BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 46, 17 January 1913, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

♦ MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Balclutha Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. Stewart), Councillors A. McTCwan, J, Wilkins, S. H. James, G. W. Wood, ,las. Sheddan, John Danskiu, J. Clark, C. E. Naish and G. Smith. CORRESPONDENCE. John Chirnside, head dayman, wrote applying for a rise in his wages from 9s Gd to 10s, owing to the rise in the price of bread and the other necessaries of life.—Thomas Weir and Wm. Wright, daymen, also applied, on account of the same reason, for a rise in their wages from 8s to 9s a day.—The applications were discussed in committee. It was resolved that the council could not grant the requests to increase the wages. The secretary Auckland Industrial Exhibition wrote soliciting co-operation in tho exhibition to be opened in Auckland in December next, and asking the council to assist by making a first-class display "of such minerals, timber, etc., which are characteristic of the district. '' —Letter to lie ou the table. WATERWORKS. Mr John Sheddan, waterworks engineer, reported that since last meeting there had bceu several applications for water connections, which had been attended to. Owing to the holidays and other circumstances he had been unable to fix the ball cocks on street water troughs, but he would have them finished in the course of a week. During the month there had been pumped into the tower .'IBI,OOO gallons of water, which is 100,000 ahead of last- month. The quality of the water was improving.—Received. FINANCE. The Finance Committee submitted the following report: —The bank book shows a credit balance of £272 Ms 3d; the statement of estimated revenue from January 1, 1913, to March 31, 1913, shows £119;: 10s 7d still available for work after allowing for fixed charges. It is recommended that in future all requisites for works should be obtained on requisition to the town clerk, and all accounts contracted during any month should be sent to the council three days before the next monthly meeting.—The Mayor said it would be noted with pleasure that the fiuances showed a very satisfactory position.—-The report was adopted. The Finance Committee recommended paymeut of accounts amounting to £217 Ss 4d, the principal items being wages (£ll4 8s Gd), interest on loans (£43 14s 3d). The accounts were passed for payment. WORKS AND WATERWORKS. The Works Committee submitted the following recommendations:—(l) That the footpath on the south side of William street be kcrbed, channelled and ashjilialted; (2) that the proposal to connect the saleyards with the water main would entail expense which the benefits would not justify; (3) that the proposal to erect a sheep dip in the saleyards be rejected, as the dip would not be used sufficiently to give a reasonable return for the outlay, besides being very likely to pollute the Corporation water supply; (4) that the thistles on the sports ground be cut. Councillor Wilkins moved, and Councillor McEwan secouded, that the report be adopted as read. The Mayor pointed out that in a subsequent report from another committee there was a recommendation that the water supply be laid on to the saleyards. In regard to clause (2), Councillor Wilkins said there would require to be about five chains of piping put into the proposed site of the trough. As the cattle were generally hurried in not half of them would get a drink at the trough. Besides, the river being near, it whs quite easy for the cattle to get water at the river. Councillor Wood considered it would be a wise thing to put a water trough in. The council derived a good deal of revenue from the yards, and it should do a little for the convenience of those using thorn. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals had recommended that a trough be put in. In taking cattle to the river drovers would have a. great deal of trouble owing to some of the mob breaking away. Itwould not cost much to put five chains of piping in. For the reasons given he favoured putting in a water trough, He moved as an amendment that the report be adopted, subject to the deletion of clause (2). Councillor Smith, in seconding the amendment, said that in these hot days a water trough was greatly needed at tho yards. ' Councillor Danskin considered that, from a humane point of view, a trough should be put in. The amendment was carried. I The remaining recommendation? in the report were adopted. It was resolved that the Council Chambers be painted. RESERVES, LIGHTING AND SALEYARDS. The Reserves, Lighting and Saleyards Committee recommended:—(l) That the piece of land around the Band Rotunda be cleared of weeds and the ground levelled and sown with grass; (2) that the ground around the powerhouse be levelled and sown with grass; (3) that the daymen cut all noxious weeds growing on streets, Jetty street to be attended to particularly; (4) that the sowing of silted portion of reserve, already agreed upon, to be proceeded with at once, weather permitting; (5) that a concrete trough be erected in the saleyards as soon as possible, the trough to be at least 10 feet long, connected with a J-ineh pipe, and fitted with a ball cock; (6) that six stalls be erected to accommodate bulls in the present bull yard, all bulls to bo tied,up; (7)" that the council 'a resolution of June 19,

1912,. "That no person be allowed to bring their horses or buggies into the yards and tie them up to the fence,'' be given effect to; (8) that the necessary steps be taken to declare docks a noxious weed under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1908; (9) that a supply of Horstman 's gas controllers be ordered in time for next lighting season. On the, motion of Councillor Wilkins it was decided to amend clause (1) so as to read, "That the grass round the ground at the Band Rotunda be cut, and that a conference be held between the council and the Bowling and Tennis Clubs with a view to having tho ground kept in order iu future." The report of the discussion on this point appears elsewhere. The other recommendations were adopted as read, with the exception of clause (5), in which a i-inch pipe was substituted instead of a }-inch one.