BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8638, 26 November 1889, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday night to consider the best means of dealing with the dust nuisance in town. Present : The Mayor (chairman), Messrs Bellringer, Small, Cock, Corkill, Cottier, Govett, Collis, and Dockrill. THE DUST NUISANCE. Mr Belliunger said ho had signed the requisition for the calling together of the Council because several business people had complained to him about the dust. He had no definite scheme, however, to obviate the nuisance. The question was simply a monetary one with the Council. He stated an inch standard pipe could be put between the present water plugs, which were 300 feet apart, and thus hoses could be played to better advantage than at present. He also referred to the water cart scheme, which he said could be worked. He said that the storekeepers could help them in the expense of watering the streets, and he understood that someone would represent the business people here that night to lay some proposals before the Council. Mr Collis said from enquiries he had made he would not be in favor of the hose business, as it would be ineffectual to lay the dust in reasonable time. He said if a man was started to water the streets at 8 o'clock in the morn ing, it would be noon before he had completed his task, and thus the best part of the day would be consumed before the nuisance was abated. He thought the water cart system was the best, but he did not know what condition their cart was in. Mr Govett said that he understood from the engineer that it would cost fully £28 to £30 for the stand pipe scheme. Mr Belliunger said the water cart could be put in repair for a few pounds. Mr Govett stated his recollection of the cart was that it was a fraud. Mr Cock said that his notice of motion dealing with the engineer and turncock would come in with the question; in fact, he tabled it in order that both should be discussed together. His notice was in effect that the services of the Waterworks Engineer should terminate on March 31, as per agreement with the Council, after three months' notice. He said that at present they gave the engineer £175 per annum, and £50 he was supposed to give to an assistant for working about three days a week. If the positions were made separate again the turncock could attend to the street watering. Mr Small said that it took the Engineer all his time now to keep up the supply, and if a further quantity of water was used it might necessitate the employment of another man to attend to the works at night. Mr Corkill stated that he had learned from Mr Morey that the shopkeepers were in favor of giving, say, Is a week each for the purpose of watering the streets. Last year this scheme fell through on account of the difficulty in obtaining hose for the purpose. He preferred the hose ta the water-cart system, as the former would be more thorough in effect. Mr Belliunger moved, in effect, that 30s per week should be collected from the business people in Currie, Brougham, and Devon streets, between Silver and Liardet streets, and that 1£ inch stand pipes with cock stops be put in between the present fire plugs for the purpose of watering the streets. The Engineer gave his views on the subject, and recommended that 1£ inch piping should be used. The motion was seconded by Mr Cottier. Mr Small thought the business people should contribute at least £3 a week, which would not amount to more than Is each, as this system would entail unprovided for expense on the Council. Mr Collis moved, as an amendment, in effect, that providing that the water-cart can br put in order for, say, £10 or £15, then it be used in watering the streets, and 6d a week be collected by the shopkeepers to pay expenses. Mr Cock contended that this question should not be made simply a main street one, but that the whole of the Borough should bear the greater part of the expense of a watering system. Mr Dockhill considered that a 30s levy would be quite sufficient, for if too great a levy was made the scheme might fallthrougb.. Mr Govett said he was in favour of a small levy, in order to initiate the scheme. He would second Mr Coll is' amendment proforma. On being put the amendment was lost, and the original motion was carried. Mr Small thought it would be just as well to get the storekeepers' subscription one month in advance. Mr Collis said it looked like a reflection on the business people. Mr Small : No reflection whatever. After some further discussion, Mr Small did not press his suggestion. WATERWORKS ENGINEER AND TURNCOCK. The question of separating these positions was discussed, and the following report of the Waterworks Committee was read on the question : — "That Mr. Wray, the Waterworks Engineer, be written to asking him to state in writing whether, if his salary was altered to £123 per annum he would give the Council power to appoint an assistant to Waterworks Department, to be under the control of the Council, as by consenting to such an arrangement it would obviate the necessity of giving him three months' notice, as per agreement, with a view of effecting the same object." The Engineer wrote stating that he would fall in with the Committee's suggestion. Mr Cock thought that hie notice of motion giving three months' notice to the Engineer, terminating his engagement on March 31st next, would not be necessary now. He would, however, move it formally. Mr Corkill seconded the motion pro forma. Mr BuLLiuNREi; moved as an amendment in effect that the offer of Mr Wray to terminate his agreement with the Coun cil be accepted from November 30, and he bo employed as Waterworks Engineer at a salary of £123 a year, with house and perquistes, and the existing agreement, be tenniuable at three months' notice. The amendment, as a substantive motion, was carried. The question of appointing a turncock was then brought up. Mr Bkllringer moved in effect that Mr E. M. Smith be offered £65 a year to act as Borough turncock, and to give all his time to his duties. Seconded, 'and carried. Washing Gutters. — Permission Was given the Public Works Committee to get the turncock to turn the water on the main gutters occasionally, in order to cleanse them. — Mr Bkm.rixgur said it was the intention of the Public Works Committee to employ a man to keep the gutters clean during the summer. Routine Business — Tho consideration of some correspondence and the Waterworks Committee's report was postponed till next ordinary meeting. The Council rose.