BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11703, 1 November 1905, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Do rough Council \va3 iicld last evening. Pxassiit— His Worship tha Mayor", Crs P. Bell, O. Caiman, R. W. -Green, T. H. Battle, 11. Purser, L. Cohen, and E. N. Liflaton. Cr "Wi.liams wa3 granted leave of absence.

MINUTES.— The minute* of the previous meeting were read- and confirmed. RESI&RVES- COMMITTEE.— The .. Reserves Commit tos reported- recommending t!ia^ the chargs to athletic bodies and otheis for the us-3 of Cook's Gardens be reduced from 15 to 10 rer' cent of the receipls, but that it should! be distinctly understood that this was only an'experiment, and was not to be taken as a precedent. — The Mayor pointed' out, that after gatherings on Cook's Garden's there was always a certain amount of damage to be made good, and the chargs was more forthis purpose than for raising reyenue.— The repoTt was adopted. INDUSTRIAL' SCHOOL ESTATE.— The, Reserves Committee recommended as foX lows in comvsc&on with- the Industrial School Estate Committee's ■ request that the Council' carry out its own' requirements prior to taking over the roaoa on a portion of the estate, and making, a special rating area on which to levy aspecial, rate' to meet the cost, for which the Trustees in the first" place would be responsive to the Council.— Th at Mr Gilmolir. be authorised- to make estimates for the following. Cost of formation of the whole width" of tho roads, including footpaths, concrete kerbing 1 both sides of streets; gravelling, to include a- strip- ot roadway 16ft wide and all .footpaths, ■ »»<* water and. drainage.— Tha .Mqyar said he wag very pleased to se-3 that the trustees liad decided to open up thi3 land, which had been a blot upon the town , for many years. He was glad to see that" ilia trustees intended to follow, the Hues as laid down in the plan of the old town pf -Petfe. which would give uniformity,' and Ik* felt sure that tho land would soon be taken up and built on, and add to the improvement of the town.— Cr Liffiton explained that- it' had been" impossible ' Up- till now to .let the land for other than grazing purposes, and the trustees had administered it very carefully, preferring to lease it at small rents rather than let it lie idle. — The report was adopted. , MR SMITHIES.-^-It .was -resolved 'that Mr Smithies be allowed to occupy his present residence during the Council's pleasure, in consideration of supervising the erection of the retorts at the gasworks. DURIETOWN.— A letter was. received from the Puma Road Board, asking that the present method of nightsoil removal at Durietown be continued .by, the Council, and stating, the Board's willingness to contribute a- reasonable .amount towards tho continuance of the' service. — A further letter stated that tlra matter-- was being placed before the. DuTietown ratepayers. — Referred to the Sanitary Committee. TECHNICAL SCHOOL.— -The Education Board wrote* asking the' Council to elect a representative to the Technical. School Committee, vice Mr H. T. Johns. — Cr Green was appointed. . ■ TROLLEYS.— Messrs Winstone., Lta., of Auckland, wrote asking if -the Council, would sail the trolleys that had been used for tho conveyance of pipes for the waterworks. .Referred to the Finance Committee, with power. to act. WATER- BY-LAWS.— The., borough solicitors, Messrs Barnicoa£. and Trea dwell, wrote stating that the opinion, of Mr Martin, solicitor to the Municipal Association, r© the water by-laws, would be to hand in time for next meeting. AUpiT.-r-A letter' was^ read , from • the Auditor-General, thanking;, the Town Clerk' for his full reply, to the objections raised by the Department in regard to the balance.'Sheet, and traversing tha points raised. — The Mayor remarked that this letter was more satisfactory than previous ones, and, shortly it amounted. to this, that though the disposition of thedtems might be good business, it was, in some> cases, contrary to the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act, and therefore could not be' allowed. — Resolved that the Mayor and Town Clerk frame a reply to the letter of the Department. , REFUSE REMOTAL.— A letter from the borough solicitor, r.e the rate for the removal of refuse, was referred to the Sanitary Committee. .., WATER SERVICE-i-Messrs Sigley. Whiteford, and Langton wrote asking-that their residences in. Purncll Street should bo given water service from the one pipe, and pointing out that, as a large main would bo laid down there in the future, any expense they were now, put to ' for single coneriction would-be money lost to them. — The Mayor said- that this would mean that cutting off- one house would mean cutting off the .thr?e, and, 'also that three, houses-would be fcrved for a single fee. — Cr Caiman pointed out that it wps contrary, to the by-Jaw,— Resolved not to grant the. request, as it is contrary to. tha, by-law;. SANITARY. BY-LAWS.— A'. letjter was read.'from the, Health Department re the sanitary, by-laws, , and statin? that the.ir inspectprs sometimes mst with some difficulty in. their, enforcement in plumbing and drain-laving. — Referred to the Sanitary Committee..

INSANITARY BUILDINGS. — The Health Department ■ wrote, stating they were quite prepared .to take the responsibility of condemning buildings, and even of seeing the matter through tho law courts, but the Council must take action to see that the law is enforced, and that should it not do so the Department was bound to take action against "the Council as a defaulter. — A long discussion, mostly of a conversational nature,. took place with regard -to the- position of the Council as iregards the Health Department, and the position' occupied 'by the Health Inspector ■with regard to both bodies, it bein£ pointed out " that the latter"/ though an officer of the Department, was paid- by Sthe Council. — The Mayor pointed out that .the provisions of the Act were quite clear, and fixed the responsibility on the Council. — Finally it was resolved, on the motioii'of'Cr Liffiton, that the Council take action, where necessary, to Compel' the demolition of condemned buildings, as asked" by. tho Department. REFUND.— A- refund- <of half rates in respect of an unoccupied shop was granted to Mr 'D.' Gellatlv. ' LICENSE. — A license for a niotor-car for hire; also a license to drive the same, wars granted to Mr J. Colemari: RETURN.— On the motion of Cr Battle, it was resolved- that' a- Teturn be furnished ■ of 1 the" Cost ,of repairs to T ihe Wilson Street drain.' ' ' ' •'-' • '- ' ♦ '