PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 12, 14 July 1903, Page 2

PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Petone Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. G. T. London), Councillors Cook, Piper, Alexander, Vogel, Macfarlane, Castle, Fraser, M'Ewen, and Jounnax. l*he Lighting Committee that, having visited the localities in which the Hutt Council desired the extension of gas mains, cannot recommend such extension. — The report was adopted. Recommendations of the Finance and Works" Committee, published last evening, were adopted. TKe Solitary Committee in a report recommended that a second large van of the maximum capacity be procured ; that in future the sanitary pans be made of plate zinc of No. 16 wire gauge, of a size and shape to be decided by the engineer. — The recommendations were adopted. In considering the recommendation of the Finance Committee to increase the salary of the gas clerk by £13 per year, Councillor Froser moved an amendment that the increase be £25 per annum, ■\\ hich was lost on the voices. Mr. Harper, representing Baker 8r05.,, attended and submitted copies of letters to and from Mr. T. F. Martin, respecting the validity of the building bylaw compelling owners of property fronting Jackson-street wishing to build to erect ■such buildings two-stories high to a depth of 25ft back from the street line. Mr. Martin's opinion was to the effect that the portion of the bylaw regulating the number of stories was bad. Mr. Harper &aid thnt other legal opinions obtained were to tho same effect. The Mayor was authorised to make enquiries into the matter. Messrs. Jones; Pointon, and Price presented a petition signed by 118 propertyowners on what is known as Keen's subdivision, pointing out that though full rates had been collected from this area during the past six years no money whatever had been expended in repairs by the 'Council. They therefore- prayed that the Council should either take-over the streets or make such arrangements as will allow the Council to keep the streets in order. Mr. T. Price contended ,that the Council had in a. sense taken over the streets by reason of laying gas and water mains. The Mayor said that the Council fully sympathised with the oßjects of the petition, and but for the legal difficulties at present apparent the grievance complained of would be removed. The question would be submitted to leg^al experts for their opinion, and the result would be communioa^ed to the petitioners as early as possible. Correspondence was received from the secretary of the Gear Company intimating that, in response to the Council's request, instructions had been given with reference to the discontinuance of driving cattle in the borough between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. — The letter was received. Messrs. Palmer and Co., Wellington, contractors for the supply of the new gas-holder, forwarded a copy of letter reoeived by them from the Patent Shaft and Axle-tree Company with reference to the delay jn delivery of the above work. In the course of their letter, the 'company writes : "We are glad to note that you have better hope of getting over the penalty difficulty [non-delivery within contract time] and trust to hear in your next that all claim for penalty against you has been withdrawn." After explaining how the work was shut out of the Tongariro, the letter concludes: " i>ich regard to the delay you evidently do not in the least appreciate the difficulty caused by stopping work on a constructive job like this (which appeared to us necessary to enable the engineer's wishes with regard to converting into double lift to be carried out) and getting the odd lots of material required for the alteration from the mills. We unhesitatingly assert that but for this break in "the work it would have been completed and ready for despatch before the stoupage for ,the Christmas holidays. This is the real cause for the delay, and quite sufficient to upset any claim for penalty." [Under the contract penalty clause the amount due for non-delivery is approximately about £200.] — The matter whs referred to the Lighting Committee, Mr. V. Barker, in the course of a letter covering amount of rate?- due on his holding in the Maungarakj settlement, wrote protesting against what he termed a gross injustice being perpetrated on residents in this settlement. He pointed out that the Government, in addition to buying tho land, pays the initial cost of roading, etc.,' and the settlers pay interest on the total cost, in shape of rent, thus providing their own roads and conveniences, for which the borough

does not contribute a single penny, but at once sends in its demand for drainage, lighting, and other benefits the settlement never hopes to enjoj-. Ho calls attention to the agreement for Greater Wellington, which provides that in districts where residents can not participate in the benefits for which special rates are struck these rates shall not be levied on &uch districts. He asks why not treat this settlement the same. The Mayor stated that he had been informed that relief could bo given settlers in the position of the writer by the CQAfncil's remitting such special rates as water, street improvement, etc., and seeing that these people could not possibly benefit by the expenditure of these special rates, they ought, if • possible, to be remitted. It was decided that the opinion of the Association's solicitor be obtained as to the power ot the Council to do this, and wuether it can erect and maintain a gaslamp on private" streets. Mr. G. F. Pearce, in -forwarding • his cheque for gas consumed, informed the Council that his gas bill was much smaller in amount than anticipated, owing to the fact tkat he could not get the gas and had to use other means of illumination. This, he considered, was due to la <* of pressure in the gavmains. The letter was referred to the Lighting Committee. 5 Mr. G. Jones wrote complaining of the delay m not acceding to his request for a gas-main to his factory on the Hutt road. The delay was causing machinery to the value of £1100 to lie idle The Engineer stated that the service would cost £25. It was, however, decided to comply with Mr. Jones's request. The Inspector reported that he had visited certain owners of vehicles plyin<* for hire, with the object of ascertaining if the current rate of wages was paid to the employees, as required by the Act. He' reported that owners of vehicles did not appear to be aware that the keeping of a wage book Mas compulsory. From the discussion it appeared that in no case were contracts made by the Council in conformity with the Act by not containing the necessary clause. Councillor Jounnax moved that all carting contracts be cancelled. Councillor Macfarlane &econded the motion. The Engineer stated that the contracts were framed especially to suit the requirements of the local carriers. Councillor Macfarlane : Then an Act of Parliament has to be set aside in order to suii the requirements of local carrieis. The Mayor sa,id that logically they must accept the motion — the Council accepting the tenders was just as much to blame as the carriers. Councillor Fraser considered that the Council was rapidly becoming a sort of Spanish Inquisition. He thought the motion was Out of order. The Mayor defended the mover, and was quite prepared to say thvtt there was nothing in the contracts to render them binding. Examination of one contract, however, showed that no blame- could be attached to the Council in drawing up the speui fication, as it called the atte&tiou of tenderers to the sixth schedule of the Act. Councillor M'Ewan moved an amendment that the attention of contractors be called to the omission, which wa& seconded by , Councillor Alexander. Councillor Macfarlano said that the amendment suited hi 9 views. All he wanted was that the law should be carried out. The amendment was agreed to. It was decided to endorse the action of the South Wairarapa County Council in endeavouring to obtain more equitable representation in respect to contributions to Hospital and Benevolent Aid Boards. The question of furthex assistance being given to the two employees injured by accidents at. the gas works, was referred to the Mayor for enquiry. The tender of T. Ballinger and Co. for 12 copper lanterns was accepted.* v Notices of motion were given : By Councillor^ Castle — "That the present Works Committee of five be disbanded, and a new Cumuiitiee consisting oi the whole of the. Council be set up;" by 'Councillor Piper — "That the Council resolves by way of special order, to complete all unfinished footpaths in the borough, defraying cost of such work out of the unexpended balance of the street improvement loan." *