BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 95, 1 May 1901, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Council took place last night, there being present —The Mayor (Mr Townley), and Councillors Hepburn, Miller, Bright. Morrison, Whinray, Lysnar, and Jonc“. The'formal declaraCjns were made by the and Councillor?. The Returning C . icer (Mr W. J. Quigley) forwarded a", account for £7 7s. • The Mayor sa'.d that the fee of seven guineas was more than that usually paid, which the Clerk said was four guineas. Cr Harding said they were there until two o’clock in the morning. Cr Bright thought the amount should be paid, aud it was agreed to do so. In regard to a supply of tar two replies were received, one from the Wanganui Council aud the other from the Auckland Gas Company,.neither of them being , definite. ROAD METAL. . Mr Charles Dunlop wrote with regard to the subject of road metal from Patutahi quarry. He forwarded a letter from Messrs Hadley and Co., of Auckland, in which the latter offered to supply a complete Macadam plant for £2150. Mr Dunlop added: “ You will notico that the total 'cost of breaking aud conveyance is one shilling per ton. To this you would require to add the cost of quarrying and delivery to the hopper of the breakor, also royalty, if any. The total cost per yard delivered upon the roads in Gisborne should not cxcoed, say, 55.” Mr F. L. Davis, of Auckland, wrote with regard to the same subject. The Mayor said the Council could think the matter over, and if they could got the metal for as a yard it would be the best thing they could do. Cr Hepburn : But can we ? The Mayor: They say we can. STEUART AND FENN’S REPORT.

Mr C. Dunlop forwarded the following letter which he had received from Messrs Steuart and Fenn : “ You will doubtless wonder why we have not yet sent in our report on the transmission of power scheme for Gisborne, and although we have been working on the subject, we have not yet been able to go fully into the matter. The reason of this is that we have our hands very full lately, and as we have also to light up several mills before the winter begins, and make preparations for illuminations in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, we have found it quite impossible to got the report ready as soon as we had wished.” The Mayor said it ‘would be better to take these matters in hand later on. Cr Lysnar said the propertimo would be. when the loan proposals were being discussed. The subjects were deferred. A NUISANCE. Messrs C. A. PeLautour and L. T. Symes wrote a strong letter to the Council complaining of a nuisance which was committed nightly by persons in the vicinity of their business places in Gladstone road. On Friday night a drunken man lay at their doors for hours. They respectfully submitted that as the Council had an inspector and other officers the ratepayers should be protected against such outrages upon common decency and public health. They pointed out that there were no public latrines which visitors to the town could use.

Cr Miller : It is the first step towards a clean city, I hope. Cr Lysnar : A committee ought to be set up to go into the matter. The Mayor said the new committee would have to., be set up later on that night ; no doubt a latrine was desirable. Cr Jones said one portion of the letter should bo referred to the police. Cr Bright said he was framing a resolution that the portion of the letter dealing with nuisances be referred to the police. Cr Morrison suggested that urinals should bo erected at each bridge. Cr Lysnar : It looks like shelving it on to the police. Cr Harding said the police would do all they could, but one or two men could not be all round, as this nuisance was not confined to one place. The Council would have to move to get a' public latrine. When the hotels were closed there was no provision in the way of urinals. The Mayor said he had been discussing the matter with the Harbor Engineer, and he proposed that ono should be put under the Turanganui Bridge when the wharf was extended. The matter had been many times before the Council, but for the want of means it had not been done. As for the nuisance complainod of, it was probable that such people would not walk out of the way. He agreed with the suggestion that they should also consider other sitos.

Cr Jones seconded the motion, saying that they would find, as in the case of other offences, the warning would do good. Or, Harding said that they would get all the assistance they oould. The motion having been carried, Cr. Jones proposed that the Overseer bo instructed to report as to the cost of erecting a suitable urinal near the Turanganui Bridge. Cr Bright seconded the motion.

Cr Harding moved an amendment that the matter be left over until the Works Comnjittee had been appointed and could advise them. 1 '

Cr Whinray seconded the amendment. The winter season being on the nuisance was not so great as it would otherwise be, and they should get information from Auckland and Wellington as to the cost of the latrines. ' The amendment was carried. . SLAUGHTERING REGULATIONS.

\ The Agricultural Department forwarded a circular in regard to the regula- , tions as to slaughtering, j The Mayor said that he saw by the [ Gazette that Gisborne had been included in the Hawke’s Bay district. Later on they siioijld set up a special committee to deal with the matter. ■ MISCELLANEOUS. A great deal of information in regard to road-rollers was placed on the table, and it was agreed that it should be dealt I with at a later stage. ■ The night-watchman made his usual - satisfactory report of no fires, i Cr Bright said that as the night- | watchman' was a special constable, he . should be instructed' to assist the police in regard to putting down such a nuisance as that complained of by Messrs DeLautour and Symes. The Mayor thought they should not take the night-watchman’s attention from his special work. Cr Bright said he did not mean that he i should do that, ou. a^e i give assistance. He moved that he be supplied with a copy of the report. This was agreed'to." * ‘ 1 INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES. The Inspector of Slaughterhouses reported that he had inspected both the freezing works and the gut factory in his capacity of Slaughterhouse Inspector at various times since his last report. The filters at both works wore now working and giving every satisfaction, making it now hardly possible for any solid matter to find its way into the river from the above works. The discoloration of : river water was a small matter,' and could not well be avoided. Other sanitary matters in connection with the works and gut factory were all in a most satisfactory state. Adopted. " ' ’ 1 • HEALTH REPORT. Mr J. K. Little reported as follows “ Since the last meeting I have been inspecting all oyer the Borough, and owing to the favourable weather, we have been finding every thing in very good condition. I have Veceived a complaint about a drain running from private property into an open drain belonging' to the Borough in Aberdeen road, causing a stench to arise from same. I have visited the place to-day, and find such is the case, i I would recommend the Council to fill in i the open drain, as it is of no use to them, and is only kept open to drain private > property, they having promised the Council to keep it clean and open, and have 1 not done so. I have to report five fresh 1 cases of typoid fever since your last meet- 1 ing, three of them in the Borough, one on Haiti, and one from Whataupoko ; three ( of • them 1 * pre being attended to in the i and two at home, who are child- e ren. Tjyo of the cases came from the 2 same house, which I have visited, and v have tried to ascertain the cause. I a examined the tanks, and had them cleaned, but I don’t think that it had any o

thing to do with it, and it is very hard to say how they got it, this being the third case from that house this year. I fumigated the house where the case of diphtheria was in Gladstone road, likewise where the case of scarlet fever was in Palmerston road. I have also to roport another case of scailet fever in Aberdeen road, which is being attended to by Dr. Craig, who says he has taken every precausion as to isolation in a separate room away from tho house, and under the charge of a nurse.” In reply to the Mayor, Mr Little said he had given notice to the person, who.promised to refrain from putting suds into the drain, but had not kept his promise. The Town Clerk said that tho occupier of the property let refuse run into the drain, which caused- much complaint.The' locality was at Aberdeen road and Carnarvon street," and the drain had bceu made to drain private property. It was agreed {hat steps should be taken to have the drain closed up. In reply to Cr Hepburn, the Inspector stated that the two cases of typhoid fever not in the Hospital were in the suburbs, ono on tho Ivaiti, and the other on tho Whataupoko. Cr Lysnar moved that a report be given’ showing what parts of the town rubbish was being removed from. Tho Town Clerk said that it was being cleared on the town side of Roebuck road. One cart was constantly employed cn tho work.

Cr Lysnar: One cart is totally inadequate. Tho Mayor: That should be left until the estimates come up. Cr Lysnar said they should tako tho matter in hand at once, and not loavo tho matter indefinitely. If thoro wero less rubbish in the borough there would be less 1 fever. Ho would withdraw his motion, as the information had been supplied. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The Overseer reported as follows : “ Since last meeting I have had tho grass cleaned from tho footpaths and drains in different parts of tho town. Tho weather having improved, I havo been able to make better progress with the tarring. Tenders have been called for the necessary' timber for the Taruheru bridge, as authorised at last meeting. Esplanade Road to the Gisborne Freezing Works : I havo had the necessary work dono to this road as authorised at last meeting, at a cost of £22 14s 4d. The willow trees in Childers road in front of Mr Brown’s property, having got very large and taking up much of the road, aro causing some complaints to be made, I would ask your Council’s advice as to whether they should be cut down or the tops cut out only ; day labour, £26 145.” A lengthy report on the Waikanac drain, to which reference had been made in a joint letter from the doctors, was submitted by tho Overseer. The latter expressed the opinion that the suggestions were not practicable unless the sections were filled in to the level of tho road. He recommended that Bright, Peel, and Lowe

streets should be formed, and the water taken straight to the Waikanac. The cost of this work would not bo great. The Mayor said the report as to the drain was in reply to tho letter of tho four doctors. It was agreed to lop tho tops of the trees. In regard to the drain, the Mayor said that it would tako a thousand pounds to carry out all the suggestions made.

Cr Wliinray said that above Derbystreet was also bad. Cr Lysnar said he had lived near the drain for sovoral y'ears, and he endorsed the opinion of the Overseer. There was no danger in the drain if people would keep it clean. The Inspector would have to be vigilant to prevent refuse being put into the drain, and in duo course the Council would have to deal with a drain, ago system, first going into the matter of finance. The Mayor said that as they had in anticipation a roport from Mr Mestaver, he would be sorry to see a great deal of expense gone to now. Tho Inspector lmd kept close watch on the drain, but of course could not keep it always free. Drainage would bo one of the works they would soon have to consider. In reply to Cr Miller, the Mayor said that the need of the tar and the wet weather had served to keep them digging away at the grass instead of putting tar on the footpaths. No tenders having been received for timber for 'tho bridges, it was resolved that the Council procure the timber on its own account. Cr Morrison said it seemed a pity to spend so much on a temporary work. Cr Lysnar said it might be as well to let the bridge stand for a while, if there was any chance of getting a now one. Cr Jones : In the meantime, you will have an accident. After further remarks, the subject dropped. The Mayor and Cr Harding were authorised to sign cheques. COMMITTEES.

The following Committees were set up : Finance Committee: Crs Kennedy, Bright, Lysnar, Jones, and the Mayor. Public Works’ Committee : Crs Hepburn, Harding, Miller, Whinray, Morrison, and the Mayor. Estimates Committee: All the Councillors. ' , Borough Leases Committee; All the Councillors. Abattoirs Committee : All the Councillors. Cr Hepburn said he considered that large committees were a failure. The Mayor : At least fivo must attend or there will be no meeting. Cr Miller : Those who know least about it may attend. Ho proposed, to test, the feeling,- that Crs Kennedy, Harding, Bright, and the Mayor be the committee for abattoirs. Cr Jones seconded the motion. Cr Lysnar thought they should leave the appointment of a special committee until they came to details, and the suggestion was agreed to. DWELLING-HOUSES. The Mayor referred to the new regulations as .to dwellings, and said they must give the Inspector instructions to prepare a list of all the houses, with the informa, tion required. Cr Bright said it did not seem to him compulsory. They should not be too inquisitorial. The Mayor said he did not think it was permissive.

Cr Lysnar suggested that the matter be doferred until they had time to consider the Act. Cr Lysnar’s suggestion was agreed to. STREET CLEANING. Cr Bright prCP0 so< 3- that information be obtained as to street-cleaning appliances. - Cr Miller seconded the motion. Cr Lysnar spoke in favor of the motion, and thought they should have a cart as well as a broom—at least they should get information on it. Cr Jones said he was pleased to see the stand taken up by the new Councillors; he had long tried to get something of the kind done.

Cr Miller said the staff at present did their work well, but if it cost the Council more the cleaning up should be done earlier in the morning. Cr Jones said he did not see how they could'do much better' with the primitive appliances. Cr Bright said that further attention should he given' to the cleaning of the bridges, especially for Sunday’traffic. Cr Miller said they should make an effort to do something before the broom was obtained, and Cr Morrison took a like view.

Cr Bright said he did not wish to put more work on the staff —the work was now done earlier than when they had to complain.

Cr Jones referred to the bad state of the streets on Sundays, when banana peel and other refuse was lying abojit, Cr Miller said he did not see why the streets should not be kept clean on Sunday. He did not wish to increase the hours of labor—what they required was more labor. He thought Gladstone road should be swept more than twice a week, Cr .Jones said thatfbe-did not agree with Cr Miller there. He believed in getting improved appliances and doing more effective work, but they must not spend all their money on Gladstone road—there were other parts of the town to consider as well.

Cr Miller said that ho agreed that the other parts of the town should be con-

sidered, but lie hoped they would do tho most effective work they could for the money. Cr Hepburn said that it would bo better to leave these suggestions until they wero dealing with the estimates. The incoming Councillors had all sorts of new notions.

Cr Harding.: Progress. (Laughter.) Cr Hepburn: They wero ready to spend plenty of money. If all tho suggestions wero carried out a 5s rate would be needed in place of 15d. Cr Bright: I would like to soo a broom that would sweep away tho overdraft. The Mayor: That is the other side of tho question. Continuing, ho said that, although tho new Councillors seemed to find fault with what had been ‘done last year, tho Council had spout as much ns it daro do. Thero was not a shilling of revenue out, all the rates having been got in. They left tho now Council to start with a clean sheet.

Cr Jones: Question ? What about tho overdraft ?

The Mayor: Although the new Councillors toll us there was nothing done— Cr Miller: That is not suggested. The Mayor said they had hoard a lot about cleaning Gladstone road, but all that was dono was to clean about 200 to 300 yards. They could not spend all tho money in this way, and must devote some to other parts of tho district. Mr Whinray: Hear, hear.

Tho Mayor, continuing, said thero wero fourteen miles of roads to keep in order, and they must not spend it all in ono place. They would bo plenty of room for the energy of councillors. 110 went on to congratulate the new councillors on their return, and said that soon they would havo much to engago their attention when Mr Mcstaycr’s report caino to hand, 110 urged that the fire-mains should be oxtended, and expressed a hope that by so doing the insurance premiums would bo reduced.

Referring to the water supply proposals tho Mayor, said that Mr Mcstayor had asked for measurements of the pipe lino to Mangarueka. It was for the Council to say whether that was necessary.

Cr Lysnar urged that it should be givon as askod, and that was agreed to, the Mayor saying that the cost would be about £2O.

On the motion of Cr Lysnar, secondod by the Mayor, it was resolved that Crs Harding, Miller, Bright, and the mover bo a committee to report on the subject of-* urinals and suitablo sites.

On the suggestion of Cr. Harding, the same committee was deputed to act with the Inspector as a consulting eommittco on the subject of sanitation.