Cromwell Borough Council.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 2211, 5 September 1910, Page 5

Cromwell Borough Council.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday at 8 p.m. Presenters. Jolly. Gair, Murray, Wrightson, Young and Stumbles. Owing tj the absence of the Mayor Cr Jolly was voted to the chair. The minutes of last ordinary and tsvo special meetings were read and confirmed. The business of a special meeting held last Tuesday, and attended by a full council, was to consider a letter from Mr W. A. Bodkin, solicitor, acting for Mr F. McFelin, claiming £35 damages caused by a break in the borough race in his paddock, and if some arangement was nut made within a week a summons would issue. After some discussion a motion was carried that the Town Clerk write Mr Bodkin to the effect that his letter was the first official intimation from Mr McFelin the council had received of any claim, and the council was quite willing at any time to meet and pay any just claim he may have, and if he would appoint an assessor tho council would do the same and abide by the decision arrived at as to the amount of damage caused. G'OUK ESl'O KDENC E. Outward was read and approved inward read and dealt with as follows : From D. A. Cahill asking permission to tap the main witii half inch pipe for his section. There was some discussion as to the Urge number of these requests granted within the last few mouths, several councillors remarking on the great improvement it would make in the borough if plenty of water was available for irrigating the different areas which had been planted in fruit trees. The request was granted on the usual terms. C. P. Johnson, government auditor telegraphed stating the Auditor General required particulars as to the amount of £sl 5s 2d for legal expenses on water supply loan account. The clerk stated he had forwarded the receipted legal accounts for the Auditor General's examination. Two letters from the Spiral Pipe Company for some information, and giving some details in connection with the order and laying of the :52 chains, stating the pipes would be ready in about ten days. The Clerk had replied at length giving the information required.— Received. From W. A. Bodkin, solicitor, Alexandra re a claim for damages caused by break in race to F. McFelins land.. REPORTS. The dayman was present and reported the reservoir had gone down very much during the last week and if the water was not turned off at night it would soon be empty, as there was a large amount of irrigation being done by a large number of householders. It would require to be turned off at once to g ; ve a supply for half the day unless the new supply was got in. He also mentioned that he had a small paddock fenced in for the horse and it would require about 150 feet of piping to lay on the water to wash the cart and water the horse, and at present he had to carry it this distance, The puiindkeeper reported there was some trouble with wauderiug horses, one person in particular being named as the principal aggressor, and he wished to know if he could claim full fees if he gave up the horses on the way to the pound. The poundkeeper was told to claim full fees and for the future to lodge a complaint when a summons will be issued against the party, when the fine would be much more severe as the council intended putting a stop to this nuisance, as complaints are being made from householders of the damage caused to their property by wandering horses in the streets. There was a long discussion on the short water supply, Cr Young stating there must be something wrong that the supply should be short at this early period of the season, but the councillors were aware that a very large quantity was being used for irrigation by the owners of sections recently fenced and planted in fruit trees and gardens. Cr Gair in reply to a question as to when the new supply could be turned in, said this could be done at any time as far as the repairs to the pipe line was concerned, but the drawback was on account of the other parties (Messrs Fleming and Heauey) not having the race cleaned out yet, but Mr Heaney informed him a few days ago they were now preparing to get it in as soon as possible, for they were anxious to have it. The borough portion of race required attention but the caretaker was laid up, consequently this work had to be done before the water was turned in and another man should be put on to do the work and extra labor be employed if necessary. It was finally resolved that Cr Gair be empowered to have the work put in hand at once and whatever men were required to be engaged, also to send a man up to stop any leaks on the old race. Regarding the turning off of the water it was decided that the supply lie turned off at once from seven o'clock at night till seven in the morning, untrl such time as was required. Cr Murray suggested giving the householders notice so that they could make some provision. It was resolved that a notice be placed on the Council Chambers. Cr Young reported that the rabbit inspector was here since last meeting to start poisoning on land adjoining the borough endowment, and he had arranged for the borough land to be poisoned which had been carried out.—Received. It was resolved to lay down a half inch pipe to the horse paddock and that Mr Tidey be authorised to carry out the work under Cr Gair's instructions, only the quantity of piping to be supplied to reach into the paddock. A complaint was made that the vacant section in front of the Masonic Hall on the river bank was used as a dumping ground for rubbish, and asking that some action be taken to have this stopped and the present offensive rubbish destroyed. Several councillors commented on the Inspector of Nusances not having noticed tins, and as he was paid a salary to ' stop this he should pay more attention to the duties. The Clerk was instructed to write to ' the inspector to have the nuisance abal- ■ ed. and if not doue to report the matter to the Council,

The bank book was placed on the table and showed a debit balance of £2'J 0s (sd. Accounts amounting to £5 15s Id were passed for payment. There was »ome strong comment on the delay over the hearing of the appeal case of Fleming and the borough. There was nothing before the council as to the cause, and as the case had been now before the court for about nine months, it seemed that someone should be responsible. A suggestion from a councillor that the Minister of Justice should be written to pointing out the facts was ridiculed at first, as it was thought this may be taken as a reflection on the judge, but when the serious position in which the Council was placed as regards the case was discussed, it was evident that the Council as a whole thought some action should be taken to have the case brought forward. Cr Jolly stated the borough solicitor mentioned to him that the delay was caused through the large amount of work before the court, and the case was in the hands of the judge and nothing could be done until he was ready to hear it. Cr Murray said there was no reflection intended in any way on the judge, and if the cause was as stated he thought it was all the better that some publicity should be given to the matter, as it may he the means of having an extra judge appointed to push on the work. The opinion of the council generally was that the solicitors of the parties were to blame, and it was resolved that the borough solicitor be written to stating the council were very dissatisfied over the continued delay, and hoping he would see it was put through at once. The customary vote to the chair closed the meeting.