OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

North Otago Times, Issue 13236, 6 March 1915, Page 6

OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. » ~~" A special meeting of tho Council was held last night when there wcro prohcnt, his Woiship tlic Mayor (Mr IV.'II. x Fiitlf) aud Crs Q. L. Gionfcll," R. Irelaud, J. M. Forrester, I<\ TV. Ongley, A. Claike, and J. Mitchell. Or Clarke moved, and Cr Ireland .seconded: "That the joll, ils prepared by the Town Cloik, bo neeqplcd as correct and signed by the Mayor and Crs. Ongloy.ami Mitchell."-" '■■ ' The Mayor explained that tho names of all those who failed to'vote at last election had been deleted from tho rbil, but could bo re-instated'on application to the Town Clerk.' Tho motion '"was earned. •''"'' ORDINARY-MEETING. • The ordinary inectiug.of the, Council was held at the conclusion of the special meeting, when tho same councillors were present, with the addition of Crs. A. .1. Grave and R. Milligan. Inward correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: ( , The secretary of the, Oamaru IIar : hour Board wrote stating that tho, Board had decided to accept tho offer of the Council to supply water at £SO per annum, in prefcrcuco to installing a meter and paying 2/- per 1000 gallons.—Received. 11. Parker wrote withdrawing his application for permission to build a cow shed.—Received. The Minister of Railways (lion. TV. 11. Hcrries) wrote stating that ho was asking for a Departmental report, fo the Council's letter with reference to Isis Street, respecting the amended proposal submitted by tho Council.— Received. i The lion, secretary (Mr Ivan Patterson) of tho Oamaru Amateur Swimming Olub,*wrofe applying for the uso'Of the Baths on t'ho evening'of'Monday,'lstli March, for the purpose- of holding- a'uelectric light carnival.—Granted. "11. Ilayward' (New Zealand Picture Supplies Company, Ltd.) wrote acknowledging receipt of Council's letter re lease of the vacant dates of tho Opera House, and stating that he would communicate with the Council on return of his partners, Messrs John Fuller and Ed. Right-on, who were in Australia—Received. Wailaki County Clerk (Mr G. A. Travis) wrote stating that, in reply to the request of the Council, he was instructed lo say his Council would be glad to assist in any movement to obtain th-3 services of a geologist to make a geological survey of the district, but that tlio answer must uot "biud the "Waitaki County Council to any fiuancial obligations.—Received. TV. 11. Hoggs, Deputy Superintendent of Workers' Dwellings (Department.of Labour), wrote re water supply to the workers' dwellings settlement at Oamaru, stating that as the contracts liad been signed, the .'Department would be glad if the Council would arrango to have water laid on to serve the dwellings. He further stated that the Department's, contribution towards the cost would be £IOO, and asked that, as the | contractors will bo requiring tho water for drain and hot water testing, tho work be proceeded with without delay. —Received, the engineer to be instructed to carry out the work, N. Meldrum, secretary of North School Committee, wrote renewing.. the Committee's application to have the south side of Exc Street asphalted, pointing out the amount of traffic by the school children, and thai, as winter was approaching, the footpath would be very dirty unless the request was complied with. ■ j Cr. Ireland moved and Cr. Ongley | seconded that the Education Board and , property owners be written to asking I them .to pay proportion 'of cost,— Carried, J. E. Fox applied for permission to ! lay drain to carry storm-water from I section 2, block 48, on to North Street. -Referred to Works Committee for inquiry and report, Secretary (Mr E. Piper), Oamaru Fire Board, wrote drawing attention lo the fact that nothing had been done with regard-lo (lie hydrant at Mcclc's mill, nor the- marking of lire indicators in Thames Sheet, and requesting the Council's early attention,—Engineer re- I quested, if necessary, lo put more men on to do the work. Secretary, Fire Board, also wrole as follows: "1 am instructed by my Board to '■all the attention of your Council to the necessity for providing proper fire escapes in all hotels or boarding houses, with a view to minimising the risk lo lift in case of lire. To refer to Ilie most rccout and striking cases—tho Star and Garter was so badly provided in this respect, that iu the opinion of experts who have visited the scene of the lire, it was only by a scr- « ies of fortunate accidents that there i was no loss of life. Had there been •■ many boarders at the time in tho east j wing of the upstairs flat, their cscapo j would have been entirely cut off, as (here was no propor means of exit J from that portion of the buildiug. I | am to refer the Council to section 200 J of "The Municipal Corporations Act, j 1008," where ample powers aro given j lo deal with this matter, and very 1 heavy penalties provided for not car- • J rying out the Council's regulations, I and my Board hope tho Council will j give it their serious eoiisilcdation and ! either frame a by-law to meet tho eir- | eunistanccSj or if one is already in ex- ! istcpee, endeavour to have its ' pro- | ivisions strictly observed," I Received, and referred to By-laws j Committee for report and recommendI alion. | .1. G. McKenzie, curator of tho Mun- | icipal Gardens, forwarded a report | with reference to planting trees in Rel serve F, estimating the cost of carryj ing out the work at £2JS, viz;—Fcucj ing 1100, planting 19,266 trees, £145. I He also forwarded a rough sketch of 1 the reserve, illustrating the mode of | planting recommended.—Sent to tho {Reserves Committee for report. F. W. Humphries (hon. secretary North Otago Golf Club) wrote that the terms of the Council with regard Ito the part of reserve known as the J golf links, could not be accepted. He I pointed out' that the offer of £SO an- | nually by the Club was more than the | Council' had received in the past, and | lhat it wonld be an assured revenue. I He hoped the Council would agree to i the offer, the Club agreeing to allow • a fair number of cows to graze-on tho ! properly at the samo rate as paid at , present.—Referred to Reserves Com- ] ihillco. ) J. M. Forrester wrote applying, on I behalf of the Union Bank, for pcrmisi won to lay a new din ■ drain to Tyno i street sewer.—Permission granted, j under usual conditions. N j■- .1. M. Forrester wrote notifying that Mrs Taylor had agreed to take a supply i of water at terms mentioned by Coun« | cil, and asking that thosorvicc connec- ! tion be made at once—Received. ■j Robert Brims replied to tho Coonj nil's request that ho put his fences in 1 order, and stated that other people's I fences were not as good as his, cspccl- ' ally those of the Corporation. Ho • stated that the Council was to pay him ■ for puttiug up the fence on. the south' i side, but that ho had not received any ■\ payment, so far, and he wanted the ac- ;] count settled at once.—Letter sent to .» Reserves Committee, with power to ,; jj act.

[ Manager of the Porpetual Trustees " Estate and Agency Oompauy, Dunodin, wroth" enquiring, if 'tl|o ' Corporation would content to tho ro-instatoment of tho Star ami palter -buildings if tho s Insurance Company decided.to do ho.— >■ Resolved that a reply bo soul that the '. information as contained iu applicant's !■ letter was too meagre, aud that a copy .. of the Borough by-laws bo font aided with the reply. 1 H. P:S. Hamilton, sccictary of Oam--1 ant Gaidon .Fete Committee, wioto ro • a toboggan for the Fete, hinting . that ll had been suggested by his committee that it be made h'permanent s structure,' costing''about £25. 110 oft forcd, I 'oii behalf of' tho 'committee, to , contribute £lO, towards the cost, point--1 ing out tliatits erection would increase i the attractions of, tho children's playground/ especially 'when pcoplo from Other towiiH visited the gardens. Ho intimated'.that the. work would be I erected "in four sections and could be I taken down ami erected at any time. ' —Referred to, the Reserves Committee ■ for favourable consideration, with power to act. i '-J.'G. McKenzie reported that tho / fernery buildiug was now completed, ■ and asked to be instructed if lie was ) to proceed wjth the fittings by get- ' ting the necessary rocks and forns. Ho I stated thai tho gas ring had been a [- great convenience- to visitors, and siig- ■ gested that two nioro rings be fitted lip alongside the present one—Re- • e'eived; the curator to be authorised to ' proceed with the fernery work, and gas 'burners to be procured. , *Thc' District Secretary of the i A.M.F. Society,requested, on behalf of i owners in Tecs street, between Itchen i and Wausbeek streets, and those in the ! vicinity;-' Council to lay a sewer in ■ Tecs street in order that coniinuiiicatipuH might be made with the, various properties on either side. He pointed ; out that connections would t be made by nearly every householder, thus reimbursing Council for initial expend- - itiiro, and stated it was impossible under the present condition to in- > stal proper sanitary conveniences—The Engineer to furnish a written report to the Council ou the matter. 'N. Neill submitted an application for sanitary contract for next twelve months, and asked for a slight increase on the fortnightly service, as horse feed was much dearer than hitherto-' Referred to Works' Committee for report. Wright, Stephenson, and Coy, Ltd., wroto submitting alternative plans of motor garage to be erected.—Referred to tho Works Committee for report. COMMITTEE'SREPORTS. Finance Committee.—Recommended for. payment accounts amounting to £454 2/1. Town account £167 2/9, gardens £l7 17/-, reserves £lO 1/0, gas £72 11/7, abattoirs £llß/-, lampligjiting £l3 1/0, sanitary £6B 3/-, baths £6 8/G, Water account £SO 10/10, race exten- ■ -aron-£37-18/11,-sundries .£fi 8/0.Adoptcd. By-Laws Committee.—Recommended that the Engineer instruct the Inspector, of Nuisances to take .legal proceed; ings iu every case against all persons commencing to build prtor to making application for the Council's consent. — Approved; (2) That enquiries arc being made from the Timaru aud Wainiatc Councils as to their prohibiting the issue, of licenses to drivers.of Oamaru owned vehicles on race and other similar days.—Approved. Works Reserves Committee reported: The Tommittec cannot recommend the granting of Mr D. Sinclair's application for permission to erect a building •in wood and iron on Lot ■*!, Railway Reserve.—Resolved thai Council cannot grant application; l (2). The caretaker of the Baths has been granted a week's holiday on the same conditions as last . year.-i-Approved; (3), Recommended lluit the 'Beautifying Society lie allowed to plant trees in Wharfe Street provided that they are placed 4ft from the kerb and X'Jfl'apart and subject lo a plan being submitted and passed by committee—Adopted; (<l) Recommend- i ing that the Beautifying Society be asked to supply further particulars and plans of proposed planting iu Hiiinber, Reed and Tecs Streets.—Approved, (fi) Recommending the erection of a morgue on part Reserve, Block 05, Severn Street.—Received; (fi)---That Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. 's application was referred back to them to forward plan of proposed building ami situation on the property.—Approved. (7) Recommending that the kerbing and channelling in Dee Street as requested by Messrs Cross 1 and Smith be carried out—Approved; (8) That the Engineer lias been instructed to measure the quantity of spoil that has been carted from the Corporation quarry by Mr .1. Pheloung, and recommending that payment bo made'for any quantity of oyer 1000 yards.—Approved. F. Maude applied for permission, to erect a garage in stone and iron on section 12, block 25, Severn Stioct. — Received, applicant; to furnish a plan tehowing elevation and position of proposed building. ——i . . ■■■

The Mayor reported ro King ffcorgc's« Park coiiieroncc, to" tho offect that'tho Park CommUlco had handed over all their monies to tho Council; the Council 1 , to tako contiol of Iho Park.—Received. It was resolved that tho gardener be given authority tp i top dross tho torraces at King Gcorgcfs Paik at an estimated cost (including sowing) of £35. It was decided thut tho Works Committee, with the engineer and gaidenor, mark oil the site whoro the steps aie lo bo plnccil in the Paik, and that the Works Coininittco furnish a plan of Iho proposed steps, with the-assistance of Cr. Forrester nnd tho gardener. Cr. Milligan moved the motion standing in his name: "That all previous motions ro tho sito of tho morgue be rescinded." Cr Ireland seconded and the motion was carried. Cr. Milligau moved and Cr. Ireland, seconded, that the recommendation of. the Works Committee to erect a morgue on part Reserve, Block .05,' Severn Street, bo agreed to. Cr. Mitchell objected on the ground that a building,of the nattifo of a. morgue was not desirable near a place of amusement. ■ , Cr. Forrester agreed with Cr. Mil' c'hcll, as that quarter in question,was rapidly becoming a promenade of tho public, Cr. Grave had no objection lo the, site chosen, but thought the building should bo put back some distance from the street.- '•..,. Tho Mayor then put the motion, which he declared carried. : Cr. Mitchell called for a ' division which was taken:—For the motion,-Crs. Ireland, Gravo, Ongley, and Milligan. Against, Crs Grciifcll, Forrester aiidMitchell. Cr. Grave -moved that the Works' Committee report on proposed position on (he sile chosen of-the morgue.— ■' Seconded by Cr, Milligan and carried; It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to provide an estimate or the cost of putting an invert in Hie present creek bed through block L's. ■ Cr. Milligan brought up the natter of (he stalls seating accommodation in the Opera House. Funds were'available, and as the present chairs were" \t,tf uncomfortable, ho'thought something ought to be done, Ho 'moved Hint the Town Hall Committee obtain an cmimule of the cost of belter seating accommodation—Seconded by Cr, Mitchell iimf carried. Cr. I .'eland brought up the question of Ihe drainage of Severn' Street, au<l suggested that the engineer cut channels through the grass plots to lake drainage water away. The matter was held over (or consideration. The Engineer reported as follows:--I have to report on the various works done during the month of February as .follows:—Laying larger water mains iu Mersey Street between Amu Street and Test Street. Extending (he waler mains in South Oamaru to Mr-.-ws Franklin and Christie's properties, a distance of sixteen chains, and in iMcssn Smart and Kccles' properties i, l Roxb\ Street, South Oamaiu, :i distance (of six and a-half chains. Thames Street, from Coquet to Ribble'Stre:ls has got Hie second coal of tar and sand and I hi' mclnlliiij; of Reed Street had been cuiriiplelcd from Ouse Street to past Torridge Street. The kerbing and channelling on' the west side of Thames Sired lias now been completed lo North Street and we are now engaged laying down the I'liidiiielliiig on the east side and also running the stone crusher anl metallic.!; the remainder of Reed Street, Tho following building permits have been granted during Hie month:—K. \V. I lien fell, offices on section Hi, block L\*>, Severn Street; James Craig and Coy., motor garage, on section .'!. Block L'o, Waiisb-x'k Street; Thomas Harris ami Son, bay window on section (i, block 10, .Exc Street. The number of day men employed are 17 day inen'iiud'L'.clulers, with !' hired learns." The leporl wiis adopted.