PALMERSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 151, 6 August 1881, Page 2

PALMERSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1881. The usual monthly meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Dungan, Mowlem, McNeil, Jenssen, Ferguson, and Snelsen. MINUTES. After the minutes of preceding meeting had been read and confirmed, his Worip read an APOLOGY From Councillor Coleman, who had been prevented from being present by a very severe illness. The Chairman then read the following correspondence: — LAND FOR PUBLIC WORKS. Circular le er from Mr. Benzoni, the Ass ant Under- cretary fo Public Works, covering certain regulation wi h regard to land required for Public Works. As the matter was one which did not concern borou hs, the document w merely receive and no ac on taken. MANGAONE BRIDGE. From the Secretary of the Manawatu Highways Board, off ring to c tribute £30 toward the erection of a b ge over the Mangaone on Boundary R ad Wo . Councillor Dungan moved, and Councillor Snelson ec ded— "That this Council accept the offer of the Highways Board, with regard to the construction of a b idge over the Mangaone, on Boundary Road West, and at the Engineer be instructed to prepare an estimate for the work without delay, BOROUGH DEBENTURES. From Mr Perkins, making a claim for about three weeks interest upon some debentures which he had purchased. As it appeared, however, that although Mr Perkins had agreed to take the debentures he had not paid the money to the Councils credit, Councilllor Dungan moved, and Councillor Mowlem seconced—

" That inasmuch as Mr Perkins did not accept of the banks receipt, and lodge the money to the credit of the Borough, this Council cannot see that it is called upon to pay the interest to which he has preferred a claim." Carried. THE RACING RESERVE. From the Secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club asking that the Council should guarantee the refund of an overdraft or loan (with interest added) that the Manawatu Racing Club may incur in carrying out certain permanent improvements on the Borough Recreation Reserve, such overdraft not to exceed £400. Upon the motion of Councillor Snelson, seconded by Councillor Dungan — "That a committee, consisting of Councillors Jenssen, M'Neil, and the mover, be appointed to report at the next meeting of the Council when the reserves will be in a position to repay the advance referred to in the letter of the Secretary to the Racing Club." Carried. At this stage of the proceedings a preposition for the adjournment of the Council was tabled, when Councillor Ferguson said he had no objection to the adjournment but he had a petition to present, and as he could not attend at the next meeting, he would like that the Council would deal with the matter at once. It was with reference to the grading and widening of Fitzherbert street, at the foot of the terrace. Councillor M'Neil explained that the Public Works Committee had the matter under consideration, and had made certain recommendations in their report. Councillor Ferguson said he was very pleased to hear it, as the work was a most nesessary one, and had bean previously ordered. He trusted that when the Public Works Committee's report was before the Council, the recommendations would be adapted. The Council then adjourned until Thursday, August 4, 1881. Present — His Worship and Councillors M'Neil, Dungan, Snelson, and Jenssen. The following reports were then read: — ENGINEER'S REPORT Gentlemen. — The progress made with the various contracts during the month is as under — Contracts I. and J. — Bushfelling and clearing in Boundary Road West and Vogel-street These two contracts are completed. Contract K. — Bushfelling, clearing, and formation in Short-street. This work is nearly completed. I have, as directed at your former meeting, arranged for the cu vert and filling in at the junction of this street with Main-street at the price named, but not so for the felling of the bush on the lower end of Cuba-street ; this I have to bring before you again. Contracts P. and Q.— Formation in Alexandra and Main-street West. Re-let to Charles and Co. These works are now in hand satisfactorily. Contract S. — Bushfelling and clearing in Ferguson-street. The major portion of the bush is down under this contract. Contract T. — Like work in Collegestreet. The bush to be felled under this contract is also nearly down. Contract U.—Like work in Feather-ston-street West and on street unnamed. The same applies to to this. Contract V. — Like work in Feather-ston-street East. The bush is all felled on this contract. Contract X .— Formation and metalling in Main-street East. Good progress is made with this work, a difficult job in wet weather, as the metal has to be carted up hill. The energy, shown by the contractor under adverse circumstances reflects much credit upon him. Contract Y. — Sundry work in around the Square. This work is approaching completion. Fencing contracts in Main, Broad, and Church streets. Very little progress has been made with this contract during the past month. Mr. J. C Nathan has applied for a culvert to be put in the drain in front of his new house in Fitsherbert-street to afford access thereto. I have the new access to the Borough Gravel Pit completed, and I would request thut no person be permitted to enter the gravel pit to remove gravel therefrom without a special order from, myself. I had much trouble in only partially removing the overburden thrown down on the bottom of the gravel pit formerly and I fear unless this request is acceeded to, I shall not have sufficient power to check the carelessness with which this overburden is still thrown down. As regards the application by Mr. Fowler to have the drain in front of his section in Fitzherbert-street cleared out, I have on examination found that the fall is altogether towards College-street. The only means therefore by which he could be benefited would be by clearing the drain from College-street. Whilst on this I would inform you that much damage is being done to the drains in this portion of Fitzherbert-street by a large white pig's grubbings which has thrown the soil on the bank into the drains. I have to place before you the plan of the levels in Taonui street show in the crown of the road and the back line of each footpath. The general lie of the surface is a fall from Cuba to Feather-ston-streets, but there is a considerable depression between the 17th and 22nd chain. Unl the grading laid down on the plan be followed the water cannot be removed om crtain portions of the street. This would involve the filling up the watertables in places. I would [illegible]re suggest the the road and foot[illegible] be treated as a whole and formed [illegible]ir full width. I have laid down a c -section on the plan for the full width of the roads. Owing to the unsatisfactory response by tenderers to the last application for road forma ion I have abstained from advertising for further works until those now in band are more advanced. The day men together with the horse and dray were employed on work appartaining to the planting of the Square enclosures during the month as follows on cutting and putting in pegs 7 1/2 days men's time on carting mould 9 days and horse and dray 4 1/2 days on carting trees half a day for one man and dray, equal to two men's wages, exclusive of horse and dray £6 3s. 3d. The balance of the daymen's work was employed in repairing metalled roads' and clearing watertables in Mainstreet and Terrace End. PUBLIC WORKS REPORT. We your Public Works Committee have the honor to report that since your last meeting, we have accepted tenders for digging holes in the Square for the required planting. The accepted tender

was from S. Gedge and Co., at 15s 9d per 100, and the work has been very satisfactorily executed. The first tender for the formation of Boundary Reads we refused, as we considered them too high and have since accepted that of Williams and Foley, for both contracts, at £17 6d per chain. For Botanical Road we have accepted that of Carl Anderson, at £1 4s 6d per chain, and £25 for the culverts. For the metalling of Colltfe-street we have accepted the tender of Collins and M'Carty, £1 8s per chain. We have a4viied that this latter work be] postponed until the dry weather, sets m, and tbia has been agreed to by the. par ties who intend taking up debentares for the required an\ount, and likewise by tbe successful tenderers: The engineer having made an official report te you'rC?ommittee,>ae to the damage cavsed to the newly-formed roada by the cattle and horses allowed to be at large on the street, wewonld recommend t feat that immediate steps be taken by the Council, so that tnenuisahce may b» ahatri. At the samt time we would further recommend that the bye-law relating to the driving and riding acres* footpaths, and water channels be strictly anfareed. - , : We have employed day labor for the planting of the treei^id shrabs m th» - Square, which have beeH supplied by Mr\ Laird, Wanganuii m. a very satisfactory mjinner, and wouW recommend that, some protectidn from tW wind be erected and a fence along eao* side of centra walk. We have fully cbnsideTed the application of Mr. F; Manz, for an approach to. J>e ceustructed across the drain m Fitzherhert street] to? his; pr>per,ty referred to this ctmniit tee. at ithe last meetiag^ef the Council, , but cannot rectmmend that the application »c granted, as it would be eatirely for private use, On the otherband, Mr W.-J.Batthai applied for aa approtch to connect Avenue B«adn^h Fiizherbert-street, which we woutirTe-* com«end the Council to grant, this beings a public matter. We have have bid before us the Engiw neer's monthly report, showing the pro^ gressofwork m hand, which we attack for the information, of the Council. With respectto the. Engineer's eonv plaints as to uniu&efise.djper|oiis taking gravel frb« #e pit^ ' ia r«rey^Street wehave instructed him to take steps to pre« vent the repetitionof same.T We have approved of the plan for ctnstructing foatpatHs. in h Taonui T street, and have instructed^hi Engineer, to proceed with the work as soon, as ihe moie^ of the estimated cost shall ; haTe been paiii by the owners i : of 'property m the said street.' - n- d ovsi! i-r^av;^, ' As.the reipenw tft^thfii Uisr advertMeme.it for tenders, indicated that largerhi'mber of cod?ra^tonTiwefiJ at liberty ta compete, we have authorised the propar*. ationefplans^ and specifications for the maibing work^ which BasTeceiVed the at* »ent of the C6incil. ?y ln addition, we recommend that the culvert at the foot ef : thejterrace m Fitzherbert street be lengthened, atid^hanavail fixed that the road; at this spot be widened^ aridT graded foraboul -four or fiveichains towards FergujWßrjßtreejti,;;,.;-. .■..••,: .••,•.; . V.ci ■■•■'■■ I An appiieattoh. from.O-j Tneklebanlc , has been received,, r«q.uestin| J tliat access be. ftiven-' him- Church-street ta j bection 866. As ITbanthas been raised inth.e construction of Church-street ia, front~of|aiis,secti6n,rweh'ave"thor!ght it well to Jjwlgstt^ijjie. Engineer ,tt making a siding— estimated at half %&iy f s work. This will aaswerllr.^Prieklebank'i purpo&s, and will prevent any damage to the bank &y his attemptingVto>. dijaw; up theface of it. v , k-. . ; • It having been- * represented' to the • Ceuncil that xentractors&r bash-felling-make a Rractictt.of r -felling trees on t». bection boundaries, thereby enfcaijjng con-^. , siderable^exp^Hse? ippn f property pirneM # we recommend to the Council that before the final ipaymentiiiy ad* on any bushj , ceolract, Jbi ce»t of rempyj«g^snck tree& be deducted from saeh payment. The • speoifie¥tieh» m all-hash contracts provide, .ample roemsior the, stacking of an nnburn^bh»;ti)^ier.^ L A l elaHn^ qow beforoi the CoiMciHer- Removing a tree left by .eqntractQM, acress^thii feoundwj I>M «^ 'pritSte property^ -«• **■ A '

■•BtAKfc e6itmi»»E ? ll VMPV&Tt

: .. . Gj&FTLKStEJt,. _ We your Hall Committee have ft«* ; honor ; t« leport thai jnuaccbrdance with» yonr instructions we have considered the r«c[uiremenia ifc Hall land would recommend^ „.r l^t A 'That,Sifean ? t^ t hs^ddedat end! of mam HaU, iaac^i^olaie.a platform^ 2nd. That the present gresn> baize ■ dbow at entrance to iriain Hall be altered; by tbe;erection of an jnsidCiporcb* 3rd.. That p»micien| cocoa-nut mat*, ting be prbvided^for centre of room fios* door 1» platform, and that the .windows b«i frOßlee!. : .-.,. r :.-; L , v '■ ; : ; " ' , ... ;4th. That two 4 burper cnan3elieT«i 'and 6 duplex burner bracket iimps be. ■obtained, and^a lamp lxed m fanlight at entrance. '" ■■""'■ JL ■•I ifth^That ;ithfr*alli bc-*»aperc4 with a soitaWe wall paper. ' .■ • ath. Thajt twelve f dozen chair* be procured.. ' r We are o/^pin Jon however that it would be useless to carry put the-abpve su^ges- : troas! whilst the Vbluntpers ' art allowed to ye the HaUas a dryi ihei. We would further reccommend that the followingjmpraYCjaejila, bj| njadjj ra the Council oi^ •Ist. That it be xe<-fanjH;ed and; wainscotted-; . 2nd. That tke floor be e&T««es with, 'cocoa-nut htatting.;; | | <- ■■-■<&&. That a cripboard for Books and; papers, an* ta.b]e. pfeyionsly or«eredv be prc^ided^ ( . q.- p " Councillors Sweesok' and took e^cepriqntQtheireltort, and; CtunciHtr. ppsaATK. said, as one of tht. Halt Cominutte, he should support tht. rcceoMmendations ; -but as they involvei matters of imnprtanoi, ,and>. there w«* barely a quorum pres^i, he. wonld moye. that the cohiideratio^ ol 1 the report be held over until there was si full meeting^ of Council estimates.of cost o| t»tlay t% be furnished; for the ;occaritn. This was sgreed to. ; SUB-COMMITTBB *EB»HVB BEFOBT* Yo«r committee appointed to consider--the position of the Borough, [Reserve Account have. the honor, to report thatw* would recommend thkt the sum of £9(1 /13s, being a moiety df^thefitst exptndin ture m Park Roadirbe transferred to the. General AVconnt^ as we consider that the aectiont fronting the rotitaYt fentst«4

We would farther recommend that the receipts from the reserves be allocated m the- following manner, viz.,, firstly, |to liquidate the debt due to the General Account, which after the transfer, as recommended abore, would remain at L 228 6s sd; and secondly, to paying off any overdraft incurred by the Manawa'u Racing ; Club, m constructing the racecourse, and improving the grounds to the to the extent of L4OO. The following BtatMneht shows the period over which such an arrangement would extend :-— Whole liability, including anticipated overdraft of Racing Club, anrl reba^3 of one year's rent >- pre-ie-.t lesita for cle'iug, &c, ... ... ... £651 6 6 Annual income, £115 14s lOd to be allocated as follows : — 1882- £29, rebate -o PV*?.s 4882— £95 14s 10 i to General Account 1883— £124 14s lOd „ „ v > 1884— £62 7s. B&- „ „ 1884— Mi 7s.sd,_reduc%n of overdraft ,1885— X124Hsl0d „ „ - -1886— £124 14s 10d „ „ < 1887— £62 7s 5d „ " Proposed by Councillor DtraaAx, s<k conded by Councillqr Smjbi-sjk, ?ud car- . ritd— '• %■.!■::',■; ■:v.;.^ ■-•:>:■ .-. • ■ •. t " That the Council adopt tho report of the sub-committee ona the Racing %<zgfrve; that the report be ia*er;e C amongst the ordinary miautei of tires .Council; and that instructions «io«ld .: give* the. Borough ,'olic.tor to confer with the solicitor of the Manawatu Racing Cl«b with regard the necessary legal arrangements therefor." \ Proposed by Councillor S*Bts4N, roconded by Gouuncillor . MvNeii. — the Council agrees to refund to the Manawatu Xaciog Club a sum not. ■ exceedinf £400, at a date hsreafter to be fixed, and which sum the Racing Club are at once to expend upon the portion of the, wiemknowa m the Racecourse Xe^rve." Carried. A UOOKB MEMBKE — : OT TKH yOECH . Councillor Sxelsok spoke upon the necessity of more Police supervision, *0d moved-— '^That application be made to the proper authorities for a eecond/1 CjusUble to be loeated,in Palmeriton." His WbisHiF warmljr '-'supported.: the motic -«; a«d m doing io jsitd kn : g'hf tribute to the zeal and energy of ConstiWe Gilltspie,;but stated that from ; the fact v that thojtown- was ; widespread iand* t^ie janction of Wawjanui, Napier, and ilttterton roads, it was more . patronised by "~ trayellers 'of all eharaetera than other towns on the West Coast. ' Cpnacillor Jenssbn seconded tho motum,wb"ch was carried. IPPLICiiTIOK TO* I.A.HD. Councillor Skelson moved, and Councillor M'J^eji, seconded —

"That am ap ilication.be made to the Minister of -Lands for a po: tion of Section : j?s7ijCprfflerlj^titld as a iarvty reserre." Catried. -^^w <.-:\ .'-.■ : - '- TKB MAWAWATO flBU>Ol. ...Councillor H'lSTbil- proposed, and Councillor Shelsok seconded— , .{t.That .Mr, Armstrong be instructed tb>oi»ult with Mr, H*yns, with a view of getting one span to tk« Fitrterh-ari - Bridge and appro?chef tkeicto, and reprt c * B iF n ** th S Riant aro prep,rei to the J "PobHe yiTorkf Cor mittte, for the purpoi« iJ of calling a 'special mealing of the Coincil ; io have tenders ctlled for." Garried. Councillor Skeis-sn Mfvtd, and Couu- • cillorDiiHaAH seconded-^ ;> - ♦'That tht;Eng:neer l>s inttructed to an estimate for tbe sinking ; of "one or more wells m the most convenieat places m th« Public Square, from which an efficient supply of water could be had with which to extingdsh firts ; and al-o to rspe-t as .to .the cost of the fire engine and ..appliance .needed lor tko iafctriof Camea: ' ■' '. -V.':-T> : -;; ? \;..; i .«H3B-' v HOtWfflJ6,'v i • ;,.„•'" " Cotmcittor Bvhoajx moved, and Councillor M'Kzu. seconded— v-, j ■ tht representativt of the Siding ~ fie requtsied to bring under the notice of the County Couacil,the equity of t«tt body recouping' the Borough Council for which it may incur for the temporary avtistance and maintenance of : patients Ming sick or being kurt m the County* -but outtide ; tht Boromsh." Carried, oi pr. ,;';:> .; . ~~*. .., . It was resolved' that the Town Clerk . «!▼• ttejaeceswry notice to the Eanger tb?.t his " r?k«s would hi dispsnsed filth l^r the CounwT. A?s■ o&d rosr orncß siti. Thr To^ii Clerkt instructed to Wiite to the JPos;,master-QenerT', and remind him that no definite answer had been received.to the applisation made by " the ?oronjl| for tke oM Po«|J office^ cite. A nurober rof 6isc*unti l w?ve thca nnv .-d, «Bdt^Coi|icUadj&^^ .•— ■-■■— r.