GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1908, Page 4

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present His Worship tho Mayor (T. E. Coates Esq), Crs. Tennent, Russell, Kettle, Shannahan, Jackson, Sheedy, Lynch, Kerr and Bignell. CORRESPONDENCE. The Harbor Board wrote that a committee had been set up to deal with the question of providing a gravel site for the Borough. Air. Duncan McLean forwarded samples of “Jodelite” —a wood preserver, which he suggested should be tested on korbing, ect. —No action taken. Mr T. Anderson suggested that.he be permitted to stop butcher’s supplies, iu the case of butchers who had not paid their monthly accounts by the 11th inst of each month. —Referred to the Abattoir’s Committee.

Mr A. Yickcrman wrote, staling that the Club had declined the Council’s offer and were now going to erect rooms of their own. —Referred to the House Committee.

Mr C. Barlthrop applied for gas to >c laid on to his residence at Kilgour Hoad. Air Kennedy had informed iini that a new main would be neces-

sa ry. The Engineer stated that the present one inch pipe would he insufficient if another connection was made at the end. A three inch main was required. The matter was referred to the Gas Committee. Mr C. Rose, sexton, reported that a fire had occurred in his out houses and he asked for assistance. —Referred to the Cemetry Committee. Mr James Fitzgerald’s complaint in regard to the Reservoir Reserve, was referred to the Reserves Committee. SIIAKESPERE STREET SOUTH. Several residents in Shakespeare street petitioned, per Cr. Lynch, to have the street extended, so as to open up University sections recently leased. —Ordered to lie on the table till the next meeting. This was in accordance with tiio standing orders. The Engineer will report on the matter at the next meeting. Cr. Tennent reported on behalf of the Committee, recommending that accounts amounting to £BIO be passed for payment. The Committee had no recommendation to make on Mr Mortality's application for an increase in the amount of his contract. Cr. Tennent said that in regard to expenditure in the District Account, they would have to be very careful and exercise economy. The report was adopted. GAS COMMITTEE. The Gas Committee reported, per Mi- Rjgnell, that accounts amounting ; to £260 be passed for payment and that there was now no necessity for Newcastle coal as the local article had improved. The report was adopted. SUCTION GAS PLANT. The Committee’s report recommended that a gas -suction plant bo installed at the Pumping Station. Cr. Bigncll said that as chairman of the Gas Committee he had got a report from Mr Kennedy, whoso advice wast against the installation. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer’s report was as fol lows : The Engineer’s report was to the ef feet that a saving would be effected but they had to bo very careful, on ac count of their financial position. Hii advice was to let the present syston remain for the present. Cr. Sheedy said they all know tha fho day was not far distant when < new gas holder would have to be pu up, but if they went in for a suctioi gas plant they could stave it off fo some years. He had seen a suctioi plant working and it gave every satis faction. By getting a plant the; would save £250 per annum. Cr. Kerr moved that the report b adopted and the gas suction plant h installed. Ho did this because L would be a saving to the ratepayers and relieve the pressure on the gas works. Cr Tennent seconded and <lid so as ho firmly believed tliat it would result in a benefit and saving to the Borough. He really thought'the gas cost 4s for them to produce, ■' lie knew that they could’ actually save Alio gas they were using.’' There would be plenty of coke. He believed that the installation would retain the gas the present engines now consumed while the saving effected would soon wipe oft the cost of the plant. The saving was so apparent that no business Vnah should look at it twice. They hail’a splendid guarantee!' 1 The power 1 was ' absoluto 1 y the cheapest to be obtained. Cr. "Jackson said llvcy were in a different position to a. private concern, who had to pay for the gas they required. There would be no saving to the gas works, whatever, by installing a suction plant. Cr. Russell said that Mr Lord had sounded the alarming note in regard to the financial position and that was the stumbling block. To instal the suction plant would cost about £ISOO. A new gasometer was absolutely necessary. There was £IOOO worth of mains going to the Pumping Station and if the installation was carried out, all that would be waste. He moved as an amendment that consideration be deferred. Cr. Jackson seconded the amendment. Cr. Bignell said that if he ran the pumping station and the gas works, he would keep the present engines. They were in a different position to private people, as the Council produced their own gas. Besides, in the near future it would be necessary to put in a larger pump, necessitating more power. Cr. Tennent said that even Mr Kennedy’s report showed that they would envolve a considerable saving. Ho could not speak too highly of the plant. The Mayor could not understand how Mr Kennedy should make different statements to different councillors. He told him in his office that the gas pumping plant was costing £250 for wear and tear, etc. There was a difference in his statements. lie was prepared to go with the man who had practical experience, viz., Cr. Tennent. The installation would result in a considerable saving to them. Cr. Bignell said the only saving they would effect would be the coal required in pumping it and the oxide required to purify it. Cr Lynch supported the amendment. The matter had only come before the Council during the last week, and they might be too hasty in going in for an expenditure of £ISOO. No injustice could be done by postponing the matter. In the past mistakes had been made through dealing with matters too hastily and they should, therefore, exercise some caution. They might be purchasing another road roller. Cr. Kettle did not think that they could manage the installation this year on account of their financial position. It would bo bettor to lot it stand over till some future date. Cr. Shannahan favored the amendment. They would bo wise in further considering the matter. Or. Russell, in reply, thought they should not commit themselves too heavily. Cr. Tennent mentioned that the first payment would not have to bo met until the next financial year commenced, In any case they would have to ittend to the foundations, repairs of .vhich would cost close on £2OO. The amendment was carried.—Byes : Jrs. Bigncll, Lynch, Russell, Kettle, Shannahan, Jackson. —Noes : Crs. Tennent, Kerr, and Sheedy. RESERVES COMMITTEE. Cr. Jackson presented the report, which recommended that certain portions of Buccleugh Street he closed. This had been done twenty years ago, but the proper procedure had not been followed out. —Consideration was deferred to allow the Committee to go further into the matter. KERBING. The Engineer reported as follows: — “Up to September 30th, 1908, the quantity of Rimu kerbing laid down has been 185 chains at a cost of £144 for labour and £l3B 15s for timber making a total cost of about £1 10s 7d per chain. I cannot get at the details for each party owing to defective method of time keeping adopted by the foreman, which will bo remedied in the future. From the Ist April to date, the timber sunnlied to the Borough has been as follows :—From Messrs Stratford, Blair and Co, £194 13s 6d ; from Ikamatua Coy., £B4 18s lOd ; total £279 12s 4d. Out of this quantity the kerbing has cost from Messrs Stratford, Blair anti 00., £§4 Us 0d j from

Ikamatua Coy., £B4 18s lOd; total £149 10s 7d. lam now letting the kerbing by piece work at 10s per chain, but tho ground varies so greatly that no standard price can be fixed, and each street must be taken on its merits.” MR LORD’S AGREEMENT. The matter of drawing up a new agreement was deferred till next meeting.