MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10550, 14 January 1913, Page 5

MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting was held last night. Present The Mayor (Mr R. E. Beckett), Crs. D. Ingle, E. J. Wilde. H. Sutcliffe, F. G. Hilton, E. Road and S. E. Lewis.

Correspondence was received From Wanganui Education Board, thanking Council for donation of £lO towards funds of Marion Technical School. From Abraham &- Williams, applying for auctioneer’s license for Mr J. G. Simpson.—Granted.

From Percy Stevens, applying for auctioneer’s license. —Granted. From Mines Department, re magazines at stone quarries. From Commissioner of Crown Lauds, re improvements to the ex-' tent of £35 *to Martou Park, and stating that'an officer will bo sent to inspect when completed.. From Valuation Deuartuient forwarding voucher for payment of £1403 Is (id subsidy for year 1012-13. —Received.

From Oroua County Council, stating that after taking into consideration tlie unfortunate state 'of the weather during the time their road roller was hired by the Borouh Council, the Oroua County has decided to make deductions equivalent to £l7 10s.

From J. F. Sicely, applying for remission of three months’ office rent on the ground that; he was unable to use the office while the recent alterations were being made.— Two weeks’ rent remitted.

From Secretary Martou Brass Band, asking for a reduction of fee for use of Town Hall for their benefit concert, —Reduced to one guinea. From J. F. Sicoly, forwarding account for £l3. —Referred to Mr McEluowuoy for particxxlars.

The caretaker of the old waterworks, Mr W. P. Bickers, reported on improvements effected by him on the reserve in the last 12 months.

RESOLUTIONS,

It was resolved :

(Gis. Hilton —Sutcliffe) That Wednesday in each week bo statutory half holiday for closing of all shops and offices within the Borough.

(Crs. Sutcliffe--Hilton) That Council reserve the right from time to time to cut water supply off from consumers within and outside the Borough during the present summer mouths if circumstances warrant same.

That accounts passed during the month on general account, amounting to £2OS 2s I Oil and £l2 on loan account, be approved by Council, and that accounts and salaries on general account, £1)31 J2s and £512 (is lid ou loans account, ho passed for payment.

(Grs. Ingle—Sutcliffe) That permission bo given to Mr Biice to erect blacksmith's shop or dwelling at back of right-of-way on part section 17, Broadway. That School Committee be charged ■i’kd per gallon for tar for school grounds in Hereford street. (Ors. Hilton —Wilde) That usual charge he made for supplying water to residents on Calico Line, viz., £3 less Is 3d reduction for each connection.

Receipts since last meeting of Council to January 13th Town Hall £3l 13s; rates £ISBB 18s 2d: 10 percent, on. rates £1 IGs lOd ; gas consumers £222 ; fittings £36 5s 8d ; coke, tar, etc, £2O 11s Id; water supply £2 13s -Id ; library subscriptions 12s Sd ; vehicle and sundry licenses £8; auctioneers licenses £SO; sewerage fees, cemetery fees, building permit and swimming baths, £26 8s 7d; total, £2OIO 4s 4d. Dr. balance, Bank of New Zealand, £228 35s 2d.

The , gasworks manager, Mr J. Wilson, reported expenditure for the mouth, £lO4 17s lOd; receipts, £265 5s od.

The gasworks manager was granted permission to order paint for the works.

The foreman, Mr J. Wilson, reported for Dei'ember:—With continued dry weather up to New Year the roads have been cutting up very badly, and I have had Wanganui road from boundary to Mr Wilkie’* clayed, and from boundary to railway line in Pukepapa road and Wellington road from boundary to railway. I have issued to date 35 permits to connect with sewers. The swimming baths have been connected up with the sewerage, and have had to metal Hereford street to cover steel pipes. I would also ask Council to have gates 'and fence of baths painted. I would ask Council to pass a resolution re“cbarges for water on Calico line, also water and sewerage for now school. I would also ask Council what footpaths they intend tarring. I wish to draw Council’s attention to state of Park on the eastern side. The grass has not been mowed for some considerable time and looked in a disgraceful state in the holidays. DEPUTATION. Mr J. H. Miles, ’ on behalf of a meeting of ratepayers, said that before Christmas a public meeting of ratepayers was held to discuss the dam. There was considerable public interest as to what is to be done. Neither the deputation nor the meeting had the slightest intention of dictating to the Council, but desired to put before them the general public feeling. There were two main questions the first being who was responsible forjthe liability of the damage. He said the crux of the whole matter was that Mr Measou admitted that the work was not carried out according to specifications and the main work was not done properly, and the ratepayers consider that Council should find out who is responsible and sheet it home to him. Mr Wilson estimated the expense 'at £4500. If that was so they ought to face it at once When two experts disagree the only proper course he thought was for Council to obtain further and independent advice. Mr Wilson does not believe in the Indian system of building dams and conj dertms the new dam. Unless further I advice was sought ratepayers would ! be vary dissatisfied The Mayor thanked the deputation for waiting on the Council and said he proposed to discuss the reports in committee as he. thought it. only fair to the engineers in question, and to Councillors who wished- to express an antagonistic opinion. After Cr. Lewis had objected to the procedure it was resolved chat the reports be discussed in public. The will be found in another column.. After they had been considered at length it was eventually resolved to obtain farther advice and Mr Fitzgerald is to be asked to report as to .the best method, of effecting repairs.

The District Health Officer, Dr. Herbert Ghesson, reported:—Rebay’s Fish Shop: The Inspector’s report states there is no grease trap other than a large tank which is far too large for which it is intended. Where portable grease traps have not been a success it ; bus always been through gross neglect. Regarding fancy cowls I am pleased to note that Gouncil'will adopt the one I suggested. lam pleased to note that Council has purchased a smoko tester for draiu testing. With regard to sewer connections sixinches seems to be unnecessarily large. Six inch pipes are always harder to keep flushed than the four-inch. With reference to the final paragraph of your letter of 22ud October, I am"sure Inspector Wilson lias never refused to do his duty. As your Borough subscribes a portion -of ills salary ho would, of course, take instructions from you in regard to carrying out any work within “the borough. _He informs me he lias assisted you in every way possible. „