BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1905, Page 1

BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borougl Council was held last evening. There were present: His Worship the Mayoi (Mr W. H. Macey), Councillors Penny, Conolly, Patohett, Green, White, Can and Shaw. The financial statement showed a working overdraft of £1122 18s. The debit balance at the Bank was £600. The credit to the Gas Account was £474 10s. , NEXSON STREET BRIDGE. . The Inspector advised that the best and most economical manner,of dealing with the Nelson Street Bridge would be to reconstruct. New piles and superstructure were reauired. The cost would be something'like £400. A truss bridge of two spans would cost something like £800. He was still of opinion that the bridge would carry the weight advertised; It was safe for four tons. i ••••;-.« It was agreed that the bridge should be kept open during the agricultural season. It was stated that in defiance of the by-laws traction engines had been going over the bridge. They had no right to do so, said a Councillor, and should be prosecuted.. This was hard on the farmers of the Dillon Point district, which had no other means of access; but the by-laws should be observed. After considerable discussion, it was resolved that consideration of the question be deferred till next month; and a Committee consisting of Crs Carr, Green, Ching and the Mayor was set up to confer with the Omaka Road Board, which has a half interest in the bridge. On the motion of Cr Carr, it was resolved that the Inspector report on the feasibility of opening up the roadway through the River Board's section 25 to provide for traction engine traffic during the reconstruction of the Nelson Street bridge. ' SETMODB SQUARE. The Inspector reported that he had removed all rubbisli and repaired footpaths in, and generally cleaned up Seymour Square. The cost, not including asphalt* was £10 Bs. A discussion of some length took place, . Cr White suggested that the Council should not call on the Exhibition Com* mittee to pay the £10 Bs. Cr Penny moved that the aooount be not sent on to the Committee. This motion was seconded, Or Conolly moved an amendment that the account be held over pending the publication of the Exhibition Committee's Anal balance sheet. Cr Shaw had told them that the reported credit of £63 had disappeared, but the Conn* ctl should act on official statement. The Exhibition Committee had asked that the account be sent on. It had been told that the Council would help it if its own funds were inadequate. Cr Green seconded the motion. Cr Penny said the facts as to the surplus appearing on the interim balance sheet were well known, and everyone must admit that the Secretary well deserved the proposed testimonial. Cr Green said that that might be so, but the amendment was only fair to the ratepayers. The amendment was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor, the division being as follows:—Ayes: Crs Green, Conolly, Carr, and the Mayor; Noes: Crs Penny, White, Patchett, and Shaw. THE PUBLIC HEALTH. The Sanitary Officer (Mr Johnstone) advised that one .case of scarlet fever was reported as having occurred in the Borough during January. The patient was isolated at home, and every precaution taken to prevent the spread of infection. Several minor nuisances had been reported to him, and bad been abated on his investigation. His house-to-house visitation was interrupted by his work of obtaining information relative to private hospitals and accommodation for outpatients. He hoped to have his house-to-house visitation completed by the end of February. THE ABATTOIRS The manager of the Abattoirs reported that the water supply was not yet satisfactory. He had been relieved of the work of inspecting at Pioton. He trusted this would *'ease the mind of someone in the Council." It was resolved to ask the manager for an explanation of tne-last sentence. GENERAL. Three property holders had not shown any signs of oomplyiug with notices to remove certain buildings as not being in accordance with the bylaws.—The Inspector was instructed to take legal proceedings and empowered to employ counsel. Mr N. T. Priohard wrote suggesting that the Borough should follow the example of other local bodies and declare fennel as a noxious weed. A growth at the bottom of Grove Road was a menace.—The general question of proclaiming noxious weeds was referred to the Sanitary Committee with a request to report to next meeting. Mr A. J. Bottrell wrote asking that a large tree growing on the public drain rese**^ rw*. of his property, Maxwell Road, be removea.—lt was resolved to inform Mr Bottrell that he was at liberty to remove the tree at his own cost. .. A pamphlet with regard to "Westrumite," the new dust-laying material, was referred to the Works Committee. It was suggested that the experiments being conducted in Wellington and other cities should be watched by the Committee. It was resolved to offer to the Omaka Road Board the, tar required for the tarring of the Taylor foot-bridge. Accounts were passed for payment.