SHANNON NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 970, 20 March 1924, Page 6

SHANNON NOTES.

MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(Fiom Our Own Correspondent.)

At the ordinary meeting of the Shannon Borough Council there were present: Ilis Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Murdoch), Crs Hyde, Butt, Gardner, Gunning, Beard and Carter. MANAWATU BRIDGE ROAD.

.Correspondence was received from the Shannon Dairy Company taking strong exception to the position of the ramps over the road near the Manawatu bridge. The Dairy Company has written to the Horowhenua County Coilncil and the Public Work 9 Department calling their attention to the matter, and suggesting that the road should be widened by at least, eight feet at the point indicated, and that, in the interest of public ■ safety, it is desirable that responsible public bodies in the district should make similar representations with a view to getting the danger remedied as speedily as possible, and asking the council’s 00-operation to this end. The engineer pointed out that the new formation was of insufficient width. Even at present it was dangerous, and being constructed of very friable soil, in a short tinie, when the winter started, would by attrition shrink to nothing in width. This was a very important main road between Foxton and Shannon and was largely used by the settlers for dairying and agricultural purposes. —The council considered it absolutely necessary that the road at. the ramp mint be widened at least 10 feet. The matter was left to the engineer with instructions to give consideration to the Dairy Company’s request. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S REQUEST.

'From the Chamber of Commerce, asking to consider the question, of placing signs at street corners with the name of streets thereon: also recommending that it' place a “silent policeman” at the intersection of Plinimer Terrace and Balance streets as this corner is extremely dangerous, and stating that' the by-law that all motor vehicles have silencers, and that no bicycle be allowed on the footpath, was not being enforced as promised by the council. Referring to request for street names, the Mayor said lie did not object to these, but there were other tilings more urgently needed, such as footpaths giving access to people’4 homes. He instanced 4 ance street, which is thickly populated, and in winter time -the only access is through puddles and grass. He strongly emphasised that he .would oppose these small votes that were not urgently required until more important and necessary work was carried out. As regarded the question of motor vehicles and cycling on tootpuths,. the police had already been written to and asked to vigorously enforce the bylaws in these matters. A motion by Cr. llyde, that a sum be placed on the estimates for the ensuing rear for name - plates on the streets and .for a..'.‘silent policeman” was lost, it was resolved to again write the police with reference to the enforcement ot tho bylaWS; DRAINAGE CONTRACT.

A. legal firm wrote on behalf of J. A. Swindlehurst regarding tho drainage contract for Stansell’s drain, pointing out that Mr Swindlehurst had put in two day’s work’ oil the drain in order to satisfy tho requirements of the engineer, although the works had alreadybeen curried out acording to specifications. In view of the trouble over this contract, it was suggested that the matter be referred to two arbitrators to settle, one to be appointed by each party, and subject to tile provisions of “The Arbitration Act, 1908.”—The council resolved to agree to arbitration. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer reported that the contractor for tho reservoir was making satisfactory progress, which would ensure of the work being completed and allowing sufficient time to elapse before the water was put into it. The concrete must stand at least three months before a strain was put on the work. Tho construction of the head works, was now being carried out with all possible speed, lie hoped to have tliis portion completed before the general level of. the stream rose towards the end the end" of tho summer.

•Tim engineer placed a comprehensive report before tire council dealing with the sewering of the town. In his report he_ pointed out that the proposed plan of tank, lilter beds, and outfall would be larger than the immediate requirements and waß the system approved of by worldwide authorities. It would be capable of ultimately dealing with a population of 6003. lie suggested that the councillors pay a visit of inspection to some septic tank at work. Under the scheme the drainage - from Shannon would pass into a concrete ; septic tank and from there on to filter beds and then by means of the 12 ' inch diameter outfall pipe into the Mangaore stream. The area to be sewered was' set-OUt in the estimate. Shannon; comparatively, ..was an expensive town owing to-the scattered nature of the sites of the residences. . -To attempt to put a sewecv inj every street was in his opinion, not, practical, the cost to the ratepayers would be' far too great a burden for tnem to bear, lie proposed to put in a permanent, tank and-outfall and only in the ipeantiine that portion of the town where the buildings were close together, and such portions us were actually necessary ; to keep the town in a healthy state. Thescheme as set out he estimated to cost approximately £7500. The engineer, being requested to supply the oouncil with information relative to asphaltum surfaces ot streets, reported as follows': —As requested by you 1 have included ■ a rough estimate of tarring a width’ ;of 21 feet extending from the Albion Tlotel along Plimmer Terrace and Ballance street to ihe Police Station corner, an approximate length of 30 chains. This . estimated cost (£530) approximate, but”, includes strengthening the present surface - with a cost of metal, thick and well' rolleci in and sprayed with prepared tar' arid re-painted with tar in three months’ l time. Note: A very cheap job coiilck be done for a little over half the above:' estimate In the matter of regradijlg a mile of the adjacent streets and footways, but hot inclusive of wood or concrete work, the cost would be say £SGO. The engineer remarked that streets treated as above would not stand the heavy traffic at present on the Shannon streets. He also stated that the upkeep of tarred surfaces was a difficult problem. A special meeting of the council will be held next week when the sewerage question will be discussed.