BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4473, 14 February 1917, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie Borough Council met last night the' Mayor (Mr W. G. Sherratt), presiding. There were also present Crs. Lawless, Wildish, Hill, Munns, Miller. A circular was read from the -Hawera Borough Council inviting the cooperation of local bodies in" bringing the question of the classification of the members of the Second Division before tlioi Government. The circular suggested tho mode of classification best stilted to the needs of tlie country, v hether based upon the number of dependants, or age, or industries. It was decided to support the movement, the Mayor and Councillor Miller considering that the request was a reasonable one.

Messrs Arthur D. Riley and Co, Ltd., wrote stating that the Auckland Drainage Board had cabled Mr Massey asking him to use his influence to get the quickest possible delivery of their pumping plant, and should he see his way to do thjs. the firm thought that he might equally well make the same appeal on behalf of the Council, seeing' that the pumps were being made at the same works, and suggesting that if the Council were in difficulties and requiring urgent deliveries, to Lake action as suggested above. —Request granted.

The Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, Mr J. Hislop, wrote acknowledging receipt of the Council’s letter asking for tlie Daylight Saving proposal dealt with by legislation next session, adding that the matter would receive consideration from the Minister for Internal Affairs.—Received.

A wire was read from the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald with regard to the offer made by the local butchers for sale of meat over counter, and intimating that the matter had been referred to the Board of Trade, which would vjsit Gisborne shortly.-—Mr MacDonald to be thanked for his information .

Hon. W. Morgan, secretary to the Gisborne High School, intimated that a vacancy had arisen, in the Board of Governors, through the retirement by rotation of Mr J. W. Bright. As MiBright was one of the Council's representatives. Mr Morgan asked the Council to make an appointment to lill the vacancy.—lt was decided, on the motion of the Mayor, and seconded by Cr Miller, to re-appoint Air J. W. Bright, Mr li. U. Burke wrote on behalf oi Airs R. J. Reynolds, asking whether the matter of the construction of a stormwater drainage in her section in Gladstone Road could be allowed to remain over until the Council’s storm water drainage scheme was in operation. — Request granted. Alessrs J. Bell and Sons. To Ivaraka, applied or one month's extension on their contract. —The Mayor moved that the request be not granted, for the Waikohu County Council heavy traffic hy-Jaws would he enforced in April. He had only sjx weeks to carry out. 5900 yards, and it was impossible to do it. He added to his motion that the contract be cancelled. —Cr U'ihlish seconded.

Jn reply to Cr Alimas, tlie Mayor said that the supply of shingle would he continued by T. O’Grady.—The motion was carried. Air T. O'Grady informed the Council that In's contract- for the supply of shingle from Bousfield’s pit. To Karakn, had expired. He was prepared to remove his teams back to the Council’s pit at Kailaratahi and supply at the former rate, 2s 4d per yard. Tlie question of the supply of gravel generally was referred to the Borough Engineer.

The Hon. AY. 1). S.' MacDonald telegraphed that lie had despatched a cable regarding the generating machinery on the 14th December, but so far had received no reply and would forward another cablegram. Air E. J. I'enn wrote stating that Turnbull aml : Jones Ltd., had received a cablegram from the AYestinghotise Company stating that a -TV' certificate had been granted for the manufacture of the certificate and that company hoped to have it completed by the end of February. It was decided to thank the Hon. \Y. i). S. MacDonald for the trouble he had taken in tho matter. Attention was drawn by tlie Health Department to the occupation of a dwelling-house before the sanitary plumbjng had been passed by the Inspector; also to a dirty tank. It was decided ■to ask the Building Inspector to report upon the matter and to see that no other dwelling was occupied before tho Sanitary Inspector had passed the work.

A letter was received from StationMaster in charge of the local railway branch, stating that the sewerage contractor could not he supplied with gravel at local body rates as such concession was for road making purposes only. It was decided to forward this reply to the sewerage contractor. Messrs G'hrisp and Coleman forwarded dedication deed of Asquith Road for execution bv the Council. The Mayor and Cr. Wildish were authorised to sign the document.

.REPORTS. Reports were dealt with as under: Finance Committee: Sewerage and waterworks contracts : The Committee have to report that the question of remuneration to the inspector for these works was considered, when it vas agreed that same should bo £4 10s weekly.—Adopted. lie Steele’s case: The Borough Solicitors forwarded a letter from Messrs Bamford and Baumc asking wjthout prejudice whether the Council would consider making their client an offer, and after due consideration it was decided that the Council could not see its way to do so. —Adopted _ Re Motuhora stone and sale ot plant: The committee appointed to go into this matter reported:—The committee have to report that alter a conference it was decided to recommend that the Council reserve the following plant for the company : d miles of double rails complete with shunting points, etc.. 20 iron hopper trucks (minimum number), 2 locomotive engines, sufficient dogs for spiking line, delivery on Stanley road neai laiiway: such plant to ho sold at valuation and the company to.fix the price at Fhich the Council is to obtain stone at the earliest possible _ date. The Clerk was directed to write accordingly and to instruct the engineer to arrange with the contractor to save tiie dogs at Id per lb.—Adopted. ’Die Treasurer reported as follows. Credit balances of the Council s various loan accounts as under: Recreation grounds loan £BO3 6s Id, house connection loan £6540 11s 4d; watei _ works loans— sewerage and other miscellaneous works' loan £4127 los _ Id, 1012 loan of £15,750 £583 19s 4d, 1916 loan of £50,000 (sewerage and waterworks) £22,284 10s; cemetery loan ot £2500 £76 19s; sewerage and waterworks loan 1916 of £50,000 12s 8d; tramways loan 1916 ot iou, 000 £28,613 9s 7d ; electric light loan 1916 of £IO,OOO. £4516 Is 6d: Derby Street Bridge loan of £2ooo, £2405 4 8d: temporary loans deposit accoun cr £12,151: general account—-distinct fund 'account7 dr.. £19,521 19s 7d Expenditure on streets and budges for 10 months ending 31st January, 1917: estimated 13,200; actual £12,-. ° 3 It was decided to set up a committee consisting of the Mayor, Crs. Lawless, and Miller to go into the question or insurances on the electrical works.

ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer reported that 1 i chains of cycle track have been pegged .out and kerbed oil the inside 10 chains; formed anl rolled reanv l n light coat of gravel, the remaining Will be completed when men and teams are available.

Trouble has been experienced with the decking on .lvaiti Bridge, the underdeck being rotten gives no support to the sheathing, which is insufficient to carry the very heavy loads occasionally passing over. He recommended that provision be made for entirely rcdecking this bridge at an early date and quotations be invited for supplying the-- necessary decking, etc., in “Brush Box.” The necessary notice boards have been erected limiting motor traffic, but little notice seems to be taken by the drivers of such • vehicles'. Cr Lawless said that judging from the condition of the bridge it badlv neodly re-decking. He asked the Engineer what the approximate costwould be. The Engineer replied that it would, be roughly £750. In reply to Cr. Lawless the Mayor said that the money would come out of general revenue. Cr. Lawless said that the matter could not he dealt with before the next estimates were framed. He said that tlie estimate bore out bis contention that the upkeep of the bridges was more than £6OO a year. Cr. Wildish suggested l that a sum should be set aside in the next estimates for the repair of bridges.