BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 210, 26 August 1908, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met on Monday night. Present: Ills Worship the Mayor (Mr. (J. Xisch) and Councillors Boon, Bellringer, Coleman, Colli?, Morey, Cattley, and Browne. Apologies were received for the absence of Councillors Mills and West. DKAIXA(;E EXTENSIOX.S. Mr. F. S. -Johns applied to have the sewer extended from the hosiptal gate to his new residence at the top of Standish Hill. Owing to his section being perfectly level he would have no alternative but to drain into the street, unless he could connect with the sewers, and he thought the hospital authorities would object to household draiuage flowing down the street past their gale. There were twelve residences wilhia fifty yards of the top of the hill, and no doubt the occupiers would be glad to avail themselves of the sewers. Mr. T. W. Francis, on behalf of Dean McKenna, for a sower to be laid in Silver street to permit of a newly-erected cottage being erected. Both applications were referred to the drainage committee. EXGIXEKIi'S RETORT. The borough engineer reported, inter alia:—

Old railway line.—The cost of making the old railway line between Hobson street and the Mangorei road available for traffic will be £330. This does not, however, include. £172 which will be required in alterations and decking to (lis bridge. An .opportunity is now offering at very small cost to make a cross counec-. tion of Downe and Gilbert streets, and Brougham street and the Victoria roau. Almost the only cost will be the construction of a culvert at the southern end of Brougham street, when, 1 have reason to believe, the gaol authorities would be only too glad to improve their own property and thereby make excellent street connection between east and west and north and south. As it is they are throwing earth to spoil that would serve a better purpose, and there is no time to lose if the opportunity is not to be lost for ever. 1 am also led to believe that another Department interested would, if approached without delay, arrange for the free gift of the sinail. area of land required at the rear ..f Marsden Hill. Such a connection as the one proposed would give approximately a grade of 1 in 20 from Downe street to the Victoria road, and 1 in 30 in Brougham street from such new street to Pendarves street, and would render easily possible a direct road from Devon street via Brougliam street to the Carrington road district; would relieve the traffic on the present Victoria road to the north and give a more direct line for any future tramway system to extend its ramifications to such an important suburb as Vogeltown. [Downe street is a little-used a-ad mi'formed street shown on the map as run-, ning from the Cutfield road along past the back of the hospital, across the old Mill road to Robe street near the gaol entrance.] A motion was submitted that the report be referred to the Works ComniitCr. Bellringer thought the first thing to do was to obtain from the Finance Committee a report upon the possibility of financing the scheme. The Mayor complimented the engineer upon his comprehensive report. Cr. Browne added his tribute, particularly in reference to the water supply scheme (published yesterday). But they wanted an estimate of the cost hefore . proceeding further. The report opened np big possibilities, and brought in sight several important works that would have to be faced. It was decided to request the engineer to submit estimates of the cost. WORKS.

The Works Committee's report was read as already published. C'r. Colli* objected to the clause giving authority to extend the 4-inch main beyond the "borough boundary in Devon street to serve better Messrs. S. \V. Shaw's, U. Enroth's, and other properties on the Belt road. The Mayor and Or. Coleman explained that several buildings were to be erected. The present water supply was insufficient even for household purposes, and there was no provision against fire. Cr. Collis said the Council had nothing to do with the provision of fire prevention services for the suburbs. They heard a lot of the desirability of a greater New l'lymouth, but all the time the Council was giving these services and doing all they could to keep the

suburban people out. Cr. Coleman said that he knew the people in the Barrett road district were only waiting a while. They would soon be in the borough.—No action taken. His Worship then referred to the matter of the street staff re-organisation scheme, and the letter of Mr. S. Hooker (foreman) complaining that the borough engineer's report on the matter was '•misleading and contrary to fact, and reflects on my ability as foreman." The Mayor said that one member of the Council had said he did not understand when he voted that he was taking Mr. Hooker out of the foreman's position. The Council had to remember that in last April Mr. Kendall, borough engineer, was placed in charge of ho streets, and he reported that he could get through his work as well without as with a borough foreman, and that he had plenty of work at the waterworks for a man like Hooker, if the Council had confidence in its engineer it must abide by his report. There was no further discussion, and the report was adopted. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE. The Tfewn Clerk's report of the proceedings at the Municipal Conference was received. He was accorded a vote of thanks, and the Council voted his expenses.