Borough Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 274, 16 October 1884, Page 2

Borough Council.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.

Present — The Mayor, Crs Abrahams, Park, Hutcheson, Wylds, J Hawkins, Larconab, Bentley,T. King, West, and J. King. This being the first meeting of the new Uouucil the Crs present all made the usual formal declaration m accordance with the Municipal Corpora dons Act 1876. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were ivad and confirmed. Letter from Returning Officer read giving results of recent Borough election. COMMITTEES APPOINTED. Resolved — That Standing Orders be suspended to enable the Council to form the various committees. Comniittes appointed as follows :— Finance Committee — Crs J* King, Park, Hawkins, and Abrahams. » Public Works Committee — Crs Hutcheaon, "West, Wylds, and Lav* comb. Reserves Committee — Crs D. M. George, T. King, auJ Bentley. Charitable Aid Committee— Crs T. King, West, and Park. Standing Orders resumed. CORRESPONDENCE. From J. O, Batchelar, asking to be relieved from his bond on behalf of Mr Parkes, lessee of the Racecourse jeu^^.uj ■»!.« ki>O-^ikkhittiJ3L^dis-charged all his obligations with regard to improvements, <fee. * Referred to Reserves Committee to report upon. From Mr Akers, re the recent impounding case, asking to have poundage fees reimbursed. Adjourned to the next sitting of the Council. ..■■■'■ COLLEGE RESERVES BJLL. Telegram from Mr Macarthur as follows :— Richardson tells me to-mor-row whether he can advance part on account of Awahuri Bridge. Re Hospital reserves, the Wellington College authorities refuse to compromise. The second reading of the Bill is fixed for Thursday the 23rd ins* See St mding Orders on Local Bills m Mr War burton's hands, and wire whether they have been strictly complied with. Any flaw will be fatal to the Bill wheuit is before the Local Bills Committee which sits on Friday morning. A letter had been previously sent to Mr Macarthur by the Town Clerk as follows : — I have the honor, instructed by his Worship the Mayor, to communicate with you on the subject of the proposed alienation of certain lands m this Borough for the benefit of the Wellington College. He ieque«ts me to refer you to an original map of the town, namely No. 4 plan prepared by Mr J. Mitchell, jun. and certified to by Mr J. T. Stewart. It. is m the Survey Office m Wellington. This shows reserves for the town up Ferguson-street, cutting off College street, m which the block m question is airuatei), and Park Road. Consequently it would appear that this block of land was originally intended for town purposes. This fact, m his Worship's opinion* considerably strengthens what has already been advanced against the alienation of the land from the town. His Worship is likewise very anxious to know that the clause empowering the Council* to sell and purchase certain sections has been included m the Special Powers and Contracts Bill. With regard to sections 4 and 5 applied for by the Council m lieu of land taken for railway par poses, his Worship thiuks that the Government would probably be willing to grant one of the two applied for, and it might be urged more .strongly than ever at the present time, that, being unfenced, they are likely to become a greater eyesore than even m the past. An early reply with regard to the several points mooted would enable his Worship to satisfy the Council that the several matters were m a fair way for completion. After ibo above letter and telegram had been discussed, it was resolved that the Borough Clerk be instructed to lay the matter referred to m Mr Macarthur's telegram . before the Borough Solicitdr, and communicate afterwards with the member for the district. From Mr Leary, as follows :— Gentlemen. — In compliance with a request made by the Liquidators of the Public Hall Company, m November, 1883, "That a month m each year be fixed for the payment of the instalments of purchase money of Public Hall payable by your Council to the above-named Company," your Council resolved that Octol*r m each year should be the month m which such instalments should become payable. I have now the honor to request that the Council will 'be good enough, m accordance with that resolution, to make a payment of £100 to the Liquidators. Referred to Finance Committee, with power to act. REPORTS. The Foreman of Works reported as fellows: — That during the month the men hud been engaged clearing away logs from Manawatu Bridge ; also'metalling 6 or 7 chains m Pittstreet, which was m a very bad state, part of the road haviug been washed away through the late flood, necessitating raising the roadwny a foot liefore metallifig. A good job had been made of it as far as it went. The fence m Churoh-street had been renewed, and the dansreions hole complained of filled m. A culvert had lieen placed across Cook-street mailing into College-street, the dimensions of the oulvert being 32 feet long and 2 feet clear inside. The drain from rhi< culvert requires making up past Linton-sti eet. and a oulvert the same siztt as that m CooU-streot placed ucioss Lin ton-street. There is a good outlet m College-street West for the water, of which there is a good deal coming down Fitziierbert-street and College-street East. If what is suggested is carried out there will l>e a free outlet for the water. Culverts had been placed for crossings on Park Road, Ferguson-street, and Fitzher-liert-Rlre«t. Requests bavealso heen preferred from other residents m different parts of the town, asking for crossings of the same kind, whioh would keep the men busy if all w*»re to be done. Since the flood much m the way of road repairs had been

carried out, which h«d to be attended to at once m order to prevent accidents which would otherwise have occurred. A further poition of the drain m Fitzhcrbert-street had been excavated, but the work had to be left off to do other more urgent jobs. A further portion of it, however, will be done this month. It is found impossible to complete works like those, when so many necessary jobs have to be seen to at once. One of the men has been laid up part of last month and the month beforehand with all the men employed it is found impossible to £»et through all the works requiring 1 to be done. Two men had been set to clear out Ferguson-street drain, which i» completely blocked up with rubbish and logs. The Botanical Road drain will have to he completed up to the Ferguaon-stieet drain, an the water is making its way down the Foxton Road, which should not be. The Fergusou-street drain could then be deepened according to the level of the Botanical Road drain. Catile are doing immense damage to the Borough drains, and the time will come when all these drains will have to be boarded and timbered to keep them from falling m. A start has been made with putting some metal on Botanical Road, but the weather being bad, work had to lie temporarily suspended. That road is m a very bad state indeed. Cuba-street, from George-streot to Domain-street, urgently requires repairs and metalling. Part of Featherstone - street and Church-street right through should be seen to. The water- tables m King street are much too low, and want to be filled up for a distance of 3 or 4 chains, an the water lies there for a week ar two after rain near Mr Collins 1 butcher's shop.. Two culverts require to bo put m at the crossing m their yard. The contractors are getting on very well with Bounda-y Road drain, but the weather has been very much against them. Unless the weather settles it may be some time before they complete it. The groin on the river bank has given away, and is lying close m alongside of ihe bunk. It would however be useless to do anything to it. The breastwork that protected the culvert at the end of the race course has gone. It was found about a mile down the river bank. The remains are being taken up to the yard, as there is about £5 worth of iron attached to it. Part of the flood gate and the culvert have gone out of sight. Reference was made to the drain on Boundary Ro.td nnear Mr "Wiltshire's property, which was likely to suffer damage by the water overflowing from lfc; Piles will havo to be driven m tor about four or five chains, and the sides boarded up and then filled m at the back with stripping. Bat that is a work that will require to be done m dry weather. Gravel pits have been opened up on different roads m order to reduce the cost of metalling, as the Borough has only one horse and dray, and it would be costly to get all the gravel from the main pit. Some of the pits require to be filled m again. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES. The Inspector of Nuisances reported as to the condition of some of the premises that he had visited. Those who had been warned had had the nuisances complained of abated. A number had been cautioned to keep their back yards clean, and many complaints had been lodged of well water having become contaminated by impure surface water. This is not much to lie wondered at, as m many cases dirty water and other refuse we're m the habit of being thrown down m close proximity to wells. More caution should be exercised m future m this respect. Complaints had also been lodged of persons emptying their own closets uear the Square. Such cases occurring m future will be detected and punished, as doing so m a small yard must not be permitted. M.r Pyvis, blacksmith, had been ordered to discontinue a .similar practice close to the town a few weeks previously, aud the Inspector stated his determination to take proceedings against any similar cases that come "within his notice m future. poundkeeper's report. Impounded by Ranger, 30 j by property owner, 65 ; total, 95. Fees received, . £16 6s; paid property owners trespass rates .£3 ss ; half driving fees to Ranger 15s ; balance to Borough, £12 6s. CONDITION OF THE POUND. Letter read from poundkeeper complaining of the state of the pound fence, m consequence of which two beasts had recently broken out iuto Mr Powell's garden. Matter left to . the Foreman of Works to carry out, provided the ex ? pense is not ever £5 ; if exceeding that amount, the Public Works Committee to be called, together to deal with the matter. petition. Cr Hawkins presented a memorial from certain ratepayers on Boundary Road and Rangitikei Road m reference to flooding of their land by the Kawau Creek. | The Mayor explained that the floodj | water came from the MangaC^H which kept the Kawau always 3M flood, and that the nuisance complatw ed of was altogether due to storm* ' water. Eeferrad to Public Works Committee to consider «nd report upon. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts' were passed few nai'illftflk.

NIGHTSOIL NUISANCE. Cook, one of the contractors, offered to construct a nuisance pit and deodroize the contents so as not to be offensive on certain conditions, viz., That the Council provide the requisite timber, and give him the exclusive . use of the pit. O Larcomb described the present condition of the pit as " a seething masa of filth, regularly boiling and bubbling up."

Itt reply to Cr Bentley, the Mayo said the present was the only reserve available for the purpose. Beaolved that the matter be left m the" hands of the Public Works Committee to report on at next meeting. APPLICATION. Mr Collins, Featliecstou-strcefc applied to remove his fence three feet on to the footpath, m order to enable him to plant a live fence. Considerable discussion followed, m which the Mayor said that when Mr Milverton was previously granted permission to plant a fence m Fer-guson-street, he (the Mayor) was not aware that any Borough footpath or formation had been made m that street, or he would not have sanctioned it He thought that now they say a mistake had been made, they should get their faces against similar applications m future. Application referred to Public Works Committee to deal with. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence granted to the Town Clerk to visit Blenheim on business m connection with the Foresters. ANDREW YOUNG-STREKT. The Mayor stated that the plans and specifications were not quite ready yet. He had seen Mi' Young m Wellington and explained the position of matters to him. Resolved—That the Public Works Committee call for plans and specifications for- Andrew Young-street m terms of the previous resolution of September 3. STREET LKVELS. Mr Armstrong had ottered to prepare levels of streets and a map on the condition that he receive two salary, which would be m conformity with his original agreement which was somewhat abruptly terminated by the Council. Cr J. King oppose the ro-engage-men't on any terms of Mr Armstrong, whose professional work be strongly condemned, as illustrated m drains the water m which their late engineer had tried to cause to flow up hill. The Mayor explained that Mr Armstrong was not responsible for the matters referred to. The subject then dropped. A BOBOUGH LOAN. Cr Hawkins moved and Mr Wylds seconded — That is desirable that a loan should be negotiated oil behalf of the Council amounting to Bay £50,000, and that steps be taken forthwith on the mutter; and further that the Public Works Committee and; the mover be and is hereby appointed a Committee to report at the next meeting what works are required throughout the Borough on which the loan if assented to by the vatepayers,shall be expended. Carried Unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS. Resolved, That Crs Abrahams, Bentley, and T. King, be a committee to provide for the letter enforcing of the Impounding Act and the carrying put of the duties of Ranger within the Borough, and report at next meeting. In answer to Cr T. King, the Mayor stated that at present there was no Act m operation to compel owners of property to clear watercourses of obstructions, but a Bill with such an object m view was now before Parliament. Resolved that it be an instruction of the Public Works Committee m preparing estimates for loan to take into consideration th*» clearing out of Kawau and other creeks. The Mayor informed Cr Larcomb that the* Foreman of Works had power to discharge a man for sufficient cause. Cr Larcomb said he 'believed the Foreman of Works did nob think he had such power without firnt obtaining the sanction of the Council. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Hawkins gave notice to move at next meeting that the resolution appointing monthly meeting of the s . Council be resecinded. ADJOURNMENT. The Council then adjourned to Wednesday, sth of November.

Roadmen's wages, ... £Si 3 0 Town Clerk, ... :... 16 13 4 Poundkeeper," ... . ... 4 0 0 Ranger, «. ... 5 0 0 Custodian of Hall, ... 8 0 0 Lainphghting, ... ... 412 B Horsefeed ... .:. 4 310 Returning Officers ... 3 3*o ■Wanganni Hospital ... 514 10 Alterations m office ... 217 0 Library Coinnuittee , ... 47 5 4 A. Ferguson ... .. 0 3 9