BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 18, 23 January 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Council took place last night, there being present: The Mayor (Mr Towniey) and Crs Hepburn, Lewis, Joyce, and Jones. At a later stage Cr Johnson arrived.

Messrs W. Webb and Son wrote asking that the two lights near the bridge be left burning at their expense, as it would help to light up the new post-oflice works. Councillors considered the request very reasonable, and it was granted.

Mr Leslie H. Reynolds, C.E., wrote thanking the Council for advising him that the Council were in communication with Mr Mestayer. At the time he had written, he stated, he had not known anyone had been approached in the matter. Hailing an arrangement with Mr Mestayer he would be glad of being advised. The Mayor said that Mr Reynolds had previously applied to them several times. They could keep the matter in view if Mr Mestayer did not succeed.

Mr 11. L. Mestayer wrote acknowledging receipt of the letter of 12th, with reports and other matter concerning the water supply. “ I think,” he wrote, “from what I have seen in the paper, that some of the Councillors rather misunderstood the object I had in view when suggesting that these reports should be sent to me. It was, I thought, evident that my time in Gisborne would be shortened, and the corresponding expense to the Council diminished, if I came there with a fair general knowledge of what I should have to see and the special points to which my attention should be directed. This could be better obtained from a careful perusal of the information in the Council’s possession, in much less time than if I had to acquire it by a longer time spent in going oyer the ground sufficiently often to become intimately acquainted with all details. '-The sewerage is quite different, and I need no more information as to that than I can personally acquire from an examination of the town itself.” The Mayor: It is simply an acknowledgement of the receipt of tho reports. Letter recoived.

The Public Works Committee reported that it mot on Thursday last, there being present: The Mayor, and Councillors Skeot and Hepburn. They proceeded to the Council's property at Waiohiharore, and inspected the newly-erected dwelling and fencing, etc. The contract for the erection of tho dwelling was passed, with the exception of tho adjustment of the doors and windows, and a bit of painting and varnishing. The committee recommended that tho contractors be paid the contract price for the fencing, as although tho posts had been put in at irregular distances, and the gates are not of first-class timber, tho Council have tho advantage of the extra ehainage. It was also decided to have the cart shed erected a short distance behind tlie site of tho magazine, and tho inspector was asked to have a iloor put in the fodder room of tho stable, and to see that a well was dug to obtain a supply of water. Mr E. Wilkinson reported : I have made sovcral inspections of both freezing works during the past six weeks. The manager for Messrs Nelson Bros.’ works (Mr Dewing) is at present busily engaged in having the filters fixed up at that place, and altogether _ the sanitary arrangements at both works are in a very satisfactory state. I have also made an inspection of all dairies supplying milk within the borough. There are 21<> cows beingmilked at tho nine dairios I visited, as against 282 at the time of my last report on the subject. Two of the above dairies are distributing butter, the output of which amounts to GJOlbs per month. All the outhouses, etc., and everything connected with the dairy farms are in a mold satisfactory condition, and there is also plenty of good water and feed for the cattle which, from all outward appearances, are in a fairly healthy state. Cr Jones said he would like tho Inspector to enquire as to the discoloration of tho river, nc thought it was from the atmosphere, but many pcopio had got the impression that it was caused by the freezing works, and it would bo woll to enquire and allay this feeling. The Town Clerk said that ho had seen tho water a coffee color, and made enquiries -and found there was no killing on that day. Cr Hepburn said that the dam above tho works altogether had tho same coffee color. Tho Mayor said that the colTcc color hod been noticed when tho freezing works were not in operation. Cr Joyce said ho often noticed a disagreeable odour when crossing tho bridge. Cr Jones: Caused by pipis. Cr Joyce asked what was tho cause of tho slime on the river. Cr Hepburn said there was slime on the river before freezing works existed in the district. Ho knew that well, becauso he had often gone flat-fishing. The report was adopted.

In his report, the Inspector of Nuisances stated that ho had found most of the yards and outhouses in good order. There were still in uso some very old closets that required to be destroyed and replaced by new ones. Ho had notified the different owners, who were agrocable to have new closets erected. Ono of the drains on the river bank had got choked through some of the pipes being broken ; most of the drains had been taken up, cleaned, and re-laid. The Inspector reported that there were three fresh cases of fever that had occurred since the previous meeting; two were being attended to at the Hospital, and one at home. In regard to the letter from the Chief Health Officer, published on the first page, the Mayor said that the present sanitary condition was good, but it was urged that they should appoint a health officer, which the town did not now have. It was probabiethat later on, Dr Mason would visit the district. Cr Joyce: The information supplied is very useful. The Mayor said it was, but they were carrying out all tho recommendations excepting as to having a medical officer; as it was they got a report when wanted, and paid for

it. Cr Joyce said there were many subjects to treat on in the circular, and they could hardly go into it minutely that night. It was agreed to let the matter stand over Until a later mooting. Mr Charles Evans wrote drawing attention to a drain running from Cook street towards the western boundary of the town ; the drain required clearing out and deepening,*as at present the water draining from Cook street, could not bo got out of Mr Evans’ paddock. The work was one that should be done during dry weather. The Overseer, Mr Morgan, said he had not had time to visit the spot. Cr Jones; He had better visit it and report on it.

The Mayor said if simply deepening the drain would remedy the trouble they should have it done. The Overseer was instructed to inspect the work and if the defect could bo easily remedied to have it done.

The Under-Secretary wrote asking to bo supplied with the names and addresses to whom auctioneers’ licenses had been issued for 1001.

In regard to the proposed cemetery site the committee (the Mayor, Crs Joyce and Johnston being present) reported: The site at Awapuni was visited, and the committee agreed that that portion of the Awapuni No. 1 block, situated between the Napier-Wairoa road and the sea, and extending from the Council’s present property to tho commencement of tho lagoon, would be a suitable site for a cemetery if it is thought desirable to have one near the borough boundary. The committee left it to the Council to decide whether it is desirable to have a cenietery for the borough only, or that an arrangement be come to between, say the borough, County, and Kaiti and Whataupoko Road Boards for a cemetery in common. The Mayor and Cr Joyce were of the opinion that the site was a good one. It was agreed to leave the matter for a fuller meet- ■ Mr Morgan, overseer, reported on works in progress. The nightwatchman. Mr 0. J. Morell, in his report, referred to the fire at Mr Townley’s furniture factory, the fire being discovered by the nightwatchman and Constable Crawford. Cr Jones asked the question as to whether there had been any delay in getting the water on. He highly complimented the brigade, and said that if their work was hampered in any way the Council should assist them. The Mayor said that the reduction of the_ pressure which the engine was allowed by the inspector piade a considerable difference, and it was Visual for the hydrants only to 100 yards

apart, but 1 notwithstanding the difficulties he, as the sufferer by the fire that night, had ■pleasure in stating that excellent work was done. The men attended promptly, the water was got on quickly, and the public gave willin'7 assistance. Power had been given to gefmore hose, but they would in time have to face the question of extending the mams and of getting a new engine; the present one had done service for 21 years, but itS was of such a good type that Mr of Wellington, who had recently been Home, had recommended engines of the same class. The Mayor proposed the following :-jThat in accord with section No. 128 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1901, a special meeting of the Council be held on Tuesday, sth February, 1901, at 7.80 p.m. ; lor the> pnrpose of passing by special order the following resolution: That pending the raising of a loan for Borough improvements the Council raise a loan sufficient to pay.offThe defic ency between the sinking fund in lmnd and the £IO,OOO loan falling due to the Harbor Board on 12th April next, either by arranging with the Harbor Board (the present lenders), or by getting the money from other quarters. The motion was seconded by Cr Ilepbuin and carried Cr Jones stated that he would oppose paying G per cent when they eould get th Tbe°Mayor said that Captain Winter expected to finish the work of taking the levels of the borough in abouta month, after which they should soon get Mr Mestayer to come UP Cr Hepburn urged that something should be" done in regard to the dilapidated bathing shed at Carnarvon street -It was decided that the Overseer! should report on the matter, but before that was decided there was a long discussion as to the need of a proper bathing shod at Grey street or on the beach, and reference was made as to the many complaints about male bathers not being properly clothed. The Mayor said the real trouble was that there was no dressing shed.