BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18180, 30 August 1933, Page 4

BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OF COUNCIL The fortnightly meeting of the- Gisborne Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor, Mr. John Jackson, presiding. There were- present also Crs. IT. E. Maude, J. W. H. Holmes, 11. Holmes, ,T. H. Hall, D. S. Thompson, W. J. Mac Gibbon, and H. H. DcCosta. Tn regard to the- proposed conference -of the local bodies concerned in connection with the allocation of heavy traffic fees, the Uawa County Council wrote stating that as the present allocation seemed to be satisfactory to the majority of the authorities no useful purpose could be achieved bv holding a conference. A letter was received from Mr. C. H. Bull, Matakaoa County Commissioner, agreeing to attend the conference. — It was: resolved- that the position in regard to the borough bus service should be placed before the Uawa Council by letter. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, wrote stating that it was not possible to accede to the council’s request for a reduction in audit fees.—The letter was received. The District Public Trustee wrote requesting‘that an additional street light should be placed in Riverside road between "Whitaker and Russell streets, an offer being made to contribute to the cost of -the light.—The request was .referred to the works committee. A petition was re-ceivedl from 14 residents of Haiti Beach requesting the council to extend the present beach roadway as far as the- beach cottages, the disadvantages under which the residents at present labored being stressed, together with the fact that rates bad been levied on the properties for the past 18 years. —The petition was referred to the works committee. Advice was received from the Poverty Bay Power Board of its decision to 'agree to the council’s request that the board should bear the cost of the proposed alterations and additions to the borough street lighting system, subject to it being understood by the council that it. would be necessary to readjust certain annual charges, which matter would be dealt with by the board at a later date.—The matter of submitting a list of additions and alterations to the board was referred to the works ecommittee.

A letter of appreciation of the- council ’s action in granting permission for the circular saw in the borough yard to bo used for cutting firewood for the unemployed; was received from Mr. W. Oakden, secretary ,of the. Central Relief Committee. Miss Ellen Wheeler wrote complaining of the erosion of her property in Stafford street by the 'action of the stormwater drain leading into the river, and requested that stops -should be taken by the council to have the dartiagc repaired. —The engineer stated, that. ho had the matter in hand.

REPORTS ENGINEER’S DEPARTMENT The engineer, Mr. K. lb Thomas, reported inter alia : . ; “Streets’ and roads.—The following streets have been repaired : With gravel, Clifford, Whitaker, Russell and Andrew streets, and Chalmers, Awapuni, and Stanley roads; with bitumen, Gladstone road has been repaired when weather permitted. , “In regard to the south side of Gladstone road between Roebuck road and Oobden street, the preparation of foundations for hot-mix pavement has been in hand. The work has been delayed owing to the contractor meeting with difficulty in procuring stone, -but larger supplies are now coming forward, and better progress is being made. “Railway reserve.—The drainage work between Fox and Ballance streets is nearing completion. “Kerb and channel.—The construction of a -concrete kerb and channel and the necessary sump in Derby street, and a small section of similar work in Palmerston road near Derby street, has; been completed. “Breastwork, Kaiti esplanade.—The construction of a breastwork of timber is in hand.

“Footpaths.—Metal chips have been laid on the footpath in Iranui road. Footpaths in Mangapapa road and at Sheehan and Parau streets have received a top-dressing of gravel. “Unemployment relief works.—During the fortnight employment has been provided. for 189 men per week. The main works comprised: Vegetable gardens at Botanical Gardens and Anzac Park, cleaning and*, trimming footpaths and drains, levelling at the sanitary depot, and levelling Waikanae Beach Society’s land.”

In connection with the waterworks the engineer reported that the highest gauge reading during the fortnight ended August 21 was 1251 b, and the lowest 1001 b. Two leaks occurred in the main line during the fortnight, both at Waingake, but it had not been necessary to turn off the supply to effect repairs. The quantity of water that passed through the meter at the hoadworks for tho weeks ended August 14 and 21 was 5,110,000 and 5,080,000 gallons respectively. ji WORKS COMMITTEE. The works committee reported inter alia: — “A list of contemplated works for the fortnight was submitted by the engineer, the principal works being the cleaning of drains and trimming of footpaths, foundation work for hot-mix pavement in Gladstone road, and the removal of

the old fire station building and dog pound and cleaning up of site. . The engineer was authorised to erect notice boards at the corners of Carnarvon street and Gladstone road, and Ormond road and Ballance street directing traffic to the Botanical Gardens. “The committee agreed that in accordance with the previous resolution of the council the engineer be authorised to undertake the work of levelling frontages in Stanley road. It is not recommended that the kerbing of the footway in question be undertaken owing to the expense involved. “The matter of piping and filling in tile drain in Rutene road was further considered, and it was decided to ask the engineer to inspect the locality and report as to whether access can be provided to the particular section involved without forming a footway ; the engineer also to interview adjoining owners to ascertain if they had any objections to the proposal to pipe and filling of this drain.

“The proposed laying down of Stout street and Iranui road in bitumen was considered, and it was decided that the question be held over for favorable consideration when next year’s estimates are being framed. “It was agreed that the bus manager be authorised to issue 4s workers’ cards as concession tickets in lieu of the present charge of 6s. It was resolved that where the purchaser of a worker’s concession card is unable to use such card during the week of issue through sickness or any other just cause, the manager be authorised, on the application of the holder, to extend the period during which the card can be used. “In order to comply with several requests for the time of departure of Thursday noon bus to be delayed, it is recommended that the manager, as a trial, make the departure from the Post Office at. say, 12.4 p.m. “The bus manager reported that he had received a request from Wainui residents in view of the probable discontinuance of one of the Coast services for the council to extend its present timetable. The committee recommends that a trial be made of running a 4.30 p.m. outward trip from the Post Office, residents to be asked to accord their full patronage and support to the service, as failing this being done the service would be discontinued. _ r “A complaint was received regarding the departure of buses after theatre performances, patrons emerging ■ late from the theatres having missed the last bus. It is recommended that the manager be authorised to instruct the drivers when passing theatres to stop a. reasonable length of time for latecomers. “Regarding the Gisborne Refrigerating Company’s proposed alterations to sewer pipes, the committee'recommends that as it is against the practice of the council to allow sewer and water n\ains to be placed: either under or through a building, the company’s request be not acceded to. and that they be asked to adhere to the memorandum of terms between the council and the company in connection with the closing of part of Crawford road, wherein it is agreed that it is the responsibility of the company to transfer the existing water and sewerage works from the road closed .to the new road.” INSPECTION COMMITTEE: The inspection committee reported inter alia:—“Silent policeman, Ormond road and Stafford street.—The committee is of the opinion that the silent policeman is theoretically in the correct position. The engineer pointed out that this roadway would bo reformed shortly, and the committee recommends that the position of the silent policeman be then reviewed. “Railway reserve drainage.—The digging of drains in this roadway should cause a vast improvement in the prevailing conditions, and it is recommended that residents utilising this roadway as a back entrance to their properties should bo requested to construct a crossing over the drain. In the past it has been the practice of some residents to fill in the drain in lieu of providing a proper crossing.

“Breastwork, Kaiti esplanade.—A commencement has been made with this work, which when completed should prevent any further slipping of the roadway in this locality. The committee recommends that the engineer plant willow trees along the riverbank immediately below the breastwork with a view to strengthening the bank. “Levelling Waikanao Beach reserve.— Good progress is being made with this work.” The reports were adopted.