Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 221, 15 January 1897, Page 3

Hastings Borough Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. The Mayor (Mr C. A. Fitzroy) occupied the chair, and there were also present: Crs Dennett, Linney, J. N. Williams, Cross, Beecroft. and Hughes. Mr F. Cook and the Town Clerk were also in attendance. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. THE STATUTORY IIALF-HOLIDAY. Council resolving itself into a decided that the statutory half-holiday be observed on Wednesday in each week. The usual meeting was then proceeded with. APOLOGY. Cr Beecroft apologised for the absence of Cr Murdoch, who was unavoidably absent. REPEAL OF BYE-LAWS. Cr Linney, in the absence of Cr Beilby, presented a petition from the ratepayers praying for the repeal of bye-laws 69 to 76, referring to the structure of verandahs : and objecting to the minimum height being Bift. Received ; to be dealt with at the next meeting of the Council. ROAD OVERSEER'S I!EPO!;T. In my November report I recommended that the tarring and sanding of the footpaths be done, but for want of funds the Council deemed it advisable to let the work stand over for a time. I beg now to point out the necessity for doing all those parts that are wearing bare, as they will wot stand another twelve months" wear, and this is work which cannot be done at any other than summer time. Estimated cost : 675 gallons tar at 4d, £'ll 5s ; extra labor, one man three weeks, at 7 s per day. £6 6s. This latter item is necessary, as we have only one surface mail now in the Council's employ. Water Supply. The contractor for street watering informs me that the wells are showing signs of weakness, one of them especially, and that it now takes four times as long to till the water cart as it did a month ago. This is very undesirable this dry and dusty weather, and 1 would recommend that the rods be put down with a view to increase the tlow. The first clause of the report was adopted. With regard to the second Cr Linuey thought if the wells were llowing continuously the putting down of rods would be useless. He saw splendid results from the judicious use of dynamite. Cr Beecroft warned the Council against dynamite and instanced the recent damage to artesian wells in Napier in support of his contention. Cr Williams found that a wire with a brush attached was often useful in clearing the pipes. Mr F. Cook said Mr Clarke, the well-sinker, told him he would undertake repairs at the rate of A'2 per day. Resolved that the Road Ovarseer attend to the matter getting a price from the well-sinker before proceeding. SLAUGHTER HOUSE REPOKT. The Inspector of slaughter houses - reported all the houses under his supervision clean and satisfactory. Animals killed during the month : —HI head of large caittle, 222 sheep, and IS pigs.— Adopted. COKEESPOMiEXC E. From the Police Department in reply to application dated December 10, for an additional constable for Hastings, stating that the application was placed before Colonel Ilume who would give his attention to the matter on his arrival in Wellington.— Received. From Messrs J. Annett and B. L. Knight asking permission to connect premises with sewer.—Granted. From Messrs G. 11. Vickers, W. Y. Dennett, and J. R. Lanau/.e applying for auction licenses. From the Fire Inspector apologising for not being able to give his report to this meeting owing to hi* having to attend the annual inspection of the brigade. He would present his report to the next meeting.—Received. GENERAL BUSINESS. Cr Beecroft called the attention of the Couucil to the dangerous state of the road-crossing leading from the footpath outside of the Union Bank, and to the congested state of the water tables in the same place—Resolved, on Cr Beecroft's motion, seconded by Cr Linney, that the necessary repairs be attended to forthwith, and the grade <»f the concrete water tables be increased. Cr Dennett called the attention of the Inspector of Nuisances to the fact that there were no sanitary arrangements in several business places to the menace of the community. lie j solved that the Mayor and Cr Dennett I deal with the matter. j Cr Dennett called attention to the j stench arising from some drains m j Havelock, Road and originating, he be- j lievedin the butter factory.—Cr Linney j thought the nuisance was due merely ' to the accumulation of stagnant water ; during this hot weather. lie did not ; attribute it to the butter factory.—Cr Crosse did not notice any nuisance in tbe locality.—lt was decided to instruct the Inspector to report on the matter. KitREATJOV Cr Dennett took an interest in the formation of a public n creation ground for the town. At pn-t-nt they wert dependent on the gvrierosity of the s Bay h-ek. y (. lt;b for public gi" W>h. lit- made enquiries that some time since a place called " Queen's Square" m Hastings was set apart for the public use on certain conditions which have not Uvn corn plied with and the land Ml back to Mr Tanner. He said Mr Tanner is willing to transfer his interest to the Council, and the Northern Investment Company will do the same. The Mayor said he had this under consideration for some time. It w.i- ! correct that the land wits set a*id*, for the people, but the conditions \w re not fulfilled bv tbe adjoining section j occupiers, and iue&a*tule the I

ship of the land passed from I\lr Tanner and the Northern Investment Company in the hands of a syndicate. If the Council wished he would see Mr McLean on behalf of the syndicate with reference to their attitude in the matter. He thought the grounds «t pros-en t known as the park wedd make a suitable recreation ground, especially if a earring-* drive were formed into the Borough. Cr Dennett thought the park was too distant whilst Queen's Square was on the spot. It consisted of 2i acres which was larger than Give Square in Napier. The grounds might be handed over to the people in celebration of the sixtieth year of the Queen's reign. Cr Williams thought the park would be impractible as a public resort unless a carriage drive were formed which would be a great expense whilst he understood the Queen's Square was to be had for the asking. He suggested that the Major interview the syndicate on behalf of the Council. This course was agreed to. SCXDAV TRAINS. The Mayor wished for the opinion of the Council on a matter upon which he had been approached. There was an agitation on foot in Napier to have four train.-', two each way, run on Sunday between Napier and Hastings at excursion rates. As representatives of the people of Hastings he would like to hear an expression of opinion from them upon the subject. Cr Dennett asked if the Council would be involved in a guarantee. The Mayor said there was no question of a guarantee. The Government would give the experiment a three months' trial. On the motion of Cr. Linney, seconded by Cr. Cross, it was resolved that the Council unanimously concur in the idea of running Sunday trains between Napier and Hastings and that our mayor be appointed to co-operate with Mr Swan of Napier with a view of bringing about this result. ACCOUNTS. Tin; general accounts for the month amounted to £]'.)» 12s lOd including til los Od to J. G. Gilberd for the Fire Brigade plant and €■')■'> 9s 7d to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoards. Cr. Pieecroft asked for particulars of Gilberd's account. Cr. Hughes Lad not an opportunity of attending any of the Fire Brigade meetings. He thought the affairs of the Brigade required looking into. He suggested that i' 22 los Od be paid on account and the rest stand over until next month. Cr Dennett asked if there was a contract with Mr B. L. Knight for the supply of timber. The Road Overseer said there was no contract ; the full prices were paid. The accounts were passed for payment with the alteration of Gilberd's account from £ll los to £22 1.55. Cr Beecroft was appointed to sign cheques in Cr Beilby's absence. The bank overdraft stands at £22;>i, which with the monthly accounts amounts to £2,430. The Council then adjourned.