Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 392, 6 August 1897, Page 2

Hastings Borough Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in their chambers last evening. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and there were also present Councillors Beilby, Hughes, Linuey, J. N. Williams, Beecroft, Dennett, and Crosse. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ROAD overseer's REPORT. The Road Overseer's report was read as follows : I have the honor to report thgtt during the month the contracts for cleaning out watertables, etc., let last month are progressing satisfactorily, and will shortly be completed. North drain from Pakowhai Road to Nelson Street.—This drain should be fenced as the cattle get into it to drink, and I would recommend that notice be served on the various section owners to fence it as I understand that was one of the conditions of sale. Sylvan Road Surface Drainage.—The upper part of this road is in a very sodden and wet condition, in fact under water, and has been for a long time past. As it is undesirable to bring more water into the Havelock Road drains it would be better to take it into Makirikiri creek; but before this or any more work is done, I would suggest that the levels be fixed for the whole of the block east of Ellison street. Warren Street from Ellison Street to Jervois Street.—l have been instructed by His Worship to report on the condition of this road. To be brief, it cannot be much worse, and as there is a petition before the Council praying for its formation I would ' recommend that the work be done. It is late in the season to do the work, but it won't make it any worse for traffic, and as there is a good fall towards Jervois street the question of levels in clause 3 won't interfere with the work. The estimated cost is formation, £8 15s; culverts, £4. It was decided on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr Dennett, that the owners of the sections mentioned in clause 2 be served with notice to fence their sections according to the conditions of sale. With regard to clause 8 the Mayor thought permanent levels should be obtained before Commencing the work. It would be undesirable to run any more water into the Havelock Road, and other outlets should be made for the water east of Victoria street. In reply to a question by Cr Crosse, the Mayor thought the expense of getting the levels would not be considerable, and in reply to Cr Beecroft he stated that the levels would be taken from Miller-street to Sylvan road taking in Albert street. On the motion of Cr Crosse, seconded by Cr Beecroft, it was resolved to obtain the levels between Miller-street and Sylvan-road. Speaking to clause 4, Jhe Mayor admitted that the state of the road mentioned was bad, but there were only two houses affected, and these were approachable from .the Karamu Road. In the present state of the weather it was impossible to do anything in the matter, but action should be taken in the coming summer. This was decided upon. INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTER-HOUSES REPORT Mr Cook reported that for the month of July the slaughter-houses were in a satisfactory condition. The animals slaughtered were Large cattle, 49 ; sheep, 834 ; and pigs, 37. Report received. DRAINAGE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The report of the Drainage Committee was read as follows : Your committee have the honor to report that at a meeting held on July 3rd the question of the Northon Road drain referred to at the last meeting of the Council was considered, and after inspecting the drain the committee decided to make the following recommendation : That Messrs J. S. Percival an# W. P. Thompson, owners of sections 136, 140, and 148, be given notice that if they wish to retain the drain as a water-course the Council will give them permission to lay pipes in the drain on the understanding that they fill it up within fourteen days from the date of notice, and furthermore that they agree to maintain the drain and the boundary fence failing which the Council would proceed to fill up the drain without laying pipes. They also recommend that a strip of land 33ft. wide be acquired from Mr Boyle along the present eastern boundary of the Southland drain between St. George's road and the point known as the Poplars, and that Collison's fence be raised where necessary. C. A. Fitzroy, Chairman. The Mayor said that the clause relating to the Northon drain would be considered when dealing with Messrs Carlile and McLean's letter relating to the subject in the correspondence. W ? ith reference to the second recommendation it was necessary to acquire this land. Mr Boyle was reasonable, as he would not require more than £3l per acre. The recommendation was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The inward correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : From Messrs Carlile and M'Lean, writing on behalf of Messrs Percival and Thompson, explaining that their clients would suffer considerably by the closing up of the Northon drain, and that they would contribute a substantial sum towards laying pipes in what was really a public work. —Cr. Linney moved that the Road Overseer should be instructed to make an estimate of the cost of laying pipes, and that the parties be communicated with as to how much they would be willing to contribute towards the cost, ojts ~ Worship having power to deal -Vmli the matter.—The Mayor asked what the Council would do if the parties agreed to find the pipes or timber for four or five chains of the drain ?—Cr. Linney thought that as the work was to Messrs Thompson and Percival's advantage they should contribute the major portion of the expenses, although he admitted the work would be somewhat beneficial to the council.-—Cr. Williams opposed the application as the drain was made originally oil the application of the ownec of the sectiou. To spend wooey

on this drain would be like ma kin™ water go up hill. There was a natural depression in the opposite direction ■which would take the water into the county drain. In the case of the Northon Road drain the maintenance would be enormous if the pipes got choked, as thoy often do as the dram was 10 feet deep. Besides this the timbering of the drain would cost more than the value of the land, whilst a •very little deepening of the drain running in the opposite direction would be sufficient.—Cr Dennett thought that Messrs Percival and Thompson were harshly treated. The Councillors were . in as regards the merits of the case, fie, |iimself, was ignorant of the matter,*and if he voted be would be acting blindly. Some of the Councillors should be- deputed to inspect the draiu and report. The Mayor pointed out that the Drainage Committee had already made an inspection.—Cr Williams informed Cr Dennett that he was speaking from a personal inspection of the locality under discussion.— Cr Dennett wished to bo informed if the Drainage Committee had its full complement of members, to which the Mayor replied that there was one member short of the number required. —Crs Hughes and Crosse opposed laying pipes in the Northon Road drain.—The Mayor said the Road Overseer roughly estimated the cost of the work at £3B 10s. —Cr Linney withdrew his motion, and it was decided on the volition of Cr Williams to fill up the drain without laying pipes, and to give facilities to the applicants to connect with the county drains ; pipes to be laid between Northon Road and the county drain. From E. Limmer and others, re drainage of Sylvan road.—Dealt with in the resolution affecting clause 8 Road Overseer's report. From C. Briggs and others re forming W r arren street.—Dealt with in the resolution affecting clause 4 Road Overseer.'s report. From J. Reynolds, making application to connect with sewer. —Granted. From P. Downes, making application for a drivers license. —Granted. MISCELLANEOUS. It was decided on the motion of Cr. Williams to drain a block of laud on the north town belt as far at the point known as the Poplars, where Mr Nelson will take up the work to the river. This would relieve Nelson-street, and be an outlet for the main drain. Cr Dennett gave notice of motion that a bye-law be framed imposing a tax on bicycles. Cr Beilby suggested that a clause be inserted in the bye-law regulating the speed of bicycles in the borough. The reckless pace of some riders through the busy streets was exceedingly dangerous to* pedestrians and equestrians. Crßeecroft thought bicyclists should should be confined to the roads. At present they very often monopolised the footpath to the exclusion of the public. Cr Linney called attention to the bad construction of the culverts which were so low that the scrapers and brushes were not able to be put through them when being cleaned out. —The Road overseer on being interrogated said he did not think the culverts were defective, possibly the scrapers were too large. The Mayor explained that when the Hon Mr Cadman was here he brought him to tha Police Station to view the condition of the offices and the proximity of the cells to the dwelling house. Mr Cadman promised to speakto the Minister of Justice on the subject. He (the Mayor) suggested that Mr Cadmau's representation be supplemented by a letter from the Council. On the motion of Cr Hughes this was agreed to. Accounts amounting to £225 2s Id were passed for payment. This included £l4 Is lOd to the Hospital Board, £23 10s to the Charitable Aid Board, and £sl 9s 4d for metalling and road formation. Complaints were made that the Borough Ranger was no f . performing his duty, although he had been reprimanded twice or three times. The Clerk stated that the impoundings for the month were five horses and seven cows. It was decided to allow the Mayor to deal with the matter. The Council then resolved itself into committee.