BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11796, 21 February 1906, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Crs. E. N. Liffiton, H. Purser, T. H. Battle, T. B. Williams, R. W. Green, L. Cohen, C. E. Mackay and P. Bell. Leave of absence was granted to Cr. Caiman. MINUTES.— The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. RESERVES COMMITTEE.— The Rcservea Committee's report was read and adopted as follows : — The committee visited Queen's Park for the purpose of inspecting that portion of the reserve on which the Borough gardener suggests the further thinning of trees. We recommend that the gardener be authorised to thin out the trees near the Band Rotunda and baud room, and on the face of the hill behind the Police Station. Your committee recommend that the gardener be instructed,, to inspect the nurseries at New Plymoiith and Momohaki. with a view of selecting Bhrubs and native trees suitable for the Council's requiiements. WORKS COMMITTEE.— The <T»port of the Works Committee was read and adopted as follows: — Ec Health Department certificate, we considered the advisability of approving of the serving of certificates condemning outbuildings owned and occupied by Mr D. Scally, Sydney Place, and recommend the Council to authorise the Sanitary Inspector to serve Mr Scally with a notice requiring the building named in the certificate to be demolished. Re Mr F. Atkins's cottage, we recommend that Mr F. Atkins be paid the sum of JEIBO for the cottage erected by him on the Council's land, in accordance with the agreement as per minute of Ist August, 18y9, and the foreman of works report of January 26th, 1906. Mr D. McFarlane re charge for damage to culvert : The committee recommend the Council not to make a charge in this case, and that Mr McFarlane be informed that the coverings over the channels are constructed for the convenience of pedestrians only, and vehicles must not be driven over them. Motor waggons: We recommend that the Council obtain from the Yorkshire Steam Waggon Company, England, a quotation for a special 5-ton waggon suitable for metal haulage and street watering, together with a steel body and water tank. Re footpaths, London Street: We consider it would be advisable to have the existing footpath on the inside of the fence, along the foot of St. John's Hill, trimmed, graded, and re-gravelled, the turnstiles put in good repair, and the live fence cut down to the level of the poet and wire one.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.— The Finance Committee's report was read and adopted as follows: — Re Gas Works loan, we recommend the .Council to authorise the issue of debentures for the sum of .£2OOO to meet the requirements in connection with the Gas Works extension, and that .£IOOO of the above sum be raised on tho Ist March next. Date for payment of rates, the committee recommend that the last date for payment of rates for the current year be March 14th next year. Junior H. Robinson having given notice that he had received an appointment with the Feilding Borough Council, we recommend that applications be invited for a junior (one who has had previous office experience) at a salary of .£4B per annum. Also that the appointing of the successful applicant be left left in the hands of the Mayor. We recommend the following accounts for payment: — General account .£349 16s 9d; Gas Department, £355 3s lid; Gas Works special loan No; 2', .£ll7 19s lid ; special loan of £11,500, £3 2s 6d. SMALL BIRDS.— A letter re tho destruction of small birds was read from the Waitotara County Council. — Resolved to reply that the Council could not see its way to assist. COMPLAINT.— Three complaints were received re the state of Niblett Street. — The Mayor said that the Foreman of Works would attend to the matter at once. — Messrs Thain and Co. complained about the condition of that part of Wickstced Place beside their Tatipo Quay warehouse. — Resolved to reply that that part of tbe sfreet is under the Harbour Board's jurisdiction.

QUEER'S PARK SCHOOL.— Resolved to proceed with the extension of the boys' playground at Queen's Park School. TELEPHONE. — Resolved to connect the gas manager's house with the telephone service.

RATES. — Resolved not to accede to request of Mr J. T. Cooch's manager for remission of rates on a cottage, since it was being used as a bulk store. BATHS — The Wanganui Amateur Swimming Club was granted the use of the Baths for the evening of the 27th mat. FOREMAN'S REPORT.— The Foreman of Works reported as follows: — Gentlemen, — I am sorry to report that the heavy rains of 3rd and 4th February have caused considerable damage in the Okehu Valley through heavy land slips. From the north-west end of No. 4 tunnel to the bottom of Okehu Valley is a mass of slips. No damage has been done to the pipes as far as can be seen except blocking the track and making- it difficult to pet along. Further up towards the dam the end of No. 6 small tunnel has caved in, and a small slip at the mouth of No. 5 small tunnel. At the first gully past the blacksmith's a mass of timber has come

down and settled on the pipes and bridge, broken and as far as can be seen bent the pipes. At a gully nearer the dam there is another lot of timber down, but as yet cannot see if the pipes arc broken. Between* here and the dam the pipes are exposed in four places through slips blocking the creek, from land slips coming from the opposite side of the pipe track. Immediately below the dam another large slip from the opposite side to the caretaker's hut has come down exposing the broken end of the pipe.— Tuesday, 6th i ns t. — Got tools and men ready to go out by first train in the morning to Kai Iwi. Sent toojs, swag 3, and food up with the Corporation cart as far as" we could get, only being able to get to the Devil's Elbow by the tunnels, the main road being broken away. Procured two pack horses, and packed" the things to the dam. Wo then commenced clearing the slip at the dam, found the 25ft pipe across the creek broken in two. I got this slip cleared away, also one lower down to v get the water off the pipe track. — Monday, 12th i,,st. — Started some of the men to clear away timber from tho large slip at peg 27, this being the place where the pipes were carried away before. Got the pipes repaired at the two places to get the water through to this laive slip to wash out tho mud. When we got the mud washed out wo found two flanged pipss broken. After we found what waa required to repair the damage I sent Mr Hood to town to send to Kai Iwi joints and bolts up by this (Saturday) afternoon's train. The pack borso will come down and take the materials up to the works to-morrow (Sunday morning). Note. — I am going to replace them with the plain bolted joints. The materials will bo ready on the works for Monday morning. We will have to carry the two pipes for repairs some distance over a very rough track. I will require one 20ft. l?in. 10 gauge flanged pipe at Kai Iwi bridge A large log must have struck the pipe and bent it, starting the mx-lE in the seams, which wero leaking very badly. Tho weather has besn very wet up here, and makes the work moredifficult owing to so much mud. It was resolved that the Council visit lho waterworks on Saturday.