BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 16892, 8 February 1917, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met on Tuesday night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. C. E. Mackay and Crs. Aldertonj Lifflton, Spriggens, Thompson, Dustin^Gower, Luxford, Harkness, McCaul.

BOROUGH ENGINEER'S REPORT

The Borough Engineer (Mr. N. Crofton Staveley) reported inter alia:— : .

Streets.—The metalling of Guyton Street between Purnell Street and Heads Road was completed, at a cost of £246, equal to 1/1% per sq.' yard, or £10 2s per chain. This was later tar-sealed a a further cost, of £119, equal to 5%d per sq. yard &• £4 7s 9d per chain; a total of 1/7 per ss. yard for the completed roadway. This complete a tar-sealed r-oad for the full length of the Borough, from the Hospital to the Paul Estate, Wanganui East.

River. Bank. Road East, from Ma-wai.-Street to tjie Borough boundary which was sealed with restar two years ago, has had the sealing coat renewed, the distance being 71 chains and the cost 4.^4 d per sq. yard.

Metal Supplies.—The supply of boulders from Te Korito amounts to 140 cubic yards during December, but was then temporarily stopped owing to the necessity of concentrating all available men on the Tanwhare shell-rbclc development. . Water Supply.'— The dry weather has prevented any overflow of the flam, but the level has been fairly well maintained, and the water is now about four feet down. From this point rapid sinking would have occurred had it not been for the present showery weather. The satisfactory maintenance of the stipply during the hot weather has been largely due to the rigorous inspection enforced with regard to hosing. " -Dublin Street Sewer.—The comparatively good ground previously encountered has quickly, given place to running sand and water, making progress difficult and costly. Pipes have, however, been laid up to Wicksteed Street, and the excavation has now been facilitated by the use of a portable oil-driven civane which handles the material for the full depth of the trench at practically uniform speed; but as every foot of trench has to be dooible-sheeted to enable the proper depth to be reached, no great progress is possible at present. Taylorville Bank Protection.—The wharf at Tauwhare is.now finished and ready for work with the_ exception of the crane-post, which is being got ready. Good progress has been made with the stripping, the accumulation of which will be washed down with the heavy rain. ■-• Trucks and other plant are being prepared in town, and a crane has been ordered fpr work at this end. ' . Mangahoropito Tunnel.—-The final line of this has now been determined, and men put on clearing part of same By' running ian open race on the-side of the' valley for -some fourteen '.chain's- the length of tunnel has been reduced to 25 chains. When the line of race has been cleared, tenders will be called for the remainder'of the work. x General.-^-The rustic bridge over the Matarawa creeks Wanganui East Esplanade, is Jjx :yerxJ)ftd. condition. It being unsafe for any traffic, temporary repairs have been effected, but it will have to be rebuilt in the near future/ >' OPERA HOUSE COMMITTTE. •■'■•■ . i Application for reduction of rent. —The Committee bas decided to reduce the rental charged Mr Ossipoff pa his recent visit1' to So per night. Wanganui East Town Hall.—We recommend that the W.E. School CommUtee *be informed that the Council cannot grant it the free <use of the hali for meetings. ' As the Board has given notice that it no longer .requires the hall r f,or school purpose's, the Committee is of opinion that the School buildings should be available for Committee- meetings. The Last clause was referred back. SPECIAL COMMITTEE. Public Conveniences.—The Committee has conferred with Mr. Roe, the Council's architect for the design of the proposed public conveniences, and has decided to recommend the Council to agree to the structure being placed underground on the west side of. Maria Place, between Victoria Avenue and Ct. Hill Street. The Committee's reasons for selecting this site, are: Firstly: That the position selected is in proximity, to the busy thoroughfare, and places of. public entertainment, and secondly: If erected in Maria Place on the other side of the Avenue, it would be overlooked by persons on the balcony of the theatre and residents of the hotel. Thirdly: That if placed in any more out of the way place, it would not serve, the purpose for which it is intended. ! WORKS COMMITTEE. Draining Selwyn Street.— The committee has considered the requests that the work of providing drainage in this street be put in hand, ""and recommends that the work be commenced as soon as'possible on the Council obtaining from the College Trustees^ satisfactory' assurance that the carrying, out of drainage work shall not prejudice the Council's right to its standard roadmg requirements being provided by the Trustees.

Water Supply to Dominion Furni-' ture Co.—The committee, report that the continuation-of the main in Marshall Avenue is in the schedule of the loan work, and that it will be carried out with others in turn Guyton Street Corner Widening — The committee recommend that the engineer prepare plans showing the land required for widening Victoria Avenue, and that steps be taken to S 1'6 X\ frT the estate lateD? Earle, under the Public Works Act J^LTTT^ co *imitt e e report that the lessees of the lands on which.this weed is growing have agreed to eradicate it, and pending their being given An opportunity to "Q go, no action will be taken.

Taupo Quay.—The Engineer has been instructed to' proceed with laying tar macadam on one block of Taupo Quajr.

Rangatatau Road.—The committee has decided to ask the Waitotara County Council to improve the,, condition of this road between Mr. Moore's and the Waterworks.

Mile Posts.-^W.e recommend that the mile posts on the Great Northern Road be re-arranged, the first post commencing at one mile ■ from the Post Office, instead of' from the old Borough Boundary as at present. The County has been asked if it will do this, ( the Borough undertaking to provide *nd fix the posts within its area. GAS COMMITTEE. ' Coal Freight Contract.— We recommend that the Engineer be authorised to communicate with Messrs Lamb and Co.. offering on the Council's behalf, to enter into a two years' contract for freighting coal to Wanganui. ; ' Wages.—The committee' has received an application from the engine drivers and stokers for an increase in wages, consideration of which has been deferred until the Engineer obtains information from other centres. MISCELLANEOUS. " It was decided to offer the Education Board the use of the Wanganui East Town Hall at a rental of £40. Mr. R. D. Paterson was granted the mse of, the Opera House on the usual terms.