PICTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 115, 13 May 1909, Page 5

PICTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MEETING OF NEW COUNCIL

The first meeting of the new Council was held last night, when there were present:—The Mayor (Mr H. A. McCormick), and Councillors L. Pugh, G. A. Smith, C. Peek, G. Wilkins, C. Fredericks, S. Fell, A. Clinch, and W. E. Redman. The Mayor and Councillor Redman made their declarations before the Council proceeded to business. MORE LIGHT. The Mayor, asked if the work of erecting the lamp in Wellington Street was being proceeded with. The Inspector said the gasworks did not come under his jurisdiction. Councillor Wilkins said the lamp wouid be erected as soon as the post was available. NEEDED WORKS. Messrs Todd Bros, wrote asking the Council to metal Sussex Street and also to form and metal about three chains of Hanipden Street before the winter comes on. Councillor Fell asked if there was no road to the premises of Mr Todd. The Town Clerk: There is no road at all. Councillor Smith said there was a big hole that required to be filled in. Councillor Redman moved, and Councillor Clinch seconded, that a Committee consisting of Messrs Smith, Pugh and Fell inspect the road in question, with power to act. —Carried. A FIRE ESCAPE. Mr Henderson reported that he had interviewed Mr Jensen concerning the verandah he had erected in front of his premises, and had been informed that the verandah was only to be used as a fire escape. He thought the work should be gone on with provided it was used for no other purpose. It should not be permitted to be floored. The Town Clerk said that Mr Henderson had made further inquiries as to how the iron stays were made, and from what he learned he was still dissatisfied with the construction of the escape. The Council might be called upon to bear the brunt of any accidents arising from the structure. Councillor Fell asked if the Council!* had given its permission for the work to be proceeded with. The Mayor said the work was allowed to go on subject to the Council's approval.

Councillor Redman said he was very glad the matter had been brought up, as in all probability the Council would take steps to have a proper set of bylaws approved. The Council did not want to encourage jerry builders to the town;,: He hoped the Mayor would make the matter of by-laws one oT his first suggestions. He moved, and Councillor Fredericks seconded that Mr Henderson's suggestion be approved of.

The Mayor pointed out that Mr Henderson did not lay down any special course for the Council to pursue. He hoped the mover and seconder of the motion would add something to the motion to act as a guide for the Council.

Councillor Redman was perfectly satisfied that Mr Henderson's intention was to prevent the balcony, which was unsafe for. the public, being constructed.

Councillor Fredericks . endorsed Councillor Redman's remarks.

Councillor Clinch thought it hardly fit for a fire escape.

Councillor^ Fell could not see that the Council had any redress, even _ suppose the balcony was sanctioned for fire escape purposes. The Mayor said Mr Jensen had not erected, the verandah to the satisfaction of the ,■ Council. ■ The Council allowed the erection of the balcony on the understanding that it be constructed to its satisfaction. If it was [not being done properly it was for the Council to make a special statement now, and not after people got on to it and it collapsed. - The Council should be satisfied whether it was safe or unsafe, and it had power to make Mr Jensen make the balcony safe for the public. He did not want to be hard in the matter, and he moved an amendment that the Council was not satisfied with the manner in which the work had been done. Councillor Wilkins seconded the amendment. ! Councillor Redman suggested that the structure be defined as a fire escape. i Councillor Smith thought it would j be better for the Council to tell Mr Smith that the balcony would have to be put up to the satisfaction of the Engineer ; he thought that would meet the case. t The motion and the amendment were both withdrawn in favour of Councillor Smith's suggestion, which was adopted. Councillor, Smith suggested that the Foreman report on the matter. Councillor Redman thought it would be better for the matter to be referred to the Works Committee, if one had been appointed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Railway Department wrote approving of the Council's intention to lay a six-inch water main under the railway reserve in Devon Street ex-, tension, subject to the work being done under the supervision of the ganger at the cost of the Council, and that the right be granted under a deed of agreement at a peppercorn rental. It was decided that the provisions of the Railway Department be approved by the Council. The Secretary to the Treasury forwarded a statement showing the amount received by the Council as advance under The Local Bodies Loans Act of 1908, together with interest at 4 per cent, on such advances up to the 31st January, 1909, and that in terms of section 94 of the same Act the debt would be inscribed in the Treasury, which would render it unnecessary for the Council to issue debentures for the Smount. The inscription would date from the Ist of the present month, interest at 31 per cent, per annum to be payable half-yearly on February Ist and the j Ist of August in each year for 41 years. The first payment of interest would be due on August Ist, 1909.— Received. ... Mr Roff wrote drawing the attention of the CounciL to the state of Durham Street, leading into Scotland Street, as no traffic could pass over the'road, and he asked that it be attended to. The matter was referred to the Works Committee for a report. Mr T. F. Martin wrote informing the Council that any isurplus of the loan mone"y for sewerage purposes could be appropriated hy special orders for the new work of making a drain outside the fating area in terms of the Municipal Corporation Act^ section 105. A new loan could be raised by j special order, without a poll, if the j ratepayers and freeholders in the area exceeded 100, and consent was

obtained under the Local Bodies Loans Act, section 15, part D.

Councillor Wilkins moved that the matter stand over until the completion oi: the septic tank. Councillor Fell seconded the motion.

Councillor Redman thought if the Council had money in hand it should proceed with the work of sewerage extension. He also thought the Council should have some information on., the matter.

The Town Clerk said most of the people had- signified their willingness to pay for extra sewerage. Councillor Redman moved as an amendment that the whole matter be referred to the Drainage Committee to go into and report to the next meeting. The Mayor seconded the amendment, which was carried. The. Town Clerk explained that the Works Committee had accepted the tender of the Crown Cement Company for the supply of 100 casks of cement for the Council.—Approved.

The Opunake Town Board wrote asking for a sample of the Council's receipt book.—Received. David Alexander Mitchell applied for a plumber's license in terms of the Sanitary By-law of 1909. Councillor Redman moved and Councillor Smith seconded: That Mr Mitchell's application be granted, and that in the event of his requiring a drainlayer's license he' shall consult the Borough Foreman.—Carried. The Secretary of the Spring Creek Road Board wrote informing the Council that the contractor for the Wairau traffic bridge had applied for a progress payment of £1450, of which the Council's share was £36 ss, which amount he desired to have forwarded at once.

Councillor Smith moved that the money be paid. The Town Clerk said he had received no notification of the assessment. He also noticed that the Blenheim Borough Council had complained about paying the amount, but instead of paying principal had agreed topay the interest on the amount due. Councillor Wilkins seconded the motion.

The Mayor understood that that was the amount the .Council had to> pay as its 'quota towards the construction of the bridge. He thought the Council should pay the £36 ss. He would support the motion. Councillor Pugh moved as an amendment that the amount stand in abeyance until the Council received the Commissioner's finding. Councillor Redman seconded the amendment. He thought the Council, before acting, should know the finding of the Court. .

The Mayor thought if the Council paid a portion of the principal it would not be called upon to pay it again. It would be so much less for it to pay. The amendment was carried.

Messrs J. Hebberley, Hester, and Wilkinson wrote requesting the Council to make the road round the lagoon, and also to ei-ect a lamp at the bend in the road, as it was dangerous at present. Councillor Wilkins said it was a very nasty road. It was all very well while there were no people residing there, but it wanted attending to. He moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee for a report, and that the* work of erection of a lamp be done under the direction of the Gas Committee.

Councillor Smith thought the Works Committee should have power to patch the road up, pending their report to the Council. Councillor Willnns thought it was the duty of any Councillor to rectify any dangerous places in a road. ' The motion was carried.

,It was decided that the Council procure the Consolidated Acts dealing with municipal matters.

SANITARY INSPECTOR'S REPORT

The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the month of April there had been eight cases of diphtheria and one of scarlet fever in the Borough, all in one family. He suggested that a ward for infectious diseases should be added to the Hospital. The report was received.

MR HENDERSON'S REPORT

Mr Henderson, the Borough Engineer, reported that the pipes _in connection with the water and drainage1 scheme "had been well and carefully laid. No provision had been made for ventilation at the sewers. He suggested that careful supervision be observed in connection with the connecting of. the houses with the scheme.

Councillor Pugh asked what the intention of the Council was in connection with the supervision of -the house-connections. He thought none but a master plumber would be competent to supervise the connecting work.

Councillor Redman said the Council should do something towards guarding the town against liaving the residences connected with the drainage scheme without adequate supervision. A. qualified person should be appointed to watch, over the work of connecting houses with the scheme. Unfortunately the Council had not an engineer, for the simple reason that the town was so small that it was unable to afford to pay the salary required for such an official. A supervision of each connection should be made by some capable man. He believed there was only one man in the district who could do the work, and he had been trained and had passed a test in sanitary work. He referred to In.spector Johnston, the Council's Sanitary Inspector. He thought it quite possible that the Council could make arrangements, with the Government to utilise Mr Johnston for that purpose, and he suggested that the Town Clerk communicate with the Health Department with that object. The Council contributed towards the salary of Inspector Johnston along with other bodies in Marlborough, and he contended that the Council had a claim upon his. services. He mentioned that there were some very great changes to be made in the Health Department. Dr. Mason was retiring under thj& Government's retrenchment scheme, and would be going Home shortly to occupy a .position of Inspector : of Emigrants,, and also to do something in connection; with the:meat industry: The Department was to be worked in a manner absolutely different from tyhat it had been in the past, and a good many officers would be thrown out of billets. When those changes would be made he did not know. He thought it advisable that the Government should be approached to permit Mr Johnston to supervise the connections with the Council's drainage scheme, and he proposed a motion to that effect.

Councillor Fell seconded the motion.

Councillor Peek thought that no one but a master plumber should be appointed as, the Council's super-

visor. Mr Johnston was no doubt a very good man, but it was desirable that a master plumber should be appointed, to see that the work was ■ done properly. "•^Councillor Wilkins approved the appointment subject to tho Health Department's approval. He thought, also, that Dr. Mason should be writ- -. ten to and asked if Mr Johnston was qualified for the position. He asked Councillor Redman if he considered Mr Johnston was capable to fill the position. Councillor Redman said Mr Johnston undoubtedly was a good man, or he would not be in his present position. The motion was carried. . THE FOREMAN'S REPORT. The Foreman, Mr Branch, reported that his work in connection with the drainage scheme was. practically finished. ' He also asked that the Council consider the advisableness of securing a quarry on Mr Godfrey's property. The stone was of good qual- . ity, and it would not be very costly to the Council. Mr Godfrey had led • him to believe that he would let the quarry at a very reasonable rate. The Waikawa Road needed repairing. He was working one tide a day, and the remainder of the day he worked at cleaning tip tho streets and watertables. He would complete the work in the streets the next day. He had received no satisfaction from' the Railway Department in the matter of procuring trucks for metal. He proposed to proceed with the laying of the three-inch main under the railway line. The Council recommended that several works of a minor character be left in the hands of the Foreman to deal with, and also that ten loads of gravel be procured from Mr Cresswell at Spring Cr&ek at 183 per truck at Tua Marina. BUILDING BY-LAWS. Councillor Redman asked if the Mayor felt inclined to bring a set of building by-laws, into operation. The Mayor promised to do so . FINANCE. ■■" .-. ■ The Clerk reported that the Council's overdraft at the Bank was £48 17s Id, and that the expenditure on the 'drainage scheme to ..date was £802. .. ' •. ■-; .;■: -'■■■■■ v Accounts amounting to £251 13s 9d., were passed for payment. GENERAL. It was decided that a notice warning the drivers of vehicles against driving in the water-tables be inserted in the paper. , Councillor Fel3( drew" the Council's attention to the fact that the crossing on the* footpath in front, of the Post Office Hotel required repairing. i Referred to -the Foreman, with.power tp act. ; It was resolved that the question of the .condition of the approaches to they Domain bridge be referred to the Foreman for a report. NOTICE OF MOTION. . The Mayor gave notice that hewould move at next meeting of the Council that the small office in front of the Council Chamber be furnished !as a committee meeting-room. The meeting then terminated.