Borough Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 447, 10 November 1904, Page 5

Borough Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council was held on Monday evening last, when there were present:—His Worship the' Mayor (Mr Geo. Spencer), Ore Schaumann, M'Knight, M'Grogor, Ryan, Buchanan, Laidlaw and Anderson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward correspondence was read aud dealt with as follows: —From the Mines Department, declining to accede to the Borough's request for a subsidy of £l5O to assist in forming a road towards the Alexe andra coal mine, as on inquiry the Department thought the road was not one towards which a subsidy could be granted. Several councillors spoke in a strain differing from the opinion of the Department's officers, and further consideration of the matter was deferred

—From Mr 8. Lett, asking the Council's permission to alter part of the Borough race at Gemmell's Gully, and to carry the water across in an iron flume, 3ft wide and 15 inches deep, the writer undertaking to carry out the work to tbe Council's satisfaction.

On the motion of Or M'Knight, seconded by Or Laidlaw, it was resolved that the request be granted provided that the sue of flume be increased if necessary, that Mr Lett undertakes to maintain the flume for 12 months, and that he pays the expenses of acquiring license for deviation of race. —From the secretary Central Otago A. and F. Association, asking that Nov. 18th (Show Day) be declared a holiday. On the motion of Or Ryan, seconded by Cr Buchanan, it was resolved that the request be granted. —From Inspector Taylor, Clyde, notifying the Council that rabbits must be destroyed on the Borough Endow- : ment, which was in a bad state.

A letter was also read from Mr D. M'Cannochie, who has charge of the rabbiting,- stating that he had arranged to have the ground again poisoned to the satisfaction of the inspector. —From Mr J. R. Bartholomew, reporting as to the result of the case Lett ▼. the Borough, and stating that he desired to place on record the great assistance lent by Mr E. Terry in enabling him to obtain the necessary evidence.

Mr Bartholomew also wrote, enclosing cheque for £35 17s 9d, being costs and expenses obtained against plaintiff in the same case.

Tenders for painting work in connection witb the town hall and library were considered. The tender of Mr S, R. Irwin was accepted at the price of £29 10s.

On the motion of Or Buchanan, seconded by Ci Schaumann, it was resolved that Mr W. T. Talboys be appointed to represent the Council at the annual meeting of delegates to elect trustees of the Otago Benevolent Institution, to be held at Dunedin on December sth. A letter was read from Mr T. Powlesland, borough laborer, asking for an increase of Is a day- in his wages. After some discussion, it was re« solved, on the motion of Cr Laidlaw, seconded by Cr Schaumann—That the Mayor, Ors M'Knight, Buchanan, and the town clerk be appointed a committee to go into the whole question of re-arranging "the work done by the Borongh daymen, and report to a special meeting of the Council to be held on the 14th inst.

Moved by Cr Schaumann, seconded by Or Buchanan—That the Mayor be appointed the Council's delegate to vote at the election of two members of the Central Otago Hospitals Board, to be held on the 23rd inafe—Carried.

Resolved—That the Mayor of Roxburgh be appointed to represent the Council at the election of members of the Central Otago, Tuapeka, and Otago Charitable Aid Board, to be held on the 23rd inst, at Roxburgh. —Mr A. Jopp wrote, stating that he estimated the value of the fence (res cantly offered to the council) between the Borough endowment and Moutere run at 7s Cd per chain. Several councillors expressed the opinion that this value was much too high, and Cr Xaidlaw and Mr J. King were appointed to inspect the fence, and f Ornish an estimate of its value,

Moved by Or Ryan, seconded by Or Laidlaw—That the work of opening the race from Tohill's to the Cemetery be gone on with immediately after the race is granted.—Carried. —The Paymaster-general wrote, ad« vising that the sum of £l3 19s id, goldfields' revenue, had been remitted to the credit of the Borough; —Mr A. Kennedy wrote asking that be be allowed to connect with the mains by an inch pipe, instead of the two half-inch pipes at present laid, on to his paddock in Orookhaven street. Being at the end of the main, the writer pointed out that the small pipes were often blocked.

On the motion of Or Ryan, seconded by Or Schaumann, the request was granted. —Jew Lye requested to be allowed to connect with a |vinch pipe,— Granted. —Capt, O'Kane wrote asking that the Council provide another 100 ft of hose for the Fire Brigade, as the present quantity was insufficient. Resolved—That the quantity of hose asked for be procured. Messrs Theyers and Son were granted permission to erect a wood and iron building adjoining their shop. —Mr J. Cunningham wrote asking if the Council would let him the right to connect with the pipes on the Galloway aide of *h# river.

Resolred —That the Council cannot entertain the request. On, the motion of Or Laidlaw Feoonded by Or M'Knight, it was resolved that application be made to the i Postal Department for a letter-carrier, to be attached to the staff of the locai post office. On the motion of Cr Ryan, seconded by Or Buchanan, it was. resolved to make a request to the Postal De« partment that the door leading to the private boxes at the Alexandra post office be kept open an hour longer than at present. After some discussion, it was resolved that the new building at the town hall be strengthened by the addition of tie-rods, and that a ventilator be placed in the ceiling of the town hall.

Resolved—That Mr T. H. Gahill be appointed Borough Printer, The statement of balances showed a total credit balance at Bank of £25 Is lOd.

A deputation consisting of Messrs B. Ourno and, 0. Duncan, waited on the Council, with a complaint that their water supply was unsatisfactory, owing to the supply pipes being too small to supply all the residents at the upper end of the town, and also that the pipes were continually getting blocked up. They asked for some relief in the matter.

After some discussion, it was decided that inquiries be made as to what steps could be taken to afford the relief asked for.

j The following accounts were passed I for payment: —T Powlesland, £8 8s; 0.0. H. Board, £l4 13s 8d; J. Young, £18; Frank Young, £10; petty cash, £2; Dresden Piano Co., 17s 6d ; Charitable Aid Board, £6 0s Id ; B. Hay, £5317s- lOd ;J. B. Bartholomew (including Mondy, Sim and Stephens' costs), £122 18a sd; J. Drummy, £1; W. R. Fawcett, 3s; Reg Williams, 16s; O.C. Foundry Co., £1 18s 3d ; £. Terry, £24; James Travis, £13125; W. Theyers and Sons, £2. Is 4d; Borough Printer, £l4. Mr J. Drummy was voted a progress payment, on his contract, of £76, The council then rose.