BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15956, 18 October 1922, Page 11

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr. Geo. Wildieh), and Crs. F. R. Ball, F. Grav, C. E. Bickford, D. W. Coleman, T. Todd, and P. Robertson'. Leave of absence was granted to Crs. H. H. DeCosta, P. Collin, and \V. A. Bowie. A letter from the Vacuum Oil Co. indicated that the company had obtained options on several sections in the town, for the purpose of building a benzine store. It asked the Council to approve of one of the sections indicated in the letter.

A report from Mr.' Lloyd, inspector under the Dangerous Goods Act, was appended to the letter. The inspector recommended the Council to approve of a site in Grey street, which was outside, of any residential quarter, wherctts other sites : suggested were situated in such areas. The inspector drew attention to the advisability of adopting a by-law restricting the construction of dangerous goods stores to suitable, localities. Such provision was at present lacking.—On the motion of Cr. Coleman, the matter was left to the borough engineer.

In reference to the Council's letter cricmiring whether, in the event of it deciding to borrow £2OOO for unemployment, relief, under tho new local bodies' finance provisions, the Council would be compelled to uplift the loan should the occasion for its trse not arise, the Department of Internal Affairs advised that the matter hud been referred to the superintendent of tho State Advances Department.—Received.

By direction, the secretary of ihe Women's Club asked the Council to allow a private car'stand in Palmerston road, frony the Peel street intersection towards the Wi i'vrc memorial, for use by visitors to the club. —The Mayor mentioned that a deputation had waited on him, but ho had advised the ladies to write to the Council. There was one thing that had to bo considered, and that was that Read's quay would be under reconstruction shortly.—The engineer .stated that the work on Road's quay, would comprise raising the level of the road to the new level of Peel street. — Cr. Biekford pointed out that the stand would only be required for a short, time in each week, and it was decided to allow- the request, at the discretion of the engineer.

The Gisborne Retail Drapers'' and Mercers' Association advised that it had been decided to close shops of the mouthers from 11 a.m. on Wednesday, People's Show Day, and at the usual hour on Thursday.—The Mayor mentioned that, last year he had been asked to proclaim a public holiday 'or the Show, but it had not been observed, and he had asked the retailers to indicate what .they -were willing to do this year, in order to obviate any difficulties. —The letter was received.

The Borough engineer, in the course of his report, intimated that the impoundings of horses and cattle during the month had totalled 59 head, the fees amounting to £2l 10s 6d. Six stray dogs had been impounded, and destroyed after having been held for an average of three days. Waterworksl—Goodman's contract: The connecting of- services in Peel street to the new mains in the footpath is completed and only the main on the street and part of the service in the road remain to be taken out when the road is cut up. Top line: Everything is in order and working satisfactorily. The amount of water through the Venturi meter for the week ending October 9 was 5,180,000 gallons, and for the week ending October 2 was 5,380,000 gallons. The rainfall for September was 2.21 inches. The amount of water used at the school baths was 70,600 gallons. The young trees sent to the reservoir reserve have been planted and all' seem to be growing satisfactorily. Building permits for the month valued at £1152 had been issued, the work including one dwelling*, valued at"£B63.

Committee reports stated:— At a meeting of the Public Works Committee, a letter was received from Mr. C. Hyde, stating ho was unable to carry r out his contract for carting stone from the Fatutahi quarry, and asking, under the circumstances, that his deposit be refunded. After considering the matter, it was decided to offer the contract to the next tenderer, namely Mr. ■T. O'Crady, at 3s 3d per yard. This Mr. O'Grady has accepted, •and tin; necessary contract has been signed. The question of deposit; was left for the Council to deal with. The matter of the plans of the additional workers' dwelling was gone iuto, and it was tigreed that the dwelling be erected in Carnarvon street on the site of the old cottage formerly occupied by Solvander, and that the present structure, which is used for content testing, be removed southwards. The committee of the Council visited, the

>ilc of proposed subdivisions in Kahutia. streets for Mr. C. Taylor, upon which he 'is asking permission to erect three cottages. The frontage is more tlinii that required by the bylaw, but tho area is short \.'S perches. The Abattoirs .Committee reported that the question of altering the hour:? for delivery of meat was considered, .whoii.it was decided that there w'a.s not. sufficient information brought forward to warrant the Council altering the hours as at present set out by tho by-law. The committee also have- to report that the question of Mr.„'Kolly*s requisition for increased fees, to compensate him for running sausage ea.sreceived due consideration, when it was finally agreed that the committee could not see their way to recommend same as under the contract, it was considered that this was pant of the work in running the and which the contractor hail to undertake.

It was resolved to credit the deposit of £lO, paid by C. Hyde on his abandoned contract, against the rates, in consideration of the special circumstances of the case.

In respect to the proposed subdivision in Kahutia street, the Mayor said that though the sections were slightly under the area required by the by-laws, it was a reasonable thing to ask the Council to approve of the subdivision plans. The by-law would need I<> be re-cast to allow of it, however.

Cr. Todd declared it was a matter of principle, and ho wished to see the matter deferred till next meeting, and i.hat the Council would in the meantime find but what line was being followed elsewhere. Cr. Bail endorsed the remarks of Cr. Todd. Cr. Gray thought they could deal with the case on its merits, as had been done in the ease of a subdivision on Kuiti. Cr.' Robertson favored setting a standard, even if thoy hud to alter the by-law. Cf. Todd 's suggestion was agreed to.