MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3636, 8 March 1883, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

AVednesday, Alarch 7

The Couucil met at S p.m. Present: His AVorship the Alayor (chairman), Crs. Alonteith, AVall, AleDougall. Price, Afargoliouth, Graham, and Cotton. UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. Pursuant to notice Cr. Price moved, "That no Avorks outside those ordinarily performed by Corporation labor be undertaken Avithout express permission of the public AA'orks committee." Cr. AleDougall seconded the motion, but pointed out that a strict adherence to it, unless it was rendered less vague as to its application, might result in complications of some kind—for instance, in the event of a flood, or accident to machinery—-Avhen it Avould be unwise to tie the hands of the engineer. Cr AVall understood that the motion was intended to prevent other than ordinary Avorks being undertaken A\dthout the permission of the public works committee. It Avas AvellknoAvn that in the past certain Avorks had been carried out by Corporation labor that the public. Avorks committee Avould never have sanctioned liacl tlioy known aiiytliiny of them before they Avere completed. Cr Alonteith agreed Avith the spirit of the motion, but thought the question of providing for sudden exigencies raised by Cr AleDougall Avas worthy of consideration. Cr Graham pointed out that matters of the description instanced by Crs AleDougall and Alonteith came under the head of accidents, and AA'heu these occurred thc.y Avould, of course, have to be seen to Avith all possible despatch. There was no good in members arguing over, and raising triiial objections to, what Avas for the good of the borough. Cr. Price said his object in moving the resolution Avas to have it distinctly on record that the engineer Avas required to gi\'o the public Avorks committee an estimate at each meeting of the Avorks required to be done during the folloAving fortnight. It was very desirable that a stop should be put to the practice of spending the ratepayers' money on works that Avere not authorised by the Couucil. This kind of thing .had been going on for the past three or four years, and had a resolution like the present been carried years ago a great deal of money that had been sjient foolishly Avould ha\*e been saved, and the Council would have been in a. position to complete the Avaterworks scheme, which it now found itself unable to do. It seemed that verbal instructions to the engineer Avere useless. Ho (Cr. Price) recollected the engineer being told in public Avorks committee a short time since that no Avorks beyond those absolutely required Avere to be undertaken without the consent of the .committee, and tho next thing they saw after that Avas the vouchers for the cost of curbing and forming footpaths in streets Avhere such were not re-: quired. THE UOROUOII VALUER. - Cr Price moved his resolution of Avhich notice had been given, " That Air R. AVilliams' duties for the year as valuer being terminated after the sitting of the Assessment Court, he be notified that his services Avill be no longer required as from one mouth after date hereof." Cr Alonteith seconded the motion pro furinu, in order that the subject might be discussed. Cr Price said the motion really needed no discussion. Air AVilliams, the present valuer, had nothing to do, and the Council paid him for doing that nothing. : He did not mean to say that Air Williams had hot earned every penny he had receiA'ed in the past, but his duties Averc iioav practically ended, and the Council Avas not wealthy enough to maintain a sinecure, even though the holder of it was Air AVilliams. Cr. Alonteith moved as amendment that Air AVilliams be appointed borough valuer at a remuneration of £00 per annum. Mr AVilliams had done the valuing A-ery satisfactorily, and it was but right that he should have the opportunity afforded him of taking the office. Cr Cotton seconded the amendment. Cr Af'Dougall said he would support the amendment. He would, liOAvever, point out that it. was Cr Price's oavii fault that Air AVilliams had nothing to do, as it Avas his (Cr Price's) motion, introduced subsequently to the redistribution of offices formerly agreed upon, that upset .tho arrangement under which the services of the present receiver of rates (Air Parker) Avould have been dispensed with. r After some further discussion permission Avas giA-en Cr Alonteith to add to his amendment the AA-ords, " and that due notice be given Air AVilliams that his existing appointment is cancelled." Tho amendment was carried on tho voices. CORRESPONDENCE. The following inward correspondence Avas road :— '■ From the secretary Napier Gas Company withdrawing objection lodged on 12th instant to tho borough valuation of tho company's property. ■ -, From tho Property Tax Department, forwarding a statement of tho value proposed by tho commissioner for each ratable pro-,

perty in the Borough of Napier, and requesting that the same should-be kept open for inspection at the Town Clerk's office. From the same (circular), asking to be informed of any corrections required to be made in the statement of values of property. From the Town Clerk, InA-ercargill, asking for certain information respecting the removal of night soil and - rubbish in this borough. \. From the Treasury, acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter of 2Gth ultimo notifying the transfer of the Corporation account from the Union Bank of Australia to the Colonial Bank of NeAv Zealand. PUBLIC WORKS COMiriTTEE's REPORT. The folloAving report was received from the public Avorks committee:— ATour committee having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend the Council as folloAvs :— :..'■■ 1. That the following terms for the lease of the AVoodA'illc reserve be authorised in lieu of those noAv ruling: The lease to be for 20 years ; improvements to the value of £100 for the first five years to be made yearly; rates and taxes to be paid by lessee ; upset rental for the first five years to be the amount of tho highest tender, second 5 years £30 per annum, third.") years £00 per annum, fourth 5 years £90 per annum ; 200 acres of the best bush timber, at places to be indicated, not to be felled. 2. That the terms for the purchase of any of tho town sections on the reclaimed land be as folloavs : — (a) Where 10 per cent, of the total value is paid that the balance be made payable in nine equal annual instalments, bearing 8 per cent, interest, (b) AVherc 25 per cent, of the total value is paid, that the balance be made payable in four equal annual instalments bearing 7 per cent, interest, (c) That one-half of the sections iioaa" remaining unsold (to be defined by the Council) be reserved from sale for the present. 3. That telegraphic communication be established between the reservoir and the pumping station at a cost not exceeding £lo.' 4. That the reports of the engineer (except clauses 2 and 3 thereof), of the overseer, and of the inspector of nuisances be approved and adopted. 0. That the A'ouehers, amounting to £791 17s sd, be passed and ordered to be paid. Clause 1 Avas adopted after some little discussion, Crs. Afargoliouth and Graham dissenting. In the second clause, relating to the sale of the reclaimed toAvn sections, an amendment Avas moA'ed by Cr. Alargoliouth to the effect that the AA-hole of the sections—instead of half as recommended in the report - -1)0 offered for sale, and the clause as so adopted Avas amended by 4 to 3. The third and fourth clauses were adopted without discussion. engineer's report. The folloAving report from the engineer Avas read: — 1. Bridge at Spit.—l haA r e carefully examined the bridge near the Union Steamship Company's offices, and find it much in need of repairs. There are two methods of repairing it—first by planking over the whole roadway (except footpath) AA'ith 3-inch planking laid diagonally ; and secondly, by filling up the interstices bctAvcen present planking, removing and replacing planks where much worn, and covering the whole with a layer of asphalt 6-inch thick, composed of broken metal, coal tar and sand, and shingle. The first method would cost about £70, and the second about £30. I begrespectfully to suggest that it AA'oidd not be desirable to expend a large sum on repairs at present, as the whole fabric of tho bridge Avill in all likelihood require re-instating before long. 2. Drain, AVest Side of Hastings-street.— HercAvith I haA-e the honor to lay before the committee a plan and estimate for a proposed scheme for the drainage of the west side of Hastings-street, between Station-street and Swan-street. The estimate does not include the cost of any road formation, which would--not be required for some time. 3. Beach-road.—l beg respectfidly to call the attention of the committee to the condition of the approach to Dr. Spencer's house. It is at present dangerous, and might be put into a passable condition at a trifling cost.

4. Storm AVater Drainage.—l have the honor to report that the works authorised for the removal of the storm AVater are now, with a trifling exception, completed, and are in efficient working order.

5. Burley's Testimonial.—HereAvith I beg to submit draft of testimonial for the approval of the committee. ti. Reclaimed Section 378.—The portions of this section complained of luiA-e been filled up as directed. 7. Overseer's Report.-— HereAvith I enclose the report of the inspector of roads, and begto endorse his recommendation as to Cobdenroad. INSPECTOR OE NUISANCES' REI'ORT. The folloAving report from the inspector of nuisances Avas read :— I have the honor to report that duriujjf the past month I have made a house to house inspection throughout the district in AA-hich the pan system is made compulsory, Avith a vieAv of giving effect to the resolution of the Council passed at last monthly meeting relative to the enforcing of the by-hiAV. The number of cesspits I have found and the varied appliances in vogue for tho carrying out of the existing pan system -will be found in the statement hereAvith attached, and Avhich is as correct as can possibly be arrived at under the circumstances in connection with such an inspection. From this inspection, which I haA'C made Avith considerable care, I am unable to put salutary matters in a more favorable light than in my previous report. In addition to the rustic appliances at present in use, some of Avhich are extremely novel, the mysteriom disposal of night soil referred to in my last report I now find from the admissions made by the people to consist in the burying of it in the back yards, the emptying of it in the surf in the front of the town, and on the " little beach " of the inner lagoon fronting AVellesley road, and the utilising it_ in gardens where such exist. These practices I need scarcely say are most objectionable and call for urgent remedy. I Avould, therefore, again respectfully urge upon the Council the advisability of immediate action being taken, so as to effect a general eutiy and cleansing of the night-soil by the Corporation from all premises witliin the district. In doing so it gives me pleasure to state that from the numerous conversations I have had with the people Avhile making this last inspection I am in a position to say that the doing so would meet -with general appiwal of the inhabitants. I have also to report that during tho month about thirteen cesspits have been abolished, and notices served, some by personal service, and others by post—calling upon the abolition of those that still exist. AVith reference to the wooden boxes at present in use in the district, I have to express the opinion that they are not proper pans and are ill-adapted forthe purpose. The wood becomes foul from saturation and the box in all conditions is most offensive.

I have also particularly noticed the different systems of deodorising practised by the householders, and consider that dry ashes is the most effectual. As every house makes sufficient ashes for this purpose, householders, if they could only be persuaded to preserve and use the- ashes for this purposer the pan system would'be shorn of its greatest objection! I would also respectfully suggest that arrangements be made Avith the nightsoil contractor AA'hereby specified portions of the toA\m would be cleared of the nightsoil on certain nights. In making these arrangements the contractor could suit his oavii convenience, but after such were arrived at, any departure therefrom should be deemed a breach of contract, and treated accordingly. The advantages of this would be that the Council would have a check on his punctuality, while householders would knoAv the nights on Avhich to expect him, and leave their promises open for his entry. With reference to my last report, I beg to correct it as having reference to the number of houses gii'en as 613. In the adding up I overlooked an item of 50, which, had it been included, the number of houses would have been 063, and the householders not attended on by the contractor 458. From ; this last inspection. I find that there are 663 houses and 740 closets within the district.

I have examined the nuisance complained of as existing on section No. 171 c, Emersonstreet. I found that it arose from the condition of a certain portion of the surface of the yard that had become impregnated by food continually being thrown over into the yards for the use of the fowls, and when the surface became wet from the late rain Avas somoAvhat offensive; I have arranged with the proprietor to havo the impregnated surface removed, and replaced with dry umeetoho rubble, and coated with shingle, which I think will meet the requirements of the

case.. I understand, however, that a petition some time back was presented to the Council haAdng reference to the keeping of foAvls in this yard. lam not aware what was done in the matter, but would venture the opinion that the keeping of fowls in large quantities in public places in the town should be done under certain restrictions and in a manner so as not to be an annoyance to the adjoining residents. Sundry complaints have been made during the month, and have in all cases been attended to. .-. : . --.-.. ■-.--•---.,-.-- - The folloAvingis the statement—mentioned in the first portion of this report—of the appliances for disposal of nightsoil in use within the district:—9o closets with cesspits;'3sl closets with pahs ;TOB closets with wooden boxes; 91 closets with kerosene tins; 78 closets with nail cans, oil cans, buckets, kc. ; 19 closets with nightsoil on the floor or on the ground. In reply to Cr. Wall, tho Mayor said it might be advisable to wait for colder weather before disturbing the'top soil from the place in Emerson street where fowls were keept, and which was deemed a nuisance. Tho ToAA m Clerk stated that in consequence of a petition that had been received, the former inspector of nuisances had visited the place, and had reported that there was no nuisance. Cr. Wall said that there was a recommendation in Afr Black's report, respecting fixing the nights for the nightsoil contractraotor's visits in various districts, which had not been considered by the Public AVorks Committee. Ho therefore moved that the report be referred back to tho committee for the purpose of dealing with that recemniendation. , The motion was seconded by Cr. Monteith and carried. executing mortgage of swamp sections. On the motion of Cr. Afargoliouth, se- , conded by Cr. Price, Crs. Wall and Mon- ! tcith were appointed to sign the mortgage deeds to the Colonial Bank in respect to the loan of £2000 upon the security of the reclaimed sections. The deeds were thereupon signed and the Corporation seal attached to them. • , The Council then adjourned, after passing vouchers for the fortnight amounting to £791 17s od. ......