BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 15, 10 September 1912, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last ovening, when there were present: The Mayor (Mr. W. L\ Kirkwood), Crs N. J. King, It. Dingle, T. Lawson, J. Thompson, J. Boon, J. McAllister, J. D. Healy, R. McK. Morison, S. Ward. The Fire Brigade. Captain Grubb and Lieutenant Rowson, of the Fire Brigade, waited on the Council with the request that the

Council should lay on a 6in. main to the north of Victoria Park, Captain k Grubb explained that at present the brigade liad no convenient place tor practicing, and pointed out that the fact of having no facilities for practice greatly handicapped the Brigade, besides making it impossible for the In re Brigade competitions to bo held in Stratford. This year they were being held at New Plymouth, but Stratford could have had them, had the ground been available. The deputation received a very sympathetic hearing, but it was pointed out out that the Domain Boird might possibly have objections, especially as applications for tennis courts in that locality had been received. Cr. King was of the opinion that tno request should be granted. He pointed out that the hose was being damaged through being carted along the streets, when practice was indulged m. . The Mayor said the Brigade had ins sympathy] but it was purely a question of finance. The matter had not been provided for in the estimates. Cr. Healy asked if the application could not be put off until next year, [t would cost something like £4O. 'Cr King protested against this "putting off." The Brigade had been treated in this manner for the last four years. . , ~. The Mayor said he recognised tniß was an important matter; it should have been on last year's estimates, but had been overlooked. . Cr. Dingle was in favour ot "stretching a point," as the Brigade was worthy of every encouragement. The Fire Brigade Committee are to report on the matter at the next meeting of the Council. A Request for Water.

Mr. D. S. Maxwell respectfully asked the Council that it reconsider us refusal to lay water on to Ins house, oil Romeo Street. Mr. Maxwell explained that he had left the "backblccks for the conveniences of the town, but aiter building an expensive house and making preparation for the water supply, he found that tho- Council would not connect it with the water supply. He pointed out that there were a group of houses in that locality, and «everal vacant sections. If tho Council refused his request he would have to apply for permission to lay a main himself. . . , The Mayor explained that the cost of laying the pipes would be £l7, and the connection would not pay interest on this work—consequently it had been refused. , A similar application had also been-refused; it was a matter of principle. Mr. Maxwell said he was quite willing to pay an extra amount until such time as the work paid for itself. Crs. King and Ward spoke in sup i port of Mr. Maxwell's offer. On'the motion of Cr. Healy, secoiided by Cr. Ward, tho previous resoluI tion was rescinded and the wate i granted. Higher Remuneration.

: Mr. P. Copestake, slaughterman a' ; ' the'abattoirs, asked for higher remun- , oraltion for his services. He stated tha: ' his contract wages were £4 6s 6d o • Week, out of which lie had to pay a man £2 ss. He had also to keep a horse. He asked for £4 16s a week, oi to he put on union wages. The union "fkte 6f wage's was £3 10s for slaughtermen, and £2 5s to £3 10s for assistants. | . The matter was referred to the Abattoir Committee. Correspondence, The Health Officer asked the Council to require the owner to remove dilapidated shed in Orlando Street or de- . molish the building. The Town Clerk stated that the owner had agreed to have this done. ■ . A similar letter was received with regard to the stables of the Club Hotel The Mayor left the chair while this matter was being considered, saying i that he was personally interested m the matter. Cr. King was voted to the chair. , _ .. Cr. Ward moved that the Council visit the stables before giving effect to the Department's ultimatum. He said that the Stables merely required repairing and renewing. Cr. Healy seconded the motion. Cr. Morison moved as an amendment that the requisition of the Department bo given effect to. He claimed that the. matter was beyond the jurisdiction of the Council. Cr. King supported the motion., Cr. McAllister protested against this attitude towards the Health Officer. If the Council believed that officer to be competent, they should not question his decision. He suggested that if the Council interfered, as the motion suggested, they would get into an awkward position. Cr. Ward, in reply, said that no man should be put to unnecessary expense. He reminded the Council that some years ago the Health Department issued an order requiring all the livery stable-keepers to concrete their stable floors. This would have ruined the unfortunate stable-keepers, and the Council rightly stepped in. On a division, the amendment was lost, and Cr. Ward's motion carried Messrs. McMillan and Fredric asked for a refund on the cost of putting in a crossing in Broadwav North, as had been allowed to Mr. Newton Kins; at a recent meeting.—lt was explained that this statement was due to a misapprehension. Cr. King stated that the crossing was not in a < ati-fac-tory state, and Cr. Dingle emphatically protested against any streets being interfered with, when the consent of the Council had not been obtained. Cr. Ward explained that crossings were put in under the supervision pf, and to tbfl satisfaction of, the Engineer 1 , and the Ensineer stated that the work was certainly not dono to his satisfaction. It was moved that Messrs. McMillan and Fredric bo written to a™rl asked to carry out the work in a satisfactory manner. . Mr. J. McKen/ie resumed his position as caretaker of the Cemetery. The Works Committee are to take stons to till the vacancy. A petition for a footpath by Flint R6ad residents was referred to the Works Committee, and a letter from a proprietary cement pipe works company, who purpose establishing works in Taranaki. was received. A letter from Mr. J. Montgomery, asking for a litfht on Seyton and Ariel Street's was referred to the Lighting Committee. The Council, actinf on a letter received, decided to order a onantitv of n prep-ircd tar for the streets of the Borough. I Works Committee's Report. The Works Committee reported as

follows:—1. Stone crusher: Your committee ask that the time for reporting on this matter be extended till next meeting. 2. \Y. Sharrock's contract: Mr. Sharrock has notified the Overseer that ho cannot complete his contract owing to his inability to obtain a crushing plant. This matter has been referred to the Mayor and chairman to deal with. 3. Various new works authorised by the Council have been completed during the month (vide Overseer's report). Other works authorised, will be completed as early as possible. ■l. The Overseer has applied to the! committee for three weeks' holiday, j We recommend that the application be granted. 5. Road roller: Messrs. McLaren and Co. have advised that they have received word that the roller was, shipped by the s.s. Rcmuera. Inisj steamer is expected to arrive in New Zealand on the 10th inst. The committee were empowered to make preparations for the housing of the road roll-

Town Hal! Committe*. Mr J. D. Healy, on behalf of the Town Hall Committee, reported that "In company with Captain Lampen and .Mr. G. Bond, we inspected the scenery and appliances in the Town Hall, and stronglv recommend that the scenery should receive immediate attention. One of the box sets requires to be newlv painted, and the other should be renovated. The latter set will also require bracing with iron braces. The set scene cloth should be re-painted. Mr. W. Diamond has been requested to enumerate other matters that require attention, and give a prico for the whole of the work." A letter was received from Mr. W. Diamond offering to do the whole work for £25. The offer was accepted, and tho report adopted.

Reserves Committee. The Reserves Committee reported that Mr Dingle had applied to tho Council to pay half the cost of a seven wire fence, to lie erected between sections 106-7, Ariel Street, and 145-6, Orlando Street. They begged to recommend that tho request be granted. The report was adopted. Abattoir Committee. Tho Abattoir Committee reported having visited the Abattoirs during tiie month, and recommended that certain work be done, including the painting of the buildings. This work will be done, and tho resort was adopted. Abattoir Managers Report.

The Abattoir Manager reported that during tho month 56 cows, 14 heifers, 27 oxen, 239 sheep, no lambs, and 15 pigs were slaughtered. Fees for the month were £47 6s. One cow (wholly), 3 cows (partially), one heifer (wholly), one oxen (wholly), one ox'en (partially), two sheep (wholly) were condemned. A Serl:us Item. Cr. Ward brouglic up the qucsM.m of street lighting. He stated that breakages of the lamps, must have cost the Council during the last month a vory considerable sum. He advocated an enquiry into the matter, and if possible the use of some protection for tho bulbs. It was decided to ask the Lighting Committee to report.