BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 216, 18 September 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tue fortnightly meeting of the Council took place last night. Present : The Mayor (Mr Townleyi, Crs. Lysnar, Jones, Harding, Kennedy, Hepburn, Morrison, Miller, and Bright. The special order for the repayment of

interest on the loan was adopted. A resolution was received from the Invercargill Borough Council, asking cooperation in an endeavor to get the Government to introduce legislation to allow of money being borrowed by the country at as low a rate as possible and loaned to

local authorities at a rate not exceeding per cent, per annum ; such advances to local authorities to met from time to time as present loans mature. The proposal was approved of. Robert McGonagle, of Masterton, wrote

making application for the position of overseer in case of the Borough going in for a water supply and drainage scheme, lie enclosed first-class testimonials, including one from Mr Mestaver. Application received. Dr DeLisle, District Health Officer,

wrote, notifying the Council of his appointment as District Health Officer for the district of Hawke's Bay and the Counties of Cook and Waiapu. He stated that lie would shortly be proceeding to England, and had arranged for Dr Finch to carry out the duties during his absence. “I also.” added Dr DeLisle, "wish to

advise you on a matter in connection with your proposed drainage scheme which J hope will be commenced shortly, and will he in progress when I return. I fe;-l that the soil in and around your town is so saturated with tilth, that unless precautions are taken when you open up the ground for the purpose of laying the drains, there will he a great augmentation of sickness. When in Wellington lately I spoke to Mr Mestaver on the subject, and he suggested the free use of chloride of lime, and 1 approved of that suggestion, i may inform you that the danger I have

| informed you of was experienced in Napier in the years 1881 and 1882, when the drains were being laid. During those two years we had the worst epidemic of typhoid that had been known in tho town, and T am glad to say that since the drains have been accomplished, the disease, though more frequent than it should he, hears no comparison, either in virulence or frequency to what was experienced during those years.” The letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Health Board.

Tiie letter was received, and the reminder was accepted with thanks. Mr Mestaver wrote, forwarding receipt for cheque sent, and offering to supply any further information required by tho Council in regard to water and drainage.

A sample of the effluent from bacterial filters was forwarded at the request of Mr King, Harbor Engineer, for the information of tho Council as to tho effect of the septic tank. Mr A. J. Wheeler, undertaker, wrote, forwarding for tho information of the Council the bye-laws and schedules in use in Auckland for tho control of the public cemetery at Waikomiti, under tho Auckland City Council, and also for the Church of England Cemetery at l’urowa, Orakoi. —Keceiv cd.

The Department of Agriculture forwarded the license of tho Gisborne Freezing Works for slaughtering, the license being in order. —Received.

A communication was received from the Government, asking for copies of local bye-laws relating to slaughter-houses, and adding that as the department had taken over the work of inspecting these houses, tho local bye-laws bearing on the subject would he repealed.—Received. Mr W. J. Quigley, architect, wrote on behalf of Messrs Shcrratt and Williams and Mr ,J. 11. Martin, who are having hotel buildings erected, applying for the permanent levels, so that the new buildings could be erected in accordance therewith.

Councillors, in examining the plans, referred in very complimentary terms to the line now building to be erected. On the motion of Cr Lysnar, seconded by Cr Morrison, it was resolved that Captain Winter be instructed to prepare the cross-sections on tho borough map, so that permanent levels could be obtained for the whole borough. The night watchman (Mr Moi’oll) made his usual satisfactory report. The I’lihlic Works Committee reported that they had inspected Mr I’eryer’s contract in Grey street. Owing to tho scarceness of shingle they had docided that ho should be relieved of the contract, and that the Council employ various carters to do that part of tho work. Report adopted. The Abattoirs Committee reported, recommending that the Council at once secure live acres of the Wui-o-hi-liarorc adjacent to tho soa, where there would be no difficulty in regard to either water or drainage, and that the plans and particulars of the site be forwarded to tho Government for approval, with the request that they prepare suitable plans for the erection of public abattoirs for theßorough of Gisborne, at a cost of not exceeding .£ISOO, including a small digesting plant, but exclusive of cost of land. The committee also suggested that tho Council pass a special order re raising of loan of 412000 from the Government at 8.1 per cent., for the erection of abattoirs.

The Overseer reported on the works in progress. A long discussion took place on tho subject of Mr Perycr's contract. Eventually it was resolved on tho motion of Cr Bright, that tho shingling work be completed. under the Overseer’s supervision, as far as the amount set down would go. In his report the Sanitary Inspector stated that there had been no fresh cases of fever during tho fortnight, and tho cases that had occurred were convalescent. Mr Wilkinson made a further report in regard to dairies, showing that milk tested had been satisfactory.

On tho motion of Cr Miller, it was resolved to apply to the Government for a a copy of the Government Dairy Inspector's report. In regard to the report of the Abattoirs Committee, Cr Lysnar said that tho site set down was not the one that had been favored.

The Town Clerk said that the reason of it being put lower down was so that there would be no complications with the Countv.

Cr Morrison said that the site set down was not suitable.

Cr Bright opposed tho borough incurring the expense of abattoirs at all. The Act, be said, was only declaratory, not compulsory, and though vlio butchers might say they would bear the cost it would come on consumers.

Cv Jones thought the butchers might be consulted as to the site. After considerable discussion, it was agreed, on the motion of Cr Lysnar, sc co

_ .tided by Cr Morrison, that a site be selected near the lagoon : also to defer the point as to raising the loan. The tenders of Rodgers, Greaves, and Co., at vs 9d per yard, was accepted for delivering a supply of I’atutahi metal. There was another tenderer, John Wall, at 7s li-jd. Cr Lysnar strongly urged that the Council should take steps to open up Douglas's quarry on Kaiti, and a general discussion took place on road making, Cr Miller urging that, while the stall did splendid work with the appliances at command. the present system was wasteful. Cr Miller urged that a full supply of tar be obtained, so that a great deal of work could he done on the footpaths this summer. The want oi a place to store the tar was a difficulty against having a large supply on hand.