Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 448, 12 October 1897, Page 3

Hastings Borough Council.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. The Mayor presided, and there were also present : Crs Dennett, Hughes, Beiiby, Linney and Beecroft. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Cr Linney apologised for the absence 0! Cr AYilliams, who was unwell. OVERSEER'S UK PORT. The Road Overseer's report was read as follows : I have the honor to report that the work of metalling Pakowhai road as authorised is now completed; also that cleaning out the drain, from St. George's road to the eastern boundary along the Havelock road, is also completed. 2. As instructed last month, I have taken the levels for 20 chains farther down the Ruahapia Creek with a very satifactovy result, giving a fall of o'l ( in the 20 chains. This will enable us to get a depth of 2ft. at Gray's road, with a grade of about of an inch per chain throughout. The average depth along the creek will be lt't. 3in., and along the drain from the creek to Gray's road oft. 21n., and I estimate the cost to be .£36 15s. 3. The surfacemen have been busy during the month in grubbing up the weeds and grass in the principal streets and footpaths, and the dray has been engaged patching the various streets and roads were required. The Mayor, in re-ply to a question from Cr Beecroft with regard to clause 2, said it was the intention to widen the dram. Cr Beecroft called attention to the dangerous hole at the junction of Gordon and Southland roads.—Referred to the road overseer. SLAUGHTER HOUSES REPORT. The Inspector reported that the yards were in a much more satisfactory state than last month. Slaughtered during the month —yl head of large cattle, 022 sheep and 28 PigsThe Mayor explained that there was a meeting of the joint committees from the Napier, County, and Hastings Councils which was adjourned for the purpose of consulting with Mr Nelson and ascertaining the cost of fitting the Awatoto abattoir. The result would be reported to a meeting to be held next Friday. CORRE SPON DEN L' E. From the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce, stating the desirability of establishing a training-ship for the colony, and asking for the co-opera-tion of the Council.—The Mayor supported the idea.—Cr Linney thought there was strong necessity for such an institution in the colony. They were not in a position to offer pecuniary assistance, but he sympathised with the project and moved that the Council co-operate with the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce. He would also like to see a reformatory ship established. A large number of boys got into trouble on account of their excess of animal spirits, and a sailor's j life would just suit such adventurous youths.—Cr Beecroft seconded the motion. He thought this would be an outlet for our boys.—The motion was carried. From Messrs Carlile and M'Lean, calling the attention of the Council to the injustice their clients were laboring under by the Council's action in refusing to lay pipes in the Norton road drain, and by threatening to fill it in.— The Mayor said he did not agree with the attitude the Council adopted in ibis matter. —Cr Hughes said the matter was fully dealt with at last meeting, and should not be reopened. —Cr Dennett said these people had permission from the previous Mayor to make this open draft), and he would move that the Council meet them half way, and contribute half the expense. —Cr Linney said Messrs Carlile and M*Lean's clients took up this land thinking the drain belonged to the Council, and that they would keep it open. Of course this was a mistake, but it was a hardship that the v should suffer for it.—C'r Dennett gave notice of motion that the Council meet the parties half way with regard to piping the drain.

From Mr A. Tickner and others, calling attention to the bad state of Beech road.—The Mayor said he knew the road to be in a bad state.—On Or Hughes's motion it was resolved to repair the road as soon as circumstances permitted.

From Mr S. Yaile, Auckland, re his railway reform scheme.—Received. From William Graham, applying for a driver's license.—Cr Beecroft said thio man had been plying for hire without a license, and it was only to evade the police, who intended to lay an information against him, that he now applied for a license. —He was a blacksmith by trade.—On the motion of Cr Hughes, seconded by Cr Dennett, it was decided to grant the application, and to instruct the police to an information against him for driving without a license.—The Mayor submitted a plan of a porch for the Chambers from - Mr Tong.—Cr Deqnett thought tenders should be called, but as the cost was only £IG it was considered unnecessary.—Cr Dennett said the work should be done to the satisfaction of the Rord Overseer, and this was agreed to. Cr. Hughes called attention to byelaw 167, which provides against the overflow. artesian weils. These s airflows were doing great damage "ffiough the borough, and he would like to see the bye-law enforced. — The Mayor agreed with Cr. Hughes, tut the difficulty was that 75 per cent, of the wells put down in the early days were leaking.—Cr Linney argued that if these wells were a nuisance they should be stopped. If the leaking jells' cannot be remedied they should be destroyed.—Cr. Dennett thought should be cautioned before epforcing the law.—The Mayor thought the only way to deal with the matter was to bring half dozen into Qourt.

Cr Linney proposed that a. mortuary be established in Hastings. It 'was not seemly to have corpses exposed to the ravages of rats in the out houses where they are laid. There was a case recently where rats ate holes in the sheet covering the body and were only prevented from attacking the corpse itself by the disinfectants used on it. All the hnielkeepers promised to subscribe to it except one who was about to retire from business, but the incoming tenant would, he thought, contribute- towards the object. He proposed that the Road Overseer estimate the cost of a wooden building with a concrete floor and submit same to the next meeting of the Council. Seconded by Cr Beecroft and cariied. The Mayor intimated that the concrete channelling work would be proceeded with at once rnd the proposed drain through the Maori land to the old Ngaruroro river would be done by March next. Accounts amounting to €307 Us 8d were passed for payment. The Council then resolved itself into committee.