BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11999, 17 October 1906, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Crs E. N. Liffiton, T. H. Battle, T. B. Williams, H. Purser, R. W. Green, G. Caiman, and F. A. Harkness. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Bell. MINUTES.— The minutes of the last ordinary meeting and of a special meeting held on Ooctober 2nd were read and confirmed. FINANCE.— The following of bank balances was laid on t 1 • 1 i« _ District fund, dr, ,£5036 18s Id; interest account, dr, £772 16s 9d: interest account. No. 2, dr, £1744 6s 6d; dr balance, .£7554 Is 4d. Loan accounts :' Special ill, 500 loan, dr, ±'592 9s 3d; gas loan, cr, .£94 0s 6d ; total dr balance, i'49B 8s 9d. STREET LOAN.— The Works and Finance Committees recommended that consideration of the Mayor's proposal to borrow =£20,000 for street improvements be held over in the meantime. In moving the adoption of the report, the Mayor said that it was thought desirable to hold over consideration of the loan till the tramway question was finally seitled. He intended however, to move later on in the matter, toi aniouc wo went tliroii {'i our stif'tfonlil .-cc that something must be done~ t"» improve the roadways and footpaths. | He was having a half-yearly statement of the borough finances made out, which he thought would bear out his contention that the position would have to be faced. — The report was adopted. BATHS. — In connection with the application of the Christ Church Swimming Club for a concession of 2s 6d on season tickets purchased by members of the club, and for the use of the Baths on Boxing Night for a sports gathering, the Baths Committee reported recommending that the requests be granted, the usual conditions to be complied with. — The report was adopted. ACCOUNTS.— The report of the Finance Committee, recommending the payment of accounts amounting to i,804 15s 2d, was adopted. \\ ATER COMMITEE —The Water Committee recommended the Council to offer to supply water to Gonville at Is 6d per 1000 gallons, all water to be passed through a meter to be fixed at a point on the town boundary, the district to undertake all expenditure in mains and distribution to consumers. — Re the Technical \ School's application for water for power purposes, the Committee recommended that the school be allowed to use water for a Pelfon wheel up to a quantity equal to three hours' running per week free of cost, the supply to be subject to being; cut off, should "the Council at any time find the water supply is insniiu-ient to meet ordinary requirements, in accordance with clause 20 of the wpJer by-laws. — The Mayor moved the adoption of the report. — Cr Williams asked whether the Council could be sued for damages in case of the failure of the supply to Gonville, to which the Mayor answered, No. — Councillors agreed that it would be better for the Council to be in a position to deal with a responsible body rather than with individual consumers, to which it was pointed out that there would probably be a Town District at Gonville before long. — Cr Purser thought the charge of Is 6d outrageous, and considered half that amount would be enough. — The Mayor thought the Council was justified in making a bargain, and pointed out that the people on the Hair Estate, who were charged 2s. were on the route of the pipe line, and the expense of putting in the mains was very small, while they would not have the advantage of the settling tank, which Gonville would. Although there might be water going to waste at the dam, they could only bring a certain quantity through the 15-inch pipe, and not much of that was wasted. — Cr Caiman said that in other places such charges were much higher, and the committee had been guided by that. — After further discussion, the motion for the adoption of the report was carried, Cr Purser dissenting. RESIGNATION.— Cr L. Cohen wrote tendering his resignation on account of pressure of business. — Accepted with regret. GRANDSTAND.— The Caledonian Society wrote stating that they had decided to sell the grandstand on Victoria Park, and applying for permission for the purchaser to remove same. The Society considered the Council's estimate of .£IOO for removal and re-erection in Cook's Gardens as too high, and stated that they could undertake to do the work for =£50. — Referred to the Reserves Committee. GONVILLE.— A letter was received from Mr F. Webb Jones, on behalf of the committee apopinted by the residents of the western suburbs, informing the Connoil of the re-oli'tu.n<! adopted at the re•in t.< i liii-; t* i-iiiwdi'i t'uo ou^tkm ol !< itn'u< .i \<\ v District. The letter stated iii.il a ei'al feeling was expressed in fa\oiir < r amalgamation with the Borough if satisfactory terms could be arranged, and the Council was therefore asked to state what inducements it could offer. — On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that the matter be considered at a special committee meeting of the whole Council, to be held in three weeks' time. — Cr Liffiton suggested that a combined committee of the Council and the representatives of the suburbs should discuss the matter. — Cr Battle thought the Council should first discuss the matter in committee and crive a mandate to any committee it appointed to act in the matter. This the Mayor agreed with. — Mr Jones, who was present, suggested that the committee of the Gonville residents be asked to attend the meeting in order to give the Council information, and it was agreed that this should be done. PHOTOGRAPH.— Mr F. J. Denton wrote asking that arrangements be made for taking a photograph of the Mnvor inrl Council for reproduction in the New Zealand Tourist. — Evolved to have the photograph tal:en on Friday afternoon. COAL HANDLING.— Letter from the Railway Dopartr. ent statin? t'uu the quantity of coal to be dealt with in Wansranui does not warrant expenditure, on special plant for handling. — Received. PAYMENT.— The Railway Department wrote siskin? for payment of fee (£1) for preparation of deed givinsr right to lay sras mains under the nil way o>i Truipo Quay. — Referred to the Works Committee. CONDEMNATION. — Communications in rqferrnce to certificate* for insanitary houses were received from the District fT'il+l] O^cor. n"d were referred to the Sanitation Committee. LEVSE.— Tr ('enr<r V p^i] wrote accepting renewal of 'ease of "Block 4, Town Belt. He offered t ■> keep fences in repair, but not to erect new fences, and asked that all reference to the building be left out of the lease, the same not being; fit for habitation. — Referred to the Reserves Committee. — Cr Caiman thought the building should be demolished, and if Mr Ball did not renew the lease on the conditions offered, the land should be cut up into building sections, rather than be locked up for seven years at ,£lO a year. — Some discussion followed, during which Cr Purser pointed out that Mr Ball had the right to renew his lease and the Council could not gro beyond' that. OPERAHOUSE.— Mr Neville Thornton, scenic artist, applied for permission to paint a drop curtain for the Opera House, the centre to be a picture of the "Drop Scene" on the Wanganui River, and medallions on the border to be filled with busi- . ness advertisements. He asked for the rights of the screen for twelve months,

the Council to take possession after that time. The Council would he )vit to no charges, and he would renew some of the old scenery in consideration of tlie confession asked for. — Referred to the Opera House Committee. "RIGHT OF WAY.— Deerh in connection with consent to a right of way were received from the Borough solicitors. — Consent was given, on the Mayor and Town ClorV b-^innr satisfied that a crossing referred to by the c oli°itor was in order. GAS HOLDER.— Deeds in connection with the erection of the new gas holder, between the Council and the contractors (Russell and Bignell) were forwarded for execution by the Borough solicitors. — The Mayor and Town Clerk were appointed to fix the Borough seal to the documents. SURRENDER.— The Borough solicitors forwarded for execution the deed in connection with the surrender by Mr A. Atkins of land leased by him, for the purpose of forming Carlton Terrace. — The Mayor and Town Clerk were appointed to affix the Council's seal to the document. ST. JOHN'S HILL DRAINAGE.— The Foreman reported on the probable cost of drainage for the houses on the south side of St. John's Hill, from the end of Wicksteed Street to opposite Mr Bassett's property at the end of Mr Peake's road, and along the county road from St. Leonard's to Mr Treadwell's, on the south end; also along the hill from Victoria Park to the Corporation houses. For the former (from

Wicksteed Street to county road and south to Mr Treadwell's) the estimated cost was .£299 16s 3d, and for the latter £106.— The report was referred to the Sanitation Committee. FOEEMAN'S REPORT.— The report of the Foreman of Works, detailing the work of the month, was read. FOUNTAIN.— It was resolved to call for tenders for the shifting of the Watt Memorial 'Fountain to Cook's Gardens. COMMITTEES.— The Mayor remarked that Cr Cohen's resignation would necessitate a re-adjustment of the committees. He moved that Cr Purser's name be re- -" moved from the Suburbs Committee and placed on the Finance and Tramways Com- , mittees, and Cr Green's name be removed ' from the Sanitation Committee and placed on the Water and Gas Committees, their old places being taken by the new Councillor who would be elected vice Cr Cohea.