BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 10612, 12 May 1896, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday night. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. | B. Hoy (chairman), Messrs Walton, T. Furlong, jun.. Gorkill, T. Avery, Dinglo, Teed, and Ward. Letters from Messrs S. B. and J. T. White relative to work required in the vicinity of their places, and from Mr F. W. Richmond, for the administratrix in J. Mitchinson's estate, relative to the state of Lemon-street, were read and referred to the Works Committee. The Audit Office wrote with instruction as to accounts. Letter from Mr T. K. Skinner was dealt with in Works Committee's report. Letter from Mr W. Webber was also dealt with in same roport. Letter from Mr C. W. Govett, chairman of tho Recreation Grounds Board, was read, asking for increase in subsidy to Grounds. — His Worship said the letter had been dealt with, the Council not seeing their way to grant an increase this year. A letter from Mr M. Jones was dealt with in the Works Committee's report. Correspondence was read relative to the half holiday under " Factories' Act," and pointing out that where no special order was made under this Act the half-holiday must take placo on Saturday. — His Worihip explained that the Council had only passed an order relative to " Tho Shops and Shop Assistants' Act," but had not done so with regard to " The Factories' Act," which said that all women and youths under 18 were to have a halfholiday on Saturday, except in cases where tho day was altered by special order.— Mr Teed said the Aot would not affect many here.— His Worship said that the Sergeant of Police had supplied a long list of names of persons who came •within tho definition.— Mr Furlong <-aid that he was inclined to foresee trouble, as several of the bigger factories preferred j Saturday. Ho thought those interested should approach the Council fin>t. — Mr Walton thought it would be better to fix. a day. ~ His Worship said that under the sub-section of the section of the Factories Act he said that where a factory and shop were carried on together the holiday for both could be fixed for Thursday, and many of the local cases came under this. Mr Walton said that owners of factories had been notified to close on Satnrd iys. - His Worship said thai was nothing, as the police did some wonderful things. - jtlr Ward said he had been told that the Council had neglected to make an order, and the Government now fixed tbo half-holiday for factories. — Finally tho matter was deferred for tho factory owners to take action. A telegram was received from the Premier, asking the Mayor to preside at the Hon. J. U-. Ward's meeting on Tuesday night, May 12th.— Mr Corkill wanted to know if such a communication to the Mayor should be brought before the Council. — His Worship : I take it that such a telegram should come before the Council.— Mr Corkill: I take it that the telegram should not, as it is not part of our business to supply chairmen for such meetings. — His Worship said that it was part of a Mayor's duties. — Mr Corkill : One of the Mayor's perquisites.- His Worship still considered that it was his dutj.- Mr Corkill asked if in case the Council, by majority, decided that His Worship should not take the cbair, would he, in face of Buch a resolution, preside. — His Worship said in face of such a resolution he would not.— The matter dropped. A large deputation of property-owners using Liurdot-street between Courtenaystreet and the Recreation Grounds waited on the Council, pointing out the dangerous and dirty state of the street. Mr C. Carter, acting as spokesman, pointed out what the deputation required. At parts of the street accidents had occurred. -Mr R.D. Colson pointed out the great need of a footpath.— Mr Coker mentioned the dangers of tha street at night. - The Rev Mr Drew said that so dangerous was the street that residents had measured their length. He could not say that he had such experience personally, but others had. -Mr Freethy aUo mentioned the dangerous parts of tho street. Messrs N. Hooker and G. Cock waited on tho Council, and pointed out the daugerous and dirty stato of the Dawsonstreet, between Devon and bt Aubynstreot, and also Young-atreot in the same vicinity. — Mr Hooker pointed out the state of the former street, and Mr Cock of the latter. — Mr Cock also poiutod out tho way caits ware cutting up tho paths. - Mr Furlong said that no doubt several streets wanted attention.— Mr Teed said that it was not tho duty of Councillors to act as private detectives, as suggested by Mr Cock. Councillors wore willing to do their duty in detecting persons who cut up footpaths, but ratepayers should also assist in the preservation of the footpaths. —Mr Ward pointed out the state of Morley-atreet through being cut up by heavy drays. — Messra Walton and Dingle favored the street* bo attended to — Mr Walton moved, That the matter of the two deputations be referred to the Works Committee. Carried. t The Sanitary Inspector reported the condition of tho town as good, the slaughterhouses clean , and gave the amount of kerosene in stores and shop. A letter from tho Waterworks Engineer on the motive power in town was deferred for the Works Committee to bring up a report on it. Mr Ward brought up the matter of a stranger running and grazing horses on the streets.— His Worship : Where is the poundkeeper ?- Mr Ward : It seems that there is a difference of opinion between the Inspector and Poundkeeper as to whose duty it is. — Mr Free said he tried all he knew to catch such offenders, bat people showed a disinclination to go to Court to give evidence against offenders. The Public Works Committee tnet on April 24th, and reported, " That Mr S. B. White's application for pathway being raised be attended to ; that the broken stone from tho reservoir be offered for £5 : that Mr Falkner's letter re sign bu left as at piesent, unless some Councillor objects to it; that Mr White's application for a hitching post be acceded to." The same Committee met again on April 30th, and reported " that a crossing be put in Vivian street, at Mr T. Veale's ; that Mr G. Ward be informod he must put in a crossiny in Powderham-street ; that four new lamps be erected ; that £10 bo expended on a new roller ; that Mr Roudell s corner in Devon-street be rounded as at Bronghim-street." The Committee met agaiu on May Bth, when Mr Furlong was chairman, and reported, " that the addition t» the pumphouse as specified in the water-works engineer's report be carried into effect ; that Mr M. Jones', livery stable keeper, be allowed to take what earth he umy require ; that Messrs Jankinson be authorised to Jay pipes to sees. 1325 and 1325, providing they pay i the cost of piping over 60 feet, which is the quantity allowed, and that a man be allowed to help them with the work ; that the footpath in Lemon street from Liardet-street to Gover-streot be reported on by the Borough foreman ; that permission be given to Mr T. K. Skinner to connect with the main sewer in Devon-street from Mr Petty's premises, with a 6in pipe." — Mr Furlong, acting chairman, explained the report. — Mr Teed objected to any two premises being drained into the main sewer as was evident from the last clauso in the report. He said such a Byutem of joining would make the drain pipe a sewer. This was the law in England, where he had experience. — His Worship said Mr Teed should go gantly and benefit by experience. — Mr Teed maintained such place should drain separately. Mr Furlong Baid the committee would look into the matter.— The report was adopted, and with reference to the disputed clause enquiry will be made. Mr AValton drew attention to the state of culvert at the beach end of Goverstreet.—The matter will be attended to. When tho accounts came up Mr Teed said three accounts were not certified to. — The Town Clerk said one, the gas account, was never certified to. — Mr Teed ; Then it should bo.— Hia Worship ,

said that ho would see the three accounts were certified to. Accounts were passed. The Council adjourned at 9.10 p.m.