BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2732, 10 February 1910, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Maynard, Darton, Clayton, Collins, Somervell, Smith. Lottie, and Harris. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs Nolan and Sheet wrote in reference to the- land at the break pressure tank proposed to be taken by the Council in connection with the waterworks contract. Objection was made to the taking of the land on the grounds that the area was excessive, and the only access for stock to the station woolshed. A site on the opposite side of the road was offered for adequate compensation. The Mayor said that the proposed land was dearer than that wanted by the Council.—lt was resolved to refer the matter to the Waenvorks Committee to confer with Mr. Parker. Mr. H. E. Hill wrote.bringing under the notice of the Council that the local Gas Company were making a charge of 2s on the customers unless a certain consumption takes place monthly. . Ho would like to ask the Council, as guardians of the borough, whether any gas company, private or otherwise, had a right to make such an unjust charge, and under what law the company had the right to so tax customers.

Cr. Collins said he did not think the charge was a legal one.—The Clerk said that 2s had been charged to the Borough Council for the Trafalgar rotunda, where the gas had not been used at all.

Cr. Clayton -considered that the charge was a most iniquitous one, and the Mayor pointed out'that the Council could not interfere. •

On the suggestion of Cr. Collins it was decided to refer the letter to the borough solicitors for an opinion as to the legality of the charge, the,reply to be made public through the press. A letter was read from the Minister for Railways stating, in answer to the Council’s representations, that the readjustment of the Hawke’s Bay'YVellington service is now under consideration. —The Mayor said that there was no doubt an adjustment would be made, and made shortly. Mr. F. A. Martin, through his solicitors, Messrs Rees Bros, and Bright, forwarded a claim on the Council for £175, being the rood taken for the purposes of a road, in sections 26 anu ■II, Block D. Whataupoko.—IrJ*be 1r J*be letter was referred to the Finance Committee and the borough solicitor.

REPORTS

—lnspector’s Report.—

The Sanitary Inspector (Mr. J. R. Little) reported as follows:—“Since your last meeting I have inspected the different blocks in the brick area and which require the most attention during £he hot weather. Blocks from 1 to 10 and 20 to 2S, Gisborne, and blocks. 1 and 2. Whataupoko. and 1 and 5. Kaiti I find fairly satisfactory, except three sections in block 2. Whataupoko, which was notified at last meeting, but from what I have seen to-day I have every reason to believe that the proprietor is trying to do his best to remove the nuisance. Sanitary depot: Since last meeting there have been 3649 pans removed to depot and dealt with. Health report: I have to renort two eases of enteric, which have been notified since last meeting.”

The report whs adopted. —Nightwa tollman's Report.—

The Nightwatchman (Mr. W. Fraser) reported that there had been no outbreaks of fire in the borough since last meeting of the Council.

—Overseer’s Report.—

The Overseer (Air. M. Alorgan) reported as follows:—“Parau .Street: The formation of this street is completed. The gravelling will be commenced as soon as possible. Gladstone Road: The tarring of tr-s road rt rbeen carried to the junction of Peel Street. The block from Peel -Street to Bright Street is in very fair order for tarring. As this work has been authorised, I purpose tarring this block at once. Patutahi metal: The quantity of metal brought in by the Straker waggon lorn December 9th to January 25th is 241 cubic yards. On the 26th January the driver of the waggon was taken ill, and -since that date the waggon has not been run the full time. Mr. Fairley has charge of the waggon during Mr. Smith’s illness. The road sweeper ordered by your Council has coipe to hand. I have put the machine together and given it a trial, and it appears to sweep and deliver the dirt into the dray very well. I worked it with the street both wet and dry. If very dry it makes considerable dust, but when very wet the machine takes it very clean, and delivers, it. into the. dray in front verv well. I -should like to give a trial of the machine hefo-e the Council, so that they might decide on its merits before taking Ihe machine over.” The report was adopted.

Accounts amounting to £355 2s were ■passed for payment, and the meeting went into committee to consider the appointment of an engineer.