Borough Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8157, 8 August 1906, Page 2

Borough Council.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. There were present the Acting-Mayor (Cr Abrahams), Crs Stubbs, Matheson, Holben and Clausen. CORRESPONDENCE. From Dalton Bros, and J. Dal ton, applying for a permit to prospect in Forest Reserve and enclosing plan. — Granted, subject to non-interference with the catchment area. From R. A. Jarrett. asking Council to consider the advisablity of installing the new tire extinguisher "Fyricide" in the Opera House. —Referred to Opera House Committee. From C. J. Harper, applying for permission to drain section 430. —Referred to Engineer to report. From residents of Rangitikei-street, complaining of water channel in that street. —Dealt with by deputation. From Mrs C. Rush, caretaker, applying for increase of salary.—Referred to Finance Committee with power to act.

From the Treasury, asking for proportion of expense of commission in connection with Gorge road and bridge. —Passed for payment.

From D. Trow, resigning position as nightman.—Accepted. From H. C. Mellsop, asking for the erection of lamps at Hokowhitu.—Referred to Public Works Committee. From same, asking for construction of stop-bank at Hokowhitu.—Referred to Public "Works Committee. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs Welch and Vernon, on behalf of the Philosophical Society, waited upon the Council and requested permission to erect the observatory in a portion of the Square, for which they were willing to pay a pepper-corn rental. The telescope and observatory would be the property of the Society. The Acting-Mayor said he could not say if the Council had power to grant the request, but it would be considered and the result communicated. Replying to questions, Mr Welch said the portion of the Square nearest the Council office was recommended as the site likely to give the best astronomical results. The building would take up about 20 feet square. It was probable an ornamental fence "would be erected around the building. A strong deputation of ratepayers and residents of Rangitikei-street waited upon the Council, and through Mr Guy asked that the water channel on the west side of the street should be graded and concreted, thus getting rid of stagnant water that remains in the water table. The danger of the present deep water table to vehicular traffic was also pointed out. Messrs Bell, Copeland and Dawick also spoke in support of the request, and the Mayor said the result of the Council would be forwarded to Mr Guv.

Messrs Guy and Copeland also requested that the council should construct a footpath in Rangitikei-street from the present termination to Boundary road and they also offered to contribute £12 towards the cost of a rustic bridge across the Kawau stream so tbat the proposed footpath could be continued in a straight line to the terminal point. Property owners affected were quite willing to pay the half cost of construction of the path. Replying to a question Mr Guy said that he thought the property owners affected would pay their half cost as soon as a favourable tender was received. If the path to the Boundary road was con sidered too far the deputation would bo satisfied to have it to the Kawau. The Mayor said the request would be considered and the result communicated to them. It was decided to grant the request with regard to the erection of the observatory, and the Reserves Committee will confer with the committee from the society as to site. With regard to the re grading of the water-table in Rangitikei-street, the engineer was instructed to report to the Council; the Public Works Committee will report upon the request for a footpath to Boundary road. REPORTS. The Finance Committee reported with reference to an offer received from Mr H. Wollerman with regard to piping the Terrace watercourse that the offer had been referred to a sub committee to arrange the matter and -report direct to the Council, with respect to two letters received asking for reduction of rent of Opera House for alleged local entertainments, the committee referred the letters to the Opera House Committee to deal with. The committee recommended that an application from the Rev. Father Costello for gravel be granted. With regard to an objection from Mrs E. Crook to cutting down traes on her

property in College street, the Public Works Committee recommended that no action be taksn until further notice. —Adopted. The Public Works Committee reporting upon an application from Mr George McCarty for compensation in connection with piles driven at the Hokowhitu protective works, which were now out of place owing to the banks having been washed away during the recent flood, said that in its opinion, taking into consideration the present position of the contract, the question of financial aid could not be considered and tbat there should be no deviation from the specifications.— Adopted. The engineer reported that during the late flood in the Manawatu River a wash-out occurred at Finlayson's land (immediately above the old racecourse) —the portion of the bank carried away is about 5 5- chains in length. As it was imperative that the necessary repairs should bo commenced without delay, I reported the matter to the chairman of the Reserves Committee, and it was arranged to proceed with the work,. Accordingly Mr R. Home and a gang of men are now engaged thereon, with tho result that a length of 2\ chains is half completed. To completely repair the damage will approximately cost £100. At the septic tank the flood in tho river has caused a great improvement by removing an immense gravel bank, which threatened to block the out. fali, whilst no damage was done to the banks in the vicinity. Mr Milverton's contract for sewer construction is so far completed (to Pascal-street) as to allow of the following streets being connected direct to the septic tanks: — Pascalstreet, Cuba-street (to Lombard-street), Short street, Domain-street, Willis-street, David- street, Andrew Young-street. I have spoken to Mr Milverton with the view of tho Council being allowed to make use of tho sewer without in any way invalidating his contract and that gentleman is willing to sign a letter giving the Council the desired permission. There-

fore, I woqld recommend that advantage be taken of this, as the connection of the numerous dwellings to the sewer will greatly improve the health of the district, and, at the same time, improve the working of the septic tanks. Whilst speaking of the sewerage scheme I beg to say that the contract of Messrs Lynch and McElligot for constructing the 18-inch sewer in College-street, from the 24-inch outfall sewer to Botanical road, is completed. Also that before more contracts are let it will be necessary for the Finance Committee to consider ways and means. Referring further to Mr Milverton's contract I have to say that the date for its completion expired on July 7th last. There has been great -difficulty experienced by the falling off of the cement joints after they have been made, and although various cements and materials have been used to try and prevent this the difficulty still remains. It has been sugges ed to Mr Milverton that continuous pumping will be necessary, but lie does not seem inclined to do this, with the result that the work is delayed and made more costly to the Council. Regarding the progress of the new water scheme, I have to state that up to date 290 chains (over 5 miles) of new 4 inch mains have been laid in the following streets: —Main (west), Featherston, Rangitikei, Wellsbourne, Edgeware road, Fritz, Grey, Te Awe Awe. All these mains, with the exception of those in the last named street, are now under pressure and available for fire extinguishing purposes, which fact should greatly lower the insurance premiums and enhance the values of the properties adjacent to the mains, whilst at the same time affording their inhabitants increased security. It is my intention to ask the Fire Brigade to go over the lengths of these mains with me in order to point out to its members 'the position of fire plugs. The cost of trenching for and laying the completed mains amounts to under 20s per chain, which figure is well under the estimate.

! In addition to the foregoing 4 inch completed mains, tenders are returnable at your next meeting for the following contracts for main laying in connection with the scheme: —Fritz and Featherston streets, 58i chains; Main street east and Vogel street, 56£ chains ; Tramway street, 50 chains ; Grey and Albert streets, 45 § chains. These contracts amount in all to over 2 miles in length, i

As to the progress made at the head works, I beg to say that the pipe track for the new 15-inch main is quite completed, and the mains are laid ready for joining on the same from the junction of the present 12 inch main to the wire foot bridge. The tramway, 20 chains long, for the purpose of transporting shingle from the present intake to the j new dam site is completed, and at the latter place the whole of the excavations, with the exception qf the steps of the by-wash and the 3ft wide foundation trench in the stream proper, are also completed. For the purpose of transporting materials from the end of the present road to the new dam site a substantial iron bridge has been erected across the stream, and it is proposed eventually to utilise this bridge for the purpose of carrying the mains over the ford near the iron whare. Owing to the recent bad weather I have deemed it advisable to cease operations at the head works until more favourable weather sets in, as to continue would be to increase the cost without any material advantage, but as soon as conditions will allow I propose rushing on with construction. Between now and the next meeting it is my intention to prepare a return of the expenditure on the water scheme, and I will lay same before I you. f - . i A few days ago, whilst cleaning away a blockage in the cutvert under Fitz-herbert-street, near the Butter Factory, one of the Council's workmen damaged the main sewer pipe which, it appears, passes through the culvert at this spot. The damage done necessitated the opening up of the culvert in order to get at and repair the sewer. This operation, and the making of it good, entailed a considerable amount of labour. On uncovering the sewer it was found that there was little, if any, cement in the joints and sewage was flowing on the outside of tbe pipes, which fact does not say much for the sanitary value of the line of pipes as a sewerage carrier. The work of reinstating has been completed and a manhole has been provided for the purpose of easily obtaining access to the culvert in future.

. Ia connection, with the erection of gates at the Sports' ground, I have obtained a price for a cast-iron mould for the six gate posts, the cost of such mould being £31 10s. If it is obtained the cose of p'aatering will be saved and the Council will have a first class pattern for future use. I have made a re-survey on the lines proposed by Mr Havill of the Kawau Improvement Works, and will be able to report fully at your next meeting. Also, I beg to state that the work of formation and levelling at the fountain portion of the Square is being proceeded with. The new McComa pump received from Australia has been put to work and has more than filled expectations. It will be a very useful piece of plant, where large volumes of water require to be pumped for laying sewers or other purposes. The contractors for the new 14-stalled stable and implement sheds have commenced the erection of same, and, weather permitting, will push on this work to completion. The report was adopted, with the exception of that portion referring to the purchase of a cast iron mould for the Sportsground gates. The Council adjourned at 11.30 p.m.