BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14647, 3 July 1918, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met last night. Present: The tyayor (Mr. W. G. Sherratt), and Crs. r. Wauchop, J. Mouat, F. R. Ball, G./B. Oman, H. E. Hill, G. Wildish, H.. Miller, and G. C, Munns. \t John Thorburh and K. A. McKenzie, employees 4f the Council, asked for financial assistance to their wives ;md family during their absence on active servioe. — Th^ Mayor moved that they be recommended to apply to Financial Assistance Board first. — i Seconded by Cr. .Wildish, and carried. The Bank of S.Z. acknowledged receipt of debenture*; No, 1 to 50 of £100 each of the Gisbf>me Borough Additional Sewerage ahd Waterworks Loan, 1918, of £5000.— The chairman said they had £1300. — Letter received.

Mrs. V. M. Swears wrote m reply to sewer contract -t^at her husband was on active service, and perhaps the Council could suggest what could be done m the {natter. — Referred to Finance Committee. Wm. Croshier Sand Sons returned contract for electric cables duly signed, and intimating that the deposit of £25 was out of, all proportion to amount of contract. — Referred to engineer. \ The Mangapapa} Town Board wrote authorising the Council to take the necessary steps t# purchase extra cable on account of Town Board, also the necessary p^es and cable to extend from Hospital road as set out m supplementary estimate prepared by the borough. — Referred to engineer. On behalf of ithe Gisborne School Sports Committei, the secretary (Mr. E. A. Strong) made application for permission to mark/ out a football ground on the present unused portion pf the Childers road reserve adjacent to the basket ball courts.— Granted.

John Burns and Co. acknowledged receipt of deposit cheque, and asking the amount of the successful tenderer for the supply of meters. — Received. Arthur D. 'Riley and Co. enclosed receipt for cheque of £650 progress payment m connection with contract for the drainage pumps, and asking why interest was not allowed. — To be informed that Council cannot see its way clear> to pay the interest. A petition was received from a number of residents m the vicinity of the powerhouse, complaining of disturbance caused at night-time by the noise of engines,, discharge of steam,; and the smoke m the daytime. — Referred to engineer and Electrical Committee. Carrick, Wedderspoon, and Co. wrote accepting notification as successful tenderers for the supply of meters, and intimating that the contract was being prepared. — Received. The Public Works Department wrote intimating that the District Engineer, Gisborne, had been instructed to discuss tramway matters as desired with the Council's engineer. In connection with the same matter the district engineer wrote asking the Council to supply him with full details of all bridges along the proposed tramway routes. — The letters were received, and it was decided to supply the information asked for. — Cr. Wildish intimated that Mr. W. D. Lysnar and himself had interviewed Mr. Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief, and the result had been very satisfactory. Ho moved that Mr. Lysnar be met by the Council on his return from Wellington. — After some discussion the matter of interviewing Mr. Lysnar was left m the hands of the engineer. The sanitary contractor (Mr. W. H. Green) wrote agreeing to extend . his contract for a further period of two years. — Received. The Board of Trade wrote m reply to the Council's letter that m connection with the agreement with Gisborne bakers, the decision of the Board was that bread sold over the counter for cash should not exceed s£d per 2lb. loaf and delivered 6d per 21b. loaf.— Received.

Further correspondence was received from the Department of Public Health m respect to premises m Bright street, and intimating that instructions had been issued for a further inspection tq be made. . <

I The Cook County CduneH forwarded letter re the cemetery bridge site, and intimating the impossibility of entertaining suggestion to erect the bridge at Lytton road. The letter further stated that the Council proposed to erect a 20f^ traffic bridge, for which new plans and estimates were being prepared. — Received. The Cook County Council wrote requesting the Borough Council to erect the double pipe line on the Waipaoa bridge, instead of the _ existing single one, as soon as possible. — Referred to chairman and engineer to interview chairman and engineer of the County Council with a view to an amicable agreement being arrived at. The taxi-drivers presented a list of fares for every street . m the borough under the authorised 33 1-3 per cent, increase, and asking the Council to embody them m the by-laws. — Referred to Works Committee. j

The . secretary of the Gisborne Fire Board forwarded copy of Fire Brigade Superintendent's annual report for perusal by the Council. — Received. Samuel Joseph Pearson, B. H. Wilcox, and Stanley Moore made application for taxi-drivers' licenses.— Mr. L. T. Burnard ' appeared on behalf of Mrs. Wilcox.— On the motion of Cr. Miller, a committee, consisting of the Mayor and Crs. Wauchop, Mouat, and Miller, was set up to interview Sub-Inspector Dew. The other cases were dealt with m committee.'

The Council Committee reported: — Reserves : The erosion on river bank at the Botanical Gardens was inspected. It was decided that funds were not available at present to put up a proper protection work, but the gardener was instructed to. tip the garden refuse over the bank m the meantime. Your committee suggest that the Wi Pere memorial be erected at the end of Lowe street, on the river bank, clear of the pathway. Public works: An inspection of the roads m the vicinity of Mr. Tonneycliffe's was made, and your committee have no recommendation, to make. Regarding the Kaiti beach pathway around the cliffs, the engineer was asked to make a report on the cost and probability of its withstanding the seas. The engineer's attention was drawn to encroachment and breastworks on the Riverside road. The overseer's report on dismissal of an employee was considered, when it was decided that your committee have no recommendation to make. The engineer's report <ta Mr. Watson's contract was read and discussed, and your committee suggest that the engineer bring up a report on re-organising the street gangs, and that the contracts be not relet. Samtation: The- question of allowing outside properties to connect the sewer was under consideration, when it was agreed ' <to recommend that the Council allow same on payment of £5 per house per annum, and owners to pay all expenses and carry out all work' to- satisfaction and instructions of the) engineer, including proper water connection, with proviso that permit was on the condition that others were not to be allowed to connect. Finance : It was decided that Fox, Grafton, and Lyndhurst streets be reticulated with water mains from stock, and labor to be charged to general account. Resolved that Mr. Tasker be refunded £12 Is amount paid m excess of rates owing to a duplicate to valuation. Your committee have to state that they arranged with Mr. R, Sheratt that he remove his woolshed, yards, and dip at Mangapoike, and the Council pay the sum of £300 m full settlement. Regarding fixing maximum and minimum wages of Council's employees and consideration of several applications for increases together with defining duties and salary of tram and electrical engineer, your committee suggest that same be dealt with by the Council.

The engineer (Mr. Slinger), m his report, stated: A portion of the Riverside road that is fenced off near the slip has been concreted so as to restore the road to enable traffic to pass there with safety. The fencing as it stood was only a danger on dark nights to traffic. The re-metalling of Childers road and part of Grey street has been carried out. Permits: — During the fortnight two permits were issued, the value of the buildings being two additions, totalling £202. Water department: Satisfactory progress has been made on the Te Arai pipe restoration. The camp is being shifted to the reaches, and the number at present employed is 9. The amount of water through the Venturi meter was 4,350,---000 gallons. Sanitary department: An inspection of all the lodging houses m the borough was made, the object being with regard to the renewal of the licenses for the ensuing year, the total number of which is 16. Accompanied by the district health officer, an inspection of the butcher shops has also been carried out. Slight structural alterations, repairs to concrete floors, painting and lime-washing, etc., have been ordered to be carried out before license can be granted to six owners/ Cleanliness was found to be very satisfactory. All sanitary matters inspected have been found satisfactory, and where necessary requisitions have been complied with. The sanitary inspector has been assisting Mr. Stewart with regards inspecting drains, and conditions have been reported. The reports were adopted.