BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1913, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the heim Borough Council was held last night. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. S. Parker), and Councillors Graham Griffiths, E. H. Eeeles, G. Patchett, A. Curry, J. H. Holdaway, B. J. Cooke, F. Birch, and W. Carr.

j THE SWIMMING BATHS. ! Mr N. R. Stone, secretary of the Blenheim Swimming Club, wrote informing the Council of the probability of the N.Z. Amateur Swimming championships being held in Blenheim in February next. The fixture would I mean an influx of 200 to 250 swim- • mers and followers to the town for I about a fortnight. The only point at i issue was as to the adequacy of the '< seating accommodation and the lightj ing at the local baths; and the club j solicited the practical sympathy of I the Council in the matter.

After some discussion the matter was referred to the Baths Committee for a, report, and it was 'resolved to reply that the Council would do all in its power to assist the club.

THE INSURANCE TARIFF,

The Underwriters' Fire Insurance Association acknowledged receipt of information forwarded with the protest made by the Council against the increases in the tariff. _ The matter would be deferred pending the development of the water-supply and sewerage scheme. The Mayor said that, since the Council's action in complaining, a representative of the Association had visited Blenheim. The attitude he took up, however, was that only a few persons had taken exception to the raising of the rates, and thei Association, in investigating these particular cases, had done all that could be expected of it. The official even went so far as to argue that under the circumstances the further levelling up of the tariff would be justified. Councillor Carr said that there was no question as to there being general dissatisfaction. He moved, and Councillor Griffiths seconded, to inform the Association that.the Council considered the reply unsatisfactory, and, still being of opinion that the recent increases were excessive and uncalled for, requested a comprehensive reassessment of the- borough.

The motion was carried. PUBLIC READING ROOMS

Mr James Chirm wrote drawing attention to the unsatisfactory manner in which the magazines and other periodicals were kept in the public reading room. The communication was referred to the Literary Institute Committee for a report. The Mayor said that the matter had already been inquired into, and it, appeared that something was radically wrong. The custodian had informed him that certain magazine numbers placed in the reading room were surreptitiously abstracted. Councillor Birch, who said that the same complaint was made a few years ago, suggested that the grievance be brought under the notice of the police authorities.

This suggestion was adopted. Incidentally the Mayor urged that an effort be made to stimulate public interest in the library. The present measure of support was disappointing. It was made a recommendation to the Committee that the members of the press and the police force be accorded the privileges of honorary membership.

TOWN HALL

The Town Hall Committee recommended that Mr A. J. Bowling's tender of £156 for the supply of 130 chairs for the Hall be accepted, provided that the covering was the same as that of tlie sample chair, and on condition that, in the event of less than this number being required, the price would bo reduced pro rata. The recommendation was adopted. The question of obtaining plans for the structural improvements decided upon at a previous meeting was left in the hands of Councillor Carr, chairman of the committee.

Permission was granted .to the lessees of the Hall to take an electric current across the street.

It was resolved to reduce the insurance on the Town Hall to £1000.

WORKS

The following recommendations from the Works Committee were adopted:— That the portion of Redwood Street between Hawkshaw and Francis Streets be repaired ;'that permission be given to the Blenheim Club to jmt in a culvert on the High. Street side of its property, and the asphalting stand over, the time of the year not being favorable for this class of work; that the Council pay half the cost of the fence required by Mrs Simmons, Rogers Street; that a handrail be erected on the south e,nd of the culvert in Brewer's Road and be extended to the northern end, and the road in tho vicinity, be levelled; that the culvert at the junction of Weld Street and Alabama Road be lengthened out by the Foreman to the full width of the roadway.

A SANITARY QUESTION

Councillor Griffiths moved that the Council affirm the desirableness of establishing the scaled-pan system, and that the Water and Sewerage Committee obtain information on the subject and report to the Coilncil. Now that the water and sewerage scheme had been rejected by the ratepayers, it was incumbent on the Council to take some measures in this direction for the protection of the public health..

Councillor Birch seconded the motion. It was an excellent step in the direction of making the town more sanitary.

The motion was carried

Councillor Curry referred to Mr R. Allan's notification that'the Council would not be permitted to deposit night-soil on his property after the 27th inst.

After discussion it was resolved that the River Board be asked if it would allow th-o night-soil to be deposited on the high land in the Overflow Channel.

It was also arranged to interview Mr Allan, with a view to an agroernent being arrived at.

THE GAS STOKERS

Councillor Oooke asked if the Gas Committee had come to any decision with regard to the stokere' wages.

The Mayor said that the Cornmitteo had; not had an opportunity of considering the question since the last meeting. It would meet shortly. Councillors Cooke and Curry expressed dissatisfaction with the delay. The Committee had shown laxity on what was a matter of considerable importance.

f Tho Mayor said that if an increase ' -was considered to be justified, any • hardship could be prevented by making the advance retrospective.

GENERAL

Mr R. Vanco wrote inquiring

whether the Council desired td pursue the proposal to purchase a strip of his frontage for the further widening of High Street.—The matter was referred to the-Works Committee, together with the general question of widening the footpath. A formal resolution was passed providing for the diversion of certain small loan balances to the purposes of the work of filling in the Arthur Street ditch.

The tender of Messrs Homes and Lane, £7, for the painting of th« water-cart, was accepted. The matter of arranging with Mr Binley regarding the proposal to appoint him to take charge of the weighbridge was left in the hands of the Mayor.

The system of engaging and re-

; numerating the clerks required for I municipal polls was discussed in ' critical terms, the subject being mii troduced by the Mayor.—lt was I agreed that more economical arrangei ments should be aimed at on future

occasions.. Accounts were passed for payment.