City Council.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9267, 3 September 1898, Page 2

City Council.

An- ordinary meeting of this Conneil was held last night. Present— His Worship tKe 1 Mayor (Mr F. Trask), and Councillors Rout, Baigent, Akersten, Piper, Moller, Lock, C. Harley, and J. Harley. The minutes of tha previous meeting were read and confirmed, and payments were authorised a3 fellows:—

The usual report showing the state of the Bank Balances at date was presented as follows :—

Correspondence was then read and considered, amongst the letters received being the following : — From Mr J. E. Sherwood, jar, calling attention to state of oroEging at 'lntukf street and ditob. -Referred to Works Committee for report. From Mra H. S. Barnes, re water tabla Haven road— Referred to Works Committee with power to act. From Mr A, H. Pattern £ application to be p'a*ed on burges* roll.— Agreed to, after the eleotior. From the Masterton Town Council ssiing the Coanoil to join in a movement to give give control cf the expenditure of Hospital and charitable aid to the local body having control over the area over which the latis were levied. CrKiut Said that the poor gravitated to the town?. It was ordered that the letter be received. Or Baigeat withdrew from tha Chamber. From Mr H. Baigeat asking for a special 2 inch water eerviae be laid on to hii factory in Waimea street as, granted to Griffin's and Soott's mill for fire prevention purposes only. — Request agreed to. Frou Mr W. Bethwaile, as architect for Mra Franzen, asking for permission to connect a cottage property wi'h drain on Wakefield Q a ay.— Granted, under supervision cf the City Borveyor» From Mr Jotn Sinclair, asking for pravelling portion of Eawai street. Mr Benraan wrote aboat the same matte* at king for an estimate of co3t with to.c view of raising funds among those who would benefit by tbe expenditure.— The City Surveyor was authorised to supply the estimate. From Robertson Bros calling attention to a manure store in Hardy street owned by Mr Look. The smell of the minure was complained of. it being stated that Mr W. Robertson's fimily had to leava tbeir house. Messrs Grant Bros writing about the ssme matter eaid that the smell was co bad tha" their horses bad refused food. Mr C. 3. Pasrt wrote in complaint aboat the same thing. Mr Jiekell said that there was a disagreeable smell about the manure there was no doubt about that, but he could not say it was dangerous to health. If he had been living close by he would not complain. The shed was a chain away from other places. There was manure belonging to other persons stored not far away. Cr Moller said that the by-law dealt with the matter, and if there was a nuisance, it would have to be removed. Cr J. Harley said that there was no doubt that if there was a nuisance it would have to be removed. The Mayor said that he would be sorry to see any impediment pla<rad in the way of any man in buainese. Or C. Harley said that there were thousand of tons of these artificial manures imported into the district by several firms, and there should be careful consideration. Cr Lock said that the manure was exactly the same in composition as he had imported for several years, and no complaint had been made before. He was willing to remove the manure if necessay, but he would not like to be hurried. Cr Piper suggested medical advice being taken. Cr Moller said that it was very unpleasant I for people to have to eat their meals under the circumstances stated. Refered to the Works Committe on the motion of Crs Piper and R*ut, it being understood that the other stores where j these manures are kept be also visited. Pdblic Works Committee. Meeting of Public Works Committee held 25th August 1898. Present : His Worship the Mayor fChairman), Crs Akersten, Rout, and J. A. Harley. The Committee reported as follows :— 1. On letter from Messrs Atkinson and Woodward: That they are unable to recommend that a general permission be granted to remove gravel within the line of pegs, but that the City Surveyor be authorised to have the channel from the sewer cleaned, and any patches of gravel removed that he thinks advisable. 2. On letter from Mrs Redworth and others: That they recommend that this application be granted. 3. On letter from Mrs Franzen: That they are unable to recommend that this request be granted. 4. As to jaws for stone-breaker: That the City Surveyor order two new jaws from Home. 5. As to verandah, T. H. Smith: That this matter -be attended to. 6. As to water service A. T. Maginnity : That a three quarter inch water service be laid and the gas laid on provided that Mr Maginnity pays the usual proportion of the cost of service. 7. As to the road roller: That they are unable to recommend that a road roller be purchased at present. 8. As to repairing and painting Collingwood street bridge : That the cracks in the in the woodwork be stopped and the bridge painted. 9. As to wooden guard north side of Normanby bridge: That a wooden guard be placed close to the handrail, Cr C. Harley said that it was ordered that the paintihg of Normanby bridge should also be considered. The Mayor said that Normamby bridge was inspected, and it was found that the bridge required painting. — Resolved to have the bridge painted. In reply to Cr Moller, the Surveyor said that he did not think the jaws for the stonecrushers could be as well made in Nelson, but he would see. The metal was manganese steel. On C. J. Harley's motion, Mr 3 Franzen's application was referred back to tbe Committee, with power to act. The Mayor said that Mr Maginnity was willing to pay half the expense of laying on the gas. The offer was agreed to. The Public Works Committee's report, as amended, was adopted. The Finance Committee's report was read as follows : — Finance Committee. Meeting of Finance Commitee held on held 29th August 1898. Present— His Worship the Mayor (chairman), and Cr Piper. The Committee reported as follows :— 1. On letter from residents of Brook street as to gas.— That they recommend that the petitioners be informed that the Council are unable to extend the gas.

! 2. On letter from the Town Clerk, #ore< ;re Municipal Franchise Bill.— That they ; recommend that the Gore Borough Council be informed that this Council strongly dis* approves of the Municipal Franchise Re* form Bill, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Hon. J. W. Barnicoat; o. That Dr Andrew having reported to the Mayor that Mr Barltrop required « month's rest, the Committee recomm^n'cV that he be allowed a month's leave of absence. On the motion of Cr Piper, clause 2 was struck out, and the balance of the report! was agreed to. Cr Piper pointed out that the extension of the gas service to Brook street wonld cost £120, therefore they had to ask for eight householders to agree to take the service before the work could be undertaken". Report by the City Surveyor. The City Surveyor read the following report : — ".Gentlemen,— In accordance with with your instruction, I beg to report on the Public Works, in charge of and belonging to the Corporation, as follows : — "(I.) Gasworks. . " Since thejyear 1873, when theJGasworkS first commenced operations, up <4o the present tinie, there has beeri a cdntinrioird extension of business, especially during the past few years, the sales of gas having risen from thirteen million feet in 1870, to seventeen million feet in 1898, an increase of four million feet per annum. During the same period there have been two reductions in the price charged for gas for lighting purposes (one in July, 1893, and one in April, 1898) . These reductions have effected a saving to consumers during the past five ye£rs of two thousand four hundred and thirty-five pounds (£2,435). The. total amount received for residuals in 1890 was! ninety -two pounds (£92), and the takings in cash have gradually risen each year since to six hundred and eleven pound 3 (£611) for the year ending March last, and this amount would have been increased by over one hundred pounds (£100) had not the tar produced been required for footpath formation. This shows an increase of quite six hundred pounds per annum, as compared with the year 1890. '' The price charged for supplying gas to the street lamps has been reduced from four hundred and fifty-four pounds (£454) iri 1891, to two hundred and sixty-four pounds (£264) last year, which, with the present number (130) of lamps, saves the General Fund £282 per annum. " During the period 1890-98 extensions to plant, mains and services have been carried out at a cost of over £5,622. " The price for coke has been reduced from Is Od per bag, in 1890, to Is per bag at the present time, which effects a saving : to the coke consumers of nearly £300 per Jrear. i " The Works have always been kept lfl i good repair and condition, and the following additions to plant have recently been made :— New scrubber, cost £300 ; one ten horse power engine and one fourteen horse power boiler, cost £200. The retort house floor has been renewed throughout; new iron covering for retort house roof; new 10-inch main from Works to city* cost aboitfc £1700. The Works are also equipped with i tools and working plant, both in quantity [ and quality, better than at any time previously. i " A grant of £300 was made to the Rocks road in 1895. As compared with the cost • of coal in 1890 an extra payment of £400 a ; year has to be provided on account of the ■ rise in price after the great strike. " All extensions and additions to Works 1 and mains are paid for out of profits, but i before one penny can be set aside for such • purpose the Works have to make £1700 a 1 year more than was being made previous i to 1890. " (2) Waterworks. i "The Waterworks being a gravitation ; scheme, there is no great ordinary annual expenditure required, as is the case where i pumping is necessary. " The works, including the dam, mains, and services are in good repair, but the same cannot be said of the Eeservior which, however, is in a much better state than it ; has been for many years previously. The catchment and streams supplying the dam i are kept in as clean a state as is pnsoibte . on such country ia order that the consumers may get the purest water obtainable. ; "In dry summer weather when the draught on the mains is heavy, the supply . in the City is short, and it will become . necessary either to frame regulations for [ checking the consumption, or a considerable expenditure in money will have to be r provided for in border to carry out the re- [ quired works for obtaining an additional [ supply. I would point out that for all . ordinary purposes the present works and I plant are ample, but if it is intended to allow every citizen to use all the water r which he deems his especial business requires, then it will be necessary to carry t out the last of the two courses mentioned • above. "Since the year 1890 there has been ex- » pended on extensions £1230 mostly in layr ing new mains and services, also an extra- \ ordinary expenditure of £375, rendered necessary by the flood of 1893, when a wash out occurred in Brook Street. "As in the case of the Gas undertaking ; all additions to extensions of the Work or 1 mains are provided for out of profits, when • after making such provison and paying interest on loan, the price charged for water is kept at the lowest figure possible. " (3) Etbmts, Dbainage, stc. 5 « The monies paid annually into the Gen* ! eral Fond of the Corporation have not ' materially altered in amount since 1890, ! the totals received for that year and the finanolal year ending March last be : ng , about the same, bat on the other fond, this ; fund hat been called upon to make provi--1 sion for very considerable annual payments that did not exist previous to 1890, the ' amount thus expended being over £505, ' made up as follows : Queen's Gardens £120, Books Boad inkeresi £200, Subsidy to Fire ' Brigade £185. This amount bad it now b?en 1 available.oould have been expended on such works as streets formation, drainage, etc , ' but the withdrawal of this from the monies that in former years were expanded on works for public convenience has reduced 1 to the extent mentioned the amount to be spent on the public works of the City. ' Dating the period 1890-98 the Council have expended £2258 on 3 miles of new 1 Bewers, and have also veDtilated all eewera 1 throughout the City. The effect of these works on thspubUo health is clearly Bhown fey the ' greatly reduced number of oases of infec- ■ tions diseases. In 1890 there were reported ■ 47 oases of typhoid, bat for the pitt three . or foar years the City hag baen rompira- | tively frea from thia disease, Bnd no oasa ' has bsea reported for some considerab'a time. Also the periodical flooding of Hardy ; street and Waimea etre3t has practioally ' been got rid of by tha oons'nrtion of tha overflows at the north eide of Haven road. ! " Since 1890 the Council have constructed 1 over seven miles of tarred footpaths, which • have greatly added to the comfort of the citizens, and have also had to find 1 the money for the following extraordinary ■ payments: Stonebreaker, £200; Fifeshire • Island, £65 ; grants to Bocks road, £430 ; ■ street sweeper, £60; land at Saltwater Bridge, £50; repairs to Halifax street 3 culvert, £130. " The Council, with other local bodies, have constructed the Eocks Eoad for which 3 purpose the City of Nelson borrowed a sum 1 of £4000, the interest on this amounting to £200 a year, has been paid out of revenue, 3 without calling upon the citizens to pay any extra rate. The road is practically 5 completed, and will probably be opened formally by the Premier within the next three mouths. i " Trafalgar Park has been acquired for . the city, and a very considerable sum baa . been spent upon it in upkeep, tree planting, top dressing, and the recently erected c Queen's pavillion. [ " The Queen's Gardens have been trans- > formed from n swamp into the pretty resort

they now are, the bridge and aviary havi been erected therein at a cost of £80, al« the Botanical Reserve has been cleared o rubbish and a Band rotunda erected, tin latter mainly by public subscription. " Collingwood and Nofmanby bridge; have been re- decked at a cost of £130, anc they may fairly be expected to last wit! slight repairs for twenty years before re quiring to be re-decked again. " Dining the past 5 years a sum of £170? has been expended on streets formation, ii which is included the footpaths mentioncc above. '' Th* structure of the Maitai bridge ha; been eoriiplc'tscl and in use by foot passen gers for the past fortnight, and men an now engaged forming the approafih?s whicr will be completed and ready for ordinary t'-iflic before the next meeting of the Coun U(4) Ceketebies. ''' At the Wakapaaka Cemetery, the chapel and earetaket's house have both been repaired and punted, and everything has been kept in as good order sis the funds available would albw. The Trafalgar Street Cemetery has been cleared of gorse and briars every yeir since 1800, and is ixovt taii'lv clean." Cr J. Harley was pleased to hear the report. All sorts of r.imors were circulated, but the report would 3how the ratepayers what had been done, and how satisfactorily matters stood. He tonsidered the City Surveyor deserved thanks for the excellent report. The Mayor said tbe report was indeed very satisfactory. Be referred t6 the coming retirement oi Crs Everett and J. A. Harley, and spoke eulogistically of the services of those gentlemen. He intimated that he would be willing himself to receive subscriptions to place enlarged photographs of the two gentlemen in the Council Chamber as had been suggested by a correspondent of The Colonist. He 3aid tbe Town Clerk would also receive donations, and no doflbt the two newspaper offices would do the same.Cr Baigent supplemented the Mayor's remarks by moving a resolution regretting the retirement of Cr3 Everett and J, A. Harley, and recognising their faithful services in the Council for over 20 years. Cr Piper seconded the motion, and endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Cr Moller agreed with all that had been sanl. Crs Everett and Harley, in alone attending to the Courcil bnßinesg, had devoted over 300 days to the service of the ratepayers. Crs Akersten, Lock, aid Rout concurred with the foregoing speakers. The Mayor said Cr Everett had been in the Council 22 years, Cr J. A. Harley 21 years, and himself 20 years. He regretted very much the retirement of the two ] Councillors, for two better men could not be found in Nelson. The motion was carried uaanimously. Cr J. A. Harley returned thanks for the kind remarks which had been made. He was retiring with a perfectly free hand, so he could at any time go for the position of Councillor or Mayor if he chose to do so. He referred to tbe kinlness shown him as a Councillor, and wished the Councillors snecesa in the execution of their duties. The Council then acjourned.

Dr. Cr. £ s. d: £ s. d. General .. 3190 9 7 Water .. 14 9 0 Interest .. GO 5 9 Gas .. .. 500 3 2 Cemeteries .. 102 19 6 Contractors' deposits .. 27 0 0 Trafalgar Park 42 12 3 £3247 10 10 £090 S 5

£. s. d. Gasworks Account . . 20ii 12 0 Waterworks „ .. 13 8 5 General „ .. 215 11 0 Trafalgar Park .. 9 0 Total -P43R O h