Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 58, 3 July 1896, Page 2

Hastings Borough Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening. The Mayor (Mr C. A. Fitzroy) prosided, and there were also present Crs. Tyerman, Wellwocd, Cullen, Beilby, Crosse, Williams, Murdoch and Dr. Linney. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Cr Tyerman presented a petition signed by 180 burgesses praying the Council to annul that part of bye-law 110 which renders the owners of impounded cattle liable to prosecution. Cr Murdoch rose to a point of order. The petition should have been presented the previous day. The meeting had been taken by surprise. The Mayor said he did not know of any rule bearing on the subject. Cr Murdoch did not wish to press the point, but cases of a similar character had been occurring lately and the practice should be discountenanced. Cr. Tverman's petition was received for consideration. Cr Murdoch presented a counter petition, asking the Council to enforce the bye-law strictly in order to protect the community from the danger of wandering cattle. It represented the nuisance and danger incurred by allowing cattle to stray. The class of persons who offended in this respect preferred to pay the fines rather than provide proper accommodation for their cattle. Instead of being severe the law "was not stringent enough. Resolved to receive the petition for consideration. The Mayor called attention to the condition of the drain in Railwaystreet near tlys railway line, which was damaged by the recent rains and was cracked in several places. The estimated cost for repairs would be £3l for ten chains. On the suggestion of Mr Cook, Road Overseer, it was resolved to timber in the drain. The Inspector of Nuisances stated that the drainage of four houses were connected into one 4in pipe which got blocked occasionally. He recommends the substitution of a 9in pipe at an estimated cost of £B, exclusive of pipes, which were in stock. On the motion of Cr Tyerman, seconded by Cr Beilby, it was resolved to adopt the suggestion. The Inspector of Slaughterhouses reported the buildings in the district were in good order. During the month the slaughtering had been as follows : —Cattle, 58 ; sheep, 342 ; pigs, 44. The Inspector of Dairies reported that he had inspected 25 dairies and found everything satisfactory. All the cows, with four exceptions, were healthy, and most of them were in first-class condition. One cow had cancer in the eye, but had since been killed ; three had echymomycosis, and these were awaiting Mr Drnmmond's inspection. The three cows were all dry. The Road Overseer's report was read as follows : I have the honor to report that the metalling contract of Messrs M'Coubrie and Scullions is progressing very satisfactorily. 2. Railway Road drain.—During the recent heavy rain the top bank on the railway side has slipped very much, caused by the storm water soaking in at the top. I think it is absolutely necessary that this should be protected with timber, and I would recommend that it be done on that side only Bft. high and above the other timber. I estimate the cost at £%l 10s for ten chains, commencing at the railway platform. 8. It is very gratifying to be able to report that during the excessive rain of last week, lasting without intermission for more than four days, there was no water lying about worthy of notice, although the old was within sft. as high as the great flood three years ago. All the drams worked well, and were capable of taking the water as it came. At u*> time was the water in the Southland drain at Riverslea road more than 2ft deep. The drain through the hop grounds was about half full with the water flowing into it from the hop grounds. The north drain towards Tomoana was about two-thirds full, and the water getting away well. 4. The surfacemen are now busily engaged putting in culverts in St Aubyn street, Sylvan road, and Avenue road, &e., as now these roads are formed the water has lodged at each cross road, and until these are in of course it cannot get away. The committee to consider the com-plaints-against the Ranger in the case of Mrs Percy and Mr 3 Rice reported that in -hoth cases the Ranger acted within his authority, Report received,

The inward correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : From P. S. McLean on behalf of the Riverslea syndicate, agreeing to sell 2 J acres for gravel quarrying, for £7O. The Mayor had accepted the offer, and his action in doing so was endorsed by the Council. From W. Lane, offering £7 for the use of gravel pit for one year—Crs Wellwood and Cullen said the was worth nothing. It was only —Mr Lane's offer was accepted. From Accident Insurance Company, enclosing forms for the insurance of employes, premium 8d in each pound received for wages, and in case of accident men to receive half ordinary wages. Received. From T. Horn, calling attention to a dangerous drain at the junction of Havelock and Park Roads, and asking that post and rails be erected to prevent accidents—Cr. Beilby proposed, and Cr. Tyerman seconded, that the work be done, cost not to exceed. 255. Cr. Murdoch said he would have no objection to the motion, but it formed a dangerous precedent to fence a private culvert which the Council would not be prepared to follow up.—The Mayor suggested that the matter be left in his hands, and, Cr. Beilby withdrawing his motion, this was agreed to. From T. Reeves, calling attention to the state of the water-tables in Selwyn road. —Resolved that the matter be attended to. From Sergeant Mitchell, stating that there were no provisions in the bye-laws empowering him to deal with the following cases ; (1.) Carriages belonging to private persons left standing unsecured or with no person in charge ; (2.) wheeling bicycles in the streets without proper front lights (this Avas a strategy adopted by persons riding bicycles without lights when they saw a policeman approach); (3.) the riding of bicycles on the footpath ; (4.) persons committing a nuisance at night time in the streets (this was especially the case near hotels). Cr Murdoch said that before drawing a hard and fast line in this latter case the Council should take steps to erect two or three public conveniences. It was a disgrace to a large town like this that there was no such accommodation. After some discussion it was decided to deal with Sergeant Mitchell's suggestions, with the exception of No. 8, which was already provided for. Cr Beecroft called attention to the state of the street crossings in wet weather. The cosof wood paving would not be nearly so great as stated at last meeting. He knew the paving could be done at 8s per square yard. The crossings in bad weather were a disgrace to the town. He favored crossings Oft wide. It was decided to put down one crossing as an experiment, the matter to be left in the hands of the Drainage Committee. Cr Crosse called attention to the want of proper lights when the weather was such as on race-week nights.— The Road Overseer was instructed to see to this on special occasions. The petition and counter-petition oil the impounding bye-laws created a lenghty discussion. The Mayor stated that the Council's solicitor was of the opinion that the law must be administered as they found it, and it was not in the power of the Council to forego prosecution. Cr. Tyerman's petition was therefore of no avail. Accounts amounting to £206 8s lOd were passed for payment. £9O of this amount was for road formation. This concluded the business.