BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11867, 16 May 1906, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present: — His Worship tho Mayor, and Crs E. N. Liffiton, T. H. Battle, T. B. Williams, R. W. Green, G. Caiman, P. Bell. L. Cohen, and H. Purser.

MINUTES. — The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

EMPLOYEES PAY.— The Special Committee set up to deal with the question of Borough employees pay recommend : "That only those men that are in the regular employ of the Council be paid lor statutory holidays (not more than five in the year). Those men who have been continually employed by the Council for not less than three months shall be deemed regular employees^- — The report wa« adopted. RESERVES COMMITTEE.— The Reserves Committee reported having considered Mr J. H. Davies' application to graze a cow outside the playing portion of Victoria Park. The Borough Gardener furnished a report stating that the nature of the ground did not permit the grazing of stock other than sheep. The Committee, therefore, could not recommend the Council to grant the application. The Committee also reported having considered an offer from Mrs Derby to sell to the Council her lease of Block 22, containing 3 acres 3 roods 35 perches, with dwelling, for .£2OO. This block having a long frontage to Liffiton Street, is admirably adapted for cutting up into building sections, and the committee recommended the purchase of the lease, which expires on February Ist, 1917. — The report was adopted, the Mayor and Cr. Liffiton being appointed to sign the acceptance of Mrs Derby's offer.

STREAMERS. — Permission was given (subject to the Foreman's approval) to Sergeant-Major Peacock to ahow streamers from the Rutland and Chavannes' Hotels, advertising the Christ Church Clubs performance in aid of tho N.C.O. Club.

VOLUNTEERS.— On the application of Captain Harper, of tho Wanganui Guards, it was resolved to authorise tho Foreman and the Gas Manager to giv© leave to any Volunteers who were employees of. the Council to attend General Babington's -inspection at 2.30 p.m. on the 31st inst.

MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION.— The secretary of tho Municipal Association wrote notifying that the annual conference would bo held in July, and asking the Council to forward remits and appoint a delegate. — The Mayor moved that Cr Liffiton be the Council's dclegat.e — After some discussion Cr Liffiton withdrew his name from nomination, and the Mayor was appointed to represent the Council. THANKS. — Miss Bridge wrote thanking the Council for wreath and letter of sympathy in re the death of Mr G. S. Bridge. Received.

WEED KlLLEß.— Messrs J. R. Bruce and Co., of Timaru, wrote forwarding testimonials of Pharos Week Killer, and offering to supply any quantity that might be required.— Referred to the Works Committee.

METAL.— The District Railway Engineer wrote stating that the Department estimated it could supply stone at 3s unbroken and 4s broken per cubic yard in

the trucks at Mount Egiuont, freight being additional, and prices hoing biibjcct to modification alter trial. — Tiie matter wao referred to the Works Committee, and the Town Clerk was instructed' to write to the Department, asktng when tho n.etal would be available.

LICENSE. — An application fiom Mr G. Bourne, to have the matter ot gianting him a billiard room license lvcoitoideix'd, was declined.

RUSSBLL STREET.— Mr 11. Brandon wrote asking the Council to do away with the drain and culvert at present draining Russell Street.— Referred to the Works Committee.

RACECOURSE.— The secretary of the Wanganui Jockey Club wrote as follows: — "With reference to the lease for 21 years of part of Block 23, Ingestro Street, containing 6 acres H roods and 23 perches, from the Council to Dr Earle and Mr J. 11. Nixon, on behalf of my club, as from September 1, 1899, my committee has come to the conclusion that the paddock ia too valuable to retain for the purpose of using it on only two days per year, -nid that it could be put to liettcr advantage by being cut up and let on building lcafie. This courec lias been decided on, but before doing anything ourselves, my committee have thought that perhaps your Council would prefer to take the lease off our hands and exercise your own control over it. The goodwill of the lease has doubtless increased in value, but my club is prepared to hand over the lease to your Council on reasonable remuneration, and is willing to surrender the lease to the Council if it can see its way to refund to tho club the amount we have expended in rates and rent on the property to date." — Referred to the Reserves Committee.

COMPLAINT.— A lttter was read from Mr T. Lafferty in reference to Miss Ncweombe'e complaint that he refused to take a sixpenny fare, stating that Miss Newcombe did not personally ask him to take tho fare, but sent a messenger to the cabstand asking 'him to go to the Rutland Hotel and take a fare to Wilson Street, at the same time offering 6d. He eaid he could not do so, and returned the 6d, and at the same time he got a Is fare, and could not be expected to refuse that. — Resolved that Mr Lafferty be informed that strict compliance with the by-laws must be a condition precedent to the i^euo if all cab licenses.

CAB FARES. — A letter was read from tho cab proprietors, asking for the abolition of sixpenny fares on the ground (1) that the fare is so small that it doce not pay to run vehicles tor it. (2) That the class of vehicle in use in Wanganni is too expensive to run for so small a fare. • V 3) That the fijres outside ot the 6d fare are reasonable, and lower than that charged in less important towns than Wanganui. (4) By al*>lifihing the 6d faro it will enable proprietors to keep pace with the larger towns, and to procure the latest and most up-to-date vehicles. — A deputation of cab proprietors waited on the Council in support of the petition, and alter discussion it was resolved that the Works Committee consider the matter, aud that the cab proprietors forward to the Town Clerk any alterations they thought should be made in the by-laws. GARRISON BAND.— Messrs N. Meuli and F. M. Spurdlc, trustees 'of- the Wanganui Garrison Sand, waited on the Counil. and asked that the annual subsidy be. increased from .£'3o to .£l5O. — The Mayor promi^d that the matter would bo considered when tho estimates are being framed.

WICKSTEED STRI-7HT.— A number of residents of Upper Wicksteetl Street wrote irawing attention to the bad 'ftate of the street between Glasgow and London Streets. — Referred to the Works Committee. ' ' " PLUMBING BY-LAWS.— Messrs C. Dennis, F. Mildenhall, N. G. Crawford, C. Carrel, A. Halligan. A. Moosman, and W. Halligan wrot'e~ as follows: '"Wo wish to draw your attention to the unsatisfactory state of the sanitary by-laws r.s at present framed, which cause friction between owners of property, the master plumbers, the sanitary inspector, and the journeymen plumbery. We should like to know our position as licensed plumbers with regard to materials to be used, as stated in the specifications for plumpers in the schedule at the end of the by-laws. We would also like to draw your attention To the fact that ther« are a number of unlicensed plumbers at present doing sanitary work." — It was resolved to refer tho letter 10 the Sanitation Committee, and to ask the Health Department to prosecute any unlicensed plumbers doing work BATH HEATERS.— Mr G. D. Stone, Gas Manager, said he had examined the heaters at the Corporation Baths, and that it would be necessary either to put iv more heaters, or to adopt some other means of heating water.— Referred to the Baths Committee.