MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12018, 23 March 1920, Page 8

MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting was held last evening. Present*. ThjkMayor (Mr Wm O Kensington, 1.5.0), and Ors Holder, Bill, and Christensen. " Leave of absence was granted Crs Sutcliffe, Wilson and Harris Correspondence was dealt with from South British Insurance Co, re insurance oh Fire Brigade engine notifying that premiums quoted are tariff rates and cannot be reduced— Resolved that motor fire engine be insured under fire cover scheme for one year only, S Whitehead, asking that his residence in Lyon Street be connected with sewerage water and gas—Referred to Works Committee FR H Brice, asking Council to compensate him tor damage done to his Follett Street property by stone crushing plant and metal carting, also pointing out that the dumping of metal and interfering with the embankment removed the permanent pasture. A considerable portion of the land has been swept away by flood water consequent "npon loosening of gravel around embankment — Referred to Works Committoe R H Carey, applying for license for Druid’s Hall for public entertainments —The Town Clerk reported that the Hall was not being conducted in a [satisfactory manner, and a decision was held over till next meeting State Advances Officer, suggesting that Council should apply to the Public Trustee for loan of £I6OO for ereciion of workers dwellings

Secretary Marten District High School Committee, drawing attention to state in which the top filling of drain has been left in school grounds—To be attended to A J Sutcliffe, Everybody’s Pictures, asking for a reduction of rent for Town Hall during Chautauqua week as the returns was considerably affected that week. The show (Chautauqua) was brought here by several people who are ratepayers, and are therefore interested in the Hall. The writer had nothing against Chautauqua, and regretted that more shows of the kind did not visit Marton—Held over for fuller meeting THE COAL SUPPLY The Mayor reported “It is just as well that the public should know that the coal shortage is very pronounced and that the Marton Borough Gas Works are experiencing the same difficulty in keeping up the supply of gas in common with other Boroughs. At times the shortage is so acute that only for the timely supply of very small quantities on several occasions, no gas supply would have been available. Long ago by instructions, no gas lighting of our streets conld bo allowed. Every effort is continnally being made to obtain coal by all the Borough officials by urgent wires and it is only right to record that the Coal Committee in Wellington has done its very best to keep our Gas Works from actually shutting down. lam afraid there is little hops o? preventing the present position from being chronic. ”

IMPROVEMENT OF BROADWAY The road overseer, Mr Brant, reported Since last meeting the usual maintenance work has been carried out, also excavated and cleaned up Bowen Street, ready for putting down concrete kerb and channel. Cleaned one water tables in Hereford Street. Had carted from station three trucks sand, two”trncksißostar, fonr trucks Union asphalt. Broadway—Have crushed 160 yards of metal, spread same, and tarred with local tar. Had all fire plugs taken up and concreted from bottom, making them perfectly, solid. Built up cleaning out pit to level of road, and made three reinforced concrete slabs to cover same. We have made very slow progress on Broadway, only working six days out of twelve. The weather has teen against this work since I took charge, not having one fine week out of the six. I was also misled with the foundation which is anything but solid. However, I am again remetalling from Signal Street to Foliett Street, and I shall complete this piece of road and make a success of it, in about ten days, if we get tine weather. Cr Bill had a few words to say concerning this piece of road. There was no doubt that the surface of some of the street was lower than it should be. They all knew the reason, but the majority of the ratepayers did not, and they were complaining? He thought the public should know the difficulties the Overseer had to contend with

■ The Mayor said Mr Brant had had the worst of luck since taking up his duties road overseer. Instead of 3>a inches of rain which usually fell in February they had 5% iuches, The result had been that the foundation of the .road o'pened up had become so softened by rain that the roadway had sunk as soon as rolling commenced on the metal. They had in consequence to use two inches more metal than was originally specified. Mr Rrant said the foundation of the road had been much softer than ne expected. Rain since the improvements commencedfhad been abnormal. However with an extra two inches of metal a good and lasting job would be made.