RIVERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Western Star, 5 July 1921, Page 2

RIVERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting, held last evening, was attended by his Worship the Mayor (Dr Trotter) andl Councillors Hunt, Hymers, Stock, Dennis, Johnstone arid Patrick.

Jas. Connor made application for permission, to remove old timber on Howell’e Point Reservo.—Ldft to Cr. Stock to attend to.

A. W. Hazlemore wrote stating that the Pilot House required repairs and painting. Mrs Mooney, the present occupier, asked that something be done, as the house was leaking.—Harbour Committee to inspect and report at next meeting, and also obtain estimate for repaire.

A. Leader wrote asking the Council to inspect the trees in front of his property, as they were dangerous, and kept the sun from his property.—Or. Stock said that ono of the trees was blown down during the recent gale and, the Beautifying Society had sent a man to clear it away. ‘lf the lower branches of the trees wore cut back it would probably obviate the nuisance complained of by Mr Leader.—lt was resolved that the. Property Committee confer with the Beautifying Society in regard to the trees. E. Edwards wrote stating that his nightsoil receptacle had not been emptied for gome time.—Or. Johnstone eaid ho had received another complaint, and it was resolved to inform the contractor that the service would have to be carried out in a more satisfactory manner, otherwise the contract would bo cancelled.

The Minister of Public Works wrote stating that he was having enquiries made in regard to contributions towards the new bridge, and a later communication was received that the procedure to be followed! was to obtain contributions from adjacent local authorities towards the cost of construction of the new bridge, as Bet out in section. 119 of the Public Works Act, 1908.—Received. Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., wroto stating tliat the matter of raising the local police status was being looked into. In regard to the railway station improvements, the Minister of Railways stated that plane were prepared for this work some time ago, but as there were more urgent works the matter must be held over in the meantime.—Or. Johnstone moved that the Council enter its emphatic protest against the action of the Railway Department in not carrying out improvements. The railway station and yards were a disgrace.—Seconded by Or. Hunt and carried.

Mr Adam Hamilton, M.P., forwarded a report from Mr Furkert, Chief Engineer of the Public Worts Department, in regard to developing the harbour. Apparently what the Board, as interpreted by Mr Hamilton, wants is that boats of from 800 to 1000 tons should be brought in to load coal. In 1892 a report was made, presumably for the Board, by Mr L. Reynolds, and later by Mr T. S. Miller. Unfortunately, these reports are not accessible, but from what can be seen of the proposals the cost would be several hundred thousands of pounds. Assuming that Mr Hamilton’s estimate of 200,000 to 250,000 tons of coal per annum to be shipped the saving per ton on this as regards rail freight would be about 5/6 per ton. It is doubtful whether this would be sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund. In view of the satisfactory harbour which exists at the Bluff, he did uot think that any large expendi-

tan would bo justified!. Something might be done to improve the harbour by training and dredging the present entrance. The Board; has already tried diredging, but had abandoned 1 it. In view of the above he believed that the district would be well advised to postpone consideration of improved harbour facilities. At the present time no coal is being shipped from Bluff, so that the suggestion of shipping a quarter of a millions tone from Riverton appears to be optimistic. If the Board has funds at its disposal it might be wise to have an investigation made by a competent engineer.—The report forwarded by the Chief Engineer refers to the Howell’s Point harbour. What the Harbour Board) desired was a report on the river improvements. The Chief Engineer is apparently not acquainted with both harbours, the estimated cost of £200,000 being for Howell’s Point. —lt was decided to further communicate through, the member for the district in regard to the matter.

Or. H. L. Hunt reported that in company with Crg. Johnstone and Stock having visited the reserve at Howell’s Point, and the Committee recommended that Or. Stock be appointed to go over the Reserve with Mr Henderson, the present lessee, and point out which trees should be removed.—Matter left in Cr. Stock’s hands to deal with.

The Surfaceman reported as follows:—Hedges and trees at the cemetery have been trimmed. Richard', Towack and Church street and Bay road have had the sides ploughed or surfaced. The cow yard) in Campbell street has been attended to. Seven and a-half yards of gravel have been placed on Towack and Richardi streets and twenty-five yards on the hospital road. Sixty-four tins of petrol had been used for the manufacture of gas for June.

Cr. Hymers drew attention to the drain in Palmerston street, and stated that the property owners whose properties were drained should assist in cleaning it out.—Decided to ask the property owners to assist in cleaning out the drain. L. B. Galt drew attention to the state of Milton street. . Jas. Reede again waited on the Council in regard to the deplorable state of the road.— In reply to a question from Or. Johnstone, the Clerk stated that the property owners had received) notice to 1 cut the broom.—Cr. Johnstone moved that the property owners in Milton and Waldeck streets be again written to, otherwise the work would be carried out at their expense.— Seconded by Cr. Hymers and) carried. Jas. Reede also drew attention to a bad hole in the road leading to Mr W. Scobie’s property in Shrewsbury street.—Left to Works Committee.

Cr. Patrick reported that Mr Moore had offered to paint the gun (war trophy) free of cost.—Offer accepted, Mr Moore to bo thanked. Decided to place a concrete foundation next to the war memorial, on which the gun will be placed. On the motion of Cr. Dennis it was rceolved to cut the broom fronting Mr McNee’s property, South Riverton. It was resolved that Mr Harrington be asked to cut trees overhanging his property, South. Riverton. In accordance with notice of motion, Cr. Patrick moved that the Gas Committee be authorised to expend £5 in finding out leaks in the gas maine.— Carried. Cr. Stock moved that the name of Paddock street be changed.—Carried. It was resolved that the street be named Princes street. Or. Johnstone gave notice of motion that the Council meet fortnightly. They were not getting on very well with the Business. Cr. Stock asked if it were necessary to obtain a building permit. He had noticed that several buildings were being erected in tho Borough, some of which were not edifying, viz., a cow shed in Bath street.— I Tht Mayor stated that brush shelters had been erected, and that was contrary to the by-laws. On the motion of Cr. Patrick, seconded'by Cr. Stock, it was resolved that the chairmen of the various committees meet on Wednesday and draw up a schedule of works to be. carried out. Two tenders were received for removing the jetties, but the Works. Committee considered the price was too high, and did not accept either. Cr. Johnstone suggested that the Council should pull down one 'tier of the jetty. The timber would be suitable for carrying out repairs in the Borough. * Accounts amounting to £lO5 18s stl were passed for payment. The debit' balance was reported to be £lOls se, 9d.