BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8238, 20 March 1907, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of tho Borough Council was held last moiling. I-lis Worship the Mayor presided, and there wore also presenl#: —Crs. Hoi ben, Matheson, Essex,, A i-insLnnig, Stnbbs, -and Abrahams. CORRESPONDENCE. The following were among the communications received and dealt with: — The Minister of Railways notified that he could not comply with the request far a further concession in charge made to lay pipes under the railway lines. The Secretary of the Education Department, writing in reference to the library, drew the Council's attention to the fact that 422 libraries had made the formal return necessary to participate in the vote of £3000 for subsidies thereto, and that their receipts for current maintenance ranged Iroin .£i2 to £3572 2s 5d and amounted to £14,524 19s 9d. The vote, as it was being dealt with, afforded a subsidy of 3s 5d in the £ of the nominal income. The Council was informed that a grant of £17 Is 2d would be made to the Palmerston Library on this basis. The .secretary of the Association Football Club -wrote asking the Coun.cil to cancel tlie account for use of the ground last season, on the grounds that it was only used on one wet day. The charge was to be made, he said, in the event of matches being played in bad weather. —Referred to Reserves Committee, with power "to act. The Department of Public Health •ivrota in reference to the nuisance caused' by hide and skin depots in the borough, and made a number of suggestions as to by-laws.—Referred to Public Works Committee for consideration and report. Mr E. Larcomb, architect, asked that the building regulations should be altered' or some provision made for the erection of premises in reinforced concrete. He stated that a number of his clients were contemplating building in this material. — Referred to Public Works Committee for report as to new regulations, etc.

The Rev. P. C. Costello applied for iemission of rates on the Convent building, on the grounds that it was vsed for educational purposes and not for gain.—lt was decided to accord the request the same treatment as in former cases and to waive demand for the rates.

Mr C. R. Hewett asked the Council to dedicate tlie private road through his property to the septic tank as a public road, as at present ho was unable to give titles to sections fronting: thereon. —Referred to Public Works Committee.

The Kairanga County Council notified that it could not attend the conference re proposed new bridge at Hokowliitu, and advised the Council to apply for a commission under tho Public Works Act.

Mr W. Cook asked for a two-inch water connection to his timber yard and factory, for fire prevention purposes only.—The request was granted on the usual conditions.

Mr C. E. Harden wrote on behalf of Mr McKenzie, Scandia Street, relative to the tramway siding being laid opposite his property to tho detriment thereof, and asking that the same should be constructed in some other place.—Referred to Public Works Committee with power to < DEPUTATIONS. Messrs E.. S.. Abraham and R. McKnight, representing the associated stock auctioneers of the town, waited on te Council with reference to the movement to obtain some modification of the new by-laws regulating the passage of stock to and from the saleyards. The propositions laid before the Council were the same as arrived at by the conference of farmers and others held last Thursday and fully reported in the "Standard" at the time.

Addressing the Council, Mr Abraham drew attention to the very serious results which would inevitably follow. He also made a point- of asking that summonses, which had already been issued, should be withdrawn, as the offences had been 'committed in entire ignorance.

Mr McKnight also spoke briefly on the matter.

After the deputation had withdrawn, the question raised was briefly discussed. It was decided, on tho motion of Crs. Holben and Matheson, that the summonses already issued be withdrawn and that the duties of the inspector be suspended during the pleasure of the Council.

Mr W. Milvorton, on behalf of Messrs Milverton and Son, was present to protest against a deduction of £5 from their contract. He said that the deduction was made for alleged neglect to build a certain manhole which belonged to another contract. altogether. It was decided to give Mr Milverton an opportunity to discuss his complaint with the Public Works Committee and the Engineei- at the next meeting. REPORTS. 'The report of the Public Works Committee; contained the following i oeomineiulntions: —That owing to the number of applications for assistance in connecting with the sewers, it is desirable to proceed with caution so that no unworkable precedent should be created. <!i is the opinion of the committee that only such applications shou'd l)e granted which show that oi'e';- financial arrangement". cannot !::• made or that personal or family hardship would be in- ; iirred.) That- a special standing subcommittee be appointed to consider all applications in connection with

••iewv.rage with full discretionary power to grant applications or otherwise. That the question of the alteration of stock routes, as introduced to tho

committee by a deputation of those interested, lie referred to the Council. That Mrs Q'Crady be. notified to be present to >,!;<.nv cause why the Council should, remit charge for cost of footway opposite her pren;ises. That consent cannot be given to Mr E. Whitehead to lay off new street as the plan deposited does not comply with the by-laws.—The report was aciopted. The Reserves Committee reported having deliberated with Mr W. Smith, an expert landscape gardener, in reference to the laying out of the reserves. Tlie Council was recommended to grant some assistance to tlie gardener in the Square and to purchase a new roller for use there.— The report was adopted. A further report from the Reserves Committee recommended the Council to obtain tho services of Mr W. W. Smith to supply a full report and a complete j>lan exhibiting the manner in which the reserves should bo treated. —The report was adopted. .The Council adjourned at a quarter to eleven o'clock.