CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14620, 26 January 1918, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING.

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last night, there boing present the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass), and Councillors Gibbons," Watson, Pettit, Carlisle, Morris, Rout, Baigentj and Hampson. ACCOUNTS. | The statement of bank balances as at January 24th, 1918, was as follows:— Dr. Ob £ s. d. £s. d. General A/o ... 24,101 10 Water „ ... 256 18 7 Gfas „ ... 4,968 18 3 Euterest „ ... :j<s3o 810 A-battoir „ ... , 290 12 3 Eospital ;. and Charitable Aid 166 0 6 Balance 31,532 14 11 .£31,823 7 2 31,823 7 2 Cemeteries (Trust Acct.) dr. 43 16 10 Contractors' Deposits Ace, cr. 33 0 0 Trafalgar Park Account, cr. 30 9 2 Drainage Extension Loan Account, dr. 1 18 10 Maitai Lands Purchase. Account, cr., "700 0 0 Amount owing to Bank on Overdraft 34,000 0 0 Amount of Overdraft at .present allowed by the Bank 34,000 0-0 Present statutory limit of Overdraft 34,000 0 0 Payments were authorised as follows :— £ c d General Account . -349 17 11 Gas Account 694 16 8! Water Account 70 1 9J Abattoir Account 50 10 6 Cemeteries Account ' 18 11 5 Trafalgar Park Account 2 12 0 Total £1186 10 3 Commenting on the> bank balances, bhe Mayor said tfce debit balance was' slightly lower that night than at the corresponding date of last year. The balances last year were as follows:—• General Account £24,159; Water Account, £1375; gas account, £4628; interest account, £1943; abattoir, £560 ■ (cr.); hospital and charitable aid account £254. A total of £31,500. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:— From Mr E. J. Barnes, offering to submit to the Council a comprehensive report on an electrical scheme for "tie city, such report to include cost of retici:,lation and statement showing receipts and expenditure per year, the quantity of and cost of harnessing the available sources- of the water power, and their comparison with a producer plant. The report could be delivered by the end of March, and his total charge would be £30.-JReferred to Works Committee. ! From Mr A. Marshall, Puponga, offering his services as an engine-driver. —Filed, for reference.

From District Agent Public Trustee and Mrs C. Horton, as to flooding by tide water, of land in Hastings street belonging to the Horton Estate.—Mrs E. Haase wrote re the sanfe matter, stating that salt water had killed several fruit trees and a quantity of vegetables.

The City Engineer said a new flood gate was required, which would cost about £3 10s. The lringes of the old gate had disappeared, and if they could not be recovered there would be an additional cost of £2. The previous Works Committee had decided not to replace the gate.

Cr. Carlisle said he had seen the land at spring tide, and something must be done, as the residents were being flooded out. He moved • tl* at the City Engineer be instructed to replace the gate. -■•"•.

Cr. Watson seconded the motion. He said the flat was regularly covered at spring tides, and the land*was in a bad state. It was becoming a serious nuisance. .

■. Crs. Gibbons and Baigent supported the motion. The former said that the

Council had- a valuable asset in this land. •»" i I'he Mayor said'that if some of .tre attention given to the tip were diverted' to Washington Valley it would be a good thing. t Tlie resolution-was carried. It was further decided that every opportunity' be1 taken to expedite the filling up of the land.

From, the Town Clerk, Grcymouth, forwarding resolution expressing tre opinion that limitation of train services and increase of charges was not in the best interests of the country from a commercial or military standpoint, and asking the Government to reconsider tlie matter. The Council was tusked to endorse the resolution.

The Mayor deprecated such a motion being p.ig&cd. it was rather outside the functions of tie Council. Crs. Gibbons and Carlisle took the opposite view] They thought'the Council should take action as requested. Cr. Gibbons moved, and Cr. Carlisle seconded, that the resolution bo endorsed.

Cr. Mams agreed with the Mayor, and moved as an amendment that tie letter be received.

Cr. Watson seconded the amendment. ■„■ • '

Cr.-Bout supported the amendment, which was carried by 6 to 3. From Messrs Hallenstein Bros., Ltd., applying for a, refund of. half rates on vacant shop, the shop having been vacant for a period of six months to the 31st inst. The shop was used, as a Lady Liverpool depot. Last year a refund of £9 Us 4.cl was allowed, which they handed over to the Lady Liverpool Find.—Referred'to committee.

Irom Mr John Beattio, complaining of smell arising from drain in Vanguard street.

- Crs. Baigent and Gibbons strongly supported the writer's complaint, and said that the factory should fae drained into the sower. Cr. Gibbons said Mr Kirkpatrick Lad complied with the Council's, requirements, and whatever was required should be done by the Council.

This view did not find favour with other councillors, who held that it was Messrs Kirkpatrick iind Co.'s business to defray the cost of draining their premises. It was pointed out that tie objection in the past to this drainage going into' the sewerage system wa.s' that it was of a character which would prevent -the- action of the septic tank if it was ever proposed to put the tank in commission-. There were otter similar cases.

Eventually. a resolution that Messrs Kirkpatrick and Co. be given notice, to connect with the sewer was defeated in favour of an amendment deferring action pending a report by the City Engineer on the best method of abating the nuisance, having regard to other cases of a similar nature.

Erom the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that a forest reserve of 800 acres adjoining Cawthron Park had been converted into a scenic reserve, and asking if the Coi.ntsl would undertake its administration in connection with Cawthron Park. .

The responsibility was accepted. From Mr E. Strawbridge, St. Vincent streef, asking; the Council's permission to fell and remove a dead pi notree in»Victory Square.—The request was granted.

From Mr W. Woodward, lamplighter, stating that the present horse allowance was insufficient owing to the teavy increase in horse feed and shoeing," .and left him out of pocket. He asked for some relief.—Referred to Finance Committee.

COMBINED COMMITTEES. The combined committees reported as follows:—On letter from Mr. J. R. Kidson, as to dogs batling in horse troughs: That some bars be placed across the troughs on the Bocks road and Milton street. On letter from Mr. H. Constable as to employment on Church Hill: That the Works Committee visit the hill. On letter from Mr. T. R. J. Grimmett, as to blocked drain, Ngatitama street:' That tie drain is a private drain, and that the Council is under no liability in'the matter. On letter from Mr. W. Stewart, requesting construction of river protection works: That they have no recommendation to : make. On. letter from the secretary, Nelson Harbour Board, as to; charge for stone from Boulder Bank: That the account be paid. On letter from Railway. Engineer, as to new gas service for the Railway Wlrarf: That the main be laid according to the recommendation of the Gas Engineer, provided the Railway Department will pay the cost of the pipes, the Council retaining the, right to make connection therewith for otter consumers if required. As to City Engineer's report: (a) That the new portion of the footpath in Franklyn !■ street be tarred the whole width at an additional cost of about £8; (b) that the" Port road be asphalted for about 3 chains, as a trial; (c) that the City Engineer inquire as to the cost of a ■suitable tar spray pump; (d) as to coyer over culvert, Saltwater bridge, tl;at the matter be referred to the Council; (c) "as to ditch, Vanguard street, matter referred to the Council.; (f) as to culvert back of Baptist Church, committee to visit; (g) as to Turkish pontoon, that the City Engineer report to the Council as to inscription ; (h) that the inverts in Washington Valley and Richardson street be repaired, cost alioi.t £17; (i) that the watertables in Trafalgar-street south, from Bronte street to Brougham street on the western side, and from the Church Hill to Brougham street on the eastern side, be repaired and tarrod, cost about £20: (j) that th» City Engineer report as to cost of replacing j the flood gate" in .-St. Vincent street. As to magazine at Tip: That Messrs. Wilkins and Field be informed that the notice to remove the magazine not having been complied witl-, the Council intends to pull the braiding down. That a driver's (passenger) license has been granted to Charles Henry Goad.

The question of river,protection works ■v»s:s referred back to the committee for further consideration.

The- City Engineer was instructed to report on the cost of flooding the culvert at Saltwater Bridge. Tke report, as amended, v.as adopted. The City Engineer was authorised to procure a tar pump at a cost of £8. The Mayor reported that the Committee had inspected the ditch behind the Baptist Church whicl: was complained of. . . • ? ■ This matter was referred to the committee for consideration. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT. _■ The City Engineer (Mr J. G. Littlejohn) reported for the period ending January as follows:—Streets and footways : Since my last report on December 11th last the 'cleaning up of the streets has been proceeded with and tar work on footpaths. The footpaths in the main block have been top dressed, and the kerbings repaired'where necessary. The work authorised in Shelbourne street has been proceeded with, the paths and watertables being reconstructed and tarred where necessary. A lumber of storm water sumps hove boon repaired. The outlet at Queen's Gnrdemi was cleaned out, .as directed. Water: A gale o f w j ]K ] lowered the valor in the big dam about six inches, ■ ( but the recent rains brought1 up the i water again, arid it is now running .over. Drainage: Except for blockage lin tlie sewers, the service has been nor-

nial. . Kawai street was blocked witb tree roots, Port road with some obstruction which was not recovered, and Vanguard street with tree roots, which have been wholly removed. Places of public recreation : Routino work only has been done. Miscellaneous: Drainage permits have been issued as follows: Now connections 3, repairs 12, extensions 2, plumbing 30, and one new property drained to a soak pit, being outside the drainage scheme. Eleven building permits were issued for works valued at £1502. ■...:

GAS ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Gas Engineer (Mr A. Neil) reported that in December the coal carbonised totalled 270 tons; gas manilfactured, 3,461 ;800 cubic feet, or 12,807 cubic feet per ton ; coal in stock, .400 tons; tar in stock, 11,000 gallons. ABATTOIR MANAGER'S REPORT. The abattoir manager (Mr G. V\ T. Mitchell) reported that in the period ended January 22nd the following stock/ were slaughtered :—Cattle 56, calves 5, sheep 486, lambs 190, pigs 21; total, 758. Condemned during the period two cows. ' ' INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT. The Inspector of Nuisances (Mr F Varney) reported that during tte past fortnight the bulk of the time had been taken up with work reported through the Engineer.- There are 20 on the mghtsoil .service—no decrease since last report. TLree applications had been received for the rubbish service, and two discontinued, making a total of 192 on tho service. ORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr. Pettit drew attention to.the necessity for getting as much tarring as possible^done..during tlie dry- weatner. The City Engineer said tar was being used at the,rate of 750 gallons a day. . The- Mayor brought up the question of tJ.e drainage power station and the requirements of the Inspector of Machinery concerning the supervision of the boilers. He pointed out that the present system had been in operation for eleven years, and the Government might be disposed to allow it to continue until the question of an electrical scheme was dealt with.

Cr Pettit moved that the Mayor and the City Engineer be requested "to visit Wellington 'and ask the Minister to alloav the present system to stand until at least six months after the war, and also to ascertain if there was any prospect of Government, action in regard to an electrical scheme for Nelson. Cr. Rout seconded the motion. Cr. Gibbons said the Mayor would probably be successful, but he was very keen on getting a producer plant for the pumping station. If there was a breakdown at tie pumping station under present conditions the position would be very serious. . Cr. Marris said he was not in favour lof a section gas plant. Cr. Carlisle supported the resolution on condition that the stokers were thoroughly protected in any develop- j •mont that might arise. ' \ The resolution was carried. It was decided that bad portions of the Maitai road and College Hill be repaired. In reply to Cr. Marris, tl:o Town Clerk said seven or eight benzine licenses had been issued. Cr. Marris said there were probably 200 people who should take ou,t licenses. He hoped the responsible officer would look into the matter. The Council rose at 10.30 p.m.