CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14408, 19 May 1917, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

FOHTNIGHTLY AIEETTNG

Tho fortnightly 'meeting of tho City Council "was "hold last night, xl'ue. being present ..'.•the JVlayqr (Mv W.--W. Snodgrass) aud Councillors Stringer, ; Bnigent, Gibbons, Watson, Fettit, jllout, ; Hampson, Carlislo ; and Marric. FINANCE. " Tho schedule of bank balances was as follows:— ....'■" Dr. Cb, £ b. d. £a. d. General A/c ... 25,081 10 3 Water „ ... 988 12' 8 Gas „ ... 5,60114- 8 [nterest „ ... 340 17 2 Abattoir „ ... 397 10 10 Hospital and Charitable Aid 42 4 7 Balance Dr. 31,657 3 6 £32,054 19 4 35,054 19 4 Cemeteries (Trust Account) 29 4 7 Contractors' Deposits (do.) 48 0 0 Trafalgar. Park (do.) 44 4 5 Drainage Extension Loan 3:41 0 7 Maitai Lands Purchase Account 700 0 0 Amount owing to Bank on Overdraft 30,957 S 6 Ajnount of Overdraft at present allowed by the Bank , 32,348 0 6 Present statutory limit of Overdraft and Temporary Loan 34,049 0 0 Accounts were passed for payment as follows :— £ s d General Account "44 13 11 Gas Account 1359 6 5 Water Account 79 19 ■ o Abattoir Account ' 49 2.7 10 Cemeteries Account 19 3 5 Drainage Extension Loan 12 18 0 'Total £2065 19 0 CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:— From the Alexandra Borough Council, requesting support of resolution (a) to increase soldiers' pensions, (b) for organisation of industries. Cr. Hampson moved that the letter bo received. It seemed to him to bo a mistake for local bodies to attempt to dictate to or hamper the Government. The motion was seconded by Cr. Stringer: The Mayor agreed with the resolution, which was carried unanimously. From Mr A. G. Thompson as to stormwater from Mount street overflowing on to his property.—Referred to Works Committee. From Mr F. Smallbone, asking that roadway in Alton street be improved.— Referred to Works Committee. From Mr H. A. Shirtcliff, applying . for promised grant towards cost of improving Boundary load. The City Engineer certified that the Work had 'been carried out. —Amount to be paid. From Messrs E. Anstice and W. W. Snodgrass,. executors of the estate of the late J. S. Anstice, requesting allowance cf half-rates on property in Hardy street, which has been unoccupied for several years, except that the free xise of it has been granted to the Red Cross. —Remission granted. From Messrs Ledger and Spencc, re revision of Cemetery plans, stating that the amount of time occupied was quite treble what they anticipated. Ifr

was asked that Mr Ledger be permitted to interview the Works Committee and explain the whole position Mr Ledger to be asked to meet the Woiks Committee. From tho Minister of Internal Affairs, asking for the co-operation of the Council in regard to the exhibition on hoardings and in vestibules of theatres and other places -of o'bjectionablo posters.—Received; the Minister to be informed* that no objectionable posters have been exhibited in Nelson, and if such exhibitions should occur the police will take action. From Sales -Manager1, State Coalmines, as to execution of contract, stating that the Department did not tender for a contract, but submitted a quotation, which the Council accepted. The position, therefore, was that, the Department's letters and the Council's acknowledgment constituted an agreement which the Department would respect, but the manager declined to execute a formal- contract.—lt was decided to ascertain the late of freight ruling when the quotation was made. From Mr W. Stewart, as to damage to'his property, Maitai Bank, !>y the floods, and asking that something be done to avoid any further damage.— Refeired to Works Committee. From Mr B. B. Jones, Britannia Heights, stating that a water meter had been installed in connection with a new service to his cowshed, and he understood he was to pay 15s per annum rent. He would not use more than 4s worth of water, and he was now paying 10s a year in water rate. He therefore asked to bo exempted ironi the meter. He also asked why hundreds of other people , with similar services were not mettred. The City Engineer stated that the by-laws' required such services to be metered. There were a number thai vere not metered, but all that had been put in recently were metered. The letter was received, no action being taken. From Mrs Wa'stney, stating that tire Brook had encroached considerably on her, property in. Alton street.; through "willows 'being aliowed to take root ir the middle of the stream. She askec that the couise of the stream be cleared.—Referred to Works Committee. From Mr K. 6. Lucas, stating thai owing to a defective stormwater avail in Richmond Avenue, his property wa; f'ocded in wet weather. He asked tha the defect by rectified.—Referred t< Woiks Committee. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE The Special Committee reported a follows: l>n letters from Messrs \V. H Grimmett and H. P. Washbourn as t< price charged for "asphalt: That Crs Marris, Gibbons and Stringer and thi Mayor be a special committee to decid what selling prices shall bo charged fo asphalt supplied to citizens. <Also tha they consider the question of supplie of tar for street purposes. On lette from Mr. W. C. Harley as to gas ac count: Consideration deferred. Oj letter from Lord Rosebery, requestin; a contribution to Roumanian Relic Fund: That the letter be considers when the estimates are being deal with. On letter from Mr. E. W. Cros as to abattoir by-laws: That as a tern porary arrangement the modificatio: of the by-laws recommended by tli abattoir manager be approved. Oj letter from Mr. A. Cross', applying fo gas service in Kawai street: That th application be granted. On lette from gas stokers, applying for an in crease in wages: That the informatioi obtained from other centres be furnish ed to the applicants, and that they b informed that tho Council is not abl to grant any increase. Also, tbat th Town Clerk obtain information as t the lost of living in other centres am forward same to applicants. On l»itte from Mr. J. Wyllie, requesting payment on account of contract for erec tion of gasholder;: .That a special com lriitt'ee, be appointed to - consider th whole matter of the gasholder contract On letter from Mr. J. Ingram, request Ulg payment of wages during holidays That the Council cannot make any pay ment. On application from Mr. B. E Jones for a plumber's license: Tha the license be not granted. On lette from Messrs. Glasgow, Hayes anRout, as to exemption of Mount stree from section 117 of the Public Work Act, 1908: That the matter bo referre to the city solicitors. On letter fror ratepayers, Seymour Avenue, requesi ingvlan extension«of footpath and ere< tion of lamp: That the";letter be re ferred to the new Works Committee t inspect and report. On notice froi I inspector of noxious seeds: That th matter be referred to the new Work Committee. On letter from secretar of Croquet Club, requesting cutting c willow trees: That the Council has n objection to the club cutting off th overhanging branches under the supei . vision of the City Engineer. As t City Engineer's report: (a) That pei •sons removing sand, gravel or soil f ror any of the reserves without a permi from the City Engineer will be prose cuted. (b) As to numbering of houses • consideration deferred, pending repori On lotter from Mr. J. Hunter, requesi ing permission to cure hides and skin on premises in Bridge street: That pe] mission be granted, subject to the a\ proval of the district"'health office] As to authorised works: That the who] of the uncompleted works be expunge from th© list, and' that the City Ei gineer furnish . a list of such of th works as he considers urgent. As i painting gasholder: That tho amende tender of Messrs. Louisson, Finp-len - and Savage, for tie sum of £9S"l0. be accepted. An amendment to refer the clause r Jating to-removal of sand back to tl corrmittse was defeated on the-Mayor casting vote. A s The Gasholder Committee was ai ,j pointed to consider the matter of tl' . contract. j The report was adopted. * TARRED ASHES. c The Special Committee reported i '» -charges for asphalt as follows:—'iiis they recommend that tarred cinders I c sold to the public at 17» Gd per yai » at either the tip yard or the ga-swork Tests stowed tiiat asphalt was produ y ed at the tip for 11s 6d per yard, ar * that the cost at the gasworks was 1( ;• 6d per yard. The Uiiference in. "co o was mainly due to the cost of scree] }| nig ashes at the gasworks as again; . s the material delivered at the tin fro: ~ the railway yard. n Or. Pettit expressed surprise at tl recommendation. If tarred ashes coa d be produced at tho tip at lls 6d a yai c against 16s 6d at the Gasworks, ' tl n work should be done at the tip. Th« 11 al.-ouid encourage everyone in the cii n to lise tarred ashes. is • Cr. Carlisle agreed with Cr Petti )i Cr. Gibbons contended that it w= a in-possible to manufacture asphalt ; > Us Cd a yard, and the Council wou i! not make a profit at 17s Gd. d Cr. Marris said the City Ensineor a figure was based on s'cieencd ashes fro !- tiie railway station, but they had " d base their estimate on ashes "from tl « gasworks, where there was an assure supply. H there was any demand fro t the public tho City Engineer could m it keep up tho supply with material fro ■* the railway. He thought 17s Gd w; y a vovy reasonable price, "s . Ci. Pettit lv-oved that the rccommo: d nation be struck oirb and that iho, Cii » Engineer be axifthorised to supply tarn }' a&hos at 12s pel a yard. ' s Cr. Watson seconded tho motion. ' Cr. Stringer said the City.,Eiigino<

could not turn out tarred ashes at tho 'pricb using-gasworks cinders. \ 'liiG City jfcgineer said there would be additional charges for carting and ■ screening, if gasworks-cinders were j used. Ho had never l-eon stuck for ; ashes from tho railway yet. j Cr.-.llout said that when the time i came when they had to uso gasworks i material the eii'ect cf Cr. Pettit's i amendnient would bo. that thejT would jbo celling tarred as'.ies at a eonsideriable loss. I Cr. Ha.T.pson moved as a further amendment . that the price be Iss a yard. ' Or. Carlisle said ife seemed 'to him-! that the gasworks material was not worth using. They wore under no obligation to sell to the public unless they had more than they lequired for their own purposes. Cr. Harris contended that the gasworks material was worth dealing with He hoped the committee's recommendation would be adopted. Cr. Pettit said v.o one would propose

that -.die City Engineer should sell at 3 loss. ' . Cr. Pettit's" motion was negatived by 7 votes to 3, and the committee's recommendation was adopted. i COJBIIITEES. The committees-set up at the iasti special meeting were confirmed. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT. . The City Engineer (Mr. J. G. Little.John) reported as follows: —Streets andfootways: I'have- closed down the stone, 'crusher for the time being, and havo put all spare hands on to works out of drainage loan, so as to save the general account as much as possible for tie present. I have in hand about. 200. loads of No. 1 metal, 60 loads of No. 2, and 200 yards of screening available for patching, which is being proceededwith. The repair of flood damage at

.Nile' street bridge is completed, the centre span being converted into. a. suspension, thereby removing tlie obstruction of, tho pier in the water. Work at the Collingwood street bridge was suspended owing to the river rising too high. I have to cull attention to. the precarious state of the decking of this bridge and also that in Niio street and Tasman street. Drainage: lief erring to the works out of drainage loan, T intended'to have started with the sewer extensions for properties 'in Van Dieman street, so that tho ; nightscil service might be reduced, but the owner through whose property the sewer will

pass is unwilling to allow the work to bo proceeded with unless the-Council will connect the premises, plumbing included, by way of compensation. The buildings and sanitary actings would require considerable rearrangement before the connection could be made. If the committee- were to visit the premises they could form a better opinion of how the request should be met. No blockages.have occurred, and conditions at the power house station a.nd ejectors have been normal. Water: A serious defect was found in the Port main. The main was split for a length of about 18 inches, and the break seems

to have existed for some timo. I am proceeding with the renewal and repainting of fire plug posts. To date all those east of Waimca street have been attended "to. Two new services have been put in, and 6 services, 2 valves, 9 stopcocks, and 7 fireplugs have boon repaired. Places of public recreation : Routine work only has been done. Miscellaneous: Drainage permits- have been issued as follows.:— New drains 3, extensions 2, repairs 6, plumbing 8^ Six building permits for work valued at £1450 have been granted, borne action is necessary, in connection with the licensing of premises for the storage' of dangerous goods. Only about six-of all those scoring kerosene and petrol have so far applied lor: a license. No applications have been received for licenses to store carn-+ ' Sunpowder and other solids. The wty iLngmeer enclosed a notice from the inspector of Mines, intimating that owing. to the height of the face at the jMaitai quarry, it was necessary for the safety of the workmen that the overburden should be shifted well back from the edge of the face, and that the quarry should bo worked in benches, Ihe inspector also drew attention to the section _of the Stone Quarries Act relating to the handling and storage of explosives, and to the regulation regarding the inspection of the quarry and the keeping o f-a proper report book. ESTIMATES. The Council then proceeded to frame estimates of expenditure. •m ,} lam Pson said he thought there could be.a considerable reduction in streets and footways, and he would pro-Ir°M-A lliat £275° hb allowed against =144/0 spent last year. There'could also, be a reduction under draira«e He did not see how other charged could be reaucea. Cr. Gibbous did not see how j;uch a reduction could be made under streets and iootways. He was not there to favour a starvation policy, and. he thought they should allow £1000 for river protection, which was a big problem. They, ran a risk of losing Grove street jf nothing was dene: lie thought the rvvov could be taken out at Gollmgwood street, and such a work were undertaken the Harbour board should subsidise it, as it would obviate much silting in tj io harbour. Cr. Marris said b would 'be bad policy to starve the streets. Cr. 'Rout also opposed starving the stieets. Cr. Carlisle said it seemed to him that there was only one item that could be reduced, and that was office charges (£llOO lasi year).- He moved a s an amendment that chat amount be reduced by £200 as an indication that the services of engineers should be dispensed with. Cr. Gibbons seconded the amendment, but he would be prepared to accept Cr. Hampson's proposal with an addition of £1000 for streets. The other matter would come up in due course. The Mayor "said there could be a saving on streets, but there oould be none on drainage. The City Engineer had been very successful in keeping within the estimates, and where they were exceeded there was a very o- 00 d reason for it. He thought £3500 would be required for streets, and £2250 for drainage. They should not approach the question with the idea of effecting savings by dispensing with officials and workmen. They required the workmen necessaiy and the administrative officials to get good results. Or. .Rout said there were at most only three items on which they could cut down the estimates of tHS last Council, and on these items they would have some anxious hours, and the .amounts they.Jbed would not greatly ir.rluenca the Council. Cr. Pettit said he was prepared to cut down streets expenditure to £3000. The streets were in better order now thai), they had been in for many years, and they, could -,be maintained at that standard with a saving. The same thing applied to reserves.- No "one took a greater interest in the reserves than ho did, and he thought some of the reserves were a great credit -to past Councils, but it would not cost as much to maintain them as it haci to bring them up to their present condition. " Cr. Carlisle's amendment was defeated, only the mover and seconder supporting it, and the first item, office charges, etc., was fixed at £1135. .After further discussion, the estiriates were finally fixed as follows, the

amounts spent last year being given in parentheses:— Office charges, salaries and -allowances, etc., £1135 (£1096). Printing, advertising, and stationery £300 <,£!&)). Other charges (law, insurance, etc.), £500 (£319). Streets and footways, £3500 (£4420), Street lighting, £700 (£793;. Diainage, nightsoil,. and rubbish removal, £2000 (£2704). Fire prevention, £200 (£165). Places of public recreation, £750 (£'H52). •■Other expenditure (interest, etc.), £2000 (£1962)'. : Unauthorised expenditure. £100 (£37). Contingencies, £400 (£693). - Institute subsidy, £190 (£186). STREET NUMBERING. The' City Engineer reported on street numbering as follows:—The by-law directs that the occupier or owner shall number the premises with such number and in such manner as the Council directs in writing. Before the. Council can give any si^cl; notice it is>- necessary to find out the . proper number which is to be, put tip, .and the proper place to put it. This cannot possibly be done without a proper investigation and a plan of all the streets showing the numbering. The want of record maps of the city makes it almost impossible to carry out the by-laws. The work of numbering the streets simply cannot be proceeded with at present. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT. The Inspector of Nuisances (Mr. F. Varney) reported that he had received a.^complaint of a nuisance arising out iof the disposal of nightsoil in premises in lower Bridge street. He had in r spected the premises, and was of opinion that reasonable care was taken and a nuisance did not really exist from that cause, but he found' that there was a drain, and that all waste water was disposed of by throwing it over the- ground and a. proportion found its I way under the building, which created I a nuisance. Two outbuildings were in a had state of repair.. Notice to connect with the sewer was given on 22nd February, 1912, but was allowed to lapse when the Council decided to first j enforce drainage on those having the nightsoil service. There was no reason why the premises should' not he connected, and he was of opinion that a further notice to connect should be served without delay and rigidly enforced. The outbuildings should be condemned. .' GENERAL BUSINESS. The abattoir manager (Mr. G W Mitchell) reported that the following stock had been slaughtered dxirino- the past fortnight -.—Cattle, 67 • calves 1 • sheep, 515; lambs, 209; pigs, 30. Total oJjS. une cow had been condemned.