CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14861, 7 September 1918, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

ACCOUNTS

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the City Couucil was held last night, there being present the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass) and Councillors J. A. Stringer, H. Baigent, R. Watson, T. Pcttit, W. S. Hampson, F. A. Carlisle, J. W. Marris, F. Gibbons, and W. V. Ront.

The statements of bank balances as at September 6th, 1918, wor as follows: —

COAL SUPPLIES

The Mayor referred to the necessity of building up a stock of coal at the gasworks. They were in such a position now that they could put £1000 into coal if they wished.

Crs. Hampson, Carlisle, and Gibbons strongly advocated steps being taken to secure supplies from Newcastle. ;

Cr.. Pettit agreed that Newcastle coal was the best for gas production, and suggested that the matter he referred to a committee.

- Cr. Watson expressed a similar opinion.

The matter was referred to the Gas Committee.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence was read and xdealfc with as follows:— \

From Miss Severne, stating that she had decided not to have the gas service for the present.

Mr F. Varney, Inspector of Nuisances, applying for annual leave.— Granted.

From Mr H. Saunders, jnr., secretary to Nelson Society for the Prevention of Crv,elty to Animals, drawing attention to the deplorable condition of certain of the cab horses at present plying for hire in Nelson. His committee suggested a much stricter inspection in regard to the fitness of horses to be used for the road. This, it was felt, would not impose an 3' undue hardship on tho cabmen concerned, even if fresh horses had to be obtained, and it would certainly tend towards the betterment pf the conditions /under

which many of these unfortunate animals are worked, and be the means of providing a much-needed rest from the rigours of the hard road. '

Cr. Gibbons discounted the complaint against the condition of cab horses, and said if there were had cases people who noticed them should' report them to the police. Cr. Carlisle said that had been his opinion, but he. had changed his mind after an incident he saw reVontJy, when a cab horse fell dojjii exhausted and eventually died or had to be destroyed. The Mayor said there was ground for .some action. If it lay with him five or six horses would be destroyed immediately:

Cr. Hampson moved that a competent inspector bo appointed to inspect all horses licensed for hire, and report to the Council.

Cr. Carlisle suggested that the S.P.C.A., through their inspector, be asked to report.

CV. Watson said that bad shoeing had n good deal to do with horses falling, as well as weakness, ft was stated that some cab horses were not fed regularly. The horses were not overworked.

Cr. Hampson accepted Cr. Carlisle's suggestion, which was adopted. From ivir P. Webley, asking for a roadway to the section next to the river in Alton street, and offering to contribute '£s.—Referred to committee.

- From' Miss'Tomlinson, secretary to Daffodil Day Committee, asking permission to erect stalls in Trafalgar street on September 14th.—rThe request was granted. From Mr C. Kershaw, power-house engineer, asking for an increase of 2s a day owing to the increasing cost of living, and also pointing out that what he was now receiving was so little in advance of the rate paid to ordinary labour as to make it hardly wortn while fitting oneself to occupy a position of responsibility in which mechanical skill is required. He was in the peculiar position of receiving 6s a week less than the men who stoke the boilers under his charge.—Referred to committee. From Stoke Progressive Asqscitition, forwarding resolution suggesting that the money received foft- the sale 6jt the wharves should be earmarked for railway extension in the Nelson district. Or. Marris moved that the suggestion be endorsed. The wharves were not purchased yet, but he hoped they would be. It was an opportunity that should not be missed.

Cr. Carlisle seconded tho motion

Cr. Gibbons said the proposal was premature. This was not the time to buy the wharves. The resolution was carried by six votes to four.

From Department of Lands and Sih--vev, stating that a voucher had been seni forward for £202 10s towards the legal expenses in connection -with the acquisition_o£.the Maitai land.—A letter was also received from Mr T. A. H. FieM, M.P., notifying payment of this amount. It was decided to tender the Council's thanks to Sir James Allen and Mr T. A. H. Field, M.P.,'for their assistance in the matter.

It was decided to make application to the Cawthron Trust for payment of tho subsidy of £300' promised by Mr Cawthron should the available ways and means for the ■ Maitai purchase prove insufficient. From Mr F. A. Bami'ord, secretary Tahuna Progressive Association, re drainage of the abattoir property- and Talmnanui South. After discussion it was decided that tho Council's offer be withdrawn.

COMBINED COMMITTEE'S REPORT

The combined committee reported as follows:—On letter from the organiser, Canterbury Red Cross, applying for a contribution: That the Council cannot see its way to make a contribution, and that the correspondence , be' handed to the Nelson Rod G.ross-.CfJmmitteo. Oa letter ffora Mr. V. Murray as to grave at cemetery: That the matter be referred to the City Engineer. On letter from Mr. N. Brownlie, as to overflow from sewer: That tho City, Engineer report: ,'Ou.-letter from Government. Lift* Department, as to workers' insurance: That the policy be renewed with the State Life Office. On letters from Messrs. L.'Hunter and J. A. Orsman, offering to sell horses and carts; (a) That Mr. L. Hunter's amended offer of £287 be accepted, and that, the City Engineer report to the Council as to the cost of erecting stabling, the com- ; mitteo to Visit the tip before the--next meeting of the Council; (b)-that, consideration of Mr. Orsman's offer be. deferred until the next meeting of tlie 'council. As to new coal store: Consideration deferred, -the committee to visit. As to river erosion: Consideration deferred, the committee to visit. U to drainage, ueachville: That the City Engineer interview Mr. Milhcan on "the mattei-. As to culvert, v Alton street: Consideration deferred. As to City Engineer's report: (a)'As to reading gas meters, that the City Engmeef endeavour to make arrangements for the reading to be done hy the present staff ; (b) as to purchase, of typewriter, consideration deferred; (c) as to tarring Kawai street, that the work be carried out- whenever .the weather iv suitable. As to Inspector of Nuisances' report: That the City Engineer report as to the cost of erecting sanitary conveni-enr-cs at Victory Square. As to Cemeteries Trr,st Account: That they have no recommendation. to maKe. As to right of way, the Maitai: That this matter be referred to the Special Committee. That the matter of mating application to the Cawthron trustees for subsidy on purchase, money for Maitai lands be referred to the Special Got*l T»n *■+■"" :

The clause'relating to cartage plants was. referred back to committee for valuation of properties under offer to the Council, Mr T. Newman to be asked to valuo the hoi'ses. '

In connection with the coal store, the Mayor s;:id the committee considered the work designed by the City Engineer desirable, but it "would he sufficient it a portion only was carried out, reducing the expenditure necessary to complete the store by £234 to £572 los.

With reference to river- erosion, it was'decided'to place £100 at the City Engineer's disposal for the c-oiistruetioii cf groynes in the positions on the south bank he f had explained to the committee. Crs. Gibbons and Carlisle dissented, tho former approving of tlie recommendation after the northern bank had been protected, but not otherwise, and Cr. Carlisle holding that the scheme/would be a failure.

. Tt was decided to purchase a secondhand typewriter.

The report was adopted as amended-

CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT

The City Engineer (Mr. J..G. Little--jo.hu; reported, us foaov,\s for the forcnigh'o ending September 3rd:—Street;, and toot ways: The ..wtii'ks autlioriscc! in Kaw;Vi, ilampden. and Tipaiu streets lucio ij^oa conij>ieted rendy i'(jr tJirruig. Tlie work in ruad U in progross. In coinjectiou with this v/ork it found necessary to make; a, complete rearrangement of the s'torrmvatoi (•ulverLs at the I'oot of the College Hill in order to j)rerenL overi'-ow. The •frncoK on l^rilamiiii iioidiLs at the head of Toi Toi Vallov hfive boon moved to» their proper position, and the Zig-za^ has been repaired. Tho metal supply!

having run only the crusher Las been started.- Some patching has heen done on Waimea street and on the hill in^ VaU Dieman street. Water: The water main in Tory street has been opened up, and is -found to be very badly corroded. Jpropose to clean It as far as tho terminal at tho far end of Nile street. Drainage: Investigations are still in progress for the blockiigc of the caAt iron main. Places or public recreation: Routine work only has been done.- The carotaker of the Queen's Gardens had been laid v.p for nearly a month, and is not yet" veil enough to resume duty. The hedges round tho" old cemetery' have been cub preparatory to patching the gaps. Miscellaneous: Four buifding permits for works valued at £775 have been issued. Mr. Graham reports that sixteen premises have been inspected. Sixty dogs have keen registered; total to - date", 300. Six notices to trim hedges have been served, and are being complied with. A special inspection o£ premises in Pronto street was made in respon'o to "a complaint of stormwatei from tho street entering the property. An. inspection-of Kawai street is bein« made with'a view to having stornnvater from properties at present running on to the. footpath properly dealt with.

GAS ENGINEER'S REPORT,

The Gas Engineer (Mr. J. G. L.ittlejolm) reported as follows:—Coal carbonised (estimated), 377 tons. 10 cwt; gas manufactured, 4,745,100 cubic ft; gas per ton, 12,569 cu,bic ft. Coke in stotk July 31st, nil.;' coke produced, 5497 bags. Coke used on works, 2217 bags1, at power station, 813 bags, at Abattoir, 13 bags, sold to public, 2454 bags. Coke in hand, nil. Tar in stock July 31st, unknown; sold, 1740 gallons ; in stock Auaust 31st, 17.650 gallons. Value of residuals sold, £208 lls Id.

INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT.

-I'ne Inspector of Nuisances (Mr. F. Varney) in nis forcnigiitly report stateu:—ju tiring vie paso tortni^lic somt> house to li^iuse inspections have been made. Tho notices served mentioned in my last report have been compliea uithj or are m hand. As instructed, the notices on property owners to connect with the new sewer have been served, with the exception of one, which will be attended to in *ue next few days. 1 beg to bring u.nder the notice of the Council premises situate in Vanguard street. There are no sanitary conveniences, and nightsoil is buried on the premises, but no nuisance should arise from this if properly carried \ out, but other_ properties in the vicinity are connected, and the sewer is within reasonable distance. Notice was given to the owner some time ago .to connect the premises, .but for financial reasons the -matter-was-dropped. There is also another property in Vanguard street for which notice to connect should be given. Nightsoil and rubbish removal : There a*e 10 on the nightsoil service, and 196 on the rubbish service. No alteration during the fortnight.

ABATTOIR MANAGER'S REPORT. «

The Abattoir manager (Mr. G. W. Mitchell) reported that tho following stock were slaughtered during tliefortni^lit ended September 3rd :—Cattle 52 calves 5, sheep 610, pigs 23; total, 090. Condemned during the period' orxt sheop.

ORDINARY BUSINESS

Cr. Rout drey/attention to the danger caused by drivers emerging from rights-of-way across footpaths at excessive speed. He had seen a child knocked down in Hardy 8 street by a iorrv.

It was decided to refer the matter to tile police.

The Mayor said the Council had made very earnest efforts to discover the cause of the Waimea street sower trouble, and they were' satisfied that one of the causes was at the junction of Halifax and Waimea streets, where it was proposed to do certain work. The matter was referred to committee.

Cr. Hampson brought up the qu&v tion of tho Council, accepting deposits at short call, which he thought would lie an excellent thing for the Council. It had been done before, and deposits came in very satisfactorily, but bank objected, and the Council weakjy; gave way. The principle was in force hi- other places, and there was no rent-on why the Nelson Council should not Inn c a similar privilege. He moved tliafc the matter be referred to committee.

The motion was seconded by Cr Marris and carried.

On Cr. Marris' motion, it .was' decided to call the attention of tho police to the number of unlighted re.hidks in the streets after dark.

The Mayor said that children had done considerable \ mischief on the Church Hill to a bank which had been prepared for planting. Ho hoped stricter parental control would be exercised.

The Council rose at 30.30 p.m

Dk. Cr . £ s. d. £ a. d. General A/c ... 23,518 12 11 Water „ ... 287 18 9 Gas .„ ... 3,565 11 9 Interest „ ... i;7(_4 1 b Abattoir „ ... . '_ 278 13 3 Hospital and Charitable Aid 354 7 8 Balance, Dr. . 2:«,63G 2 0 < "£29,2021J. 0 29,202 14 0' , ', £ s (i Cemeteries (Trust Acct.) c-r. 19 6 Si Contractors' Deposits Account civ 22 0 0 Trafalgar Park Account, cr. 28 2 2 Drainage Extension Loan Account cr. 561 9 2 Amount owing to Bank on overdraft < 28,636 2 0 Amount of Overdraft at present allowed by Bank 34,000 0 0 Present statutory limit of Overdraft and Temporary Loan 34,000 0 0 Accounts were passed for payment as follows:—• General Account 252 10 11 Gas Account oS6 18 11 Water Account 36 18 6 Abattoir Account • 27 6 0 Cemeteries Account 6 3 1 Total ... £909 17 5