BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 January 1932, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING.

The first meeting for the present year of the Masterton Borough Council was held last night. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, presided. Members of the Council present were: Councillors H. M. Peacock, W. White, R. Bussell, T. S. Jenkins, J. L. Murray, A. Kippon, W. H. Saunders, T. Beetham, 11. J. O’Leary, W. Tree and A. I). Low. A letter thanking the Council for allocating £IOO to assist unemployed men over the New Year holidays was received from the committee of the unemployed men’s organisation. The Mayor expressed his pleasure at such a letter being received. He stated that the full £IOO was not required for the work undertaken. It was decided to acknowledge the letter.

On the recommendation of the Gas Committee it was decided that the chairman of the West School Committee be notified that it is the Council’s intention to resume possession of' the gasworks land, comprising 11 acres, which land the West School has been allowed the use of since 1922.

A request for the free use of the library for old age pensioners made by Mr. P. Norris was not complied with. A petition signed by J. A. Betts and 6 other master butchers was received, concerning changing the present system of killing at the abattoirs to that of letting the killing by contract. The petitioners are to be invited to meet the Abattoir Committee at their next meeting.

Cr. Low stated that the matter had been discussed on a previous occasion, when it was considered that the change wmuld not be in the best interests of the master butchers.

A sub-committee consisting of Crs. Low', Beetham and Free, and the president, Mr. J. Learmonth, was set up to arrange a suitable social programme in connection with the forthcoming gas managers’ conference to be held in Mastcrton next month.

The superintendent of the Fire Brigade advised that he had notified seven owners of property on which dangerous growth existed to have same removed to prevent danger from fire. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Report for month of December: Streets.—Tar sealing new road work in York Street and Short Street to Pownall Street has been completed. Essex Street Extension has been graded, consolidated and tar sealed, full width, from Pownall Street to Renall Street. Cornwall Street from Pownall ‘Street to railway has been scarified from Kuripuni Triangle to Short Street. The regrading of High Street path, west side, from Kuripuni to Fleet Street, is being carried out preparatory to tar sealing. Water. —During the month 1 new service and 13 renewals were put in. Blocked services in Chapel Street and Columba Road were cleared and two were repaired. The laying of the new *

4-inch steel main in Cornwall Street — special extra relief job —is under way, the laying being completed and the connecting up of services is proceeding. Blocked sewers in Chapel and Queen Streets were cleared and the general flushing of sewers and main attended to.

Building Permits. —During the month 5 permits were issued, having an estimated value of £1229. The fees thereon amounting to £5 10s. For the corresponding period last year 12 permits '=-sued, having an estimated value of £460. GAS MANAG-ER’S REPORT. Returns for the month ending 31st December, 1931: — Cas Manufactured. —-Gas manufactured for the month of December was 4,342,000 cubic feet, being a decrease of 6 per cent, over the corresponding period last lcar. Gas sold per meter shows a decrease of 12.1 per cent. New consumers, 1; sales, cookers, 7; copper, 1; gas rings, 2. During the month 4 second-hand cookers were fitted and 26 meters changed. The Duplex pump was installed on the 11th inst. to increase the water pressure in lifting the hydraulic rams for the water gas plant. This additional plant gives us pressure from 40 to 150 lbs. if desired. The water gas made for the month of December was approximately 1,085,000 cubic feet. Everything at the works is working exceedingly well at present. Accounts totalling £2975 0s 6d are submitted through the Borough Treasurer for payment. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Report for the month of December, 1931: Notifiable Disease.—l again have the pleasure of reporting that no case of notifiable disease was notified during the month.

Plumbing and Drainage.—Two sewer connections were put in and 16 plumbing and drainage permits issued. The usual testing and inspection being carried out. Requisitions.—The following requisitions were served: Plumbing and drainage repairs, 7; cut back shrubs and 1 hedges, 22; clear creeks, 2; clear noxious weeds, 38; building repairs, 1. Food Shops.—A new floor was put in and other repairs carried out in one of the older bakehouses. Water Samples.—The result of the chemical and bacteriological water samples taken show that the water is of excellent quality. Senior-Inspector Gardiner of the Health Department, visited the water supply head-works. Traffic.—Heavy traffic fees for the month amounted to £406 13s 4d. All fees for the quarter are paid. Three persons were prosecuted for breaches of the regulations. Fines amounted to £6. Drivers’ Licenses.—l6B7 drivers’ licenses have been issued to the end of December as compared with 1692 for the same period last year. 15 applicants for drivers’ licenses were examined.