Hastings Borough Council.

Hastings Standard, Issue 469, 5 November 1897, Page 2

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 present : Crs Dennett, Hngbes, Wellwood, Beilby, Williams, Crosse, Beecroft, Murdoch, and Linney. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. , ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. V "' The overseer's report was read as follows : 1. I have the honor to submit for your approval or otherwise plan of mortuary as instructed last meeting w.th specification and estimate of co.st\.£92), including sewer connection and water supply, which latter includes sinking an artesian well. 2. Euahnpia Creek.—As during the ensuing month this creek will in all probability be dry, I would suggest that steps be taken to have tenders in for the work at the next meeting. 8. Barbed wire Fences.—Several ratepayers have complained to me on this matter, but as I have had no direct authority from the Council to put the bye-law into force I have hesitated to do so, and I now bring the question before the Council for consideration. Bye-law No. 325, Part 16, deals prominently with the question. 4. Artesian Wells. I have notified owners to have this nuisance abated, and in most eases it has been attended to promptly.

Cr Crosse opposed the erection of a mortuary on the grounds that the present state of the borough finances would not warrant the expense. He proposed the matter be postponed.—■ Cr Murdoch seconded the motion.—Cr Hughes had no objection to erecting a mortuary in Hastings, but he objected to the site selected, namely at the back of the Couucil Chambers. The surrounding inhabitants, especially ladies, would strongly object to the proximity of dead bodies. In Masterton the morgue was next to the cemetery, and this seemed to him to be the proper place for it. He would, however, leave that to the Council.—Cr Dennett thought the question of a morgue might be left over for a few years as there were more urgent matters calling for their attention.—Cr Linney said, before shelving the matter, the Council should call tenders for the erection of the morgue. He thought £92 was too high an estimate ; the work could be done for £SO or even £4O, and of this amount the hotelkeepers offered to contribute £lB. Cr Hughes' objection to the site was merely sentimental, and should not be considered. The present system was unseemly and indecent, as the bodies were exposed to the ravages of rats while lying in the hotel outhouses. He proposed that tenders be called for tbe work.—The Mayor explained there was an Act in force to compel a borough with a population of 3,000 to have a morgue.—Cr J. N. Williams seconded Cr Linney's motion. He thought there could not be a better site for the morgue than the back of tbe Council Chambers. He could not see any reason against devoting a portion of the Council offices for this purpose. (Cr Murdoch : Oh ! oh !). He (Cr Williams) was serious; their own houses became morgues when any of their relations died, and they certainly never thought of putting the body outside.—Cr Crosse withdrew his motion. —Cr Wellwood sympathised with the motion. The morgue was necessary and the present system was a hardship to hotelkeepers and detrimental to their business, but if they were not in a position to go on with the work what was the use of advertising for tenders ? —The Mayor explained that between now and March next there would be an income to tbe Council of some £l,lOO. —Cr Linney's motion was carried by one vote. With regard to clause 2, Cr Crosse said that work was plentyful in the district at present, and he proposed that tbe matter bQ postponed indefinitely for further information from Mr Nelson.—Cr Williams seconded the motion, which was carried. On clause 3, Cr Williams moved that owners of barbed-wire fences in Block 1 be required to remove same.—Cr Dennett seconded the resolution.—Cr Linney said plain wire fences were being continually broken, and strained by people getting through. He proposed as an amendment that owners be required to place the barbed wire on their own side of the fence. —Cr Dennet called Cr Linney's attention to the bye-law, which would not permit barbed wire within 6 feet of the boundary line.— Cr Williams motion was then put and carried.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE KEPORT. The Inspector of Slaughterhouses reported having examined the various slaughter yards, and found them in a satisfactory condition. Slaughtered during the month : 47 head of large cattle. 349 sheep, and 20 pigs. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Flying Jordans Company asking for a rebate on the license fee. —Received. From the Dunedin City Council and the Gore Borough Council, setting forth the objection to the Municipal franchise Bill and asking the corporation of the Hastings Council to prevent it becoming law.—Cp Murdoch proposed Cr Crosse seconded, and it was carried that this council protests against the passing of the Bill intituled an act to enlarge the franchise at municipal elections in Boroughs as it ** ■considers that Bill inexpedient, unnecessary and unfair, and this Council requests the Hon. Captain Russell to oppose the said Bill by every means in his power and that a copy of this resolution he forwarded to the members for Hawke's Bay and Waipawa. From J. W. Livesey, asking for a month's leave of absence.—Granted. From W. Stock, resigning position of poundkeeper.—Received. From A. J. EUingham, applying for position of pouadkt-r-per.—Appointed. From Mr I. P. Thompson, asking for permission, to place a. wooden bridge over th j water-table in front of his shop for the coQYeaiwce oI iui guetefflergt

—The Mayor said if the request was granted it would form a bad pr, cedent as others might apply. —Cr B.iiby said he thought the bridge unnecessary— Cr Li miry said such a bridge would be dangerous as it might get blocked during heavy rains, and the road flooded.—lt was decided not to accede to Mr Thompson's request. Norton's road drain. Cr Dennett speaking to his motion, " That the Council pays half the cost of putting in order the drain leading frojJ\Perceval and Thompson's into Road," said Messrs Perceval and Thompson were led astray by the former Mayor, who promised that the Council take over the drain. He proposed that the Council take half the expense of the work with Messrs Thompson and Percival. Cr Murdoch seconded the motion. They should not repudiate the action of their late Mayor, and as* a matter of public health this section required to be drained. Cr Williams could not understand •why this subject was brought up again. He thought be had made himself clear at the last meeting. The late Mayor was animated with the best intentions in this matter, but he wanted to make water run up hill, but no matter what money was expended on the scheme this could not be done. If the Council undertook the expense proposed by Cr Dennett the expense would be only the preliminary outlay, as after every flood the timbering would be carried away, and it would not then be a question of dividing the expense becaxise the Council would have to bear the whole cost of maintenance. The natural outfall was by the county drain a measured distance of 65 chains, and the work could be done at a cost of £23.

Cr Dennett persisted there was a good fall into the Southland drain, and if this were not done the place would be a regular fever bed. Cr Dennett's motion was then put and lost on the voices. GENERAL. A map of the Borough by Mr Rochlort was offered to the Council for £2O the consideration of which was postponed. Cr Hughes called attention to the fact that the asphalting of the footpath from Mr Kershaw's to the Karamu road was not yet done though authorised months ago.—The Mayor said they were waiting for fine weather. A motion by Cr Beecroft, seconded by Cr Willwood, that for the coming year tenders be called for the work of registering dogs was lost. Accounts amounting to £IG9 18s lOd were passed for payment.