GORE NEWS NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 36

GORE NEWS NOTES.

flTaoit One Own CobbespoctzntJ GORE, May 8. ' Prior to vacating the mayoral ""chair at iast night's council meeting, Mr D. L. 3?oppelwell, gave an interesting review of fhe work accomplished during his two rears' occupancy of the chair. When he fook office the drainage, water supply, and ilectrical extension schemes had just been commenced. The general drainage contract >ras completed" in January, 1905, and the lystem formally inaugurated on May 31. Extensions to the 'original contract had ' been carried out by the borough staff, the jotal cost of the works being £11,600. The majority of the houses in the borough on Hie lines of the drains have been connected Frith the system. ' The water supply contract was completed ander the estimate, and extensions to the plains have been made in various streets <o Ihe length of 50 chains. The number of lonsumers is growing, and the water is »f the best for general domestic use. The jost of pumping by the electrical plant is much less than was expected. The main electrical transmission line from ihe Mataura Freezing Works has been ivorking satisfactorily for 11 months. Extensions throughout the town have been more costly than expected, but the price of the light has b&en reduced by 50 per cent. Meters to the value of £250 have been put in in all cases, thus preventing the wastage of light inseparable from the yearly contract system. Two installations of electrical motors have taken place, and other requests for power are to be lodged shortly. The system of sanitation has been altered, dissatisfaction , having existed under the previous voluntary system of removing nightsoil. ashes, etc. A fortnightly service for nightsoil has been established, a rate being struck to cover the work. The work is more systematic than hitherto. In the congested parts of the borough a limited number of w.c. connections with the main sewer has been allowed.

The loan raised for footpaths was £750. which was spent on the various streets scheduled.

The council took over the control of the domains two years ago, and a system of beautifying has been started. Mr Tannock, Dunedin Corporation gardener, provided a report, which was adopted by the council. The principal block bad been drained, laid rlown in grass, paths made, many hundred^ of trees and shrubs planted, and a contract let for keeping the ground in order.

A loan of £2300 was authorised for East Gore drainage and footpaths, and a start has been made with the work. The council's staff is doing the work, which, so far, has resulted in a saving of about 20 per cent, on the cost of drainage on the west of tho river done under the contract system. During the past two years 86 chains of .new streets had been formed, and a considerable amount of footpath work completed. The drainage works did a good deal of damage to the streets, and between 3500 and 4000 yards of gravel have been placed thereon.

The abattoirs for the first few years were run at a loss, and also with a good 'deal of friction, but 18 months ago new arrangements were made, and the scale of fees revised, the result being that the abattoirs are working smoothly and profitably.

On the Corporation Saleyards the sum of £140 has been spent. The council's contribution to the town clock. £300, was raised *by loan, bearing 4^ per cent.

• The completeness of the water sunply was deemed . justification to apnroaeh the New Zealand. Fir« Underwriters'" Association to 1 have Gore placed under a more favourable Insurance tariff, and correspondence with that obiect is now proceeding. The financial obligations under ihe different heads of work durine the last two years are — Drainage. £11,600 : water supply, £7412; electric liirht. £^325; footpaths, £766; saleyards. £135; domains. £275; town clock. £300; street lighting, £398; streets and fooipaths_ (general), £1450; general. £5167; abattoirs. £580; charitable kid. £230:— total. £34.638. Notwithstanding the heavy demands for works, the expen"rHture had been so well watchpd that the hank overdraft, had been reduced from K3405 on March 31. 1804, to £2467 on March 31. 1906, a reduction of £938.

As far as the town and its progress was feoncerned, the continued erection of fine business buildines proved the buoyancy of Its business affairs, and the progressive fcpirit of it-s citizens. The nublic provided the brass-^band recently with a brand new pet of instruments and new uniforms at a loosfc of £500. there being: no debt on them. She band and the council had contracted For 15 free concerts during the year for a subsidy of £25. An agitation was being "conducted, with the obiect of erecting a. hospital in Gore, and the evidences of sudport pointed to that becoming an established installation before long. The town pad also taken a leading: part in the iniucruration of the Waikaka railway scheme. The retiring Mayor was thanked for the Attention he had given the council work during the two years Tie had been in pffioe, and the installation of his successor {Mr A- A. Mac Gibbon) was proceeded fcithu

Mr P. W. Mansfield, registrar of electors Mid chief census is laid up jvith ajjeeadieiti*,