WANGANUI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 3 February 1909, Page 5

WANGANUI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. PRESENT.—The Mayor (Mr C. E. Mackay), Crs. E. N. Liffiton, Harris, Purser, Harkness, T. H. Battlo, C. W. Poynter, J. T. Muir, G. Spriggons, and G. Carson.

MINUTES.—The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed. LOCAL BODIES ACT.—A letter was received from the Town Clerk of Christchurch re Section 25 of the Local Bodies Amendment Act, 1903, which provides that, after the passing of the said Act, tho Public Trustee alone may be appointed the commissioner of the sinking fund of any loan raised under the Local Bodies Act, 1908, and tl\at the moneys of such funds may only be invested in securities issued by the Government of New Zealand. The Clerk stated that his Council was of opinion that the provision is unnecessary, and asked that the Wanganui Borough Council would co-operate in endeavouring to obtain the amendment or repeal of the section during next session of Parliament. —liesolved that the Christchurch City Council be informed that the Wanganui Borough Council will co-operate with them as desired.

RECOMMENDATIONS .-The acting foreman of works recommended that the Council procure a light horse and cart to be used for carting asphalting and for general purposes. A further suggestion from the foreman was that the floor of tho trailer Avagon be made level in order that it may be used for hauling tar to Hylton's pit and for bringing tarred metal from the pit to Taupo Quay.—Referred to the Works Committee with power to act.

WATER. —An application was received from Mr J. D. Bi-eehin to have the Okehu water supply to be laid on to his premises.—Resolved that the water be laid on subject to the usual terms. —. Mr A. H. Whibley wrote asking the Council for a reduction in the rates for water supply to the land occupied by himself (a portion of the Hare e,state).— Resolved that Mr Whibley be informed that the Council cannot see its way to accede to the request. TOWN BRIDGE .—The District Engineer wrote re objection raised by the Wanganui County Council to the manner in which the Wanganui Town Bridge is being repaired by the Government. The engineer stated that the work ias been carried on with as much expedition as the adverse conditions under which it had to be done would admit of. A capable and energetic manager is in charge, and the engineer stated that he was satisfied that the manager was donig' the wok as well as possible. Three shifts are now employed in excavating shafts in the cylinders (i.e., continuous work night and day), and satisfactory progress is being made. Obstruction o traffic must necessarily obtain, and everything has been done to minimise the inconvenience. The engineer stated that he failed to see that there is any reasonable cause for complaint.—^Received.—Resolved that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Wanganui County Council.

RATES.—Applications reopived for remission of rates Avere referfe'd t6 ihe. Finance- Committee / with - p.oAver to »ct<.

WAITOTARA CO UN TYCO UN. :iL.— Tho Chairman of the above Council waited on the Council re the jbramvay alteration to River Bank -Road/, and ex plained that the Waitotara Council were willing to do the work, but wer? not prepared to take any financial re«jA>jisibility in the matter. —Referred to the Traimvays Committee. -

OKEHU WATER WORKS.—Kfesoived that the Council make the anhu:ilin spection &( the Okehu water Avorks" on February 18th.—The Mayor intimated that ihvitations Avould be sent to the Mayors of the surrounding boroughs aiv! tho chairman of the Gonville "•' cv if Board.

FOOTBALL.—The Wanganui Aiwoci.:* »tion Football! Club wrote apply nig for, the use of Victoria Park St. .r.ilm'js Hill, and Laird's Park during tho itntball season. —Referred to the Re-?ev^s Committee, who were asked to <i n\v up j a report allocating the reserves for'tho various winter pastimes. BILLIARD ROOM LICENSE.—Vr D. Roux Buisson applied for a billiardroom license. —Resolved' that the nei?essary information be obtained baton 1 the application is entertained. RESERVES AND GAS -COMMIT TEES. —The Committee recotnraendfcd the Council to offer all the unlet l;ihd extending from' Liffiton Stre.t W 'r.v; continuation;' of the line divi liv,* the Catholic and cemec.u1 es, r,iul bounded on the south by the line ot unformed road, such road beui,; on Ilie northern side of the Castlecliif railwuy. line, except such portion vu-jitired for a road leading from (iuyton bireet Extension to the gasworks propsrty. .' lie period of lease to be for 4M \x*i:rs, .t an upset rental to be axed ty ti,<* Committee. The Comm.ttee j>lso recommended that the Spiral J Jipj Company's tenure of the site occip-eil ;).y them remain as at present. —A.do,>U»d. — The Mayor stated that the land v.n. -h the Council were tendering in loi^e had been lying idle ever since the meejv • tion of VVanganui as a borough. TJie Spiral Pipe Company were anxio is {>j enlarge tneir business, and the prop ";'?<fd site was a suitable one for..the purpose. The law demanded that the, land musl be put up for public tender. The .c; st would contain certain binding conditions that would tend to% make whatever jh.dustry was established on the ?ite a success, and the borough would t;e>ive a fair income from the land.

POWER HOUSE EXPENSES.-Cr. Harris referred to the expenditure on oil, grease, and cotton waste (£3o fc?s lid) as compared with the cost of fuel (£23 4s) used at the tramway power house for nineteen days running, i.e., December 10th to the 31st. He called the Council's attention to the amount : expended on these items, and moved as an amendment to the adoption of the Traimvay Engineer's report that the engineer's attentibn be called to the expenditure, and he be asked to endeavour to reduce the quantity of oil used; also, that the Town Clerk make inquiries and ascertain the amount of oil used at other power-housea where the engines are of similar kind and size to those in the Wanganui power-house.—The 'Mayor stated that he would oppose the amendment, as he did not think that it was necessary. It was also a slight on the engineer. The trams had only been running a few weeks, and at the commencement the contractors were responsible for using a large quantity oi. oil. Mr Talboys had devised means whereby the oil was being filtered, after usage and was being used over and over again. The engineers efforts were meeting with success. Engines similar to those in use at the power-house were likely to be expensive in the consumption of oil, and His Worship considered that until a few months had elapsed the cost of oil and expenses at the powerhouse should not be criticised.—-Cr. Battle said he was rather -surprised at tho action taken by Cr. Harris that evening. He (Cr. Harris) had sat in committee and had heard the expenses discussed, but he had reserved his opinion till the Couucil meeting. Cr. Battle stated that he thought Cr .Harris's remarks wertj not fair to the engineer. Mr Talboys was not there when the expenses were being discussed. The engineer was not responsible for the oil vised by the contractors duvin»- tho time they were superintending the machinery. —Cr Carson thought Cr. Harris' remarks were a reflection on the engineer. —Cr Spriggens said he could hardly take Cr. Harris seriously, and considered it bad taste on Cr. Harries part to discuss such matters.—Cr. Liffiton pointed ', out that Cr Harris had overlooked the

fact that the poAver-house at the commencement of the running of the trams had been superintended by people over whom the engineer had no control. As regarded the reflection on Mr Talboys Cr. Lifiiton stated that Avhile the Council had officers avlio Avere serving the borough Avell stones should not be thrown at them.—Cr. Purser expressed tho opinion that Cr. Harris had slioavii bad taste in bringing the expenditure of oil before the public.—The Mayor stated that the engineer (avlio Avas present) had informed him that the expenditure on oil had been considerably decreased during the last tAVO Aveeks^— Cr. Harris stated that he. had asked for a report on the first month's working, not for the nineteen days as submitted by the engineer.—The amendmert Avas lost.