OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10903, 21 October 1911, Page 2

OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Mayor (Dr K. M'Adam), presided at the meeting of the Oamaiu Borough Couiici! List night. Also present: Counoillor.s Snaddcn, Clark, Yernor, Grave, Searle, Ire-land, Paterson. and Watson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence approved. Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows: Councillor Mitchell applied for leave of absence, and asked that his notice of motion re Young Men's Institute stand over-until next meeting. Leave- of absence was granted to Councillors Mitchell and Councillor Searle moved: "That nil

previous resolutions in connection with the providing of a site for the proposed Young Men's Institute be and are hereby rescinded, and that the Committee of the proposed Institute be so informed."—This was agreed to, aud power was granted to the Ambulance Brigade alone to proceed with their building. E. Grav e applied for rebate in rates on store in Tyne street, unoccupied for past sis months.—Granted. The Minister for Lands wrote with legard to Tyne street reserve on the question oi chargiug for admittance, that he was very much afraid that.the present session was now too far advanced for the bringing down of special legislation. "However," said the Minister, "it is really a matter for the consideration of your Council, after consultation with tlio representatives of your district (the Hon. T. Y; Duncan,, the Hon. G. Jones, and the Sir H. -T. Miller). If you find that special legislation is impracticable this session, the Government will he only too glad to facilitate the passing: of the necessary legislation at the earliest opportunity.'" Councillor Grave taid that, with regard to Tyne street Gardens, there seemed to he difficulties as to'-title. and these difficulties seemed to be causing t block in the proceedings with the Coronation memorial scheme. TJnlfess the pavilion was erected before the end of the year the Government subsidy would he lost. It would be a pity if Oamaru lost the subsidy. It was the intention to beautify the Gardens with gates, etc., and tlie speaker understood that practically the amount required was in iight, and possibly the Government subsidy might be applied for a rotunda. ]f the pavilion was not to be-built this year. He thought a letter should be sent to the promoters of the scheme, and that they be asked to state definitely if they are proceeding to erect the -pavilion before the end of the year to obtain the subsidy, and in the event of the reply being unsatisfactory, that the Town Clerk be instructed to communicate with Wellington, and find out if there is any objection to a new scheme being substituted. He moved in that direction. Councillor Searle seconded, say;ng that there was the 'possibility of losing the subsidy, and a band rotunda would be better than nothing. The Mayor agreed with the first por-

tion of tlys motion, namely to write to the Committee as to whether thev were going on with the scheme; hut it seemed to Irim rather rude "to say that the Council was proing to do something else, before receiving a reply. ; After further discussion. Councillor Grave amended his motion in accordance with the Mayor's suggestion, the Committee to be asked for an immediate reply, and the full Council to consider the matter when a reply is received. Councillor Searl e seconded the motion. which was carried. The Department of Agriculture wrote drawing attention to govse growing along the water race, here and ther?, from Borton's to Ardgowan, and asking the Council's attention to the matter, as it was getting worse every year, and, if allowed to keep seeding, will menace the entire length of the race. —Referred to Mr Fraser to report to Waterworks Committee. „ Messrs N. P. S. Familton, W. C. Hendry, and Peter Jackson, residents of lire street, requested the Council to' form arid coat with screenings the footpath adjoining their residences. —Referred to Works Committee for report. Penelope Tempero and W. H. Frith applied for rebate of rates on properties unoccupied for six months. — Granted. J. D. Bisset wrote, re. proposed sewerage connexion to his property, Usk street, that he was agreeable to connect to Thames street sewer on all the Council's conditions except giving the. Council the right to connect 'to sewer on Mr Bisset's property, which he thought unreasonable. He asked for the connection as soon as possible if granted on these conditions.—Referred liack to Works Committee for further report. . The secretary Oamaru Tennis Club called attention to the defective nature of the drain fronting the Club's premises in France street, which was a source of annoyance and expense to the Club for two years past, being choked and blocked, and water and sewage forced hack up the Club's drainage outlet and on to the courts. The letter said that the drain was two small, originally intended to drain a small area, and now that the street is thickly populated it is inadequate. The Mayor said this was a quite legitimate complaint. The Engineer said the drain was inadequate even when first put in, and the drain had 110 fall. Referred to the Works Committee iff report. The Chief Postmaster wrote calling attention to the necessity for a thorough overhaul of the town, clock, "which has been for some time past unreliable both in 'time' and 'chiming,'" causing inconvenience to the citizens and the travelling public. The writer understood that the mechanism had never been lihoroughly cleaned since its installation in 1903, and asked for attentiqn in the nest few days. A report from Mr J. E. Hood, jeweller, confirmed that the clock required repairs. Mr Hood to he instructed to proceed, witii the necessary overhauling, 'the cost of which will be about £5."

St. Paul's Young Men's Cricket__Club asked for permission to use the cricket pitch on west side of Takaro Park*for season 1911-12—Granted.

,T. and H. Caider applied for a household water supply to their property on section 6, Floraville Township.—Referred to Waterworks Committee: Oamaru Amateur Swimming Club applied for the use of tlip municipal baths for the season 1911-12 on ~ same terms as formerly, and asked when the baths would be available. —Granted.

—Committee's Reports.— Finance.—Recommending for ment accounts amounting to £373 4s 3d. —Adopted. Waterworks. —(1) The race inspector has been notified to cut the gum "trees at Awamoko, and that Sir Brewster's ofter to cart fencing material, etc., free, has been accepted.—Adopted., (2) Thais Mr J. Swindley's appliaction for an exira i-inch service to section 2, block 4, has been granted. As the water in this case is to be used partly' f6r motive' purposes, the Committee'., recommends. that, a charge of £1 per annum be made in this and' all similar cases. — Adopted. (3) "Defective troughs," recommending that the consumers mentioned in the inspectors' report be informed that proper watertight troughs with effective ball cocks must be provided, otherwise the supplies will be discontinued. —Adopted. (4) The Engineer has been instructed to report to 'the' Council on Mr G. S. Owen's application for the extension of ffte main along Beach street. —Referred to Waterworks Committee. Works and Reserves. —(11 That the h:l;hs will be opened on Wednesday, Ist November, the caretaker to assume his duties on 20th October. (2) The Committee cannot recommend the Council to grant a rebate of any portion of ilr Huff's rent. (3) That 'the clearing of Mie drains at the foot of Greta and Till .streets has been referred to the Engineer for attention. (4) The j'Jngineer has been instructed to report to the Council on the drain running through France's block. —Adopted. A building permit was applied for T>v .Michael Dnchertv for the erection of a wood and iron building in Yare street, and was granted.