BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18192, 13 September 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 Cis. H. E. Maude, G. Bradley Smith, J. W. H. Holmes, H. Holmes, J. H. Hall, D. S. Thompson, W. J. Mac Gibbon, W. Cave, and H. H. DeCosta. Mr. T. H. Nicholas wrote complaining of the state of the Cook street footpath in the vicinity of Aberdeen road, and requesting that the footway should be completed by the top-dressing of the cinders. —The matter was referred to the engineer for attention. Mr. W. Morrison wrote drawing attention to the damage caused by erosion to property in the vicinity oi Riverside road. —The matter was referred to the works committee. Letters were received from the town clerks at Palmerston Noith and Timaru stating that their councils were required to pay heavy traffic fees in respect of their bus services. The letters were received. In regard to the apportionment oi heavy traffic license fees the Waiapu County Council wrote suggesting that the local bodies concerned should supply one another with the figures as required.—The letter was formally received, after tho position had been explained. The Invercargill City Council wrote requesting support for a remit that the Fire Board’s Act should be amended in the direction of making provision for increasing insuranco companies’ levies. —It was resolved to support the remit.

Mr. V. Nossiter wrote complaining of the nuisance caused by wandering stock on the roads, stating that considerable damage was being caused to municipal and private property.—-The letter was received, it being explained that tho council had the matter in hand.

Dr. W. A. Bowie wrote objecting to the council’s proposal to plant willow trees on the Haiti Esplanade in the vicinity of his residence, stating that the existing willows were a nuisance, inasmuch as the writer had been put to considerable expense to keep his drains open. The council, wrote Dr. Bowie, had experienced similar trouble and he suggested that some other type of trees should be planted. —The matter was referred to the works committee. REPORTS ENGINEER’S DEPARTMENT The engineer, Mr. E. R- Thomas, reported inter alia: — “Streets and roads. —Tho following streets have been repaired : With gravel, Harris, Fox, Russell, Cobden, Waitangi, and Kahutia streets, Haiti esplanade, and Rutene, Haiti Beach, and Roebuck roads. Various bitumen surfaces have been repaired as weather permitted. Gladstone road, south side, between .Roebuck road and Cobden street: The 'preparation of the foundations for hotmix pavement has been continued. The work is proceeding as satisfactorily as weather conditions will allow. Railway reserve: Drainage work, between Fox and Ballance streets, has been completed. Breastwork, Haiti esplanade: The construction of a timber breastwork is in hand. The work was held up for a supply of timber, but is now proceeding satisfactorily. Gravel has been placed on footpaths in Mangapapa road and Fox street. “Unemployment relief works.—During the fortnight employment has been provided for 184 men per week. The main works comprised : Vegetable gardens at Botanical Gardens and Anzac Park,

screening shingle, street reconstruction, levelling 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 September 4 was 1251 bs, and the lowest 1001 bs. There had been no leaks in tho main line during the period. Tho quantity of water that passed through the meter at the headworks for tho Weeks ended August 28 and September 4 was 5,100,000 and 5,010,000 gallons respectively. WORKS COMMITTEE The works committee reported inter alia: —- “A list of contemplated works for the fortnight was submitted by the engineer, the principal works comprising repairs to footpaths and drainage work on the raTTway reserve. Regarding the tram rails and sleepers recovered from Gladstone road, it is recommended that the council retain these for its own use. “An estimate was submitted by the engineer for tho making of an exit at tho southern end of the bus barn and formation of a roadway leading thereto, the total cost being £lO 2s 6d. A small amount of stormwater drainage is also urgently needed to improve existing conditions, the estimate for this work being £3l 3s 1 6d. The committee recommends that these work's be authorised. It'is also recommcnded : that when next year’s estimates are being framed, consideration be gjven to the matter of the construction of a workshop for tho bus department-. “The committee visited Haiti Beach road, and it was seen that to accede to the request of tho jietitioncrs a- considerable expense would be entailed, as a largo amount of grading and filling work is required. The committee, therefore, recommends that temporary relief be afforded in tlie meantime by trimming up and gravelling the existing road as soon as the weather conditions will allow.” The reports were adopted,