CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14656, 9 March 1918, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING,

The fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held last; night, there being present the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass), and Councillors H ' Baigentj F. Gibbons, R. Watson, j. W. Marris, J. A. Stringer/W. V. Rout, and T. Pettit. An apology was received for the aoisenc'e of Crs. Carlisle and Hampson. ; ACCOUNTS. 1 The statement of bank balances as at February 22nd, 1918, was as follows:— Dr. Ck £ s. d. jb'b. d. General A/o ... 24,150 19 6 Water „ ... 110 13 8 Gas „ ... 4,896 6 6 Interest „ ... 2146 11 0 Abattoir „ ... 329 6 4 Hospital and Charitable Aid 337 15 5 Balance 31,342 19 9 .431,672 6 1 31,672 6 1 Cemeteries (Trust Acct.) 62 17 10 Contractors' Deposits Ace, cr. 33 0 0 Trafalgar Park Account, cr. 27 17 2 Drainage Extension Loan Accoiyit . 508 1 2 Maitai- Lands Purchase. Account, cr., - . 700 0 0 Amount owing to Bank on ; Overdraft 30,642 19 9 Amount- of Overdraft at present allowed by the Bank 34,000 0 0 Present statutory limit of Overdraft . 34,000 0 0 'Accounts were passed for payment as follows:— £■ s d General Account 242 9 8' Gias Account 464 13 4 Water Account 25 16 0 Abattoir Account 40 18 2 Cemeteries Account 5 17 6 Total £579 14 8 CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:— From Messrs Adams and Harley, ou behalf of Messrs Robertson 8r05.,-stat-ing that the tar boiler at the tip was a positive danger to the latter's' property, and holding the Council reI sponsible for any damage done.—Re- ! ceiyed.

From Fire Brigade," asking that tte firebell in Waimea street be moved to the top of College Hill.—Referred to Committee.

_ From Town Clerk, Auckland, requesting co-operation in seeking the retention of Samoa in British hands after the war. ,■ Ci\ Marris moved the Auckland Council's resolution be endorsed. He could not understand anyone outside a lunatic asylum opposing it.

Cr. Pettit seconded the motion

Cr. Gibbons opposed the resolution. This was part of a lot of twaddle that was being talked about the war. They all knew that might would win in the long run, and Samoa would be handed over to them. It was said that they did not want the Germans as neighbours in the Pacific. What about the Germans in their midst, some of them occupying high positions. The resolution was carried.

From Westport Borough Council, proposing that representations be made tc

the proper authorities, in regard to equipping the Maruia* Springs for the treatment of sufferers from disease, and more-particularly returned soldiers, and asking, the Nelson Council to'appoint a delegate to a conference, and suggest the place of conference

The Mayor said Mr Wilson, of tho Tourist Department, intended to visit Nelson and the Town Clerk was instructed to ascertain when he would be here.

From' Mr Ernest Davis, Auckland, asking that the picture of Lord Nelson, which the Council had accepted from his father,_J]e hung in position in the Council Chamber on April 3rd-, which would be his father's 71st birthday.— Mr Davis to be informed that his wishes will be complied with.

From Mr E. H. Bisley, drawing attention to the bad state of Hardy street between Cfcurch and Waimea streets, and describing it as "undoubtedly the worst piece of street in the whole of Nelson, full of holes from end to end, and when there is heavy traffic the noise almost prevents us from transacting business comfortably."—Referred to. committee.

From Mr F. Cullen, secretary of tho Nelson Painters' Union, forwarding the union's emphatic protest against the working staff of tie abattoir being employed on paintittg work-at the abattoir. The letter continued: "Surely, it is hardly a square deal to the rate- r payers when there are painters out of work."—A memo by the City' Engineer stated that the Council was specially exempted from the painters' award, except in the matter of tours and wages. -—Writer to be informed that the abattoir is not to be painted at present. From Salvation Army, asking for use of Botanical Reserve on Easter Sunday afternoon for a concert by the Wellington South Army Band; and on Easter Monday for a picnic—-The request was granted.

From Mr A. Ingram, on behalf of! the gas stokers, making the following offer:—(l) To accept the Council's offer of increased wages to £4 10s a week; (2) an extra man to be emplo3 Ted in the retort house from 'April to September, inclusive; (3) that all fires be cleaned in connection with the retort house and ashes wheeled away by the said extra man, thus relieving the regular stokers to assist the enginedrivers at the drainage boilers; (4) that telephone communication be established between Mr Kershaw's residence and the gasworks; (5) that in the event of an agreement being arrived at the in crease of pay start from February 23rd. The Council was asked to draw up an agreement to be effective up to March 14th, 1919, all stokers agreeing to sign in proper form.—Deferred, pending committee's report. From Chief Inspector of Explosives, stating that the Wilkins and Field Hardware Company was emptying the magazine at Para Para road; and that the action taken by the Council to havrt the magazine removed had the full approval of the Department.

From District Engineer, Railway Lupartment, confirming verbal acceptance of Council's offer of £67 in conho.joion with lighting Nelson wharf for all material required for relaying tte main service pipe from Haven Road to tr.e meter in the. stationmaster's office.

From Lands1 and Survey Department, forwarding copy of warrant vesting the control of sections 3 and 7, block iv., Maungatapu Survey District, containing 2000 acres, and known as tlit. Ururakau Scenic Reserve, in the Nelson City Council.—Referred to committee.

From Blenheim Borough Council, asking the Nelson Council to sell a benzine vapouriser, as one of the retort settings at Blenheim had collapsed, anr> the vapourisor, it was believed, would be of assistance in tte crisis.

Mayor's action in 'authorising Mr Neil to proceed to Blenheim 'x> advise the local council was confirmed, and it was decided to sell Blenheim a vapouriser at cost price, 'namely-i-iO.--'

COMBINED COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The combined committee reported as follows:—On letter from Mr. Plum: That Mr. Plum may have the quarried metal at Is tid per load (ordinary dray). On letter from Mr. W. R. Anceil: That the Council has no power to allow half rates on a vacant section. On letters from; Messrs. Maginnity, ,Son and Houlker and Messrs, Glasgow;' Hayes and Rout re Montreal road: That the writers "be informed that legal opinion has been taken, and that ;the-"Council cannot move in the matter unless all parties concerned request tho adoption of a new line 6f road, and undertake to pay any expenses incurred by the Council in connection therewith. On letter from Mr. C\ Richmond Fell: That the writer be informed that most of the | nuisance might be abated if the ownerswill prevent tjie surface water rushing over tho footpath. The Council will then have the footpath attended to. On letter from residents of Weka street: That the Public Works Committee visit the street. On letter from Mr. W. H. Miller: That Mr. Miller be informed that the Council, can take iu> notion in the matter. On letter from Mr. T. F. Martin, New Zealand Municipal Association, as to premises usod •for patriotic purposes1: That the applicants be informed that the Council "re-. grets that it cannot legally make the allowance. On from Mr. T. F. Martin, New Zealand. Municipal Association, re Education Board and-^ Har-

bour Board oifices: That the opinionr Le filed for reference. On letter: frqmi Mr Thomas Usher: That the|PuUic -Works Committee,... visit the locality. On demand from Mr li. F. Fiatt: Thiu the Council cannot admit any liability. On letter from' Messrs Fell and Atkinson ro stream in Abattoir paddock: That the writers be informed that tht> Council will put up a stop bank on the boundary of the property, to cost about £10, if their clients will beat1 half the cost. As to abattoir employees. That Mr Mitchell use his own discretion in granting slaughterman Feehan leave without pay. As to painting Abattoir: That the matter of painting

the Abattoir be deferred for the present. As to Mr Graham's schedule of duties: That the matter be left in the hands of the City Engineer. As to City Engineer's report on sand from Boulder Bank: The City Engineer to report at next meeting of the Council. On lire prevention: That • all ■ fireplugs in.

the city be attended to as occasion oifers and a periodical report furnished to the Council. As to building u;ithout permit: That no permit be granted until the City Engineer has inspected and reported to the Council. Re gas stokers' wages: That the gas stokers le offered a weekly wage of £4 10s foi i. •w.rivm^nco of their work as1 present schedule for a period of not less t^nn twelve months, and that they be informed that clause (3) of the Inspector nf Machinery's report will be given effect to ; ttint the remaining /clauses, also the question-of-telephone cmvnrunication. will lie discussed at an em'y date. That tire, gas department vny the whole nf the-stokers' 'wages'. That-

"the proportion of the stokers'■-vaoon navahlo in respect :of the drain«""p: l-nii^-'s he 9s ™y rean per shift payable to Gas Account. - ' . With rpfovVncp to -*V. l-mVUliro- £-7

,H>li no po'-mit was obtfnnH. it vf? decided to proceed. a<rainst f*"v. rnn- ■■ tractor for a bvparih of-tlif* hi]}V.V' f|P 1"1*l'aw; and tn serve "hoticp i\ppn the owners to vp'iiovft the >:"ildinp- or-erect a brick waM as required by tlie bj-Uvv.

The City, Engineer was1 instructed to report on the state of Kawai street from Bronte street.

With to the gas stokers, ' the Major said the Committee consider- ( ed tte advance of wages was warranted, . inquiries elsewhere showing that the ] local men received less than ruling < rates1.- The Council should agree to connect, the works and the drainage engineer's residence by telephone. Tho G"as' Engineer would report on the question of extra labour. It was decided tlrat the telephone be installed. The other matters involved were referred to committee for further con- •. t sideration, and an explanation of the c men's request for an additional man. g The report, as amended, was adopted. . CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT. ,« Tie City Engineer (Mr J. G. LittleJohn) reported as folows:— < Streets aud footways: •♦■The following < works have been completed: Footpatn ; ( Franklyn street (new path at Nurses' \ Home); footpath, Hampden street (re? pairs); footpath, Halifax street (new \ 1 path north side) ; culvert, Oani- C j bria street (at Cheel's) and grading; street; footpath, Nile street, top- ( dressed Tasman street to Harper; street; footpath, Bridge street, top-j dressed in ..front of""i'airey's; footpatn,! Hardy street, top-dressed Gloucester •! street to Vanguard street; water-table, '-j Snow's Hill, repaired; floodgate at^ Haase's, St.' Vincent street, repaired ; I the slip in the wall, Trafalgar Park, j( repaired. The repair of the, inverts, j Washington. Valley,'is in hand, also '< cleaning out of the ditches, and quarry--| ing of rock for various works author- -^ feed, and for breaking. The bad holes in Waimea road and Tipahi street men- : tioned in last report are being patched. : Tar work was suspended on Monday; last" owing to" the failure of the tar supply. The examination and repair, where necessary, of fireplugs is being ' proceded with. Drainage: There have ( been no obstructions to the working of the system. The overflow at Russell street ejector has been sealed up. No , trace can be found of the one shown on : the plans at Vanguard street ejector. Further investigation will be made when it rains. "Ten building permits for works valued at £1008 have been issued. « : CITY ENGINEER'S SPECIAL REPORTS. BOULDER BANK STONE. \ A trial shipment has been delivered at the tip, consisting of two pu,nt loads aggregating 30 cubic yards. The cost, including hire of punts, etc., isasvuiider: Wages £13 15s 2d, hire of. punts . £2, launch' and benzine £2 10s, cartage £1 6s; total £19 lls 2d. Cost per yard 13s on the tip. Included in the above is the cost of transporting; screens and bunkers to the Boulder' Bank and setting them up. The most, likelj place on the bank was selected j for the trial, but it did not come up to expectations. It produced only 20 per cent of suitable material. Whether j the material is too cosily or not can ; only be ascertained from results'. A cubic yard should cover about 36 squareyards of surface, costing, say, 6d a square yard, which it not an exorbitant figure if .the results are satisfac- ; tory. The only doubtful point is1 whether any great quantity can be got. MAITAI RIVER. I have interviewed all tie owners or their agents having property fronting ] Grove street between Collingwood j street and Trafalgar.- street, viz., Mr Stewart, Mrs. David-! street, viz., Mr Stewart, Mrs Davidson, Mr Smith, Mr Plum, and Mr Allm;t (on behalf of. Miss Anceil). I explained the nature: of the work proposed by the Council, and stated that1 the probable effect would bo to cause the main ci.ir.rent to take'the centre of tie .channel' instead of along the north bank.as at present. They-all expressed' willingness to grant indemnity to the Council. Mr "-Stewart, however, will not undertake to do any work along his river front unless the Council doer; something higher up which will guarantee the security of his work..

GAS ENGINEER'S SPECIAL REPORT. :

The Gas Enginer (Mr A. Neil) presented the following special report :— Work repairs: Repairs are being carried out on two settings of retorts, and the work is well advanced. One setting is already in action, the results obtained being very satisfactory. The second setting would be finished in a few days.

Brook street gas main extension: The gas main in Brook street is being •M.shed on with and already ten chains of three-inch main has been •laid. The mains being used were recovered from Collingwood street, and have beon thoroughly tested with water for soundness, and covered with preservative before jointing up. The total length of main required is approximately twenty-one chains, and we have only 14 chains available, leaving a balance of seven chains to purchase. Three tons of cast iron mains will ze necessary to complete: the pipe line and 1 the price will t-e £20 per ton f .o.b. Wel-

lington.

The Gas Engineer further reported that the coal carbonised amounted to 2.48 tons. -The-gas-manufactured +*- tailed 3,205,900 cubjc feet, or 12,927 per ton of; coaL Tar in stock amounted to 4500 gallonsl"Sales of: residuals, etc., totalled £1811s-7d. v v/ :

The report was referred to committee. ' ' •

ABATTOIR MANAGER'S REPORT

Mr G. W. Mitchell (abattoir manager) reported that the following stock wan slaughtered during the fortnight endi"no; March sth:—Cattle 53, calves <?-, sheep 447, lambs 228, pigs 24; total, r~n. Condemned during the period, two sheep.

INSPECTOR (H' v'NUISANCES'

REPORT

The Inspector'of Nuisances (Mr F. Yarney) reported that the notice served on Mr S. ■■ Kirkjn.trick to alter outfall of drain at the "factory in Van'r'lard • street -has ■ been complied with." "^'ir-re nrs two properties in Harpev street which- should !be connected with (;he server. In one case nightsoil *> being bi.ried iii a small portion of land,

ORDINARY BUSINESS

On the motion of Cr. Gibbons ifc was decided to request the police to taVr action against raoiorists i^si^ft' e::cesilvelv powerful headlights, which were n, menace to public safety. It was also decided, on Cr. StrifgovV jr-'-.tion, to draw the- attention of t-ye pni'op. t« broaches of the speed by-law. The. MnYc-.-and Cr. Stringer d''»\v pt"■pi'tion to thft'faffc .+ ; liat a vonth w^'o had h<^.n refused a license had .'been c;<wn driving p, HrenR crl oav. The'mat- !„.. ~.,1 C, ~pf0 , .,, pr j -j- 0 fi, p inspeotoi*. Tim Tvlavnr susealed tb^t the ob.?'*', --:-,-, i-rVc-i 1-,-t- f,I IP ComH'^ ap-finpt the -"fin^li-ii rf vs.-lnatiou. of tho Ex^har""" T'"J""' "I'«r"i.!rl.Tint hf> nrof>eec!p.d With. Tf' Tfoulcl be better to send o romif-. tn f'r. --,„-,•,..• , o ] rv 1 ,Iforo'''Tri1foro'''T ri "n the .pf vaTnnt.Jon of hote 1" ■r1"-^ fi-iv; ~A "-'•" ■■—«-: nf f.ii o war.. iVo hotel owners r.. n-M. ;r ,, in c-m'd'+•■«■><>•<;.n.n.or v.'^o+ h?r! been p.aid. previously- the ob^ctioK.j

should be proceeded with. It had been suggested that the valuer's action was wrong,- and it was the Council's.duty to test thejnatter. He moved to that effect. . -"*."•

Or. Pettit seconded the motion, saying that after what had transpired the Council had no other course.

The motion was carried The Council then rose.