BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 December 1901, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The' usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Preuent^Crs. Liffiton, Williams, Griffiths, Perrett, Bigndl; May, Horsley, Bell, Richardson, and Manson. 'In the absence of the Mayor (who had been called to Pipiliki), Cr. Liffiton was voted? to the chair. Minutes.—The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Bank Book.—Tiie bank book .was laid on the table, and showed a debit balance of £17.62 8a 9d, as againsta debit balance of £1735' 17s 2d at the previous meeting. Baths.—Tho secretary of the Wanganui Amateur Swimming Club wrote asking for the use of the Baths for a. swimming carnival on the 12th inst. He also asked if tho turning-board could again be put in this year, pointing out that it great number of swimmers found it difficult to turn on the steps. It was resolved to accede to the Club's request. Sanitary Inspector.—The clerk of the Waitotara County Council wrote informing bue Council that a committee consisting of the chairman and Crs. Hole and Harper had been appointed to confer with the Borough Council on- the matter of the appointment of a joint sanitary inspector for borough and counties. It was resolved that the Borough Council be represented by the Mayor and Crs. Perrett and Bridge. The Coronation. —Messrs Croshier and Son (of Auckland) wrote as follows—"In view of the rejoicings, etc., which will take place throughout the colony on the occasion of the coronation of King Edward in June next, we should be pleased to know whether the Council contemplate erecting electric light decorations at the Borough Chambers, Opera House, etc. In view of this event we are ordering incandescentlamps of 5-c.p. for use on devices. These lamps will allow: a large number to be used, thus maMnp an imposing spectacle. Should you decide to do anything m this direction, we shall be pleased to give you an estimate of cost, and we Bhould also be pleased to deceive any suggestion from you as to what you consider suitable. We have three large crowns which we used in June last, each with about 80 lamps, which might be suitable, and would be sold cheap." It was resolved that the matter be held over, pending inquiries by the Town Clerk as to prices. Cesspans — In connection with McDermitt's Patent Airtight Duplicate EnamelCesspan, Mr McDermott wrote stating that ho could not immediately send a sample nan as requested by tiie Council. He, however, forwarded a photo, of tho wag«on employed. The pans, with the required number of rubber rings and lids, would cost 15s f.o.b. at the principal ports of New Zealand. . .. ~ Band Subsidies.—ln reply to the Council's request re subsidy to bands, the Invcrcargill Town Clerk wrote stating that £10 had been paid to : each of the two bands on two occasions, but this was not looked upon as ail annual grant. ..: '-■ Protest. —Mr H. C. Brookfield wrote as follows: "Some, time since a drain in pro-oert-v adjoining m.V leasehold in the Avenue became stopped by some tree roots. An account has been rendered to me for clearin"- the same, for which it seems to me I should not bs held responsible. My reasons are as follows: The tree' in question, whose roots the Sanitary Inspector claiims did the damage, was prowing on the section before my. occupation,' which dates back over 8 years, The drain was laid about five or six years ago. ■ I received no notice from the Borough Council at tne time of their laying the drain, nor until it became blocked, when the Inspector told me to cut down the tree. I did this within «i week oil two. It seems to me, therefore, that the Council authorities, by layintr the drain where the roots of. the tree i would injure or would be likely to injure lit and not giving me notice about.remoyin<>- the tree, accepted the responsibility themselves. Again, surely if the joints of ! the drain were perfectly tight- the roots should not be able to enter the drain in the first instance." It was resolved Inat the Clouncil regret that they cannot comply with the request, as the dram is on Mr Brookfield'H own land, and the renewing being to his own advantage." , Astronomical Society.—The Astronomical Society wrote forwarding a plan of the proposed observatqrv. The matter was left in the hands of the Reserves Committee. Renorts.—The reports of the Foreman of Works and Sanitary Inspector were read and confirmed. .