HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hastings Standard, Issue 11, 8 May 1896, Page 2

HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

[Thursday, May 7.]

The usual monthly meeting of the Hastings Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Beilby, Beecroft, Tyerman, Crosse, Cullen, and Linney. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. The Road Overseer's report was read and considered as follows : Road Overseer's Report. I lmve the honour to report, for the month ending 30th April, 1896, as follows : "1. The whole of the four draincleaning contrasts are very satisfactorily completed, and the drains are in a good state now for the winter. "2. Messrs McGoubrie and Scullion's metalling contract is progress'ng very satisfactorily, and will be completed in about a fortnight. "3. The concrete kerb and channelling, as authorised some time ago to be done by our own surface-men, is completed, and will compare very favorably with the contract work. The cost is a fraction under •£2 per chain, as against £2 Os the contract price, and our own men's extra labor connected therewith. " 4. In accordance with instructions, I have prepared an estimate of the cost of draining the Southland Road into the lake, taking my levels 7in. above the present water level. The estimate is as follows :

Half of this hole is on the road only. Practically, however, this would give no benefit whatever; as Tin. above present water level is lin. below the outlet end of the culvert across the road, which Mr Kennedy says is 18in. higher than the inlet end (which is correct). It means, therefore, that the outlet end can be lowered lin., and the inlet end raised 18in. This would allow lin. fall across the road, and the result would be that the water on the north side of the road would be raised Tin. ; it is now 2ft. 6in. deep, and the iilling-in would necessarily have to be higher than the bottom of the proposed drain, which is Tin. above the present water level. I estimate the cost of fillingin that part of the creek immediately opposite the lake at £l4l Bs, the length being 5 chains by 1 chain wide, and 3ft. Bin. deep, being Ift. above the present water level, and oin. above the proposed level and the bottom of the proposed drain. In reference to the level of the culvert being Ift. 6in. higher at the wrong end, this is due to its being tampered with at the lake end, as the 18in. hwe been taken away, and 9in. inserted, find not to carelessness in putting then; down, although the culvert has been down in.-my years. " 5. We have lying in the yard about 5 chains of 12in by 3in, and *5 chainp of 9in by 3in kerbing, which might be utilised in Heretaunga Street from Warren Street down past the Wesleyan Church. The cost would be the surface-man's labor only. "6. In accordance with instructions issued last month, I have graded the Makirikiri Creek from the Washpool up to Queen Street, departing from the natural course of the creek at the Park, and taking a course along Park Terrace Road into the creek 5 chains from Sylvan Road, and I estimate, the cost as follows:

As an alternative estimate, I have calculated the average cost of draining the creek by following its natural course round the Park, and although it is 51 chains against 16 in the deviation, the cost is very much less on account of not having the deep cutting, timbering, and compensation ; the distance will be 191 chains, at an average cost of 8s 6d per chain, .£Bl 3s 6d; thirteen culverts, as above, £93 12s; contingencies, as above, .£SO; total cost in following its natural course, £224 15s 6d. I think, probably by adopting a lower grade, the filling-up can be dispensed with, as nearly all the low places can be drained. The time at my disposal has not been sufficient to make the calculations for this meeting. The cost, however, will be about the same. " 7. During the past month I have gone over the principal roads and have to report that I think it will be necessary to metal those undermentioned, and I estimate the cost as follows:—Southampton Street, from Karamu Road to "Warren Street, 22 cubic yards; Eastbourne Street, from Hallway Road to King Street, 168 cubic yards ; sewer lines, different streets, three heads per chain, 306 cubic yards ; Market Street, from Hevet Street to St. Aubyn Street, 77 cubic yards ; St. Aubyn Street, from King Street to Nelson Street, 32 cubic yards; King Street, from Avenue Eoad to V. paddock fence, 65 cubic yards ; Miller Street, from Hevet Street to* Avenue Road, 66 cubic yards; Iliverslea Road, from Hevet Street to Tollemache Road, 273 cubic yards ; Ferguson Street, half a length new formation, 75 cubic yards ; Park Road, from Hevet Street to Dufferin Street, 30 cubic yards; St. George's Road, from Elliott's to drain, 600 cubic yards; Hevet Street, from Karamu Eoad to East Boundary, 652 cubic yards ; Hevet Street, from Karamu Road Street (screened), 50 cubic yards ; Karamu Road, from Southampton Street to Charlton's, 252 cubic yards. The total quantity required is 2,668 cubic yards, at an average cost of Is 6d per cubic yard, £2OO 2s, reckoning to get the metal for St. George's Eoad and the lower end of Havelock Road from the river-bed near Pukahu. —I am, &c, Frederick Cook, Road Overseer. The clauses were considered seriatim. Clause 1, 2, and 3, were adopted. Clause 4 was referred to the Joinjj Committee. ]

Clause s—lt was resolved that kerbIng be utilised where most required.

Clause 6—On the motion of C'r. ' Linney this clause was deferred sim. die.

Clause 7 was adopted on the motion of Cr. Cross, seconded by C'r. Beecroft. The report of the Inspector of Slaughterhouses was rend and adopted. It stated that the slaughterhouses within the Council's jurisdiction were in a satisfactory condition. The number of animals slaughtered during the month was 52 head of cattle, 313 sheep, and *24 pigs. - The report of the Committee appointed to consider the question of pounding was read. It recommended that applications be invited for the position of ranger to the borough; that the present pound be abolished, and the section at the rear of the Council Chambers be fenced and proclaimed a public pound; that Mr Jowl be offered the position of ranger; and that owing to the site recommended for a pound being so central, collecting yards would not be required.

The report was adopted. "The ranger's report stated that during the month of April nine horses and two cows had been impounded. Repor received. The inward correspondence was read and considered. From Auditor-General, certifying to balance-sheet for year ended March 81st, 1896. Received. From Napier Gas Company, stating that the question of the extension of the gas main to Ellison road had been deferred. Received. From Seegner, Langguth, and Co., forwarding invoice for 500 ft. of double canvas hose at 9d per foot. Received. From Captain of Fire Brigade, stating that a severe test had been made with the new hose, and that the trial was in every way satisfactory. Received.

From Dr Nairn, requesting the erection of a lamp and horse-posts outsiile his gate. Received. Councillor Beilby moved that the Council cannot see its way to erect a lamp, but that permission be given to have horse - posts erected. Cr. Beecroft seconded the motion. Carried. The question of the erection of three town lamps was left in the hands of the Mayor. From Tax Commissioner, Wellington, re procedure in levying rates. Received. The Town Clerk stated that the law had always been complied with. From J. A. King, declining to act as ranger on the terms offered by the Council. Consideration deferred. From the Auditor-General, consenting to special rate being reduced to 9d in the £. Received. From E. H. Williams, asking the Council's approval of plan submitted. Flan approved of. The following were granted cab-

proprietors licenses : —W. A. Beecroft, James Mahoney. Robert Willis, George Brown, Thomas Brown, James Cooper, Arthur Anderson, and J. W. Jamieson. Cr. Linney moved that a general rate of Is 3d in the £ and a special rate of 9d in the £ be levied for the year ending the 31st March, 1897. Seconded by Cr. Tyerman and carried. Cr. Cross moved, and Cr. Cullen seconded, that the Council adopt s clause 60 of the Rating Act of 1884, giving the Council power to charge 10 per cent, on over-due rates. Carried by five to three. The fee for slaughterhouse inspection was fixed at £5 for the present year. Cr Beecroft moved that notice be given to property holders that the trees overhanging the Havelock road be clipped. Cr Linney seconded. Carried, by-law to be enforced. Cr Tyerman suggested than an estimate be made for laying down ■wooden blocks at the street crossings. Cr Linney moved that when required, one of the Council's surfacemen be employed to sweep the crossings. A desultory discussion ensued, and finally the matter was held over. Accounts amounting to £260 2s 2d were passed for payment. An account for £l2 for a brake for the steam fireengine was held over for further inquiry. Accounts on the loan account for £45 16s 8d wers also passed. The Council then went into Committee to consider the appointment of ranger. Mr Edward Masters received the appointment. This concluded the business.

£ s. a. Excavation, 257 cubic yards, at 9d ... 9 12 9 One culvert, 80ft. long, 1ft. Gin. square... 7 17 0 One culvert, 40ft. long, 9in. square 2 18 8 Four chains timbering, 8ft. high 24 8 0 Cartage of earth from drain into hollows 7 10 0 r>2 G 5 In addition, filling in hole at back of house, 1,686 cubic yards, at Is... 84 6 0 £136 12 5

£ s. a. Excavation in 156 chains, 8,283 cubic yards, at 8il 109 8 8 Thirteen culverts, 24ft. long, 4ft. wide, and 3ft. deep ... 93 12 0 Probable timbering at the deviation (10 chains) ... ... 60 0 0 Compensation for land at the deviation, say ... ... 10 Contingencies, filling up hollow, 0 0 &c 50 0 0 £323 0 8