BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 654, 19 March 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At a meeting of the above, held last night, at the Council Chamber, there were present : Councillors Townley (in the chair), Adair, Morgan, Walker, Clayton, and Smith. After the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, the following correspondence was read. Outgoing Correspondence. From the Town Clerk to NV. Fellows, declining to make any further payments in respect to the punt until it was completed in accordance with the specifications. To the Under Secretary for Public Works, requesting authority, in view of the transfer of Adair's Wharf to the Corporation, on April Ist, to collect wharfage dues on all freight entering or leaving the Port of Gisborne. Incoming Correspondence. From Mr. W. F. Crawford, making an offer to the Council of a quantity of hose suitable for the engine. After a discussion as to whether it was now required, it was resolved, on the motion of Councillor Walker, that Mr. Drummond and the Town Clerk be instructed to inspect the hose offered by Mr. Crawford, and to report, at next meeting, on its description and quality. From Henry Lewis, requesting permission to erect a verandah in front of his premises in Gladstone Road. Granted, subject to the approval, after inspection, of the Engineer. Several Councillors, while discussing the topic of verandahs, alluded to the practice of certain tradespeople in Gladstone Road of erecting temporary screens in front of these verandahs, contrary to the Bye-laws, and it was decided that the Town Clerk intimate to them that the shades affixed be removed. From W. Bull, requesting permission to erect a paling fence, some 2 feet, on the line, of the footpath in front of town lots Nos. 40 and 41, near the Recreation Ground, in order to protect a line fence which he intended planting on the line of his allotment. The application was refused as the Council had not the power to grant permission. Petition. Councillor Walker presented a petition on behalf of the residents of the north side of Gladstone Road, requesting the Council to construct a footpath, and in doing so said, as the notice of motion made by him would cover the same ground, he would then enter into the subject. He would for the present move that the petition b« received. Seconded by Councillor Adair, and carried. Reports. Wharf Committee ; Councillor Walker, on behalf of the Wharf Committee, requested an, extension of time, in order to complete the report. Granted. Gisborne Waterworks. The following report, by Mr. Black, was read : — Sir, — I have the honour to submit to you the following report on Pumping Stations on the Waimata River : — The "site just above the place known as the Island "is not adapted for a site for Pumping Station, owing to the banks and bed of the river being wholly composed of sand ; the banks are also too high, and there is a long reach of tidal water, nearly a mile long, above this place which does not empty at low water, and is consequently salt. The place on the River I would recommend for the building of Weir and Pumping Station is just a mile above the Island, and it offers two great advantages, viz., there is a rock bed, to build the weir upon, nearly all across the river ; and secondly, tliis is the first fall where the river bed is dry at low water, consequently all the salt water in the low part of the river can be got rid of. A weir built here would be a comparatively cheap job compared with the sites lower down, as the greater portion I of the weir could be built dry by worki ing tide work. As there is not a convenient place here to erect machinery, I would convey the water from the dam in an open shoot down the river bank for a distance of 20 chains, where the ground is more leveh At this place the engine • and pumping gear could be erected, and the water forced up to the lowest saddle of the range, which is about 280 feet above sea level. This lowest part in the range is particularly favourable for a reservoir, being nearly in a line for the course of pipes, and being 120 feet wide on top, which Avill make as strong a site for reservoir as is to be found on the range. From the reservoir on the top of the range the pipes will be brought down the side of the mountain and across the flat into town, making only one easy bend on the way. The pressure the water would have, delivered in the town, would be HOlbs. per square inch. I would make the reservoir to contain 100,000 gallons, which would be equal to four days' supply of your present j population. Allowing that to double,: there would then be ample time to offect | aiy repairs to engine, cleaning boiler flues, &c, and would be an abundant supply for the purpose of extinguishing tires. Proposed Site Half a Mile prom Town. This site is evidently proposed on account of its close proximity to town, and it is expected that Pumping Works constructed here will cost less on that account, but on going into details it will be found such is not the case. Owing to the width of the river (300 feet), and the extra depth as compared with the upper site, the cost of a weir at this place would far outrun the extra length of pipes required for the upper site. The cotter-dam alone would cost more than a mile of, pipes, and the cost of the extra stonework in excess of what would be required in tlie upper weir, would far exceed the extra length of pipes required for the upper station. The adjoining lull, on which the reservoir would require to be made, is not well adapted for the purpose, as it would require a large amount of levelling done on the surface to get the reservoir siifficiently far back into the hill ; the hill also appears to be of a very loose nature, as there are already heavy slips taken place on three sides of it, one side being nearly vertical. The approximate cost of the different works would be : — Repongaere Lake, £18,013 ; Half Mile from Town Site, £15,395 ; and Upper Pumping Station, £12,739. I am, *fcc, George Black, Engineer. These prices are based upon ordinary contract term% — G. B.

The discussion on the repdrt, was, adjourned to next meeting. „ |* | Engineer's Report. ;.* £ The report stated that worlay3frerei satisfactorily progressing. The contract for metalling of Read's Quay was v approaching completion, and recommending to the Council the employment of twio men; on day labor, for the clean- ' ing of side drains before the approaching winter, and the spreading of beach gravel in a thin layer on the metalled portion of Read's Quay. He also stated that the contractor for the punt had obtained a new barrel for the winch, and had done nothing else that was suggested by the Public Works Committee. i?e Punt. Councillor Smith said that Mr. Fellows, the contractor, shewed no disposition whatever ' to meet the views of the Council. — in fact after having "scamped" his work,, he acted in a most disrespectful manner to the Council, and in consequence he thought he was not entitled to any furthur consideration at their hands. He would move " That Mr. Fellows have immediate notice that, having failed to complete the work, in accordance with specifications, that it be taken over by the Council, and completed at the risk of the sureties and that the sureties be informed to this effect. Seconded by Councillor Adair, and carried. The notice of motion by Councillor Walker, "That the Council tr.ke into consideration the formation of a footpath on the north side of Gladstone Road, from Roebuck Road to Bright Street, was now brought forward by him. He said that a footpath was much needed, and that one not of a costly nature might be constructed before the winter set in. The residents had reason to complain of the present disgraceful state, and that if the funds would allow he would like to see the work undertaken immediately. His motion was backed up by the residents in the petition presented that evening. Councillor Townley would remind the petitioners that they would be required to contribute if the work were done, but that at present they had not sufficient funds to carry out the proposed work. Councillor Adair thought that the petitioners were aware that they would be required to pay for a substantial footpath, if constructed by the Borough, and he did not think that they; woul^ object to. do so. i Councillor Smith said that they ought to be notified through the Press that if it is done they will be called upon to pay, and it would have beeh better if a clause had been embodied ih the petition, stating the petitioners' willingness to pay at least a portion of the expense. After further discussion, it was moved by Councillor Walker, and secouded by Councillor Smith, that the Engineer be instructed to furnish a report by next meeting, and an estimate of the cost of a temporary and permanent footpath. Weigh Bridge. It was decided, on the suggestion of Councillor Townley, to instruct the Engineer to alter the position of the Weigh House, and to correct any defects which may exist in connection therewith. : ■■ Loan Agency.

It was moved by Councillor Ada'ir, and seconded by Councillor Walker', and carried, that the Bank of New Zealand, be the bank authorised to conduct the Loan negotiation.