NELSON CITY COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 21 August 1920, Page 5

NELSON CITY COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the Nelson City Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr W. W.-vSnodgrass), Crs J. A. Stringer, W. C. Harley, T. Pettit, R. Watson, T. S. Edward, J. W. Marns, F. Plum and W. Surrell.

ACCOUNTS

CORRESPONDENCE

Following correspondence was dealt with:— From Public Works Deartment, Wellington, notifying that portion of Grove street has already been exempted from the provisions of the Public Works Act. —Referred to Committee for a report as to street exemptions generally. From a motor firm, offering to quote prices for vehicles. —Filed for reference From Mr Jas. Corby, Harper street complaining of the amount of his gas bill for last month. —Referred to Committee From Mr N. W. Webb, ashing permission to remove few loads of clay from Van Dieman street.—Granted. From Clerk, Takaka County Council, expressing willingness to bear share of cost of initial report re the hydro-electric scheme. From Clerk, Collingwood County Council, notifying that decision to contribute towards the cost of the hydro-electric scheme was held over pending a conference with the Takaka County Council. From Chairman, Methodist Church Trustees, asking permission to erect an addition to Sunday School in wood instead of brick. —Granted. From the Manager, Golden Bay Cement Works, accepting Council offer to exchange cement for an equivalent value of tar. From secretary, Harbour Board, thanking Council for Engineer’s report re improved system of lighting the wharves, and asking if the Council would carry out the work. It was also asked if alternative estimates be given for metalling, blinding and roiling the approach to the wharves. From Mr J. W. Bennett, as to condition of roadway at Eaner Glyn.— Referred to Committee. From Mr H. R. Duncan, thanking the Council for intended improvements at Botanical Reserve. From Mr H. W. Thompson, as to alleged nuisance caused by removal of nightsoil at Tahuna.— No action taken, matter being outside jurisdiction of the Council. From .Mr F. W. Fairey, withdrawing notice to vacate paddock at Abattoir. —Granted. From secretary, Plunket Society, requesting permission to place Plunket literature on table in Women’s Rest Room.-—Consideration deferred.

From Mr A. Pawson, as to condition of Parere street. —Deferred till Committee’s report considered. From Mr J. Sadler, Council employee, complaining that his wages were stopped for the three days he was absent through sickness. —Mr H. Constable, Caretaker, Queen’s Gardens, also wrote in connection with the stoppage of his wages the days he ivas off through sickness.—(An .attached memo, by the City Engineer stated that the letters were written at his request, and that the wages had been stopped in accordance with clause, s of the agreement) .—Referred I tc Committee. The Eltham Borough Council .askled the Council’s co-operation in a resolution that provision be made in the Municipal Corporations Act now before Parliament for all funds being placed in the District Fund, thus ensuring interest being paid on actual amount owing to the banks. Referred to Committee. . From Mr J. H. Walker, asking for permission to put concrete kerb and woven wire fence in front of his property, Bronte street. —Granted. From Miss A. A. Oldham, drawing attention to the state of Shakespeare Walk near Hardy street BridgeReferred to Committee.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT The Committee of the whole Coun•cil reported, inter alia: —On letter from Mr M. S. Smith, requesting to bo allowed a larger gas service for engine: (a) That the Council will en-

deavour to comply .with the request las soon as possible, but is at present unable to do so owing to inability to procure pipes'; (b) that some 3in. gas iand water pipes and some necessary I smaller pipes be ordered from Home, j cost approximately £looo.—On letter from Major Robinson, re war trophies : That Major Robinson’s explenation is satisfactory.—On letter from Caretaker, Sands Reserve, as to allegations with regard to cattle trespass : (a) That the Caretaker’s explanation be accepted ; (b) that the matter of erecting horse posts be referred to the City Engineer.—On letter from Messrs Rout and Milner, requesting remission of 10 per cent, penalty: (a) That the remission be granted ; (b) that ratepayers be iu!formed that rates must be paid at the Town Clerk’s Office and that the collector will not call for same.—On letter from secretary, Diocesan Trust, requesting the laying out of land in the Cemetery for Church of England fburials: Consideration to next meeting, tiie City Engineer to report.—On letter from Fire Brigade as to overcrowding at theatres: Consideration deferred.. —On letter from Mr W. F. Pcilew, requesting to be allowed to cut grass in Victory Square That the application be granted on usual terms. —As to Cattle Market ißeserve; That Mr Chamberlain’s attention be called to the fact that he 'is not complying with the terms of his lease, and that he be asked to immediately comply with same. —As to improvements, Parerc street; That until the dispute between the property owners as to the watercourse is settled no action be taken. (Hr Pawson to be notified). —As to Inspector of Nuisances Report, re depositing rubbish on waste lands ; That the Inspector be instructed to take notion where necessary. —On letter from secretary, Harbour Board, requesting the Council to carry out gas extension work on the wharf: That the Board he recommended to call for tenders for the work and that the City Engineer he allowed to supervise the carrying out of same. Adopted.

KIN G I .NECK'S K EEORT. The City Engineer (Air. J. G. Littlejohn) reported Streets and Footways : The grader has been at work all the fortnight, other work being suspended, as advised. The machine has been used wherever it could be profitably employed. The work should be completed about the end of tho week. The spoil, w|iere suitable for top-dressing and other purposes on the reserves, has been stacked at the tip. —Drainage: The cast-iron mains are again giving trouble, but the sewers are all clear. The late rains flooded the whole system, necessitating the running of both engines for several days. —Places of Public Recreation; The trees by Mr Jackson and those obtained for the Reservoir- have been planted. A few have been put in at Han by Park. —Miscellaneous: The morgue has been thoroughly overhauled, but requires painting outside. Seventeen building permits tor woi'ka valued at £1,715 12s have been

at the Cemetery, and find the main path much in need of gravel. _ With tho summer coming on, there is perhaps no urgency about a complete coat of gravel, but one or two places should be attended t° at once. The watertable on the main path from the gate to the Mortuary Chapel is badly washed out, allowing the batters to slip. Also on the path along the edge of the bank overlooking the Wakapuaka Hoad the gutter has become so deep as to be dangerous. The simplest wav to deal with these watertables would be to fill them with gravel, and then give them a liberal dressing of tar. The cost would be about J4 (.

REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES.

The Inspector of Nuisances re*ported Forty-live inspections have been made; most of the places are an good order. I beg to bring mnder your notice the present condition _of some of the small sections in the city where horses are allowed to stand and feed for weeks together, and more especially at the week ends, little attention being paid to remove’ the manure or other offensive matter that accumulates. Often in wet weather _ the around becomes water-logged, the offensive matter is often deposited on the footpath and water tables; the remainder is not cleared away as it should be, and the flies that breed in the manure become a pest and annoyance to the residents in the immediate vicinity. I have interviewed \ the owners, and the result is practically worthless. ABATTOIR REPORT. , . The Abattoir Manager reported that during the fortnight there were sluaghtered 83 cattle, 2 calves, 743 sheep, 15 pigs. Total 841. One sheep was condemned.

£ s. d. General Account 113 1.) 7 Gas Account 901 4 2 Water Acnoui < 148 14 7 Abattoir Account 61 3 0 Cemeteries Account 3 10 7 Hospital & Charitable Aid 268 0 0 Total £1801 11 11 The Mayor rernarkec that £600 of the gas payments was for coal BAjS’K balances Dr. Cr. £ s. d. £ S. d. Gen. Ac. .28,465 4 10 Water Ac. 1499 16 11 Gas Ac. 157S 13 9 Interest Ac. 1899 17 G Abattoir Ac. 195 19 10 H. & C. Aid 460 18 11 Temp. Loan Ac. 31115 0 0 Balance Dr. 93 18 3 £32,904 15 0 32,904 15 0 Cr. £ s. d. Abattoir Renewal Loan Debenture Ac. 300 6 0 Cemeteries (Trust Ac.) 66 12 0 Contractors’ Deposits Ac. 11 0 0 Trafalgar Park Ac. 45 13 9 £ s. d. Amount owing to Bank on Overdraft 93 18 3 Amount owing on Ternporary Loan 31,11 5 P 0 £31,208 18 3 £ s. dAmount of Overdraft at present allowed by Bank 8216 0 0 Present Statutory limit of Overdraft & Tomporary Loan 39,331 0 0