SHANNON NOTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 144, 22 May 1925, Page 10

SHANNON NOTES.

MEETING .OF BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(From Our Own Correipondent.) Tho ordinary meeting of the Shannon Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present: Hie Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Perreau) and Crs Spencer, Hook, Roberts, Richardson, Curran, Butt, Thwaites and Downes. SHANNON-FOXTON BRIDGE. Messrs Taylor, Tippler and Murray, representing tho Shannon Dairy Co., waited on tho council with reference to the Shannon ■ Foxton bridge. The speakers referred to tho vital importance of the bridge to the dairy fanners, and also the equal importance to the residents of tho borough. 'lhe present structure hod cost tho company somo hundreds of pounds. The bridge was an urgent matter, and whereas it would take months to repair tho present one, it would' take years to build the new bridge as agreed by the engineers. As regards the punt now in use, it appeared that tho only thing concerning the local bodies at present was tho collecting of the fees. The speakers suggested that the council join with the dairy company and get an opinion from experts on the advisability of putting a span on to the present bridge and necessary protection works erected.

Cr Spencer: Do you think that getting tho opinion of outside experts would override that of Fublio Works engineers?

Cr Taylor: I think that tho opinion would re-open tho question of the span. Cr Spencer: If it is just a matter of a few pounds then it would bo in tho interests of tho borough to spend the money. Cr Downes pointed out that the present structure was driving the workers out of the town. Men were going to Foxton to live and what they wanted was residents in their town. He know of 20 men who had used the old bridge to go to their work, now only 6ix made the trip. The others had made their homes in Foxton. Now about 40 men came from Foxton to tho Moutoa mills.

Tho Mayor said lie was glad to see that some of the ratepayers of the Ilorowhenua County were beginning to take an interest in ’ the matter. The Shannon Borough Council had no official standing with regard to the bridge and it had been _ practically told by the county council to mind its own business. He criticised that body severely. Tho speaker also referred to the action cl the county council.in seeking to compel Ihe Shannon borough to contribute to the punt. Tho bridge was wholly within tho county’s district and it was the latter’s duty to see to it and tho punt. Suppose tint, the Makerua road got out of repair arid was impassable, would the county council expect tho Shannon borough to contribute to :hat of any other county road that might become impassable and vice versa. lit tho Shannon borough there was a bridge Ihac was required to be replaced in a couple of years. If tho Shannon borough vert to ask tho county to contribute to this it would bo laughed at, and that would be a no more unreasonable' request - than vliat; the Ilorowhenua County Council now asked tho borough to do in connection with the Munawatu bridge. The council resolved to agree to assist tho Shannon Dairy Company—half of the cost up to a limit of £lO 10s —: n paying for expert advice with a view to getting the Ilorowhenua County Council to move in the matter. The Main Highways Board wrote regard ing tho eouncil’6 suggestion that a fool suspension bridge be erected across the present gap at the Shannon-Foxton bridge and asking if the council would contribute towards the cost of such a suspension bridge and to what extent. It was mentioned that tho mills wei:*

prepared to give the wire rone for a suspension bridge and it was resolved that the: proprietors of the YVhitaunui and Poplur mills be written to and asked if they would give the wire rope for a temporary suspension bridge to connect the standing part of tho bridge with the bank and, if a favourable reply is received, to write the Highways Board and inform it. LIGHTING TIIE DOMAIN. Messrs Murray, Blackwood, Movnihan and 11. Hardie waited on tho council from the Football Club and placed a proposal for lighting the domain with electricity, The idea was to promote sport and to make the domain as attractive as possible. It would bo a groat acquisition to tho publio of Shannon. The olub hail done a oertain amount of work that had not been a burden on the council. The local club hod 60 players and no gymnasium. The domain, if lighted, would not be only for the Football Club’s use as in tho sum mo r months it could bo used for evening eports, the children’s paddling pool also being lit up. The estimted cost for six lamps was £43 7s 6d and the cost to run. was from lOd to Is per hour. The deputation suggested that the Borough Council and Domain Carnival Committee share equally in the cost of material and that the Football Club find all labour for the erection of the poles and wiring, the work to oe carried out to the satisfaction of the. Power Board. Tho matter was left over until (lie domain executive meets this week. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Palmerston North Hospital Board, enclosing statement of '.receipts and payments for the financial year 1925-26. A small reduction in the mainteiiimoo levy is made for this year. Tho board pointed out that the number of patients under treatment was rapidly increasing t.nd it was with difficulty that any reduction in the, cost of maintenance could be made.—Received.

From A. E. Hyde, .stating that the Btrect in Newtown, running down the hill and butting on to tho council’s paddock, meant at present a long and difficult climb for pedestrians living there. It was intended to build in that street shortly and the writer asked that, for the benefit of present and future residents, the council use about six feet of its paddock, winning from Julian street to the one mentioned to form a path, thus connecting the t.'vo streets. Ho was prepared to pay half l;ha cost of the work and no doubt other roddents would assist—Referred to tho raid committee to inspect and report. From tho Minister of Public Works advising that, in tho matter of train, highways running through cities and boron glm;, assistance should in certain cases be granted. The Minister forwarded a statement setting forth the board’s proposals.—Received. LIBRARY REPORT. The library committee reported :—We find the shelf space very congested, much of the shelving being taken up, however, with obsolete and damaged volumes. We suggest that the librarian be instructed no sort out all useless books and that tliwio be disposed of for what they will bring: and tho proceeds expended on new book?; also a lot of books have cheap binding, This is a great mistake as they soon be come damaged by frequent handling. Ir. future only books of good binding should be purchased. We suggest a redu.-lion in the subscriptions and that an effort be made to increase the membership.— Adopted. It was reported that papers were being taken off the files in the library and the town clerk said the matter had bjen referred to the police. RESERVES AND CEMETERY. The auditor’s report rend: The main path at the cemetery is to bo finished in concrete to the mortuary chapel ; also one path is to be laid down in concrete from the Catholic to the Presbyterian plots, a distance of 5A chains. The estimated cost, is £3O. Tho chapel is to be cleaned up and put in a good sanitary condition. A new fence in to be erected round the domain, a distance of 36 chains. The present feneo is past repair and we would not bo in favour of any of tho old fence being used. Tho estimated cost is £7O; the cost of removing the present fence is extr&.--Adopted, and the reserves report

helil over until the domain carnival execulive has met. ROAD COMMITTEE. Or Sioencer, chairn: an of the road comn ictee, said that greater efficiency was niieiwi in dealing vhth the roads. At present it seemed just a series of patching work was done arid tho roads required treating with more modern methods. Some spina did, fins mola.l was being put in the pot noi mi at present, having great binding qualities. He would like in the very near future i.o deal wi:h poitions of roadsides with a view to giving the town a bettei appearance. They required totara for tho culreits and tops to go on nine or more colors to valve pits. He had instructed the boron s,li foreman not. to throw the spoil from the water channels on to the Hide of tho roads, fcut to fill up hollows whin it. It was always advisable to have plenty of metal on band, lie suggested that the cost, of metal per truck delivered at Shannon be obtained. One of the borough horsei was in a bad state and •unlit for use in the borough. Some of the enter pipes crossing the water channels should oe bent to pass un’der the channels. Pegu should be obtained to mark tho position. oi fire plugs. Attention was also drawn, to the scouring of water pipes; say once a month. Cr Spencer moved, seconded by Cr Ricliii.rtlflOii, that a road grader be purAnise d for the. price of £65 on condition ilui.T, a trial was given and the council was satisfied.—Carried. , Cr Hook said that, as the council had resolved to purchase a grader, it was also necensary to purchase a stone crusher to work in with the grader, as the metal in the etreanr. was no; suitable for street work. The matter was left over till a later meeting. GENERAL. It, was oHiolved that the road commit,toe have the gates, at th© rubbish depot put ir. order. Cr Curran said that, now they had the water laid oil something should, be dono to get rid of the overflow. The outlets of the drains were blocked. Cr Butt moved that the building committee bring down a report at next ineeiing .for new municipal buildings.— Cariied, Cr Thwaites said that it be left in the .nunc a of Cr Spencer to have sign boards erected intimating the stock routes Clirr ed.

Cr, Th'ivaitcs moved that the water committee inspect the pipes, from the recervoir to tho handworks, as a certain portion :f tho pipes in subject to damage in u flood; the eommitteo to bring down a -eport of what; work is necessary.—Carried. It was resolved that Cr. Butt be udded ;o the road and sanitation committee.

The- Mayor movod: Tha Cr. Butt be appoint :si cleputy-Mayor.—Carried. On behalf of the Plunket nurse committee, Cr. Thwaites asked for the temporary use of two rooms on one day a week, and it was resolved that tho request he granted, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made with the custodian. Cr. !Dov>nes referred to wandering stock increasing in numbers on the roads, and the taager is to be notified to keep the roads clear turd impound all stock found thereon.

The estimates for the year were approved, and the rates, namely, general j.{d in the £l, hospital rate £d, sanitary c.hara-e 6d per week and water rate Id in (lit £l, were struck.

Accounts totalling £1425 were passed for payment.