BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12807, 3 June 1914, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present: —Mr «T. A. Nash (Mayor), Crs. Yoss, Armstrong, Crabb, Nathan, Jackso®, Broad, Bennett, Woon. CORRESPONDENCE. From Town Planning Association, asking Mayor to preside at meeting and Council to supply lantern, also to contribute £lO. The lecture will be given on June 17. —Agreed to.

Cr. Nathan said the lecture would be welcome, as they had heard of complaints in regard to buildings being erected. No doubt the position was much worse in the larger centres and if the lecture would lead to some good the money asked for would be well spent.

From Palmerston Chamber of Commerce, asking Mayor to convene public meeting to consider changing name of town.

Cr. Nathan said he opposed the movement at the Chamber and would still oppose it. The name Palmerston North was unique and he could sec no reason for any alteration. A resolution was carried that the Council cannot entertain the request. From J. Nathan and Co., asking permission to lay off a street through section ->Bl Terrace End.—Granted subject to work being carried out under usual conditions.

From W. Harris, complaining of surface water in Clifton street. —Left to Engineer. From Jorgenscn and Wesche, asking for extension of water in Union street. —Granted. From G. Watchorn, asking for variation of his lease.—Granted. From W. F. Borland, complaining of the state of Douglas and Thomson street footpaths.—Referred to Public Works Committee. From B. Walker, asking for refund of rates on unoccupied dwellings. — Granted. From Weston Avenue ratepayers, asking for fire service main to be increased to four inches.—Referred to loan proposals. From General Manager of Railways, giving names of the private citizens who interviewed him at Palmerston regarding the closing of Cook street and stating that the deputation asked for an overhead bridge or a subway suitable for vehicles. The letter pointed out that as the grade would be about 1 in 20 it was doubtful whether the bridge or the subway would be much used, as people would prefer to go round the extra distance, and that being so the cost Avould be unnecessary. The letter was held over to be dealt with at a special meeting. From E. Robinson, complaining of fiuit hawkers standing in front of his shop. Several Councillors expressed the opinion that hawkers should not be allowed to stand in front of other fruit shops. It was decided to write to Wellington Council for further information on the subject.

It was decided t lix the valuation assessor's fee at £5 5s per day. From Borough Solicitor, with opinion that Council is not liable for. River Board rates on its unleased property. It was decided to obtain a further opinion on the matter from the Municipal solicitor. From the Curator, enclosing plan of glass-house at 'Y ? (^e " cided that tenders be called for the work.

From A. P. Anders"- o ff er ing £5 for right to - ut grasß s on drive ad- •] acon * to Esplanade.— Accepted, subiect to Curator's approval. It was decided that the rates be collected this year in one instalment instead of two as at present. It was decided to call a special meeting next week to consider the estimates.

It was decided tliat the Engineer and the Inspector report on all the sanitary arrangements in the town, the report to be in by next meeting. Cr. Nathan, when discussing the j Engineer's report, stated that owners of culverts who had their culverts in a bad condition should receive notice to repair them, and that a standard culvert should be adopted. Cr. Bennett said that when they went in for substantial channelling that good kcrbing should also be put in. Cr. Crabb wanted to know whether a standard culvert could be adopted until they had a uniform depth of channel. The Engineer replied that where it was possible it could be understood that a uniform crossing would have to be put in. , The matter of renewing channels referred to by the Engineer was deferral until the loan proposals were being considered. Cr. Bennett asked whether stock drivers were allowed to drive stock a; ail early hour in the morning on other than defined stork routes. Cr. Nathan considered they should

not bo allowed to <lo so, as damage might result to trees planted by the curator, and also that cattle wandered on footpaths as well. Cr. Nathan brought under the notice of the Council the good work done by the Engineer on the side of Linton street, which was a decided advantage which might be applied to other streets. He pointed out that the grass would grow again, .and suggested the application of a weed destroyer to save the cost of taking off the grass each year.

The Mayor said the Council should take up the matter of the removal of the Palmerston gaol. The Minister, in his reply, said there were better means for employment for prisoners in Wanganui than in Palmerston. He pointed out (hat there was any quantity of employment that could be found for prisoners in Palmerston. He considered a petition should be got up in the matter.

C'r. Nathan agreed with the petition. In his mind it was simply another step in the Main Trunk work going to Wanganui. The Chamber of Commerce had moved in the matter, and he considered the town should back the matter up and have a petition circulated and forwarded to Wellington.

The suggestion was agreed to, PUBLIC WORKS.

The Public Works Committee met on May 29. The following recommendations were agreed to:— That P. McCafferty's license as a carrier and driver be cancelled.

That £3 os be given to W. Da) r , a Borough employee, who met with a misfortune which prevents him carrying on his duties for some time. The Mayor explained that the fellow workmen were contributing something towards the support of the family until he was able to resume work.

That the footway in Grey street on the east side between Albert and Terrace streets be included in the estimates and accounts sent out.

That the footways in Pirie street be re-tarred, and the outlet to Fitchett street be improved by a top-dressing of line metal.

That the footway in Ferguson street fronting the gravel pit be filled up to prevent the water lying. That the south-west side of Tramway street be provided with a footway and notices be sent to owners. That the footway in Grey street on the north-west side between Fritz and Terrace- streets be included in the estimates and accounts sent out. ENGINEER \S REPORT.

Mr 8. Jickell, Engineer, reported:—

During the month of May the following permits were issued:—New buildings 11, value £15,035, additions 3, value £lO5, total £15,200; fees received, £l9 ss; drainage permits, new connections (>, extensions 2, total 8.

In conjunction with tlic Sanitary Inspector I examined the conveniences nt one of the hotels within the Borough, and found same to be very unsatisfactory. Also I have asked the Health Ollicer to examine the conveniences, and his report is in my hands. 1 would suggest that, the owner be served with notice to improve the conditions, such improvements to be completed within thirty days from the date of the issue of such notice.

In accordance with your instru«> tions 1 have inspected the watertables and the crossing over same in twenty-six streets in the centre of the eoruufeX li ! ul tliat in cases t hfl of the- water tables are below the underside of the kerb, this being caused by the continued chipping in order to remove the grass and weeds, which if not removed would obstruct the flow and cause insanitary conditions. The crossings or culverts over these watertables have also been examined, and it is found that in the number of streets given there are 440 such crossings or culverts. Of these, 132 are in bad condition, 159 fair, and 149 good. Of the last named 43 have cast iron pipes. The greater number of these culverts have been in position for many years, and they vary in design and sectional area very considerably.

1 have gone into the question of reconstructing the whole of the watertables in cement concrete, and for that purpose have divided the town into two areas, inner and outer, the first named area being bounded on the north bv Duke and Prim-ess streets,

on the south by i'itt and Waldegrave streets, and on the east and west respectively by Ferguson and Featherston streets, and including the whole <>f the streets within such boundaries; whilst the outer area includes the whole of the streets outside of the inner area. In the inner area is contained 950 chains of watertables, and in the outer area chains.

It is proposed that the cciieret*

watertables within the inner area should be '2 feet by 4 inches in thickness. while those in the outer area

si, iuld be IS inches by •> inches

it is estimated that to complete the watertables within t :, e inner area

would cost £3700, and within the outer area £17.800, in all £21,500. At the present time the Council expends approximately £7OO a year on the upkeep of watertables, and this sum would pay interest and sinking fund < ii. say. £I3OO. It cannot be said that the present system is satisfactory, for no sonner are the watertables cleaned out than the grass and weeds begin to grow, and in a few weeks they are in as bad a state as ever. Also, it may here be said that owing to the continuous construction of new streets the cost of this particular maintenance will go on increasing year by year. I suggest that a standard crossing or culvert be adopted, as many of those at present in use are unsightly even when new.

In accordance with your instructions to repoit as to the position of linger boards giving directions as to the present stock routes I have to state that the routes are as follows: —

1. From Napier road to Fitzherbcrt. —Via cast side of Main street to Fitzroy street, thence along Fitzroy street, Ferguson street, Scandia street, Te Awe Awe street and Fitzherbcrt street. 2. From Napier rood to Saleyards. —Via Main street East to Vogel street, thence along Vogel street and Boundary road. From Fitzherbcrt to Saleyards.— Via Fitzherbcrt street, thence along Park road, Cook street, College street, Botanical road, Kairanga road, and Boundary road. In regard to the last route I suggest that it be continued along Park road to Botanical road, thereby cutting out Cook and College streets. 1 have considered the question of improving the approaches at the five railway crossings in Main street East to meet the altered condition of rail level, and lind that to fill the approaches and do the best that can be done with them will cost about £7O each, or £350 for the five crossings.

Re Coleman Place and George street footwav. The whole of the five chains in length of footway will require to be renewed, as it is too wide and the levels are incorrect. I estimate the cost at £4O, which includes the siiK- " weuunig v-* Hl|U Miss Wilson's Tea Hooms. The stonecrusher was started on May 25th, and the metal is at present being used in repairing Terrace street between Grey and Featlicrston stieets. The storm water drain in Morris street is completed, and the forming of the new footway in Grey street between Carroll and Ward streets is in hand. Also the examination of iuzherbert Bridge is being proceeded with, being now about half completed, and I hope to rep rt on same at next meeting of the Works Committee. The contracts for the annual supplies expire at the end of the present month, and I purpose culling fresh tenders.