CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13438, 8 June 1912, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

Tho fortnightly mooting of the City Council was held last evening, there being present the Mayor (Mr T. A. H. Fiold),. and Councillors Harloy, Kerskaw, Hampson, Snodgrass, Mercer, Adams, Bisloy, and Fell. An apology was received for tho absence of Cr Tasker.

Th<* statement of balances was presented as follows:—

Correspondence was .road and dealt with as follows: —

From Mr It. Stone, accepting tho position of caretaker of tho Sands Reserve.

From tho Town Clerk of New Plymouth, forwarding particulars of local salt water swimming baths. From residents in -Alton Place, asking that tho roadway be improved. — Referred to the City Engineer. From Mr A. W. Shal.crar.s, drawing attention to tho condition of Halifax street between Collingwood street and Milton Grove, where rubbish wag dumped, and it was impossible to get along ! on account of mud and noxious weeds. Nothing had been done regarding the formation of road along Milton Grove, for which he, had given a piece of land. Referred to the Works Committee. From Mr A. W. Shallcrasa, applying for permission to blast stumps on his property, Milton Grove.—Left in the bands of'the- City Engineer. From Messrs John Wobley and Sons stating tliat it was impossible to connect a house in Motueka etreet with t'u> sr-'Si-r. <.v.-Isij.j; io i:l.;e' in«iiili< ■!• -rxt douih v.i the latter. They had ooou told .by" the Council's officials that the depth was sufficient and plans bad been prepared and approved <>n that information. They asked what the Council would do in the matter. Tb>> City Eug::vro.r explained that tho position v.as peculiar. i;ht» sewer being laid on a bank instead of tho formation. The depth given to Messrs Webley and Son;-, was correct as shown on the' plans, but of course this was insufficient from the point it was desired to connect. It wae impracticable to cxi tend the «ewer to enable the connection to bo made.

Tho letter was referred to the House Drainage Committee to inspect and report. From Mr A. P. Lucas, on behalf of tho owners of private street in Wellington Terrace, stating that they could not see their way to gi re 14 feet extra width and incur tho extra expense suggested by tho Council. The damage had not been done by the owners, but was caused through a new road on adjoining; property being carried out with tho Coun<'il':j J.s>i.':t'\ :il, &nd they thought tho Ccunei'l should repair tho damage or c:i!i.--/.> tho:-!.> responsible for it to do so. They trusted the Council would take no cxc". j>Litjfi to tho o.viivr.-; fencing in the street, which was the only way of avoiding inconvenience. Tlw, City-Engineer raid there had been a mistake. Jt was desired to make the total width of the formation 14 feet, not 14 feet wider than it was at present. Tlif matter was referred to the General Committee.

From tho Wood Ward Beautifying Society applying for permission to orect a temporary fence- along tho river bank to protect s'.mibs, etc. —Permission was granted. From Mr T. Usher asking that Tetuku street- be gravelled and a lamp erected at tho1 junction of Motueka and Kawai streets.—Referred to tlio General Committee.

The Special Committco reported, recommending that tho sum of £1837 be expended oil repairs to the following streets: Waimea road and Waimea street from Hardy street to Boys' Collego £350; Collingwood street from Hardy r.treot to Brougham street £270; Washington Valley, £80; Bridge street from ColHngwood street to the bridge, £60 ; sea- wall, Wakenold Quay, £230 ; main thoroughfare to Eishopdale via Vanguard street, £150; Gloucester street from railway station to Vanguard street, £30; Mount -street. £67; Nile street footbridge, £50; Milton street £10; entrances to wharves (2) £27; Hampden -street west, £18; Montreal road, £8; Milton Grove (footpath) £15; Trafalgar street (north Eide- of Mai tai), £20; '-Hardy street from Vanguard street to Waimea street, £24; Wainui. street, £48 ; Vanguard street, £8. !i; -stormwater-sewer, Waimea street, £60; erection of shed for plant £205; total, £1837.

The Special Committee- of the whole Council reported as follows: On letter from Town Clork, Gisborne, re hotel licenses, that tho Council cannot see its way to support the proposal. On letter from Nelson Hockey Association, that an asphalt floor be put down in the | ladies' dressing shod, to coat about £1 ss. On letter from Mr G. E. Jansen, that the Council considers the existing drain sufficient for the present requirements and that tho application be not granted. On letter from Mr W. McGeo, that this matter is dealt with in the report of tho Special Committee. On lettors from secretaries Garrir.on and Citizens' Bands, that -a eontiibution of £10 be mado to each band for one year. As to v.fagi>'s paid to workman during sickness, consideration deferred, tho City Engineer to report. A::. t,-> urainage ac abattoir, that the drainrgo work as recommended by the City Engineer bo carried out. As to by-laws, that the mat"to.r hv left .in tho hands of Urn Town Clerk and City Engineer wh>ri drafting fn>Eh by-laws. A l3 to H-.n'-er. extension (Gre-enslade) that permir.s.un be granted to connect witli the old wivcr in Halifax street. As to rates, tint ten per cent additional be charged on ;;11 overdue raLrc. As to building liy-lv.vs, that bylaw 4 be amended as propon-d by the Builders' Association bo ?a to provide that a detached shed with a floor spac-o of not more than 188 squ.-iio twt and 10 foot high be allowed at tho roar of existing buildings in tho brick and party ! wall areas if constructed with wooden frame, floor and doors "'-'-d covered on the outside- witli iron, no wor-don barge ! or covering boards to be used ; (h) that by-law 5 bo amended so as to makt) it provide that buildings built, i t> . > tho street line be two sicicvt, h h \ uh j. depth of not less tha. i 2"> r< <.< > * to by-law 10, that the tj-!a\i i .i <. -A ■ present; (d) that dfurthoi n < l "i«i of this matter be def< rrod uut ■! t v i' >x ordinary meeting of lh« (.' >i i 'id that in the meantime ? t> pf it >» of the City En'gmeci\ iej v 1 nishod to each Councilloi \ i > C '■, Engineer's report, !n) feton^ bit that tbe suggestion ol t^e City E ~*i ocr as to working bo cai nod out, ( h) i to nightsoil depot, that t'l" City Knginj c?r mnke the best arrangement pos-

siblo; (c) Wel'.ington Torraco, that the Couns-il have tho necessary repairs carried out at once without prejudice; (d) that the City Engineer make an inspection of all private streets and report to tlie Council. The following letters have been received and considered by tho Committee- since tho dato of the last Council meeting, and they beg to report thereon as follows: From > Messrs Pitt and Moore forwarding opinion as to the powers of the Council with regard to the erection of verandah posts in wood or iron (Mr St John), that the matter be oft in the hands of the City Engineer. From the Commercial Union Assurance Company declining to accept £10 in settlement of claim for alleged damage to building in Hardy street. — That no action be taken. From Messrs Pitt and Moore, forwarding transfer of drainage right from Mr E. Milton for execution, that the common seal of the Council be affixed to tho transfer. From Messrs J. A. Redpath and Son as- to shipment of coal, that the letter be referred to the- Gas Committee. From Secrotary Education Board, applying for a grant of a piece of land, part of tho Queen's Gardens, as a site for the erection of a workshop, consideration deferred, tho Committee to visit. Cr Fell took exception to the clause ■leaving the matter of-verandahs to theCity Engineer. They had the opinion of their .solicitors that they could not insist on iron posts, and they should notify th-e applicant accordingly. Cr Hampsqn thought they could withhold .permission for the verandah altogether if it did not comply with tlie Council's requirements. • The Mayor agreed with Cr Fell. No action was taken, and the report . was adopted. The Gas Committee reported as follows : On letter from Mr A/; L. Besgranges, that lie bo charged at the cooking rate. On letter from Messrs J. A. Redpath and Son, (a) as to price of coal, ex Lindstol, that they have no recommendation to make; (b) that the account for the extra oO tons ordered bo paid at the prico charged. As to charge for gas to Hospital and Charitably Aid Board, that the question of reducing the price of gas to all consumers be deferred until tho annual balance sheet lias heeiv presented. As to charge for gas for street lighting, that a charge be made at ss. lOd per 1000 feet. As to carting coal, that tho matter of obtaining prices for carting coal be lc-i't in the hands of the Gas Engineer.

An amendment that in view of special circumstances Messrs lied path and Son be allowed Cd per ton extra on tho Lindstol's coal was negatived, and tho report was adopted. The- City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) report-ed on work done and in progress on. the streets during the .fortnight: Drainage. —A serious breakage had occurred in tho sewer in Grove street, due apparently to some large defect in the drain. .It would be necessary to open up the street until tho defect was found and the blockage removed. Abattoir. —The sanitary fittings and drains at tho manager's house we rein urgent need of repair. Places of Public Recreation.—Sands Reserve: The areas, to be planted had been laid out, and work would be proceeded with immediately. Milton's Acre: Ho had ascertained the boundaries of Haven road adjoining tho railway ground, and had found that a very large area of the land at present occupied by Mr Turner was Council property. It was proposed to move the fencing to enclose the part- in question and to have the plantation extended thia season, if possible, along the whole- frontage of Haven road. Miscellaneous'. — Vivo building permits had been issued. A house to house inspection of water fittings was being made. A | j-vcmii of very good metal had been located on th-e fare of the hill behind the Old People's Home. The following cases of theft of Council property and wanton destruction were reported: Tho night lamp was removed from the road roller and two lights from Haven road ; tho ladies' dressing shed and ticket box at Trafalgar Park had been damaged and tho doors broken open; thoJock on the ladies1 dressing shed at Botanical Reserve was smashed two days, after it was put on ; and the posfc with the name board,' on the top of the hill in Richardson street, had again been pulled up.

it was decided to place the matter of damage to Council property in the hands of tho police, and to offer a- reward of £10 for information that would lead to tho conviction of the offenders.

The abattoir manager reported the following slaughter of stock since the last meeting: Cattle 66, calves 5, sheep 588, lambs 178, pigs 47, total 884. Tho Gas Engineer (Mr W. J. Hookey) reported that during May the coal carbonised amounted to 251 tons 16 cwt Iq r of Newcastle and 85 tons 16 cwt qrs of Westport coal, a total of 337 tons 2 cwt. The gas manufactured totalled 3,919,000 cubic feet, or 11,625 cubic feet per ton of coal. The illuminating power was 19^- candles. The coal in stock was 240 tons of Newcastle and 10 tons of Westport. The sales of residuals, including supplies to other departments, amounted to £219 10s 2d.

Three tenders were received for tho supply of Boulder Bank metal up to ■3000 yards, delivered at the gasworks wharf. Messrs Chamberlain and Stannard tendered at 3s lid per yard. 'Messrs Lang-lands, and Co tendered at 8-s 8d and could supply 250 yards immediately if they could arrange for a. punt, otherwise they could not start for six weeks. Mr E. V. Johnson tendered at 3s 9d delivered at tho wharf.

Cr Mercer suggested that the Council should obtain a plant of its own. Cr Snodgrass thought they should decline all tho tenders and go on with the metal they woro using for six months,, when tho'Cewncil could get Boulder Bank metal by day labour, or get better terms by tendering. Cr Harley said Jioulder Bank metal had been proved to be far and away the best. He thought they .should accept the 3s 9d tender (Johnson's) for immediate supply. He- moved to that effect.

Cr A<lani3 seconded the motion, which was lost.

Cr Harley then moved that Langliinda and Go's tender be accepted.

Cr Snodgrasa opposed accepting any tender. They could make their own arrangements,'and in tho meantime use Maitai metal.

Cr Bislov seconded tho motion

Cr Hampson said they could have a punt made in live- or six weeks, and that would be more economical than contracting. Ho movod as an amendment tlii.t tho City Engineer prepare specification .<3 and invite tenders for the construction of a punt. The amendment was carried, and it was decided that none of the tenders be accepted. The matter of improvements at Trafalgar Park was'referred to the General Committee-. Cr Fell moved that unless the arrears of rent owed by the Ilugbv League for Trafalgar Park are paid by tho 15th inst its oermit will lapse-. Cr Snodgrass seconded the motion, which was carried.Other matters of minor importance wero dealt with, and fcho Council rose.

Dr. ' Cb. £ *. d. £ s. o. General A/o ... 18 906 13 I Water „ ... 3,,'SO 13 5 Gas , ... l,4fiO 7 4 Interest „ ... 1815 6 1 Abattoir „ ... 37 8 it Hospital and Charitable Aid A/c all 7 11 Balance Dr. 22,696 4 5 ■£24.194 0 6 24.L94 0 6 CR £ s. d. Cometorics (Trust Ac.) 311 10 2 Contractors' Deposits (do) 23 0 0 Trafalgar Park (do) 52 17 9 ' Accounts wore passed for payment as follows:—■ t General Account 396 2 6 Water Ac-count ' 32 11. 9 Gas Ac-count 214 3 4 Abattoir Account 31 7 7 Total £674 5 2