PALMERSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 122, 5 March 1881, Page 2

PALMERSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wbdnesdat, Maech 2, 1881. Present— His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Batchelar, Jenssi-n, Coleinan, Ferguson, James, Mowlem, Palmerson, and Dungao. MINUTES. The minutes of former meeting having been read and cou firmed, his Worship read the following correspondence : — ACKNOWLEDGMEN r. From Joseph lioldsworth, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands,, acknowledge ing the receipt ot a sketch of the Manajvati}_Bridge,_wfaich_Jhad.been forwarded to him. APPMCATIOIt. From-E. Turner, JBsq, asking for the use of the Hall for a Bazaar and Gift Auction on behalf of All Saints' Church. — It was considered that, as a matter of. courtesy the application should be referred to the Hall Committee to deal with, which was accordingly done. FINES TO THE JJOBUtJGH. From the Secretary to the Treasury, forwarding voucher for fides paid on behalf of the Borough. PERMISSION WANTED. From Mr. Thomas Parkes, askiDg permission to erect a house at tne entrance of the Racecourse.* The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee, so that they might decide where the building might be placed, and what sort of a house erected. NOTICE QIVJSN. Mr. E. Dixon, conti actor for the erection of Messrs. Paluierson and Scott's Office, gave the required notice of bis intention to erect a scaffolding on the footpath. HOARDING A FO'TPATH. Application from Mr. Hauiou for permission to erect a hoarding at the Square, while laying down some concrete flagging. Granted. NEW FLAGGING Letter from Mr. J i\ Leary, stating that he had made arrangements for having a concrete pathway m front of his premises, and asking the Council's permission to be allowed to carry it into effect. The desired permission was granted. BOAD WANTED. From Messrs. Dungan and others, ratepayers m Main-street, askiug for the construction of that street on the south side of the line. His Wohship said that that was one of the streets which it had be- n originally agreed should be made. The only reason why it had not been already constructed, was that the Public Works Committee were anxious to; proceed with the bush streets during the fine weather"' He had no objection, m fact, would be pleased to see the work proceeded with at once. Councillor Dungan said he had no recollection of the work having been promised, as otherwise the application would not have been preferred. However, as he was on his legs he might point out that one of the first streets— in fact, actually the very first— which had been formed out of the loan was Church-street, which was an open street. Councillor Jbnssen thought the best way would be to refer the matter to the Public Works Committee. Councillor Ferguson could not agree with the suggestion. It had been already stated by his Worship that the -work had been already promised, and when such was the case why not proceed with- the work at once Very often works were referred to that committee and they were forgotten until reminded of the neglect at the C uncil meetings. It would be m the recollection of Councillors that last winter that street was almost impassable, | and while there were buildings erected all along to Pitt-street, he thought that the ratepayers should be allowed to get to their premises. He could not see how the Council could refuse the application, seeing that good metalled roads bad been made m front of Mr. Eliot Warburtons property, and then again at Tewace End before Mr. Hoe's. His Worship : Yes, by debentures. Councillor Ferguson admitted that it was by debentures ; still the interest was being paid, and the principal would have to be paid by the ratepayers. He believed that the traffic to the Masawato Times Office was greater than m any other portion of the town, except to some -stores m the Square. He did not think the Application should be referred to the Public Works Committee, and as he had a reason — which he would explain further on m the evening — he would like to see it definitely dealt with. He would therefore move — " That the Public Works Committee be i instructed to proceed, as noon as practicable, with the formation of c y seventeen chains m Main-street Weat, running from the Sqnare." Seconded by Councillor Colbman, and carried, EBECTIOIf Or BAICOSY. An application was received from Mr. William Coombes, slating that m the plan of his new hotel, there was an overhanging balcony running all round the front of the house. The letter asked the consent of the Council. As the proposed balcony would not interfere with the footpath, and was eight feet from the ground, it was not an infringement of any bye-law, and therefore the Council offered no objection. BUBtiTO 'WORKB REPOBT. "We your Publio Work* Comaaitt<>e have the honor to r port that we have, m accordance with your instruction*, fol'y considered th^ Engineer's monthly statem nt and that m accordance there with ww hare authorised the clearing and deepening of the drain m Park Eoad the <*ost not to exceed the Engineer's estimate of £19 10s , and the necessary formation m Fergnson street East m accordance with a plan Bubmitted. In connection with this laHer work we hay-< authorised a drain to be con» stmcted m Skandia street to the lagoon Te Ngutu to relieve the *ower portion of Ferguson street and sections adjoining of the ordinary flood water. Aa m tto opinion of lbe Engineer-it is indispensable to make all the use possible of the h-orse and dray be*- re the wason breaks, and both roadmen b»-ing profitably employed with it. wa have authorised the era ployment of an additions' man to oat a line, m Featherston street for the- purpose of taking levels. We hare authorised that the following works already- authorise! by the Council be immediately undertaken :— t Boundary Road to, be formed where pie* viously felled. Featheraron street to be; constructed from Bangitikei street to Taonui street. College street to be formed from Fitsherbert street to Cook street. The Engineer reported that ho had let the remaining portion of Cook street at 12/« per chain, and that he had under instruct Worship tfce Mayor t $re. v

pire<l a section of the Manawatu Bridge wi h approaches and cr ss section of the Uiver. . Th?- Engineer likewise reported that his attention had been directed t th« narrow* ■ e-s of a portion of Kangitikei afreet and sujrgeved that haying the cart and h-rse, a*) improvement m this respect might bo made. You com-nittee i however is of opinion thiit the road will answer all requisite Pi poses for the p esehr^ and would recommend thfit thp matter be left m abeyance for the present. — .--' Since our last report we have accepted Tenders as under For fercjbg jiectipna abnthine on street* ~&. frrih-ie^.r^^.sKaut:~- -^-r-— For forming and bearing- Short Btreei— B. Partridge, j£2 3s. 6d. -_.__ ... . Tn the hope thar the bush fronting street may b; felled thereby adding to the sta- .*. bility of the metal vr.e have, instructed notices be sent to owners of such property to fence,' : - ' .- -• -^ * Upon the motion of Councillor Dmtgan, it was received and adopted. THB BNQINBER'B BBPOBT. Contract A.— The formation nn.Ter this contract is virtually completed, -and- the greater iart of the timber' cleared;' Contract P. — Road formation 'Churcnstreet. we*t, and Cook street. No alteration since last report j the same remarjt applies to contracts tf . and H. for bushfeliing aad clearing. * -— . Contract I— Boundary Road; West r tne loeging-up, underscrubbing t ana burning off of pa-nefor the extra f& chains is substantially completed. The finishing of this places me m s position to take the levels for Boundary Road from the Mangaone Greek to the eastern eiid for both road formation and drainage. The Mangaone being m a deep channel, I believe itjatfjl bo possible by m^ans ofa drain in.fche north side of the road to not; only remove the water niw:standing on both sides of (bis road, but also to divert the flood water* which now cams over thefro >d from the Kawau. Creek and lagoons between Botanical Road and Feat* herstoa-street We»t, and I will also farther test the practicability of conveying the water from the low ground m, and abutting,, upon the western portion of Featherston^ street into the same outlet. ' ' Contract J. — Busbfeliing and clearing' Vogel-strcet ; no change to report. - • Contracts F. and G. — Forming and metalling F'ark Road. This work, together with the widening of the approaches, at Firzherbert-streec and at the- lower end, is competed. The drain on the north side of Park Road is m many places oat of. level, ; choked, or partially Ailed m. As this drain forms the only drainage outlet for a consi- >' derahle area, it is desirable that it be put hi order before the wot season commences. I have arrang d a price with the contractor ■ to the other work m Park Road for clearing out grad ing, increasing , the ' wid! h' and! deepening where required, and increasing-, the batter of the sides, for a lump sum for the 78 chains exclusive of culverts— which 1 8 ibmit for voar consideration.. .The culverts required will be one at' Cook-street,, and an acdition to the present' one across ' Fitzherbert-street ' ' ■ ".'. Kerbing to Square. — The contractors are- - making substantial progress with this work. The making up and metalling of the fooV paths will fallow after conference with your Public Works Committee. . . Abroach to Vogel-streer.— A little.further work remains to complete under -this contract. ; New Works. - Formation m Fergusonstreet bet wee > Fitzherbert-atreet and Princess street. I have submitted a plan for this, and for getting rid of the water tbiowa upon the r- ad from a la«oon,- "the outlet of which is closed, to joiu* Public Works Committei. As supplementary, to this I^wouldmention that a drain from the creek *t. tha foot •>f «be Terrace m SeanTdiarstre t to the lagoon Te Nutu if made; would relieve thelower portions of Ferguson-street and thesections a joining of much of thts ofVlinary flood water coming down, '. Boundary Road Formation. — Progress hag been made with t'te reqmred.work prior to preparing plans and sections for Consideration. 1 had intended having all realy for this uae'tine of the Public Works Com- - mittee, but unavoidable circumstances, prevented my doiner so .....;;..■ Bushfeliing and formation Short street. This work has been advertised for. Further bushfell ng ctihtracts.— l have considered advisable not to advertise foruntil this se tson's burn is. nearly cl>sed. Formation «' 'ook.str-'et; — 14| chains to. complete ; as directed, I offered this work: by private tender to the resident alon'gsifla of whose land it would partly be. As his* offer at which to do th« work was much ii excess of th^estimate^ I sought other offers,, and have let the work at one half of his tender ie. 12s per chain for formation, and side drains. .'.•■.• RangitikeUsttt«t. — Mr, Podevin baSj called my attention to the: narrowness of this street and the difficulty th t two vehicles have m parsing each other, espe* cially after dusk. I have hud this street under my observation, bat m consequenceof the absence of nny available material near at hand for widening the road, and* the exp-nße of bringing material from ai distance, for the qnan'ity required must be l-rge, I did. not feel justified m bringing this b*f ore yon whilst so much other' work: was m progjesv Now, howev t, that tha Borough bas ahorse and dray it will be* possible to somewhat improve the ruad m, the worst plaoes. , ' Under instructions from HJ» Worship the. M*yo», I prepared i-'i , section/ of the Manawa^u Bri'ge and approaches and » cross,section of the river, showing the present: banks, depth of river bed nnder-feridge, and) the condition >»f >he.piers^ and foxwajaedi same to WeHragteo. If the bush could be fett*d for an* chain^ back on roads that are formed and meta<l»gj^! it would griatlj add to the stabili^r of <AeV mtitalling. """ During the first portion of the past month the roadmen were employed m . various; ways, such a* improving the waterhdlea "at ? Terrace Knd and m the Square ; m commencing the~workr in " MaiT-street-W-sti. and« - m alte'ing oja ; v«rtß. b»t sine* the Roiflaffh. horse and oart became available they,havebeen wholly engaged with same in.fillinsr up dangerous plaojes at the junction ot Btreets at Terrace Knd orosaine,, and a. hole at the corner of Cuba st eet, and one day m. making co d a tortion of the footpath m. ■ Main-stvee*. As th«> a 'v^ntoge to the Borongh will be the greater tV more theh rse and dray can b& constantly "employed; I shall endeavor as fur as piissible to do s<v.'CounoiUor CotEMAN took exception ta that part of the report which stated that the Engineer had beea makinjj arrangements. He thought bo. should be made without, the knowledge^ and consent of the JCJouncil, as thereby members were left completely; m the dark, , . . „ f His Wobshtf explained- that that was* i exactly the course adopted. The EngU neer had made certain suggestions m hi* report j the PnMie Works Committee; i had gone tbronsh.it Vi and selected, some; 1 and rejected others: * -Thoso of : whicli, ; they approved were embodied m theirreport and were reeomraended to the.. Council for adoption, but neither the Committee.nor the. Engineer had aetedi upon their own H responsibility,. * and "tMej. arran^meata token e^eptiQft ta b^

Councillor Coleman awaited the sanction of the Council. - - Councillor Batchelab thought the price asked for deepening the drain m Park-street a pretty high one. ( The Mator said it was only five shillings a chain. Councillor Donga* said be could not agree with that portion of the report which proposed to let the contract. He was awarcthat it-was under £20, and of course the Council could legally do so, but he considered it would not be politic to do ao, as v would very naturally create a spirit ol^JLealousy. The Council agreed with that view of the matter, and tenders Tire to be called for the .work. ~ Whenaan item of" £4 odd was submitted for .payment for levelling, Councillor Culeman .said he should prbtest against the monthly payment of money for l ieveiling " They were paying their Engineer --'£loo. but m addition to that Ht.ev"ry sitting claims were put m for levelling. He thought the course was v ry unsatisfactory, as the Council should be given .some . information as what the work of levelling would be likely to ultimately cost. The Mator said that"the "matter was one which had been before the Council i at last meeting, and he thought most hMatisfactorily explained. It bad been I shown that the work of- levelling could r not be done unless, the Engineer had the assistance" of Pr twi> meu. These he was entitled* to claim m accordance with the terms of bis agreement," but it was considered -advisable to employ his son instead of some casual laboier, first because he was thoroughly up m the work, and therefore would be far more useful than a atranger, arid "secondly his services were obtained for five shilling a cfay, wherein an ordinary man would have to be paid six or seven. ; ...... Councillor, Jensskn would wish to remind Councillor Coleman of the fact that when the Borough applied for tenders for tbe levelling alone, the lowest sum was £200. Taking the whole of tbe Engineer's salary and bis assistance, the sum would only reach £296, but m addition to the levelling for -that amount all the Other works of town would also be done. Councillor Fbrgdson said it appeared that Councillor Coleman* s principal objection was to tbe levelling appearing to cost so much, but this* could be easily obviated .by putting the assistance down as day labor, which it really was. Councillor CotRMAN said there was •notherjDMtter which he wished to bring under the attention of the Council, and that was the disgraceful way m which the footpaths m the Square- were m. They were far worse than- before tbe kerbing was put m. ' The Mator explained that the contractor* for the. kerbing bad nothing whatever to do with the filing up or gravelling, and as tbeirjcon.tr.act time had not expired, the latter work could not be commenced. It was ratber premature for Councillors or ratepayers to find fault, which certainly could not be done until the work had left the c contractors hands, and was supposed to be finished. C _: V, TENDERS. There was only one tender for the removal of night oil; that of Thomas Montague, which was as follows : — Hotels... ... 10s: per month. Boarding houses 5 „ „ Butcheries ... 4___,,_ w All Stores ... 4 „ „ Private hpTutses 2/6 ,, T „ All rubbish to be removed free of charge. The Council considered the tender reasonable, and it waV accepted. TheianiountCof. "accounts passed, was somewhat larger than usual, but the Chairman exp'ained' that "that was owing to the fact that thej financial ye-ir was drawing to a close, andthe-Town Clerk wnnterr"to havfe all- outstanding liabilities' ■ettledf; ~. :: '"■ :". ' ' BOROUGH MAP. The question an to the advisability or otherwise of purchasing a map for the use of the Borough Council, which had been pftftnouedlfronT last meeting next came.up for consideration. . The JVfATor spoke m strong terms of the necessity: of \ having a map which would be'a' standard work of reference, which it wasneedless to say that at pre- . sent in' the possession of the Council was not. He would recommend that the purchase be made. Councillor Ferguson,; Dungan, Colem»ii, Jenssen, and James all -spoke m the mmp strain, , and endorsed the. opinion of the Mayor. Councillor MpwfcEM said his only objection was the cost. If .the map was looked upon as a luxury, be would oppose its purchase ; if it were a necessity, that was another thing. Councillors bad stated that it was so, and certainly he had often heard it, stated that the old map was inaccurate. Conupquently his only objection had been taken away. Councillor Batckeiar would oppose the purchase, *s he did not think the Borough could afford it. He knew be would be m the minority, nevertheless he could not help that. CounoilloriDoit^ Ait then proposed, and Councillor Ferguson seconded— 'That, as th«vraapaf;.nres ht m use for Voie Bproq^h Gonueil has been p'oyen o be ifrimccaraiei andit-if ama'ter of necessity thut one thoronghly re'iable should be ir pos^sion of tbe Bqroacrb. the Connci' accpt the offer of Messrs. Palme- son and Scott to s«ll their map an J insert thereon •ny additions m the way of streets, houses and levels, which m it be made .during the Hext jfive years.' l " A division, was.oalled for, with the following e^Fj-ct ;—v - . - - i ikTßfl.' ;':■.■:'.; ; . MOBS. Th> Mayor Cr. Batcbelar Cr.'Jenssen J „ Mowlem „ Golemnn. - t) Jamea . » Ferguson „ Dungan . & A PRIVATE RIGHT-OFrWAY, My. Perkins, solicitor, on behalf of Messrs. Palmerson and Scott, made ap plication, for, permission for. a private right-of-way between their new offices and Mr. AHJnghani's. V Astbe'lferinission W|s a mere formality. . Councillor Mbwißit moved, and Councillor BATCHEiiAR seconded-^ ■- ' • ( : Thnt 'bis Cinncil as.«fiTifs to the right. ? *-*~* n Actions 107 and 108^ Pal MOftofl^Bcaf a.? :'•-'-•-• - -- • i - • CBoasroa ow footpaths, Conn<Mliqivß:BßGoßoM said that as somr •oosiderable discussioq had taken plac«> m town with regard to a cro«sin? wbie? bad Keen put m m front of Mr, Collins biitcberv.-; W\\*<\ made % 'His 'husine^'ti. vi^it • -Mr riUfe du^riV4 »he b( fttind; • !it "eve^ 7^s far ai. width the cro^i«§ aria ftQt'ift'WQQr^au^^Syithtne bye-

law. Besides according to his reading of the word "crossing" that into Mr. Collins was none at all. A crossing should be a passage leading somewhere ; the one m question merely led tpithe door of the shop. In addition to' this he found there were two such crossings within a few feet of each other 1 . Councillor Batchelab said that tbe thing was an eye-sore and a nuisance. Councillor Jbnssbw, as chairman of the Public Works Committee, would like to | explain, that the matter had never come \ before that committee, and consequently no permission for the work had been given. ' -•■"■■■ The Mator said he had not seen the i work complained of, nevertheless he heartily agreed *ith the remarks made. If any one of- the ratepayers could make a return of the kerbing info his door, the j example would be followed by others, until the pathway would become not only a nuisance, but positively dangerous. Councillor Colbman supported the view taken by the other Councillors, and spoke m strong language against such a dangerous liberty being: given to anyone. Councillor Dong an said that he had been all along under the impression that the complaint against Mr. Collins was that he had backed his cart over the old footpath. He had never dreamt that a crossing would be made over the path, m front of the house. He was surprised at Mr Collins doing so, as it certainly would be an eye-sore m front of bis premises. Ultimately it was decided that tbe Public Works Committee should inspect tbe work, and be empowered to take whatever steps m the matter they might think necessary. RESIGNATION Councillor Fkrqttsoit said he wished to tender his resignation of his position on the Public Works Committee. To attend to the duties properly required more time than he had at command, and consequently he desired to withdraw. The resignation was received with regret, and Councillor Palmerson was elected to fill the vacancy. THE MANAWATU BRIDGB. Tbe Mator stated that at the last sitting of the County Council be bad made an effort to obtain £150 which had been placed upon the Estimates of the Council Tor the bridge, m order to supplement tbe £500 promised by tbe GovernmentHe had made an offer to the Council on behalf of the Borough, that if the former would band over the promised Ll5O, the Borouzh Council would immediately proceed with the additions to the bridge and wait for repayment when the money was voted by Parliament. Councillor Fbrguson would not think it safe to make such an offer. Perhaps when the bridge was completed, as no doubt it would be before the opening of ! tbe Session, tbe Government might say, "Oh the work is now done ; and the money paid for it, and there's an end of it." Councillor DuKGAt agreed with Councillor Ferguson. At the present time I there was only a verbal promise that i when Parliament met it should be asked to vote LSOO for tbe work. But it might be m the recollection of Councillors the breach of faith which had been committed with the original purchasers of land at Fitzherbert. At the sale it was stated as one of the conditions that a certain proportion of the purchase money would be devoted to the making of roads, but that promise was most shamefully ignored, and not a penny spent from that day to this. With regard to the LSOO. they had only a verbal promise, wherein during fast session there was an instance of an item having been passed m Committee and afterwards, * hen the member interested had retired, it had |been taken <ff ag«n. He alluded to the money for the fonrt-house, which through the manipulation of a wily Southern member had been taken from Palmerston and given to his own constituency. As it appeared that it was the general opinion of the Council that it would not he politic to advance the money, the Mayor agreed^to be by their decision. This concluded the business, and the Council adjourned until the 6th of April.