BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 55, 6 March 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr Townley), and Crs Nolan, Kennedy, Harding, Johnston, Hepburn, Lewis, Jones, and Joyce. A special meeting was first held, and on tho motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Nolan, the resolution authorising the renewal of the loan from the Harbor Board was [confirmed unanimously without discussion. The Council then went on with the ordinary business. AX ABANDONED CONTRACT. H. Greene wrote : “ I gave up the job of the drains, and I have got a better one.”

' The Mayor: Then we’ll have to let it to i some one else. The Overseer said he had already done - about 14 chains. In reply to Cr Hepburn, it was stated that there was a deposit of a pound. It was agreed to give the work to Mr 1 Henry, who, it was said, had put in at ’ the same price. The Overseer said the nine chains would have to he gone ovor again. Cr Nolan : He will have the the benefit of what this man has done. The Clerk stated that there were 85 chains. Cr Jones: If there is so much, would it not be better to let it again ? After further discussion, it was agreed to offer the work to Mr Henry. -Mr Albert Hoarc wrote : “In reference to the isolation of my premises, and tho destruction of some of my property, I approach you as regards compensation for my loss. List of damages: 3 pairs single blankets ; 3 full-size Kaipoe pillows ; rescriinniing and papering of bed-room. The Mayor explained that the articles had been destroyed by instruction of the authorities. Cr Jones: In that case I propose that the amount be paid at reasonable market value. Cr Johnston : Does it come out of the rates? Tho Mayor: Yes. Cr Harding seconded tho motion. He thought they had got over the matter very lightly. Cr Nolan approved of the proposal, as also did the Mayor and Cr Joyce, and the motion was carried unanimously. The Hon. Secretary of the Reception Committee, Dir E. D. B. Robinson wrote : I am directed by the Reception Committee to claim from you the sum of .024 5s 4d, being one-third share of cost of entertaining the Indian troops and Ministerial party which visited Gisborne on the 21st February 1901. The County Council and Harbor Board are being asked to contribute a like amount.” Cr Jones: Have you power to vote that '! The Mayor : Yes, £SO a year. Cr Nolan : I propose the amount bo paid.

Cr. J oyce : I second that. The motion was carried unanimously. The County Clerk wrote stating that the County Council had appointed a committee of two members to wait upon them upon a day to be named for the purpose of discussing the question of cemetery site. In reply to Cr Hepburn, tho Mayor said that a committee had been appointed. Cr Jones proposed that the Mayor and Cr Joyce bo a committee to meet tho County Council. Cr Joyce suggested that Cr. Jones act instead of him, and in that form, the motion was carried, being seconded by Cr Hepburn. Tho County Clerk wrote stating that the County Council had placed beforo it several proposals to purchase a combined road rollcr and traction engine, and with a view of ascertaining the Borough Council’s opinion on tho question, the Council desired them to name a convenient day upon which tho Council could moot in conference and discuss the proposal- for purchase of road roller, traction engine, etc. Cr. Nolan: Why should wo have a special mooting to meet them '? Tho Mayor : Why should they have a special meeting for us '! It was agreed that tho whole Council (four to form a quorum) meet the County Council.

Or. Harding, in supporting the motion, said tlioy ought to be only too pleased of any opportunity of moving in tho direction of getting a traction engine. They all had the interests of the district to consider.

In reply to Cr. Jones as to whether an 1 opportunity would be given to discuss the j subject of a light railway, the Mayor said J any such subject would bo brought up at ‘ tho conference. The Gisborne Beautifying Association applied to have the following works carried out : —“[(I) Formation of footpath on top of riverbank from Pool street to Lowo street. (2) Extension of Pool street drain (about 12 feet). (3) Construction of a drain across Lowe street to connect with present drain. At present the water from south side of Lowe street crosses Reed’s Quay, and runs over the riverbank, causing considerable damage. A drain at the corner of Reed's Quay and Lowe street from tho south to the north side would obviate this. Our committee arc anxious to have tho embankment sown down in grass this season, and would be pleased it' you could see your way to have the above works carried out as soon as possible.” It was decided on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Nolan, to refer the matter to the Overseer for a report. I i INSPECTOR'S RETORT. j The Inspector of Nuisances reported as ] follows: | “ I have boon engaged during the last j week inspecting buildings and issuing certificates for same. I arranged with Mr ] Grey to hire his horse to assist each night , with the night soil cart, and the arrange- ; ment will, I think, prove satisfactory until the Council can sec their way to provide another horse. The old night soil cart is commencing to leak very badly, and I would recommend that a new bodybo procured, as it would only- bo wasting money in repairing the old one. I have had the force pump fixed at the new well, . which is very good water, and plenty of it. Health report.—l have to report to your 1 Council three fresh eases of typhoid fever, which have occurred since your last meeting, two in the borough and one from the country, and I am sorry to say, one of the cases proved fatal. They are all being treated at the hospital. I may state that the quarantine on the house in Palmerston road was removed on February 23, and tho house was thoroughly fumigated according to Dr Cole's instructions per his letter to the Mayor. I turned the blankets and pillows, Mr Cramp taking in hand to wash all that could bo washed in chloride of lime and carbolic. There were three single blankets and three pillows burned.” It was resolved to get a new body- for the night soil cart. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The following report was received from the Borough 'Overseer :—” I have the honour to report to your Council the following : —Damage done to the Taruheru bridge : Pile broken in the Taruheru bridge on the evening of Friday, February 22nd, by Messrs Nelson Bros.’ punt, the tiro of piles carrying the town end of the swing was forced out of place, one pile being completely broken up, the second slightly splinted, aud the stays broken. One new pile has been driven to replace the broken one, 8-9 x 34 ; sheathing rails has been fastened on with 9xß, driven tightly between every pile and fastened to the rails, thus binding the piles together and supporting them, and will be a safe guard in future. To drive the pile made it necessary to open the bridge. This caused an obstruction to the traffic for about four hours. The stone contract has been very slow since last meeting ; (here ! as only been 39 -cubic yards' delivered. : Gravel contract : Tl-is contract is being ; carried, out to satisfaction, with the exI ception of the gravel being rather fine nt ! times. I have had to speak about this : fault a time or two, but they say that coarser gravel is not to be got. Gravel 1 delivered to date about 1003 yards. - Aberdeen road, Cook street, and Berry 2 street, being finished, gravel is now being spread on Childers road. Waikanac and Gladstone road drain contract has been 3 started, but not much progress made as 3 yet. I have had the Waikanae and Cobk den street drain cleaned by day labour ; • this drain being in parts grown together and almost blocked up. I. have been obliged to do some' 1 repairs to. the bridge

over the creek, on the road to the Gisborne Freezing Works. Several planks having been broken and became dangerous, had to be replaced, together with stays, uprights and guard rail. The decking of the Kaiti bridge has also had to be repaired, some planks broken and joints badly worn. Day labour, £ls 12s. In reply to Cr. Joyce, the Mayor said he considered by the repairs the bridge had been made stronger-than before. Cr. Jones said to him it seemed better braced up than it was before. Cr. Joyce said he was very pleased to hear these expressions of opinion from the Mayor and Cr. Jones, who were engineers. (Laughter). The Mayor: Especially Cr. Jones. (Laughter). Cr. Jones said that at any rate he had gone and made a good inspection of the bridge. INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES. Mr E. M. Wilkinson, Inspector of Slaughterhouses, reported as follows : ‘•I have twice visited the Taruheru and Gisborne Freezing Works during the past month, also the gut factory on the Taruheru river. The new filter at the factory has been erected, and will be in working order this week. The filter at Messrs Nelson Bros.’ works will be completed this week. Everything is working satisfactorily at these places, so far as sanitary matters are concerned. THE POUND. As it is very inconvenient carrying water from the well at the Old Men’s Home for pound purposes (and which also necessitates climbing two fences). I would ask that a well be put down at the pound, this time of the year being also favorable for sinking a well on account of the water being at a convenienient depth. The cost would not be much, as there is a pump and some bricks already on the ground. I would also suggest that a few loads of sand be put in the pound yard beforo the wet weather sets in, stagnant water having been lodging in t the yard for three days during last week.”