BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13482, 23 July 1907, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present : The Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill), Councillors C. T. Mills, J. Morey, H. R. Cattley, G. Browne, Boon, F. Bellringer, W. A. Collis, A. A. Pikett, and Coleman. THE FACTORIES ACT. A communication was received from the office of the Minister of Labour acknowledging receipt of the Council's letter transmitting a copy of a resolution passed by the Council intimating that they supported any amendment to j the Factories Act that would give factories working in conjunction with shops the option of closing for halfholiday on the day of the statutory half -holiday for shops. The Minister in reply Mid the representations of the Council would receive the careful consideration of the Government. ARBOR DAY. The Colonial Secretary, roplying to the Council's letter re Arbor Day, stated that in accordance with request the holiday would be observed in the Government offices at New Plymouth on Thursday in lieu of Wednesday. MOLESWORTH STREET EXTENSION. The secretary to the Harbour Board (Mr C. S. Rennell) forwarded a copy of a resolution passed by the Board in regard to Molesworth Street. The Chairman moved that the resolution be forwarded to the Manager of Railways with a request that a valuation should be made as soon as possible. — Carried. LOAN APPROVED. Mr R. J. Collins, Secretary to tho Treasury, wrote informing the Council that the Colonial Treasurer had provisionally approved the Council's application for a loan of £1750 for extending the abattoir. The Mayor moved that the Borough Solicitor should be asked to take all necessary stops preparatory to raising the loan. If by so doing he could save time he would call a special meeting of the Council to pass tho order. ENFORCEMENT OF THE BY-LAWS. Sergeant Haddrell wrote that ho had forwarded the Council's letter asking for police assistance in enforcing tho borough by-laws to the inspector at Wanganui. The reply stated : "The bylaws will be enforoed as far as our strength and other duties, will allow." Councillor Collis: What strength — physical or numerical? (Laughter.) GILL STREET SEWER, Mr J. W. Boon asked tho Council to proceed with the extension of the sewer \y Gill Street in order to connect his properties. — Referred to the Drainage Committee with power to act. W.C.T.U. Miss S. Ambury, secretary of the local branch of the W.0.T.U., asked the Council to again grant the branch permission to use and control the ladies' rest-room in the Town Hall, as in the past. ' On the motion of Councillor Collis, seconded by the Mayor, it was decided to grant the request, and also accord the thanks of the Council for the manner in which the room had been kept during the past year. RESERVES COMMITTEE. Councillor Collis reported that the Reserves Committee had accepted the tender of Mr Hook at £10 17s 6d for painting the reserve occupied by Messrs Webster Bros. THE POST OFFICE. The Mayor intimated that it was his intention to write the Premier inviting him to officially open the new Po3t Office. His action met with the accord of the Council. ' WESTERN PARK COMMITTEE. This committee recommended, "That the offer of Messrs Bullot and Griffiths to erect a seven feet iron fence along the Morley Street frontage of the Wes*tcrn Park be accepted, and they be granted the sole right to use both sides of the fence for advertising purposes for a period of ten years." — -Deferred until next meeting of tho Council to enable the Council to inspeoi. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee report, already published, was submitted and adojpted with minor amendments. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr Kendall, engineer, reported that in spite of several telegrams forwarded to hurry up delivery, the power main junction specials had not conic to hand, and were now much overdue. Mr Wills had finished his contract on the Cutfield Road in a satisfactory manner. Tho short length of sewer in Robe Street had been laid, and the portion of sewer in Lemon Street whs now tinder construction. When the sower in Queen Street was laid, the coating of metal found to be so very thin that it was impossible to leave the surface in good order. He accordingly had more metal carted and placed on tho trench in accordance with instructions. A leak from the water main near Miss Cottier's, in Brougham Street, was remedied immediately on receiving information of its existence. Tho main which lies acrosi the Hcnui Bridge, and which had on several occasions in the past given way, ngain showed signs of leakage. He had therefore arranged to have it examine! and repaired as soon as possible. In accordance with instructions of Juno 25th, he reported that the cost of painting the outside roof of the Mortals «*v Chapel in two coats would be £12 ; eif;iifc plain seats would cost £6; additional windows would cost £7. A proper ventilator in the roof would cost £7. The latter portion of the report relating to the cemetery was referred +o the Reserves Committee, the remainder being adopted. A CARRINGTON ROAD GRIEVANCE. A deputation consisting of Messrs , Lewis and Salt waited on the Council lespecting the question of repairs and crossing at the corner of Shortland Street and Old Carrington Road. Mr Lewis entered a protest against the manner in which the application had been Veceived by the Council. The work was absolutely necessary, and he felt that the Council could not have understood the position. The Carrington Road Board had formed the footpath in their district, and there now remained a small portion that required forming from Shortland Street to the borough boundary. What work had been done by the Carrington Road Board was absolutely useless unless the work now asked for was carried out. He understood that the application was

refused on the ground of expense, bur was informed by tho foreman that the cost was about £10. He did not think this was a very serious item. Mr Salt said it was s practically impossible to get through this portion of the road, as it was under water. A Councillor suggested that the residents should swim across. Mr Salt: We have been thinking of procuring a punt. Councillor Bellringer asked the deputation, should the Council effect this work, would the residents assist the Council so far as possible to keep the road clear of stray cattle? Councillor Pikett: They have a live poundkeeper at Carrington Road now. I The deputation said they would assist the Council as suggested. The question was allowed to stand over until the consideration of the Works Committee report. Later this was submitted. It stated : "That in view of the estimate of the cost (£lO 2s) this committee has no recommendation to make in connection with the request." Councillor Bellringer said the Council was receiving no rates from this road, and the question arose, Was the Council justified in going to the expense when there were other works more urgently lequirod in other parts of the borough? Councillor Collis moved that the matter be referred back to the Works Committee with a v^iew to tho members visit- j ing the locality. The Mayor seconded, and the motion Mas agreed to.