Waimate Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XIV, Issue 65, 25 October 1911, Page 3

Waimate Borough Council.

The foitnightly meeting was held last nighr. There were present: Tha Mayer (Mr N. Francis), Councillors Inkster, Miller, Manchester, Jones, Cox, Sanders, Evans, Collett, and Atwill. The Governor (Lord Islington) forwarded the King's acknowledgment of the Bcrough'B congratulations on bis coronation. "ANTI-SMOKING" RAILWAY . SERVICE. Sir W. J. Steward forwarded reply given by the Railway Minister to the complaints from Waimate that the train between Waimate and the Junction has been reduced to one car and a van. The Minister thought the service ample for all reasonable traffic, and the staff would watch to see that extra cars were put on if needed. KELCEY'S BUSH.

Mr T. Buxton, M.P., wrote stating that he had approached the Minister for a grant with a view to getting tracks and paths made in the Kelcey's Bush reserv.e. The Minister had stated that Waimate had already got a good deal of money towards the purchase of the reserve, but he would give the matter sympathetic consideration. The Mayor explained that on the occasion of Mr Buxton'B visit to Waimate recently he brought the matter before him. Seeing that the Bush was in the new Temuka electorate, Mr Buxton might reasonably beexpected to do his heat to secure a grant for tracks and paths. It was derided that the Mayor's action be endorsed; also that "Mr-Bux-ton be thanked for his efforts. Cr Manchester asked if something definite should not be decided in reference to the public' carrying ferns, flowers and foliage away from the Brsh. On Monday last large numbers of people took loads of greenery away. It was decided to notify the public that such practice must cease. Mr Buxton further expressed the hope that a grant would be got for the wool-class accommodation.

SIR W. J. STEWARD'S RETIREMENT.

Several local bodies replied to the Council's coromuncication proposing to hold a pubile meeting to recognise Sir W. J. Steward's 30 years' service to the Waitaki electorate. Most of the replies were satisfactory. It was resolved that a meeting be called for Monday next, October 30th. The Mayor thought collection cards ought to be got out by Show Day. In urging Councillor to attend the meeting, the Mayor said it must not be taken that the Council was supporting the system just because it was proposing to recognise the good work of Sir W. J. Steward in obtaining Government votes for the district. The system was in vogue, and they should do their best to recognise the work Sir William had done. Cr. Jonea said he thought the Mayor was quite right in saying that. If everyone gave Is it would be a good thing, and only a duty. The same system 3eemed to be in vogue all over the worli And they could do with a hundred or two more yet. Cr. Inkster: Yes, you have got to take all you can get. WATER COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Water Committee made the following recommendations: (1) That A. W-emyss be appointed Baths care-taker. —Adopted. (2) That the Baths be opened on 6th November.—Adopted.

(3) That the Sdimming Club be granted the same concessions as before.—Adopted.

(4) That the Water Inspector, Mr C. Dash, be relieved of the inspection as regards defective taps and garden waste, as asked, and that the Works Committee be asked to arrange for one of the surfacemen inspecting taps, and that the Water Committee be authorised to employ a casual inspector to take steps when and where necessary to prevent waste on gardens, and that £6 be deducted from the present caretaker's salary.-The Water Inspector's present salary was stated at £26. At the request of Cr Jones, the Water Inspector's present duties were stated. The Mayor remarked that he would be relieved of minor duties only. The clause was adopted. (5) That the order prohibiting all use of water on gardens be withdrawn and permission be given to use water on gardens between the hours of 6 and 8, morning and evening.—Adopted. On the motion of Cr Manchester, the report was adopted in toto. DRAINAGE MATTERS. The drainage foreman, Mr T. Dugdale, reported that the pipe trenches were excavated along Queen Street as far as Goldsmith Street. Opening out had also been commenced in Glasgow Street. The pipes were laid to within 3 or 4 chains of Queen Street. Owing to the delay in getting the smoke-tester, he had not been able to get the drains filled in. The tester had now arrived, and he thought they, would be able to get the drain filled in as far as Queen Street this week. —Adopted. The Railway Department wrote stating that the connection of the Waimate station and the manager's house was under consideration, and asking to be shown on a rough plan the nearest point at which the sewer would approach the station. The Mayor intimated that Dr Pitts had intended applying to this meeting for a service for a house he intended to erect on the corner of Queen Street and Mill Road. The charge would he

50 per cent, of the annual cost till the service was used.

It was resolved that the Railway Department be informed that if they would undertake to connect, the sewer would be put down Queen Street past the railway entrance, thereby giving closer connection " than otherwise wculJ be possible; further, that the annual charge be £lO. Sergt. Morgan wrote asking at what cost the police cottages and lock-up would be connected.if the Department were agreeable to connect.—lt was resolved that the fee be£s per annum. The Gas Company wrote stating that on Thursday evening a gas-pipe in Victoria Terrace had been severed, arid four consumers left without lighting. The Gas Company received no notice whatever, and not only were the Company's customers left without lighting, but there must have been considerable leakage over night, so that the Directors were obliged to call upon the Council to pay for any loss to the Company. The Mayor said he had got the Inspector to put in a report. Mr Dugdala said that the plough had accidentally struck a pipe and broken it. But it had been quickly plugged up, and left till next morning, he thinking it merely connected with an unused building. The loss of gas could not have been grea.t. It would assist the contractor if the Gas Company would be good enough to indicate the position of their service.

It was decided that a copy of the Inspector's report be fowarded to the Company, with an expression of regret that the accident had occurred.

The Mayor brought up severral points for the opinions of the Council. It was decided that the Mayor and Clerk draft an advertisement notifying the residents tbac they should confer with the drainage inspector as to positions for connections at building lines. It was resolved that in the case of vacant sections near the sewer, any owner intending to build should have pipe laid to building line without capital charge, but at an annual cost of half the amount of a full connection. Cr Atwill brought up the question cf a public convenience, urging that the present moment was opportune for the provision of so necessary, a thing. He moved that the Sanitary Committee consider sites and cost, and bring up a report.

The Mayor said this question had been discussed for years. Now that Ihey were having underground drainage it would be' easy and inexpensive to provide a public convenience. Cr. Atwill's mution was carried.

The question of plumbers' certificates was considered, and it was understood that local plumbers would be given an opportunity of qualifying UDder the Health Department's requirement. The Council revised the Sanitary by-laws, for adoption next Monday night. Accounts for £129 153 were passed for payment.