CITY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 151033, 26 July 1919, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. The fortnightly' meeting of the City Douncil was held last night, there being present the Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass) and Councillors J. W. Harris, 11. Watson, T. Pettit, J. A. stringer, T. S. Edwards, F. Plum, H. Baigent, W. S. Hampson, and W. C. Harley. . " j ACCOUNTS. The statement of bank balances was as follows:— De. Cb £ s. d. £s. d. General A/c ... 25,08a 4 5 j Water „ ... 763 9 71 3as „ ... 3,543 8 10 Interest „ ... 2,167 0 11 A-battoir „ ... ' 88 0 0 Hospital and Charitable Aid 403 16 3 i"empbrary Loan ,24 923 0 0 Balance Dr. 5,426 0 10 .631,200 10 5 31;200 10 5 '. . £ » d Cemeteries (Trust Acct.) cr. 27 10 5 Contractors' deposits cr. 8 0 ') Trafalgar Park Account cr. 31 10 2 j Drainage Extension' Loan I Account cr. 7 5 10 Amount owing to Bank on Overdraft • 5426 0 10 Amount owing on Temporary Loan 24,923 0 3 £30,349 0 10 Amount of Overdraft at present allowed by Bank - 9077 00] Present statutory limit of ' Overdraft and Temporary Loan ' £34,000 0 0 Payments were passed as follows:— £ s d General Account 413 0 9 Gas Account 486 19 J Water Account 76 6 10 Abattoir Account 49 14 2 Drainage Extra. Loan 106 9 6 Cemeteries " 18 8 3 Total £1150' 18 3 The Mayor said the City Engineer had prepared a return showing that although the gasworks expenditure had increased by £887 13s lid over the corresponding period of the previous year, the debit balance had been reduced by £1157 8s 9d. In addition there were i 257 tons of coal, 750 bags of coke, and 10,400 gallons of tar in stock, and all the holders were full. There-were practically no stocks last year. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:— From Hon. G. W. Russell, asking for photograph of Nelson to be incorporated in a book he is about to publish.—The Mayor said he had despatched the photographs asked for. From hon. secretary (Miss L. Ledger) Plunket Society, notifying that Mesdames Buchanan and.C. Graham had been appointed delegates on the committee re establishment of a rest room for women and children.—Received. From Under-Secretary Public Works Department, notifying .that control of ; the connecting strip of street between Collingwood street and Elliott street would be vested in the Council.—Referred to committee. From Messrs Chamberlain and Stan nard, disclaiming responsibility for ga. bill regarding premises in Collingwooi 1 street.—Referred to committee. From Jos. F. Sheldon, asking fo; refund of 6s paid in error for gas sup ply.—Referred to committee. ! From secretary Education Board, asking Council to nominate a represen-

tntive to the Board of Managers for t< Nelson Technical School.—Cr. Harley p was appointed to represent the Coun- i\ cil on the Board. . c From Mr Percy Webley, asking the r Council to supply .metal for filling in ft approach to his property, Alton street, a —Referred to the City Engineer for at- s tention. - t From the secretary Nelson Auto- c mobile Association, thanking Council. f. for prompt action in enforcing traffic t regulations, but stating that the com- t mittee were of opinion that the regu- c lation'as being .enforced at the june- o tion of Barely and Trafalgar streets s was unduly drastic. It was suggested c that the lamp post at the junction 0 should lie removed.—Referred to com- f mittee. From Messrs T. Wimsett and Son, p acknowledging receipt of Council's let- fj ter, and stating that the published re- £ marks made by Cr. Watson at the £ meeting were misleading and reflected on their work. It was requested that a. member of the firm be given an opportunity of stating their case before the Council, and that the Council's em- ; v ployees concerned be present. > _ Cr. Marris said the writers' request' v was not unreasonable, and he would j move that tneir request be granted, i and that the firm be asked to meet the '■ Council at the next committee meet-1 ing. ■ . Cr. Watson said he was indifferent J whether Messrs Wimsett's request was 2 granted or not. Their statement con- £ cerning his actions had been shown to a be incorrect when the committee in- t quired into . the previous letter. He i had explained at the last meeting what f actually occurred, and he was prepared a to bring evidence. Further publicity 1 would not hurt him. He had nooobje- t tion to Wimsett and Sons having the in- c quiry they asked for. He had never \ sought to take work from any other j blacksmith. He had shod the horses ] for the Council's former contractor, but since the Council had kept its own \ horses he had not done the work. 1 Cr. Hampson said the matter"did not seem to ajfect the Council. It was a i dispute between individuals and the Council should not enter into it. ( Cr. Edwards said it would be better j i for all concerned to have the matter ( cleared up in justice to both parties. \ He supported the motion. , 1 Cr. Harley said Messrs Wimsett had ] made two allegations, that Mr Watson , had taken off shoes put on by them and '. put on another set, and secondly, that he had ordered the horses to be taken to his shop. Cr. Watson said both '. these statements were incorrect, and , brought evidence to prove it. A councillor's assurance . should be sufficient for his fellow-councillors, and if they went further in the matter they would be acting unwisely and slighting councillor. Cr. Pettit said the only matter was whether the public would not prefer that both sides of the case should be fully heard. Wimsett and Son had not been allowed to give evidence before. He was satisfied with the committee's report, which he thought was very satisfactory. In view of all the facts he did not favour re-opening the matter. The Mayor said he hoped. the resolution would not be carried. The two statements made in the previous letter had been proved to be incorrect by evidence that the Council must accept. Cr. Marris, in reply, said the- Council had made it a Council matter, and he thought both sides should be fully hoard, it had been put to him twenty times that the Council had not heard Mr Wimsett. He was entirely satisfied that Cr. Watson's action and explanation were correct, but it would remove any possibility of misunderstanding if they granted the request. Cr. Pettit pointed out that no fresh evidence had been brought forward. Cr. Edwards moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to committee. The amendment was carried. Ayos (5) Crs. Stringer, Harley, Pettit, Edwards and the Mayor; noes (4) Crs Hampson, Baigent, Plum and Marris. Cr. Harley moved as a further amendment that a sub-committee consisting of Crs. Stringer and Edwards inquire into the matter and report to the Council. The amendment was seconded by Cr. Hampson and lost. Cr. Edwards' amendment, on becoming the substantive motion, was carried. _ Cr. Watson took no part in the voting. From Mrs Hooker, secretary W C T U stating that Mrs Alex Brown and Mrs 1. A. H. Field had been appointed to represent the union on ■ the committee to deal with the proposed women's rest room.—Received. From Mr W. Wilmott, on behalf of Air A. Persico, Milton street, applying for removal of water meter, so that the service could bo used for household as well as garden purposes.—Referred to committee. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL. The committee reported as follows :— As to application from R. Sannazzaro for extraordinary water supply: Consideration deferred for three months. On letter from Senior Sergeant Barrett, as to traffic" regulations: That on the first prosecution the city solicitors be instructed to appear for the Council. On letter from secretary, Nelson Harbour Board, requesting reduction of charge for water: That the charge be reduced to 3s per 1000 gallons. On letters from State Coal Department and Anchor Shipping Company, Ltd., as to increased price of coal: That the letters be acknowledged, and the City Engineer endeavour to carry on the works for the next few months without necessitating an increase in the price of gas. As to Abattoir charges: That the charges bo as follows .-—Cattle 6s 6d, calves 3s, sheep Is, lambs Is, pigs up to 1401b in weight 2s, over 1401b 3s 6d, calves over 2001b in weight at cattle rates. As to payment of wages during sickness and peace celebrations: (a) That half-pay only be paid; (b) that full rats be paid to the men for time lost during peace . celebrations. As to Council Chamber: That they have no recommendation to make. As

to City.^igineer's reports: (a) That all persons more than qne month in arrear ivith rubbish fees have the service discontinued; (b) .that, tho City Engineer report as ijjj cost of a suitable vehicle for rubbish*'\removal; (c) as to baths and trams and 'bus qprvices: Consideration deferred till next meeting of the Council; (d) as to electric scheme, consideration deferred. As to tenders for parting: (a) That Mr. Haggitt's tender for coal carting be accepted; (b) that Mr. Orsman's tender for.-general carting be accepted. As to appointment of dog-tax collector: That Mr Thompson, city ranger, be appointed at 10 per cent, commission. In . a number of other matters consideration was deferred. Referring to the baths and 'bus proposal. Cr. Hampson said the reports presented at last meeting were old reports. He moved' that the City Engineer present a definite report at next meeting in view of new conditions. Cr Stringer seconded . the motion, which was carried. The Mayor stated that Mr Thompson waJ vi na eto act as d°g-tax collector, and Mr Eades was also unable to do the work. The report, as amended, was adopted. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT, The report of the City Engineer (Mr. J. G. Littlejohn) for the period ending 22nd July, 1919, was as follows:— Streets and footways: A considerable amount of patching has been done, tne holes and soft places being attended to in Trafalgar, Brougham, Brook, Halifax and Nile streets, and on the Port and Waimea roads. The metalling on Brook-st. has been done to the extent of the authority, viz., 10 chains at a cost of £25. In connection with the work on —Brougham street, a new stormwater catchpit has been put in. I have not been able to complete tho work on this street owing to no timber being obtainable for the repair of the kerbing of the footpath. 1 would suggest that about two chains of the existing wooden kerbing should be replaced with concrete, and that the timber thus obtained be used to repair the other parts of the kerbing. Two chains of concrete would cost about £6. , Cleaning out of ditches has been proceeded with in Kawai and Mount streets. Drainage: The cast iron main in Church I street became blocked some time ago, and so far all attempts to get it clear have failed: The sewers in Selwyn Place and in Franklyn street blocked with tree roots and rubbish have been cleared. Water: The 4in. extension in Gloucester street is completed, t anticipate getting a start with the cleaning out of the Reservoir during the coming fortnight. Gas: The extension in Kawai street is completed. The main in Halifax street was broken through an accident to the drainage trench. The mishap had its advantages, since it disclosed an old fracture in the pipe. An unlocated blockage exists in the main on Britannia Heights and will be investigated at the earliest opportunity. The dead end in Tasman street is being extended to connect with the main in Halifax street. There are several short lengths Ifrhich should be put in so ax to connect up and complete the reticulation, viz.: In Milton street' and Weka street 3in., 10 chains; New street to connect with Collingwood | street, 3in., 7 chains; Halifax street,] Tasman street and Shakespeare Walk; 2 chains 40ft, l^in. Six inch pipes '■■ have been lying at the gasworks for some time intended for replacing the main in Collingwood street between Hardy and Bridge streets, also four inch pipes for replacing the existing main in Nile street, from Alton street to the bridge across, the Maitai. A useful extension of the mains could be made in Milton street, from Weka street to the town boundary, but this is contingent upon connecting up the mains in Weka and Milton streets s mentioned above. Length 9 chains. With the pipes already in stock about 7-J- tons of new 3-inch' mains would be required in order to carry out all the works specified. There are a 'great number of cases where two or more meters are in use, a relic of the times when lighting and heating gas were charged at different rates. The surplus meters have not been removed m most cases to the expense to which the owners of the promises would be put in rearranging the house pipes so as to be fed from one meter. In the 'present shortage of meters I would suggest that every meter which can possibly be taken away should he brought in at once, and' that where there is one serviceable meter on the premises any others that get out of order should not be replaced. . ABATTOIR MANAGER'S REPORT. • The Abattoir manager (Mr. G. W. ■' Mitchell) reported that the following > stock were slaughtered during the fortnight ended July 22nd:—Cattle 67, calves 5, sheep 595, lambs 56, pigs 19: total, 742. GENERAL BUSINESS. i Cr. Harley was granted permission to withdraw his notice of. motion relative to the licensing of ta^i-cabs and drivers. , A sub-committee consisting of Crs. , Hampson, Stringer, and Harris was appointed to report on the position of certain of the foremen under the revised ■ scale of wages. The Council then rose. The Palmerston-Wanganui roads are reported to be in a very bad condition just now owing principally to the wear and tear of fast motor traffic over the surfaces. It is said that a special providence looks after drunken men. Last Sunday (says the "Wairarapa Age") a man, who had evidently been (celebrating Peace not too wisely but too well, found his way into a certain place of worship in Masterton during the morning service, liiat seemed providential enough; but evidently his good angel deserted him at the door, for with unguided steps, he made his way to a pew and sat down next to a stalwart and well-known guardian of the law. Nothing untoward happened until, during the singing of a hymn, the worshipping stranger found himself prostrate on the floor, and unable to rise. He was then taken charge or [by the representative of the law and quietly removed to a neighbouring boarding-house. He is still anxiously wondering whether the curtain has finally dropped upon the little tragedy. Mr R. W. Dalton, British Government Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, has spent a busy time in Great Britain since his arrival there. The 'Board of Trade Journal" states that during, his stay in Britain Mr Dalton has been interviewed by about 570 firms, of which 214 were in London, and has visited 82 works, besides having delivered addresses to members of the various chambers of commerce and trade associations. His tour has shown that the United Kingdom manufacturers are, generally spoaking, fully alive to and anxious to develop their trade in the New Zealand market. There is no reason to doubt that when they have overcome their reconstruction problems evidences of the very real difficulties oi which were readily forthcoming, they jrill use every endeavour to build up a larse fnd increasinc; trnde with the Doyimnitm. I' . -