BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 142, 26 June 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Council was held last night, there being present: Crs Morrison, Lysnnr, Bright, Hepburn, Harding and Whinray. Cr Harding was voted to tho chair. A telegram was received from Cr Jones at Wellington, asking leave of absence. — Granted. Mr E. A. Pavitt wrote : I do not know whether I am too late or not to draw your £SO for suggestions for source of water supply for Gisborne, but you have only one really permanent source, viz., the Waipaoa river, and I would suggest putting a pumping station near Ormond, the reservoir and filter bods on a hill, such as at Mr Bruce’s residence, and. you do tho ■est. Tho Town Clerk said that tho letter was from Singapore. Cr Bright said that Mr Pavitt was too 'ate now. lie moved that Mr Pavitt be j hanked and informed that there was | already a scheme beforo the Council.— Agreed to. Messrs C. H. Cranby and Co. wrote, offering to sell an American road-making machine for £Bl at Gisborne wharf.—lt was agreed to defer the matter until all the applications of tho kind wore being considered. Mr A. Dewing, Manager for Nelson Bros., wrote stating that lie had not received a reply to the lettor applying for a refund of half tho fee paid for slaughtering license. He had been informed that there had been a refund at Tornoana from the Hawke's Bay Council, and the question hud been asked what had boon done about it here. Cr Bright said that the Council had not cancelled tho license, and tho view taken at the time was that ns the Council had taken no part in tho cancelling of tho license they would not bo justified in making a refund.—lt was resolved to reply to that effect. Tho Town Clerk was reading Mr

.Finneran’s valuations of the buildings on tho Borough reserve, when Cr Whinray said that there should bo no diselosure of the valuations until tlioy were completed ; it would bo most unfair to disclose the amounts at present. Other Councillors took a liko view, and it was agreed to let tho matter stand until the valuators had completed their work, steps to bo taken to appoint an arbitrator in the eases necessary. Mr 0. il. Norris, Gisborno agent for the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, wrote notifying that the accident policy would expire on the Ist July. Some discussion took placo on tho subject of accident insurance generally. CrJlysnar: It is a very wise provision, but there is a question as to whether it is compulsory.

Cr Bright: It is certain we have got to pay in case of accident. Cr Lysnar : No, it is not. Cr Bright: I think it is I should not liko to contest it.

Cr Harding: It would take more to contest it than would bo gained thereby. Cr Bright read the section of the Act, showing that an employer was liable unless wilful misconduct were shown —that could not be proved in moro than one in a thousand eases. Ho thought it would be a good thing if tho attention of tho public were called to tho provisions of the Act.

Tt was resolved, on tho motion of tho Chairman, to instruct tho Company to keep the Council covered until tho next meeting, tho Town Clerk in tho meantime to make enquiries. Mr It. Brett wrote as follows : “ Understanding that the muttor of a water supply for your town is now under consideration, and that a scheme is before you involving an expenditure which will tax your resources to tho fullest extent, I shall be in a position to place before you at your next meeting a proposal that, if successfully carried out, will give you tho desired supply at a cost that would be nominal in comparison with tho present scheme, and if, on tho other hand, not proving successful, would absolutely entail no cost on tho Borough. ’• Whilst not prepared to go into details at this moment, f may say my schomo is to provide an artesian supply, to bo obtained from a locality hithorto untried, which I have good reason to think will give a satisfactory result. I may say I am so satisfied of this that I am prepared to take the whole risk myself, not asking your Council for anything unless success is uchievod. This being tho case, I trust you will, when fully before you, give my proposal duo consideration. No doubt your attention has recently been directed to tho splendid artesian flow just obtained in Wanganui, although experts up to the nfj, maintained that tho prospect of a suf"lout supply being struck was too ronotc for serious consideration. This thru, like your own, was on tho evo cf embarking upon a most costly scheme, which need not now bo carried out.”

Cr Whinray proposed that a reply be sent that tho Council would bo pleased to recoivo and favorably consider Mr Brett’s oiler. 110 felt sanguine that artesian water was obtainable, and that it would relievo tho town of a great burden in tho way of rates. Ho was so confident that if he had the money he would embark in tho scheme himself. He believed that with prospecting thoy would either get water or oil.

Cr Morrison soconded tho motion, and said it gave thorn hopo that thoy might at no great risk obtain water, and relieve themselves of a great burden in the way of rates for a scheme. Cr Lysnnr said that ho would vote for the motion, but thought that when tho Mayor and three Councillors were absent from the district they should not decide such a matter.

Cr Whinray : Wc arc not committing ourselves.

Cr Bright said that they would not bo taking any risk. Mr Brett thought he lmd something good, and, fearing the Council might resolve upon something, ho asked until next meeting, by which period he would disclose his proposals. Cr Lysnar said that he had not understood it in that way, and would support the proposal so long as they would bo informed of the schemo by the uoxt moot!’"b r ‘ . . . , Cr Whinrny’s motion was unanimously agreed to. Messrs Shftnd, Mason and Co., wrote notifying that the fire appliances ordered were being shipped by the Papanui; total cost .£B3 19s 4d.—Received. A very long letter, full of technicalities, was received froi- tuc Public Trust Ofiice, the point of which was that the proposed loan from the Harbor Board was not obtainable until further technicalities had been complied with. To allow for a sinking fund of .£'2oo a year the Trustee considered that the rate should be at least livopence. The Town Clerk said that he had spoken to the borough solicitor on the matter. He said that the mortgagees had a right to see they had what they considered satisfactory security, but under the circumstances it would be better for the Council to negotiate with the Bank. The Chairman said that ho did not understand all the restrictions, and Cr AVhiurav also commented on the cumbrous nature of the requirements. Cr Hepburn: It looks as if we are going back.

Cr Lysnar moved that the matter bo referred to the Finance Committee. It seemed absurd to have to go to all the expense suggested for a temporary arrangement. Cr Whinray : We would want a special loau to meet the expenses. I think tho Bank will readily take tho mortgages. I second tho motion,

Cr Bright said in view of the fact that if n loan wore raised for works the residue of the old loan would bo included, it would be madness to go to this expense, which would run into hundreds. He did not know at whoso expense this was being done, The Town Clerk: The Public Trustee. Cr Bright: I hope that he will pay for it, because I shall object to an expense like that. Cr Whinray said that it would require a loan to cover expense like that. Cr Harding said that he had never heard of such a proposal as this before. Cr Lysnar said the Trustee should have consulted the Council before going to the expense. Cr Bright said th at the opinions were accompanied by transfer forms, which would mean expense. Tho Chairman; We are not taking any. (Laughter.)

’ It was agreed that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee for a report. The Health Commissioner's report was presented, and was deferred for the special meeting. Cr Bright presented Mr DeLautour’s opinion in reference to certain of the leases, which it was agreed to consider with the other matters in connection with the leases.

Mr J. It. Little, Inspector, reported that the nightsoil was being properly buried at the depot. Messrs Humphreys and Davys had completed the hand cart, which was satisfactory. Messrs Clayton Bros, were progressing with the cottage at the depot ; a progress payment of HSO was recommended. There had been one fresh case of fever in the borough since the last meeting. He asked fob instructions as to what recommendations in Dr Valentine’s report should be given effect to.

The Overseer (Mr M. Morgan), after referring to small repairs on thinning of ;rees, reported as follows : —Grey-street : As authorised, I have propared estimates for the formation and metalling of this street. I find from Childers Road to the bridge, a distance of 171 chains, there is a fall of 5.1 inches to the chain. The upper part of this road will have to be cut down to fill in the lower part to bring it to an even grade to the bridge. This will require about 2000 cubic yards of earth to fill in the hollows. There being only about 500 cubic yards to spare on the upper part of this road, it will be necessary to cut down Kahutia street, which will bo much too high for the formation of tho other streets. I estimate the formation of this part of tho road at A‘so. Formation of tho south end of this street : It is necessary that the fall of this part of this street should bo from the sea beach to tho Walcanae. Tho flood tides rise too high to allow of the cutting down of this end of the road, which would bring tho sea into tho road. The present bank will accumulate and help to resist the tides. At present tho fall from the sea J beach to the railway line is about 2ft. 9in. length, 12 chains giving a fall of about 2J inches to tho chain. From the railway to tho bridge has a fall of about five inches, and 5-Bth to the chain ; but if this road is risen to the level of the rails I see no way of gotting tho water out of the road, running at the back of the Victoria township, at present known as the Inland road, as Groy streot would be much higher at this point than the other road, and the earth

required to fill in the hollow to give an even grade to the bridge will bo about 2100 cubic yards, earth available about 423 cubic yards, leaving a deficiency of about 2000 yards of earth to bo made up, which might bo arranged for with Captain Tucker, if necessary. This work I estimate at £43. If an ordinary formation be made with available earth and pipes to take the water through under the railway line, I estimato cost of this formation at .£26 10s.

Formation of East end, £SO; formation of West end, .£26 10s ; beach shingle, centre of road, £l2B 15s Gd ; beach shinglo, one footpath, £7 13s—total, £212 8s fid. Extra for Haiti gravel, £136 12s 6d ; extra for formation of railway crossing, £l6 10s. Peel street.—Tho present formation of Pcol street from Gladstone road to Childors road boing a dead level, and difficult to got tho water away, I would recommend that, at least, a foot be taken off from Childors road to get a straight fall for tho water. The present fall from Childors road to the bridge leading to the railway station is about Oft 9in. I estimate tho formation of this stroot at £2B. Metalling of roadway, beach shingle, 1160yds, £lll 10s; beach shingle for footpaths, £9 total, £l4 8s lOd. Haiti beach, gravel for roadway, £134 10s ; Patutahi metal, £550. The bridge crossing tho Waikanac drain will requiro some repairs ; this, with tho roadway, will take about £5 or £6. The general streot work has been principally confined sinco last meeting to patching tho roadways, repairing and shingling footbaths, and cleaning water channels. Tho present tar tank being completely worn out and not fit for re-filling, I would ask your Council’s permission to get a new one. Day labour as per voucher, £26 8s 9d.

It was agreed on tho motion of Cr Bright that tho tar tank bo obtained. In regard to Peel streot, Cr Whinray favored tho whole work being done, but other Councillors could not see where the

money was to come from. Thoy thought that tho road might be completed to tho new bridge. It was agreed to defer tho matter until there was a full Council.

Applications for renowal of boarding houso licenses wore made on behalf of Bay View House, Mafcking Ilouso, Gladstone House, and (tho Universal Dining Booms. Tho only objection vaised was in tho case of Mafcking Houso, whoro it was said thoro wore three beds in n small room, and thero was an objectionable drain, but the latter was being attended to. In regard to this houso it was stipulated that

tho requirements set out should bo at tended to.

Tho usual licenses for storage of explosives and inflammablo articles wore granted. A billiard room license was as usual granted to Mr G. Williams, also licenses for tho Theatre lloyal and Academy of Music.

On the motion of Cr Bright, seconded bv Cr Harding, it was resolved “ That the Gisborno Borough Council, under'* the power conferred upon it by virtue of section No. 95 of tho Municipal Corporations Act, 1901, and sections No. 37 to 44 (both inclusive) of tho Rating Act, 1894, hereby mako and levy a general rate of one shilling and ninepenco in the pound on the annual value of all rateable property within the Borough of Gisborne for the annual period commencing en the Ist day of April, 1901, mid ending on the 31st day of March, 1902. Such general rate to be due and payable in ono sum on the 30th day of June, 1901. Also that the Council collect the special rate of threepence in 'the pound, to provide interest and sinking fund on special loan.” Cr Whinray called attention to the necessity of a light at the corner of Childers road and Carnarvon street. .He understood that this had been decided before, but could not be done owing to the mains not having reached that place. He moved that the light be placed at the site mentioned.

Cr Morrison seconded the motion, and suggested that as an arc light was available to be placed in a central portion, the other lamp might be used for the place suggested. Cr Whinray : No second-hand lamps for the west end. (Laughter). The Town Clerk said there was not a great difference in the expense, and for all new lights put up the arc light was used.

Tho motion was unanimously agreed to, and then on Cr Hepburn’s motion it was resolved that tho treos obstructing the light near Mr Balrymple’s house at tho Carnarvon street Palmerston road corner be removed.