Borough Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 429, 11 August 1904, Page 5

Borough Council.

The ordinary meeting of the Alex-1 andra Borough Council was held or Monday evening last, Qth inst., whet there were present:— Ors Schaumanr (in the chair), Laidlaw, Gregg, Ryan Buchanan, and McKnight. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward correspondence was road and dealt with as follows : From the Engineer, Vincent County stating that the County Council hac decided to let the Borough have the use of- the road-grader free of charge, provided a deposit of .£2O were made to cover any possible breakages., the deposit to be returned if the machine is returned in goad order, In good ground (the engineer stated) it was found that the grader could form 30 to 40 chains per day, at a cost of 2/6 pet chain. ' On the motion of Or liaidlaw, seconded by Or Buchanan, it was resolved that the County Council be thanked for their generous ofie,r, and that the Engineer be advised that the Oorpqration will accept the oner as soon a* the weather is suitable. From Mr J J O'Kane, oaptain Alexandra Fire. Brigade, asking that the Council procure two torches, to enable the Brigade to work on dark nights. It was pointed out that the torches were necessary for practice, and in case of fire, on dark nights, an,d the cost would be only about £l/10. Cr Buohanan moved and Gr Gregg Gregg seconded —That two tocrhes be procured for the Brigade as requested. —Carried,

On the motion of Cr Laidlaw, se condod by Or Buchanan, Mr Jf J O'Eane, was appointed Fire Inspector for'the Borough, the office to be an honorary one, Cr Ryan moved and Cr M'Enight seconded—That the Mayor, Ors Schaumann, Laidlaw, and Gregg* be appointed a Fire Brigades Committee. — Carried.

A letter was read from Mr James! Rivers, saying that he would bel pleased to meet the Council, with sj view to arranging a more workable agreement to deliver water to the] Borough. | A letter was also read from the Borough solicitor (Mr Bartholomew) explaining the effect of the Warden's] decision in the recent case.

Mr Bartholomew was present by request. |

The council resolved itself into committee to deal with the matters above referred to, and after a lengthy discussion. Or Buchanan moved and Or Laid nw seconded—That a special meeting of the Council be held on Monday evening next, 15th inst, to meet Mr Rivers and discuss matters affecting the water supply.

The motion was carried with one dissentient vote, It wa3 further resolved tV>nt the Borough solicitor Le asked to at'end the meeting.

Matters affecting the action brought by Mr S Lett ag\inst the Borough were also discussed in committee, and finally it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Or Buchanan, seconded by Gv M'Knight, that the Council agree to the hearing of the case being adjourned for one month, without prejudice to Mr Lett.

Tenders for alterations and additions to the town hall were opened and dealt with in committee,

After considering the various tenders, it was resolved that the tenders be finally dealt with at the special meeting to be held on Monday evening next.

Further matters were dealt with in open eouncil.

Or Laidlaw said that a street lamp was badly lequired at the corner near Mr Boldero's residence, and he moved that the lamp at present in front of the residence lately occupied by Mr Symes be shifted thereto.

The motion was seconded by Cr Gregg and carried.

The town clerk read a draft of water bye-laws, which were discussed at some length. Eventually, it was resolved that the bye-laws as drafted lie on the table till next meeting, to afford councillors an opportunity of more fully considering same.

Cr Buchanan said he had a question to bring forward which had already been spoken about by individual members of the Council. That question was : Was it necessary that Council meetings should beheld fortnightly? He thought that the meetings of the Council were unnecessarily frequett, and that meetings held once a month would suflice for the transaction of the Council's business. In larger centres it was the rule to hold only monthly meetings, arid some larger local bodies—for example, the Vincent County Council—managed to tranact their business at meetings held once in two months. If any business should at any time arise, demanding immediate attention, the Mayor or town clerk could convene a special meeting for the purpose. He moved : That, in future, Council meetings be held monthly, instead of fortnightly as heretofore.

The motion was seconded by Or Melt night and carried unanimously, It was further resolved that the Council meet for ordinary business on the first Monday in each month, The s atement of balances showed a debit balance of £634/5/5, The following accounts were passed for payment;—<Jas Rivers (Library account), 12/; Jas River, £l/9/$ ; Jff Bowler, 14/6.; W Theyers and Son, £l/9; Tuapeka County Council (expenses under Aleoholio Liquors Sale Control Act, £6/13/10 ; Otago Central Foandry, £3/1/11; J Young, £lB ; E Terry £l2; total, £44/0/9 d. The Council then rose,