A MONPOLY.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11751, 6 October 1906, Page 2

A MONPOLY.

A good parent, if properly regis*. tered and protected is a great monopoly. It is the absolute I property of the patentee, who should ! run it for all it is worth. Some handsome fortunes have been made out of patents. Probably you have an idea of making improvements in some mechanical device, or you have struck upon something quite new, and stand in doubt about its practicability and value. This is just the time when you should enlist the services of ..Baldwin and Bayward, Patent Agents and Consulting Engineers, Wellington. Write for their pamphlet "Hints to Inventors," or call upon them. — C. Langley Bell, representative for Nelson, opposite Post Office.;^ -

ironti street corner.— Acceded to. 1 From Mr J. Butler, asking Council to make some small repairs to baths. —Granted. , . • „. , From Mr Hewetson, asking leave to take a few loads of earth frm Alfred sreet.— Referred to Committee. From the Under - Secretary for Justice, enclosing verdict and rider of jury on death- of Mr W. Vercoe.

Or Atmore moved a resolution of sympathy with the widow and relatives of Mr Vercoe, and this was carried.

Or Harrison said it was gratifying that the jury found there was no blame attachable to their, employees. On the notation, of Or Houng'e|l the riders' were then referred to the Committee.

From the Engineer of Roads re widening of streets. From Messrs Hughes and Lancaster, with drawings of drainage plant. — Referred to Committee.

From Mr Mestayer, re septic tank, stating that the Inspector of the Health Department reported that the septic tank at New Plymouth was working satisfactorily, also that he was pleased with the working of the tank at Feilding. He reported that he had reduced the size of the tank on the. findings of the Royal Commission in Engalnd. The Mayor said, he thought enquiries should be made, and he asked the Clerk to read his letter. The larger tank* was estimated at £1300, and the smaller at £2200. Cr Lightband had reported that the tank at New Plymouth was not satisfactory, and when he was there a reporter told him that the Council thought it was going to work well, but the people did not. In their tank there was als inch pipe, arM a 9 inch outlet, and he thought they must be vory careful. •He had told most of them what he saw and heard.

Ur Hounsell pointed out that at first the New Plymottfch tank was not constructed in accordance with Mr Mestayer's soheme, and that the trouble was caused thereby. Or Grace said he called on Mr Mestayer, who threw considerable light on one difficulty, and he explained the errors that had been made. Mr Kendall, the sanitary engineer, said the result of the alterations had been satisfactory, and no nuisance had arisen since.

The Clerk read the letter referred to by the Mayor, and which asked the date of the report of the Royal Commission, and the reason for the greater cost of the smaller tank, etc.

The Mayor said there had been no reply.

Cr Lightband said that according to Mr Mestayer's letters the tank at New Plymouth appeared to be work* ing wellj but the general opinion in the place was not sq favorable. They wished to wait till the tank was opened before expressing a definite opinion, He moved that the letters be referred to Committee.

Cr Hounsell seconded pro forma, but said Cr Lightband seemed to think the septic tank was in the experimental stage. Many towns in England had proved that the septic tank system was a success. The Mayor said it was desirable that they should take every precaution to prevent errors. He also said that changes had been made in the plan. The matter was, after further discussion, referred to the Drainage Committee.

From the Secretary of the Church Hill Improvement Society, enclosing balance sheet, and asking for Council's contribution of £20. Resolved that the amount be paid, and the letter referred to the Committee.

From Mr Gibbard, complaining of an accumulation of old tins and rubbish in Shelbourne street, and asking that gas lime be placed there. — Referred to Committee.

From Mr J H. Cock, re destruction of Synions' memorial, . stating that as the memorial was erected by friends, the relatives did not think they should re-erect the memorial, which they thought was a worn for the Council. — Referred to Committee.

REPORTS

were then read. The Public Works Committee re-

Ported :— I. On letter from Mr F. J. Fawcett. That Mr Fawcett be granted permission to form an approach to his 'property provided he places a sufficient number of pipes in the ditch to carry away the storm water. % On letter from Mr Morrison : That as there re pipes already across the footpath, the committee nave nc recommendation tv make. 3. On letter from Mr J. G. G. Wilkins: That the ditch inTipahi street opposite Mr Wilkins' land be filled in. 4. On letter from Mr D. R. Edwards: (a) That the ditch on the opposite side^of the road in Brougham street be cleaned out. That they have no recommendation to make as to footpath. 5. On letter from Mr C. Nash : That Mr Rout be written to and requested to complete his contract for filling in Wainui street. 6. On letter from carters re Wainui street: That the carters be informed that as soon as the sides of the road have been filled up according to contract the road will be rolled. 7. On letter from Mr P. Thomson : That the City Surveyor be instructed to extend the drain in Victoria Crescent so as to make it form part of the drainage scheme, the cost to be paid out of the Drainage Loan account. 8. As to lifting jack for road roller: That a jack be purchased at a cost of £5. 9 On letter from Mr G. C. "ilbert : That a 6ft footpath be made and gravelled. On clause 4 the latter part was struck out, and Mr Edwards allowed to cut a path. The report, as amended, was adopted. The Finance Committee reported as follows :— l. On letter from Mr J. B. Parker : That the question of letting the paddock be deferred for two months, and that the grass he sold as a growing crop. 2. On letter from Mr Mundy: That permission be granted to Mr Mundy to

number the houses provided the

householders pay the cost, and that such numbers be done according to plan to be prepared by the City Surveyor and submited to the Council.. 3. On letter from Chief Postmaster: That enquiries be made from Masterton, Christ3hurch,Feilding, Palmerston North and Gisborne, as to the course adopted in those towns. 4. On letter from Mr C. W. Harvey : That they have no recommendation to make. 5. On letter from Messrs Savage and Sons: That Messrs Savag* and Sons be offered £20 in full settlement of all claims, without prejudice, and that a claim be. made against Mr Eyles for half^the amount the Council may pay and that he be allowed to pay such amount by instalments of 12s per month. 6. As to retott setting: That the City Surveyor be instructed to make arrangements for the setting of the further bench of retorts. 7. That governor be provided for regulating the gas supply to the Port district in connection with the new gas reticulation scheme, at a cost of about £43 at Home, to be paid for out of the new loan. On clause 1, Cr Turner moved that tenders be invited for renting the paddock, but the motion was defeat cd.

On clause 5, Cr Atmore said it appeared •to him that this was a straight out accident, be did not think their carter should be called on to pay part of the damage. He moved that thef flatter portion be struck out.

The Mayor said Mr Byles was their servant, be backed his horse, and said the flapping of a blanket made the horse go further, and the damage was done.

Cr Atmore's motion was carried by 5 to 4. Ayes: Cre Lightband, Hounsell, Atmore, Grace,and Harrison. Nors: Crs Turner, Hampson, Pettit, and the Mayor. »

On clause 6, the Mayor s'ud they bad a good deal of trouble in retort setting before, and he referred to a competent retort setter whom he had met. He moved that the clause be struck out, with a view to engaging this man.

Cr Hounsell said the Mayor was in error in stating they paid 20s a day for retort setting, the amount was 16s, and the work was carried out in an efficient manner.

Gr Atmore said the matter was thoroughly threshed out in Commit-

tee," The' Mayor had brought forward no sound reason why a newcomer "should be brought here to supersede an . experienced man whq had done good work; He Suppb'rtfecl the recommendation.

Or Grace took a similar view

In reply to Or Petti t, the Surveyor said the work would take about a fortnight. All the flues were constructed.

*Cr Hampson thought there was a principle here. The work appeared to cbffle tinder the jurisdiction of the Surveyor He took it that the Surveyor would see the work was dope properly;, as that was bis dtity: The, proposal to strike out was, loqi on the voices,' and the clause stood; The report was adopted. *

The Surveyor reported: — 1. That permits to connect with sewers had been grauted Mr A. McArtney, Bridge street: Mr Shaw, Waimea street; Messrs Bond, Finney, and Co., Waimea street; and permits for cesspits to Mr Hooper, Hardy street; Mr James Robertson and Maitai Bowling Club, Bridge street. 2. The following were the results obtained at the Gasworks for-the month ended 30th September:— Ooal carbonised (estimated ), Westport, 153 tons Gcwfc* do. Aberniam 86tons-9cwt, allowance for wastage, 5 per cent,l2tons; total, 251 tons lpcwt; Gas produced, as per station meter, 2,847,900 feet; ga4 produced per ton, 11,312 feet. Coal in stock (estimated, Westport 45tons 15cwt, Abermain 9ltons; total. 136

tons Iscwt. Sales were : Coke, £70 2s; tar, £5 0s ss; lime, 2s; breeze, 4s ; total, £75 8s 5d. : A. pretty heavy break was found in Upper Hardy street, and another ot those: antiquated appliances-^a- so-called selfaoting syphon-— was footod there*- 3. The work connected with metalling Hardy street had .been completed, and the stone crusher had ibeen shut down. 4} As instructed,' he had visited the General and. Mental Hod-

pitnls, and in conjunction with th 6 foreman gasfittery inspected the gas fittings and pipes. Mr Davis, of the Public Works Department, < was also present at the latter hospital. Reports had been sent to the authorities. 5. He had received an application from the Sextoii ■ for a holiday, whichi he 3 .recommended should be granted. 6. On opening tip. tretiCheg for gas mains in ■ Waimea street he found a most peculiar connection had been made there, which no doubt greatly interfered with the flow of gas through the mains. This would, of course, be rectified. The Mayor referred to the complication at the Waimea street junction of the gas main, which he said he believed was the cause of the trouble to gas consumers in Waimea street His opinion was that when there was an obstruction as there was at the "Coloriist" Offioe the' Engineer —all of them — should, have .opened up, rind sought for a fault. Gr Grace said that fifteen years agd the gas there was good. On being questioned, the Surveyor said he could not understand why this connection was not rectified

when the 10 inch main was laid down. The gas supply at the "Colonist" Office had been made sufficient whenever a complaint was made. The Sexton was granted a holiday. The Inspector reported that the city was still free of infectious diseases. The Abattoir Inspector reported that the number of animalslaughtered for the fortnight ended September 21st was as follows: — Cattle 70, calves 16, sheep 577, lambs 39, pigs 37— total 739; and for the following fortnight, cattle 66, oalves 26, sheep 603, lambs 37, pigs 37— total 769.

Cr Hampson was elected a member of the Finance Committee.

It was resolved to close the Coun-

cil office at noon on Labor Day,

Cr Grace suggested that a meeting of the Committee re disposal of offal at Abattoir should beheld,

The Mayor said he found a town in the North Island was putting up

a plant which was costing £3000. He intimated his intention of calling a meeting. Or Harrison moved that Or Hampson be placed on this CJommittee instead of himself, as this was largely a n"nan;i.il mattter. — Agreed to. I Or Hounsell called attention to the deplorable state of the footpaths, due to their being cut, up for gas and water|connections. He thought the ratepayers should be responsible. Or Pettit said the Surveyor had been instructed to repair the paths when the proper season at rived. Or Harrison thought the road urosings should be seen to. The Mayor moved that the matter be referred to the Committee.

Agreed to. The Mayor said that at the inquest it was reported that the Surveyor said the leakage was IV4 per cent, although it; bad been stated at 27 per cent. He said that based on the figures given by the Town Clerk he found that the percentage in April was 25J4 in May 271& in June 18*4 in July 16%, and in August 19«& In view of the statement made at the inquest he moved that a special committee be set up to enquire. There was also another matter, there rasa difference between;, the statements of the Town Clerk and the City Surveyor re residuals sold, and this should be enquired into. He moved that Crs Hampson, .Pettit, and the mover enquire into these matters.

Cr Pettit agreed that an enquiry was desirable, but proposed that Cr Grace be substituted for himself.

Cr Hounsell said the Mayor in his calculation had not allowed for the gas used jn the Council Chamber, and had not allowed sufficient for street lamps. He asked the Surveyor to explain his statement.

Tho Surveyor said the gas produced was 3,341,900 ft. The gas sold was 2,714,400, and that left 627,500 to be accounted for, but the lamps consuemd 150,000 ft, the gas burned in^the gasworks was 40,000 ft, and in the Council buildings and fitting shop 43,200 ft. That left 394,300 ft for leakage, which came to 11% per cent. When the statement was made nothing was allowed for these premises or the* fitting shop, Cr Atmore asked the Mayor whether this motion arose out of personal animus or an honeßt desire to find out. One could not help feeling that the Mayor showed undue feeling where the Surveyor was conerned, and he looked on this as a veiled attack on the Surveyor.

The Mayor said he did not know that be bad any animosity against anyone. He wanted truth, and hoped to get it. He had lived there for 30 years, and did not know that anyone could charge him with personal animosity. He felt that if he let this go he would not be doing right, Cr Hampson aßked whether the figu/es the Committee would have to deal with were on the records of the Council.

The Mayor said they were,

Cr Hounsell moved an amendment that the matter be referred to the Gas Committee.

-Or Atmore seconded, considering the appointment of -a* speoial committee would be a reflection on the Gas Committee.

The amendment was carried, on a division by 5 to 4. Ayes: Crs Hounsell, Hampson, Pettit, Atmore v and Grace. Noes: Crs Jjightband, Turner, Harrison and the Mayor.

Cr Turner moved that the seats on the Wakanuaka road be turned round. — Carried.

On the motion of Cr Turrier, the matter of a hole In Hastings street was referred to the committee.

Cr Atmore said he noticed that the head of the Agricultural Department expressed surprise that no application bad been made for an experimental farm in Nelson. The Education Board had arranged for agricultural instruction, and their object would be completed by the establishment of an experimental farm. He moved "That this CoiinciLrequest the Government to establish an exerirnental farm in the Nelson district."

Cr Grace seconded the motion; which was carried.

Cr .Hampson said he noticed tfiat a meeting was called for Monday for striking a special rate for the Gas Reticulation Loan. He was strongly of opinion that ng rate was necessary for the loan, and believed that

if they borrowed on the security of the gasworks that would be perfectly legal, and save a rate. He would like the Acting Town Clerk to look into the matter between this and Monday. It would be more in accordance with what, ought to be don& if interest and sinking fund was charged to the gas works. The Mayor agreed with Cr Harnpon, and aaid he brought the matter under notice of tha Council.

The Town Clerk said they had legal opinion that a rate must be shruck.

Cr Hampson said if they had a legal opinion he could say no more, but from -a lay point of view, the Act seemed to be clear, and he quoted to show this. After , some further remarks the matter dropped. . Or Grace then gave ndtice of motion to move the following resolution r at next meeting: — "That, in order to provide for the upkeep of the gasworks, out of revenue accruing therefrom a reserve fund be formed by placing annually in a separate account, a sum of not less than £300, to be taken from the District Fund, which shall be reimbursed from the Gas Account; the Said reserve fund to be known as the Gas Works Reserve Fund, and to be expended entirely for the upkeep and renotnfcion of the gasworks plant in such a manner as the City Council may from time to time see fit, it bping provided that whenever and as long as the accumulations of the Reserve Fund amount to £10,000 no annual allocation shall be deemed necessary."