Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 416, 3 September 1897, Page 2

Hastings Borough Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present —The Mayor (Mr C. A. Fitzßoy), Crs Dennett, Hughes, Ebbett, Beilby, Williams, Linney, Crosse, Murdoch, and Beecroft. Minutes of previous meeting Avere read and confirmed. A petition presented by Mr Dennett from 12 ratepayer?, praying the Council to widen or deepen the drain leading to Nelson street, was received. ROAD OVEESEEK's REPORT. The Road Overseer's report was read as follows I have the honor to report as directed last month on the various works as follows :—Norton road drain from Percival's land: I have taken the levels from outlet pipe to County drain in Collison's paddock, and find there is only o'9B fall (about Ift.) in 80 chains, so that I do not consider ifc practicable to take the water that way. 2. Drainage from North drain and Gray's road into the Ruahapia Creek.—l have taken the levels from the junction of Gray's road and Fitzßoy avenue and round the creek to where it crosses the road the second time, a distance of chains, and have'a fall of 7.24 from surface to surface. This would not give us any depth at Gray's road ; but by making two grades, one of about Sin. to 5 chains up the creek to the road, and of about Jin. to the chain in the drain would give us a depth of 1'94, or nearly 2ft. at Gray's road. This is practicable, and I estimate the total to do this at £25. As an alternative more fall might be got by going further down the creek ; but as my time has been so fully occupied this month with 'bther work I have not had an opportunity of taking the levels further down. 3. Pakowhia Road.—This road has cut up very badly during this long spell of wet weather, and really wants metalling for about 60 chains. To do this I estimate the cost will be £27. It is a matter for the Council to consider whether it is advisable to do this work now, as the heavy traffic of-metal carts will cut up the other roads now they are so soft. 4. Notice in accordance with the byelaws has been served on Mr J. Boyle to abate the nuisance of water from his paddock flowing over the footpath up Heretaunga road. He has done nothing in the matter, and as soon as possible after the time expired I set the surface-men to do the work, and will charge Mr Boyle with the cost. With regard to clause 1, the Mayor explained that he had seen Mr Scannell who informed him that his clients were willing to expend £ls towards the cost of laying pipes in the drain. His Worship thought the dram ought to be kept open if only to keep the water off the road.—Cr Beecroft enquired the cost of laying pipes.—The Mayor said it would cost £3O for the 7 chains required.—Cr Beecroft asked if timbering for half the distance would be more expensive. The Mayor thought timbering for four chains would deal with the deepest portion, and he would prefer an open drain. — Cr Williams opposed the undertaking. The land was private, and the public road wa r : situated on a high and dry portion of the land from which an ordinary 2ft drain would take all the water.—Cr Murdoch said the fact of the parties (Thomson and Percival) offering to pay £l-5 towards the cost showed their good will in the matter, and ho always contended as a matter of policy that the public drains should be made to subserve private drains as far as possible in the interest •of the public health. He proposed that the Borough aid the work, but as there was no seconder the motion fell through.—The Mayor said that the Council would be held responsible if Collison's fence fell into the drain and that something should be done in the matter.—Cr Williams proposed, and Cr Hughes seconded, that the parties have permission to lay pipes in the drain within a reasonable time, failing which the drain would be filled in. —Motion carried. The Mayor said clause 2 affected Cr Dennett's petition.—Cr Williams proposed, and Cr Murdoch seconded, that Mr Cook take the further levels be mentions before the Council takes any action. —Carried. With regard to clause 3, Cr Williams mentioned that there was one part of the road particularly bad which required immediate attention. The Mayor said he had noticed that portion referred to and had given Mr Cook instructions to attend to it as soon as the dry weather set in.— Cr Crosse proposed, Cr Murdoch seconded, and it was carried, that the Road Overseer have instructions to proceed with the work as soon as the weather is dry. SLAUGHTER-HOUSES REPORT. The Inspector of Slaughter-houses reported that two of the slaughterhouses were as satisfactory as the state of the weather recently would permit, but another yard was in an abominable condition, although the buildings were all right. The only way to prevent this nuisance was to compel the owner to keep the pigs away from the slaughterhouses and cart the offal to them. There were killed during the past month 61 head of large cattle, 338 sheep and 68 pigs.—Cr. Hughes said that the state of the weather recently rendered it difficult to keep a yard clean.—The Mayor thought the case was aggravated by the fact of the pigs being allowed to get into the slaughterhouses.—Cr. Hughes thought that this should be prevented.—On the motion of Cr. Linney it was decided to consider the matter in committee. CORRESPONDS NCE. From the Napier Board, asking the Council to undertake the collection of the harbor rate in their district.—The Mayor said that the Council should understand that if they undertook this responsibility the Napier Harbor Board would make a levy twice a year and they (the Council) would have to pay the money before it was collected besides the trouble of suing people, &c. If it was merely a matter of assisting the collection he would not object.— Cr Crosse supported the Board's request. Xfc was.cot aeeessary to pay the

money before recovering it accord-

ing to the terms of the Act, and the system suggested would be a greatsaving to a large number of ratepayers who had to pay small sums of six or seven shillings which required an outlay of from threepence to four pence in stamps and postal orders order to send it to Napier. If the borough undertook the task the ratepayers would have merely to call at the office and pay. He recognised the fact that collecting money for foreign bodies was an onerous task, but in the present instance the ratepapers would Cr Murdoch would like to hear the terms of the Act before committing themselves.—Cr Williams said an ounce oi experience was worth a bushel of theory, and he had made enquiries in a district where the local body undertook the collection of the rate and he found they would be very glad to revert to the old system.—Cr Hughes opposed the application. There were a number of commission agents in Hastings who would be glad to undertake the work for a consideration.—Cr Dennett, also vigorously opposed the application. The Board should do its own dirty work, and if they once get the thin end of the wedge in there was no knowing what they would ask for next.—The Mayor admitted there was something in Cr Crosse's argument.—Cr Crosse proposed, and Cr Murdoch seconded, that a sub-committee be appointed to confer with a sub-committee from the Harbor Board on the matter.—Cr Hughes moved as an amendment, and Cr Dennett seconded, that nothing be done in the matter. —The amendment was carried. From Taine and Co., offering six engines for sale.—Received. From J. Mackie, re the fencing off of the North drain, and offering to erect the fence. He complained that the terms of his agreement with the Council had not been kept by them and of their treatment of him generally.— The Mayor said this letter should be considered in conjunction with Cr Dennett's petition, which was practically dealt with in the decision with reference to clause 2 of the Overseer's report.—Cr Williams thought that Mr Mackie had ground for complaint.—The Mayor called attention to the fact of a live fence overhanging the drain. The Council should take a strip of land at the south side and erect a proper fence.—Cr Hughes said the main drain would be safe if it was wider and shallower.—The Mayor proposed, Cr Murdoch seconded, and it was carried that the Council acquire a strip of land 6ft. from Gray's road to Pakowhai road for fencing purposes.—Cr Dennett said this drain had too much water to carry, and it overflowed before reaching Nelson street. —Cr Williams explained to Cr Dennett tht this would be relieved when the Road Overseer took the levels suggested in clause 2 of his report. From the Wairoa Railway League re the proposed East Coast railway, setting forth its advantages and asking the Council to interest itself in the matter to the extent of obtaining signatures through the district.—The Mayor supported the scheme. —Cr Crosse said the letter was misleading as the carriage of wool by water was cheaper than by land, besides the land tapped by the proposed line was poor and unalienable. Altogether the document was misleading and the Council should consider before taking action. —Cr Murdoch said it was quite clear that the railway was necessary considering the state of the Wairoa bar at times. He moved that the secretary be written to assuring him of the sympathy of the Council in their effort and stating their willingness to co-oper-ate with the association.—Cr Hughes seconded the motion, which was car ried. From E. Masters, applying to be reinstated iu his position as ranger. — As the council was satisfied that he did not perform his duties his application was refused. Applications for the office of Rangejr were received from A. Percy, T. Dunn, R Hoy and A. Mundell. —On the motion of Cr. Dennett seconded by Cr. Ebbett, it was decided to consider the applications iu committee. From Mr D. O'Reilly, calling attention to the state of the footpath in front of the Railway Hotel in Railway street and asking that the footpath be asphalted as far as the building extends. —On the motion of Cr. seconded by Cr. Beilby it was decided * to asphalte the pathway as far as fcha Court house when the weather permits. Cr Beecroft suggested that the channelling which was authorised as far as Eastbourne-street be carried to the Courthouse. Permission was granted Mr J. Reynolds to connect section 284, south Hastings with the sewer. From Thomas Home, asking for overtime in connection with work done at Roy's Hill Considered in committee. ORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr Dennett, after making inquiries with reference to the number of bicycles in the district and the revenue likely to be derived therefrom, withdrew his motion with regard to the proposed tax on bicycles. In reply to Crs Beilby and Beecroft Cr Dennett said the Act regulated the speed and provided for bicycles not running on footpaths. Cr Linney in speaking to his motion >r establishing a public slaughterhouse at Tomoana said that Borough Council and tho County Council should be communicated with with a view of joining them, and that Mr Nelson be then written to in order to ascertain what his terms for slaughtering for the district would be. If this motion were carried the public would K? satisfied that the work would be properly done as there was. great coinplaint amongst the public at the slaughtering and the state of the yards.—Cr Hughes, in seconding the hjoiton, said he had seen Mr Warren, of Tomoana, in Mr Nelson's absence, and he would not ©Qfcertaia the idea oi killing butchers'

cattle, which would be a groat nuisance. Nrpier has one of the finest slaughterhouses in the colony, but only one butcher avails himself of it.— Cr Linney said lie had interview*.a Mr N e"s<in, v. h'• sn~>ke fu\ : s:My of the scheme and expressed his willingness to discuss the matter. This motion would compel the butchers to have their beasts slaughtered in the public yard. —C'rs. Crosse, Murdoch and Dennett also supported the motion. —Cr. Linney said lie mentioned Toraoana because it was central and would save .raising a loan. The motion was carried. The Mayor called attention to the state of the roads, which were so bad that the two men employed by the Council to maintain them were unable to cope with the work. He suggested that the maintenance of certain footpaths bs lei by contract. —Cr Williams said there was exceptional rain for 27 days in August and the fine weather was coming on now.—The matter then dropped. The Mayor intimated that the concrete channelling authorised some time ago would be proceeded with in a few weeks. The Mayor suggested erec ting a porch to the Council Chambers, and it was decided to leave matter in the hands of the Mayor. On the motion of Cr. Dennett it was decided to raise the manhole on the comer of Willow Park road and Heretaunga road level with the hiShway as it was dangerous as it was. Cr. Dennett called attention to the state of the cattle troughs and suggested they should be cleaned. The Mayor said the owner of premises in the main street which were insanitary would be served with a notice. On Cr Hughes's motion it was decided to communicate with the police, asking them to enforce the bye-law re backing carts into the curb. Cr Hughes said the watertables on the Haveloek road, from St. George's road- to the borough boundary, were in a bad state, a id required cleaning. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £lo6 4s were passed for payment. This concluded the business.