OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10042, 9 January 1909, Page 4

OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The -fortnightly meeting of' the above, held last evening, "was" attended by his Worship the Mayor (Mr B. Milhgan), Cotmciliora Snadden, Clarke, M'Adam) Keys, Mitchell, Frith, Miller; Brown. Taylor, and Jennings. A letter of apology for absence was received from / Councillor Grave.—Leave granted. Minutes of previous meeting were confirmed aad outward correspondence approved. Mr T. Qinrrmgham, abattoirs manager, reported that daring the -month of . December, 1908, there were slaughtered 117 cattle, 1037 sheep and lambs, 2 pigs, and 4 calves, of which. 1 bullock and 5 sheep were condemned as unfit for human, food and cast into the digester.—Report received. The Oamaru Fire Board (per Mr E. Piper, secretary) applied for permission to place indicators opposite all fire plugs, in order to facilitate finding of same by night or by day.—Permission granted. The Fire Board also drew attention to the similarity existing between the boxes and covers teed for the fire hydrants and private-water supply respectively, and suggested that in order to do away with the similarity the boxes and covers for (private supply ehonld be made oblong in shape, say, lOin x 6in., and the cover have cast an it diamondshaped projections.—Letter received. After discussion it was agreed that a reply be sent that in view of the Council's decision to allow of the position of the fire plugs to be marked by indicators, it was thought advisable not to alter the boxes and covers until it. was "seen whether this arrangement would meet the difficulty. With reference to the effort being made by .the Council to prevent the exploitation of the public by theatrical companies using the Opera House, the Town Clerk of Palmerston forwarded copy of opinion received by his Counoil from Mr T. F. Martin, to the effect that the circumstances couH only be met by inserting a clause in each agreement under which the Council lets tire Opera House.—Referred to the Town Sail Committee for report* The Town Clerk of Ihvercargill wrote assuring the Council of the Invercargill Borough Council's sympathy in the proposal that companies -using the theatre should be compelled to strictly adhere to advertised charges for admission. —Received. The District Engineer of Railways wrote that the destruction of Canadian thistle growing on railway property within the borough would be attended to. —Received. Messrs Jasper Nieoiis and Hebcr Newto;i jointly wrote that the statement contained in a letter from the Town Clerk, that recent inspections have shown that no shortage of water now exists at- tho highest point of the service with which they were connected, was inexplicable, except on the assumption that the inspections were mode when it was raining or at some other tame when little or no water was being used on the lower levels. That there was a shortage of water in times of drought was admitted by the Council's officers when complaint was made last year, and the only question then was how the supply could be adequately increased. The writers pointed out that the Council having ascertained that the improvement could be effected by making certain connections with a larger main, there seemed no reason why the work should not be undertaken.—Received.

Mr W. W. Besrcick, chief postmaster, wrote with reference to the Council's claim for repairs to kerbing in 1906, that he was unable to trace the Council's request in reference to any previous demand for payment. The matter was being placed before the Telegraph Engineer for final decision in the desired direction.— Received; consideration to be deferred until next meeting. k Mr John Martin, Newborough, applied for a domestic water supply m place of a trough supply.—Granted; the application to be made in jroper form. Mr W. Deem applied to lease the piece ot ground between the baths and the bowling green for grazing purposes.—Referred to the Reserves Committee with power to act-. Mr W. Sumpber asked to be favored with the Council 7 s auctioneering business for the year.—Mr Snmpter's application granted, to take effect when present arrangement expires. Mr H. Neill offered to contract for a weekly house-to-house service for the removal of house refuse. He was prepared to undertake the work at a stated sum per week and collect his own fe«e.—Re-

ferred to Worts Committee for report. Mr W. J. Beswick wrote asking what the Conncnl intended doing with reference to the footpath in Tweed Lane.—The Engineer reported that he had supplied Mr Beswick with the required information, aisd the Clerk was instructed to replyaccordingly. Mr S. Smith's offer to cut cocksfoot along the water race upwards from Peebles, paying £1 for the privilege, was accepted, subject to Mr Eraser's approval. Mr M'Murtrie's application to have his name removed from the ratepayers' roll was granted, subject to the application being made in proper form. Auctioneer's licenses were granted, to Lewis J. K. Familton, J. G. H. Sumpter, C. A. Sutton, J. M'C. S. Macarthur, J. Maitland Jonas, John Bews, A. A. Brnco Christie, A. Watson, and W. Jardine.

It was agreed that the registration fee for all dogs in the borough requiring to be registered for the year ending Ist January, 1910, be fixed at ten shillings for each dog, and that Henry Mat-bias be appointed dog registrar. The Works and the Reserves Committee reported recommending (1) that the question of purchasing the steam roller offered by Fitzgerald Bro6. be left to the Mayor and the Chairman of the Works Committee to obtain information.; (2) that the Council offer the old Council buildings at auction for removal, valuer to fix reserve; (3) that the Engineer report and give an estimate of cost of -cleaning out the race leading to Mr F. J. Chase's dam in Chefiner street ; (4) that the matter of metalling Reed street be left over until next year's estimates are being considered. —Clauses 1 and 4 were adopted. The Engineer reported an clause 3, and it was decided that the work be carried out. Clause 2 was discussed at length, and it was decided that the Engineer supply an ■estimate of the cost of removing the building wholly on to the Council's section, or as an alternative, of the removal of that portion on the railway property.—-The report, as amended, was adopted. The Waterworks Committee reported recommending (1) that the previous recommendation to connect the 2-inch mains in Aran and Towey streets be carried out; (2) that re<sent inspection having shown that no shortage of water exists at Mr Jasper Kicolls' and surrounding properties, no action be taken, but a further inspection be made daring dry weather; (3) that as cansiderabfe expense would be incurred in providing a supply of water for the Harbor Board for dredging purposes, no definite undertaking can be made -until the Board can say definitely for how long the supply would be required.—Report adopted. The Waterworks Committee further reported recommending: That in reply' to a further complaint of shortage of water made by Messrs Jasper Hicolls and H. Xewtom, the Town Clerk be instructed to reply that the Engineer was stall waiting for dry weather to enable him to make a further inspection; {2} that the Engineer be instructed to prepare a report as to the best means and probable cost of improving the hill water supply.— Report adopted. The Town Hall Committee reported recommending (1) that the following rules shall apply to managers pencilling dates for the Opera House: An address must be supplied to which communications may te sent; pencilling* to hold good for 14 day 3 if from New Zealand," or 28 days from AtatraHa; a deposit of £1 10s per night to be paid in aS cases to' secure the Opera House; {2) that the architect's estimate be acoepted for alteratio.ns to the gallery at the back of the stage, and instructions given to hav® the work done; (3) that instructions be given to have all the main projections and sills an the- front and south side of the Town Hall dressed v.ith a" coat of raw oil, and a second coat of raw oil and lead, the carrying out of the work to be left to Councillor Fnth and the Town Clerk;— Report adopted. The Finance Osmmittee reported recommending accounts for payment to the amount of £244 8s 94.—Report adopted. ! The Engineer was instructed r to report as to a suitable site for tbe_ erection of a shed for the accommodation" of the borough plant and a cart shed. It was agreed that a special meeting of the Council be held in the Council Chambers on ; Friday, 22nd January, to decide what working day in the week'shall be the statutory half-holiday. Mr R. Jj- Rule was reappointed'valuer for the borough, the valuations to be for one year* ,

. Councillor M'Adam. raised, the question of repairs to Nen street, andi it Was explained that the Engineer expected! to have the authorised work put m hand shortly. It was decided that Nen street, at its junction with Reed street, be pronerly graded. Necessary repairs to the. footpath on the west ride of Thames street were referred to the Works Committee. Permission was granted Mr J. M. Forrester to erect additions to Mr J. Se well's shop in Thames street. ~ Councillor M'Adam moved, Councillor Brown seconded, and/ifc_ was carried: — 'That- a. committee,. consisting of his Worship- the Mayor, Councillors Brown, Taylor, Frith, and r the _ mover, be set up to report upon* the best means of lessening or totally abolishing the diangers of the level railway crossings in Oamaru, especially in Severn street, in order that the railway authorities may be approached upon the matter at an early date-.'*.. The Council rose at 9.45 J>'.hL