. Ba - lance Street footpath, which had. been made worse by the, opening of a lje v intersecting road, which had been lcit unfinished for more than a month, it was stated that the rdad was a private one, and the owners would have to make the path good. It was decided to accept the dedication of part of Adair Street from Messrs Clirisp and Coleman to Mrs Sweet, subject to the necessary easement ot the' water on tli'e roadway by a dram across Mrs. Sweet’s .section. STREET LIGHTING. The Borough Turncock (Mr. John Hay) reported with regard to street

I lighting, that during the month of October the street lamps had been under tho control of the Council, and the cost of renewals, lighting, cleaning and extinguishing had been £l4-2s, equal to 3s lOd per lamp, as against the 5s 6d the Gas Company had-intended to charge. With regard to the complaints of the ga,s manager, Mr. Hay reported that the lamps were extinguished, and it. was either the wind or boys that had turned them on. In order not to deprive the company of a few feet of gas, which seemed such a scarce commodity, however, Mr. May added that he had allowed the lamps to remain unlighted an extra two nights during the moon, which he thought ought to compensate the company. • The Lux light at Victoria township was more than .giving satisfaction. The manager of the Gas Company had written, under dates October 23rd and 25th, calling attention to the fact that certain street lamps had been left burning during the day. Two were noticed alight at 5 a.m. on the 22nd, and one was burning at noon ■on the 25t.1i. EIRE PREVENTION. The Niglitwatchman reported an outbreak of lire at the premises occupied by Mr. o. McPherson, tailor, on Monday morning. The question of the marking of fire plugs was brought up, and the Mayor said the matter was one for tho Fire Board. On the motion of Gr. Collins, seconded by Cr. Kirk, it was resolved that the Fire Board bo requested to take the matter in hand. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Borough Inspector (Mr. J. R. Little) presented the following report: “Since last meeting of your Council, I have inspected the whole of the brick area, comprising blocks 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 4,0, .6, 8, 15, 16, 17, Whataupoko, and block 1 Kaiti, and which so far 1 find in a satisfactory condition. As tho summer is new approaching, and taking it from what occurred last year, there is likely to be a great number of campers out on the Kaiti beach, who only go there for a month, pr..«-r----ded with a tent to live in, and who make no necessary provisions for .sanitary purposes. If your Council is prepared to allow these people to squat on the road, I would recommend that printed instructions be placed in a prominent position compelling every one who owned tents to provide the above necessary accommodation, there being a lot of trouble 'caused last year through neglecting to provide that accommodation. At tho present time there are five tents on the Kaiti beach. I have also to report that at the present time the sealed pan system is working very satisfactorily. Thero are very few complaints lodged at the office regarding same. There is still a small number ‘of sealed pans yet to be supplied in the borough to complete the whole system, but they are being attended to with despatch, as the owners are doteoted. “Health Report. —I have to report two cases of typhoid fever which have been notified in the borough, and which are being treated at the hospital.” The Inspector, in reply to Councillors, said that one case of typhoid came from the borough and the other from the country. The question of sanitary arrangements at Kaiti beach was referred to the Sanitary Committee OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The Borough Overseer (Mr. M. Morgan) reported that plans of the Kaiti Hill had been prepared, together with other necessary information, and sent to Mr. Marchant, according to instructions. A survey “wris at present being made of the quarry site at Gentle Annie, and levels taken from the foot oi the'hill at tho quarry to a point anout four or five chains over the saddle of the hill. This would practically give a level road from the quarry to the down grade. Mr. Morgan recomm. aided the Council that the fiat on Mm reserve he drained at once, as greatly assist any work the Coined might take in hand. The water ikwina down the drain into the or.'k at Parau Street had damaged the- path and made it dangerous, and the Overseer recommended that a fox culvert be put in to take the water over the bank into the creek. The work would cost about £B. The line at the gravel pit was being shifted over to new ground, but the weather would cause a little delay. The two trailers for tho Straker waggon, ordered by tee Council, had been delivered, and would be tested as soon as possible. The Overseer’s report was adopted, and the works recommended were agreed to. THE MAYOR’S VISIT TO WELLINGTON. At the ‘request of Cr. Collins, the Mayor recounted the result of his visit to Wellington, as affecting G'sborne affairs. He had been assured, he said, in answer to a question, that tho. electric light scheme would come within the estimated cost. It was resolved to hold a comm tteo meeting next Monday io discuss the loan proposals. A- NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Collins gave notice of a n < tion to rescind part.,of the Mayor’s policy under the heading “order of polls viz.: “If the Council are faifiv unanimous about them it would be prudent to take the poll on each of the above matters at the same time -n one loan duly apportioned, and if the Oonrcn are not unanimous, then the si eject should be split up and a poll taken lor the drainage on the one date no I trie other three subjects on tie other date,” and to substitute the words: “That as the Council are not laniy unanimous on the subject of the polls they should be split up, and a poll taken for drainage and omctricmy on trie one date, and the other subjects ou a different date.”