BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2674, 2 December 1909, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The.usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Kirk, Maynard. Darton, Clayton, Collins, Somervell, Smith, Pettie, and Harris. . . • . CORRESPONDENCE. Mr. E. G. Matthews, wrote advising the Council of, the election of Hospital Trustees to take place on Monday next. Mr. Henry Hoare, secretary of the Gisborne Gas Company, wrote:. “Yours of the I.oth inst. to- hand. I am instructed to inform you that we are extending our main to Wi Pere street by getting on with the work, as per our letter to you re this matter. I cannot say exactly the time' we shall be in connecting the portion you name, but we are pushing on as fast as possible. Probably wo shall be there in two months. In reference to the last clause of your letter, I am instructed to state that we are not aware- that the Board have acted in a dilatory manner in reinstating the roads and, footpaths.” Under date November 27th. the secretary of the Gisborne Gas Compauy Avrote:'“ln reference to a letter received from Mr. W. P. Gardiner, re levels for the gas mains,, I am instructed to ask you if you will, through your office, kindly’ confirm samh. ’ It was decided to forward the necessary confirmation. Mr. John Griffin, contractor, of Napier, v wrote inquiring Avhether the Council Avould require any stone this season.—The letter Avas referred to the Works Committee. , _ Mr. Fred. H. Hadfield, M.1.E.E., M.S.A., of Auckland, wrote asking the Council’, in view of undertaking any electrical schemes in the near future, to keep his name before them. —The letter Avas received. Messrs Blair and-Sainsbury, on be - half of Messrs W. L. Clayton and G. 0. K. Sainsbury, applied for permission to make a pi’ivate footAvay to give access to foot passengers to the back of section 37, Gisborne, Avhich Avas being . subdivided for. the purpose of sale. —The permission Avas granted provided that the footAvay was properly tarred and prepared. Mr. George Grant, C.E., wrote acknowledging receipt of the Council s letter containing 'instructions and sketch regarding the grading of Temple Street. He referred to the inagnitudo of the work, and asked the Council’s further consideration of the quesIt was decided to refer the lettci to the Works Committee to inspect the proposed Avork and report to the CounCll Mr. Gus Marsh, hairdresser and tobacconist, wrote complaining that the rows of delivery carts which, were a ways standing outside his business premises right alongside the foot pal ill in•jured his business. He asked the Council to make the stand for earners in the centre of the road, as was done in other parts of the town. He complained that the nuisance created in hot weather Avas abominable. —The Clerk stated that that particular site was not a cart- stand, and it- Avas resoHed to notify any carts using the corner to that effect. Mr. G. Crawshaw, Secretary of the HaAvke’s Bay Education Board, wrote aeknoAA-ledging receipt of the Council s letter of the 19tli inst re Gisborne school sanitary arrangements, which Avas considered by the Board at its last meeting, Avhen it was resolved that the architect prepare plans for ucav conA r enienccs, the same to be designed in such a Avay as to he suitable for connection with the proposed underground drainage system.—The letter was agreed to, the position being considered satisfactory. Messrs Chrisp and Coleman, Borough Solicitors, Avrote as folloAA-s: “Herewith Ave enclose you letter of the 26th inst. received by us from Messrs Rees Bros, and Bright. Pending instructions wo have simply acknoAvledged receipt." The enclosure Avas as follows: “Messrs Chrisp and Coleman, solicitors, Gisborne. Dear Sirs, —Owing to the Gisborne Borough Council having declined to accept dedication of a strip of land along Richardson’s Avenue, we- took st'-'ps on Mr. Martin’s behalf and hn\'p registered the transfer dedicating this a road. The land is part of sections 26 and 41, Block D, Whataupoko. The area is 1 rood. Mr. Martin, in pursuance of our letter to you of August 14th, 1909, instructs us to request payment of compensation for the land so taken, the value of which he assesses ar £175. We shall be pleased to have an earlv reply Avhother the Council admits any liability, and if so Avliat it is prepared to pay to Mr. Martin. Please advise us at your earliest conA r eni-enee, as failing a settlement we shall take immediate steps to enforce the claim.” —lt Avas decided: to refer the matter to the Finance Committee. Mr. J. Curtis wrote applying for four Aveek’s leave from December 18th. He stated he had been in the constant employ of the Council for the last six and a-half years.—The necessary lea\-e Avas granted. REPORTS. —Sanitary Committee.— The Sanitary Committee reported that the public bathing sheds at the beach had been inspected on Monday, 22nd November, and were found to be in good order, except that the privy required a lid, which, they authorised. The men’s shed Avas found to be very untidy and neglected. The inspector Avas directed to extend the shed AA’estAvarcl 20ft, as the present accommoda-.-tion is inadequate; and also to Remove the privies further to the rear. They suggested that a. foot of the iron at the/bottom should be removed in order to allow the rubbish to be swept out easily. Thei Committee also suggested that the Council!.. send a man along Avee'kly to SAveop the two sheds out. The Committee also paid a visit of inspection to the sanitary depot, where everything Avas found satisfactory. Regarding campersusing the v ni+i beach, the Committee decided that the.- inspector be instructed to see that all campers provide privy accommoda,ion, and tihus allcA r in,tc the,nuisance. — r JTie report was adopted. —Abattoirs Report.—. The abattoirs manager reported as folloAVs:— “Attached hereto is a letter,l ha\ r e received from. Mr. Tlios. Jackson, secretary of: the local Slaughtermen’s Union, Avhich points out that the men employed at the abattoir should be paid an extra half day’s wages for, all wor'k done on Sundays. In connectiCn with 'this matter I may say that-I found it necessary oiving to the hot weather, to kill oh Sundays, during the summer months. I am not aware of any abattoir where an a Avar,d of the Arbitration Court controls this matter, but I Avould suggest that this request bo acceded to. I have been in communeation with-the representative of Messrs' Oppenhoimer and Co., Mr. Max Eichelbaum, re the abattoir casings and I -would suggest that I be permitted' to-dispose of this Avasto product in the interests of the-

master butchorsiin a similar manner to that- in vogue -in other abattoirs.” The folloAving letter Avas attached to the report:—

“Sir, —I am instructed by my Union to bring before you the fact that V !e slaughtermen employed at the local abattoirs are laboring under a serious, disadvantage compared to men in the same industry in other parts of the Dominion, bybeing called upon to Avork on Sundays a great part of the year, and compensated- only \by being given • the Saturday off. 1 would beg to point out that in abattoirs where the scale of Avages is governed by an aAvard of the- Arbitration Court, men Avho are called upon, to work on Sunday are compensated in some instances by “double time” or by “time and a half” besides the Saturday off- We would point out that Saturday, off in lieu of Sunday docs not compensate the men for the loss of their Sundays, and respectfully ask you to bring the matter before your Council and ask them to put the men mi the same footing as they are in other parts of the Dominion, by paying the men Avho work on the Sunday a halfday’s pwoy extra for Avorking on that day. Wo believe the matter has only to he brought up for it to he rectified by the Council.—;l am, etc.,Thos. Jackson, secretary Gisborne branch of the NeAV Zealand Federated Slaughtermen’s Industrial Association of Workers.” Refenring to the letter, the Mayor said the matter Avas not one for any union, hut rather for the men. They Avero not under an aAvard, and if they allowed tihe suggestion to pass they should have trouble. Cr. Darton said that it was a question of the men getting fair treatment. The men did not want to work on Sundays, but were compelled to do so, and it Avas not very fair to the men to give them a Saturday holiday in return for Sunday Avork. He moved that the recommendation of the manager be adopted. Cr. Clayton seconded the motion, which Avas supported by Crs. Collins and Harris. The Mayor said there Avas no suggestion that the men Avere unfairly treated. He moved as an amendment that the letter he received, and that as far as the Council is aware the men are not dissatisfied. On the suggestion of Cr. Somervell, the motion and amendment were AvithdraAvn, and the matter Avas referred, to the Abattoirs Committee. , Cr. Kirk suggested that the abattoirs manager ho instructed to discourage killing or Avorking on Sundays as far as possible. / The report was adopted. —Niglitavatchman’s ReportThe Nightwatchman (Mr. W. Fraser) reported that since the last meeting of the Council there had been no fires in the borough. ■ —Overseer’s Report.— ' The Overseer reported as follows: — “Stanley Read: The work of gravelling this road is being carried out as authorised. Stout Street: I have had this road broken up, and gra\'el is being laid on to repair the surface of the road.. Tarring: Very little of this Avork is being done ,as the weather is much against it. Gravel pit: The heavy rains-have caused the river to rise a good deal, and have delaved operations there for a feAV days. All repairs are being done by gravel only. Gentle Annie reserve: The draining of the flat at the reserve is well in hand. It will be very late tin’s season before any stone can be got from this quarry. I would suggest that steps be taken to get stone to carry us over next winter, Avhen plans may be matured for our own quarry.” Cr. Collins dreAV attention to the fact that Patutahi metal had been available for tAvo months, but nothing had been done, and the ICaitaratahi graA r el being put on to the roads was conA r orting them into mud., It was resolved to get metal in the meantime/from Patutahi, and that the matter be dealt with > by the Works Committee. —lnspector’s Report.— The Inspector (Mr. J. R. Little) reported as follows: —“Since your last meeting I have inspected the Avliole of the brick area, comprising blocks marked on plan 11, 12, 13 14. 15, 16. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, and find the .sanitary conditions fairly satisfactory, except on section 120, block 22. At the bottom end of this section there is a stable erected, Avhich is occupied by four or five horses, with a loft on top providing sleeping accommodation for some of the attendants employed on the premises. Thel stab’e is very old, and the sleeping accommodation for the attendants none too good, the stalls being floored with Avood, and the natural fall of the yard running toAvards the stable, the soakage from the stable and the Avater from the yard, although connected AA r -ith a drain, does not seem to get away, therefore causing a strong smell to. emanate from same. I have notified the oAvner and occupier, and have asked them to make certain alterations, both to the stable and yard, so that the nuisance may he abated. As this is a case Avhere I think the Sanitary Committee would be of great assistance, I Avould be pleased to meet them Avhen convenient. As instructed by the Sanitary Committee, Avho' met on the Waikanae beach on Monday, .22nd ult., at the bathing shed, to' add 20ft to the shed, I-have had the addition carried out and the inside of tlm shed lime, washed, AAdth additional privy accommodation attached thereto, also that one of the Council’s employees SAveop out the shed every Saturday morning. As I Avas instructed'atyour last meeting to furnish a fortnightly report on the number of soil pans collected, washed, and sterilised, the number collected and dealt with in the -last 12 days Avas 3400. There are still a number of old pans in the borough, Avhich require replacing Avith the sealed pan system, but they are being attended to as quickly -as passible. “Health Report.—l have to report tv r o case of enteric, avhich have been notified sinpe last meeting.” The report was adopted.