BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3087, 19 May 1881, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, May 18.

The Council met at 8 p.m. Present: His Worship tbe Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Leonard, Cotton, Ellis, M'Dougall, DeLisle, M'Kay, Wall, Swan and Monteith. SALARIES. Cr. M'Dougall, in accordance with notice given at the last meeting of Council, moveel "That the resolution of the Council of the 15th of October, 1879, and of the Public Works Committee of the 2nd of August, 1880, relative to payment of salaries out of special loan account be rescinded and for the future no more money be taken from that account for

payment of salaries other than the ' amount of the difference of total amount of salaries paid before and since the loan was raised." He would have, he said, to refer to the salient points connected with the raising of the loan of £70,000. A majority of the Council resolved to j raise a loan for the purpose of conrolida■j ting the existing loans and of carrying on drainage and sewerage works which were thought necessary. The Legislature had, however, wisely provided that a vote of* the ratepayers must be taken before a loan could ba asked for. Accordingly a meeting was held in the Theatre Royal, and a distinct promise was given to the ratepayers that if this loan was agreed to a portion of the money should be spent in providing a water supply for the hills. The promise was given in order to obtain the votes of the residents on the hills to a drainage scheme being carried out, and a rate of 2a 6d in the pound being levied on them. The hill residents up to that time bad been paying Is 6d in the pound with a prospect of going back to Is at the end of five years. When, therefore, the chance of a shilling rate only was done away with, and an extra shilling added, it was only right that they should have something for their money. The promise was distinctly made, and it was only just that the Council should fulfil it. It was intended to be kept, and to keep it the Oounc'l would require to be very careful with the money that was borrowed, and not burn the candle at both ends. It would be necessary to be just as careful now as before the loan was raised. In the year 1879 the expenditure for salaries l was £1050, while during the past year it had amounted to £1380, being an increase of £330. This increase was in consequence of the expenditure of the loan, and an increase was to be expected, but he found that very much more than that Bum had been charged to the loan account. He contended that nothing more should be charged to the loan than the expenditure necessitated by the work connected with the loan. The proportion of salaries charged to the loan account was three-fifths, and to fix upon that particular proportion was an absurdity. In 1879 the solicitor received £100 per annum; he receives that sum now, but now £40 only is taken from general revenue, and £60 from loan account. Now it was clear that gentleman was receiving too little previous to the loan, or he was receiving too much now. The same would apply to the Town Clerk's salary. The fact was that, instead of £330 extra which was shown to be necessary, and ought to be charged to tbe loan account, there was a Bum of £882 charged to that account for salaries. He held that £552 was being illegally spent, and if this was continued the loan in a few years would look very small, ft was just that as much should be taken from the loan in the way of salaries as was necessitated by its expenditure, but if more was taken a great injustice would be done to tbe ratepayers. Or. Leonard seconded the motion. Cr. Swan said he should vote against the motion. It was no new matter, but had gone over again and again. Cr. McDougnll appeared to think that a great portion of the ratepayers were suffering under an injustice, but he would Ike to know who they were. The hill residents were a small minority, and they were benefited by the drainage work, as well as the dwellers on the flat. It would be found that there would be plenty of money for the extension of fae water supply after the drainage scheme had been completed. In reference to the impropriety of charging the proportion of the salaries which had been mentioned to loan account, he did not agree with Cr. M'Dougall. It would be right that the whole of the engineer's salary should be charged to the loan, as the whole of his time is devoted to the scheme for which the loan was raised, or matters connected with it; the same applied to the inspector and clerk of works. He could not remember any distinct promise being given at the public meeting in reference to the water supply ; he, at ?ny rate, did not make one. The loan could only be raised for a specific purpose, but it was believed that a sufficient sum would be available for extending tbe water Bupply to the hills, and it would be done at the proper time. At the last meeting of the Public Works Committee R K was shown that there would be about 20.000 available for other works after drainage was finished. It was from a side wind that the hills were exempted from the full rate in the first instance. Many of the hill residents were in business on the flat, and they benefited by the improvements, and were well able to

payCr Leonard agreed with much that Cr McDougall had said, and be could not see that there was anything in the arguments brought forward by Cr Swan. If it was a matter that required ventilating it must be brought up again and again, and the same arguments used if they were good. If at the time the loan was raised it was understood that £300 should be tbe outside sum to be paid out of the loan for salaries it fbould be adhered to If what some councillors said was true the drainage scheme might be so extended a 9 to swallow up all the loan. He thought tbe loan ought to be nursed, 60 that sufficient should be left to give a water supply to the hills. Cr Ellis said that if the motion was carried the Council would have to appoint a number of new officers to carry out the scheme for which the money was borrowed. They had no intimation of how Cr McDougall intended the drainage scheme to be carried out. Cr. Monteith would support the motion on the grounds of reason. Cr McKay said they had always been told that they could notdo anything with the money borrowed but in connection with the special work for which the loan was raised, but it was seen from Cr McDougall'b remarks that an amount was being spent for purposes not entirely connected with the drainage scheme. If there had not been sufficient left for the extension of tbe water supply he should have felt and expressed himself very strongly upon the matter. If the opinion of tbe solicitor upon this matter was a correct one, they should stop all expenditure that was sot strictly connected with the work for which the money was borrowed. He did not agree with Cr. Swan that tbe people on the hills should pay as much as those on the fiat, although they did not participate in the water supply. They ought not to pay anything from which they did not receive benefit. The loan would never have been raised but for the assistance of tbe residents on the hills.

The Mayor said it was a mistake to say that any promise had bean given at the public meeting that a water supply should be given to the hills. It was understood that after the drainage scheme was finished th«jre would be enough money left to extend the water supply. After finishing the drainage contracts there would be a large balance. As to the question raised by Cr. •M'Dougall, the proportion, of salaries charged to the loan account was for work in connection with that loan. Before tbe £70,000 loan waa borrowed a proportion of the salaries

was in same way charged to the £10,000 waterworks loan. After Cr. M'Dougall had replied, a vote wa3 taken, and the motion was rejected by the casting vote of the chairman. THE MEANEE RESERVE. A letter was read from the General Crown Lands office, stating that tbe members of the Domain Board had applied for the Mayor of Napier ex officio to be appointed to that Board, but there was a legal objection to members of Domain Boards holding their appointment ex officio, but if the Mayor was willing to be appointed in his own name there would be no objection to the appointment being made on the understanding that when he ceased to hold the office of Mayor be would also cease to hold his appointment at the Domain Board, which would then be conferred on his successor to the office of Mayor with the same condition is regarded his successor. The Mayor said that, considering the conditions attached to the appointment, he thought he had better decline to accept it. There was a general expression on the part of councillors in favor of accepting the appointment, and His Worship agreed to accept it. WATER SUPPLY TO THE HILLS. _ The report of the committee appointed to consider the engineer's scheme for extending the water supply was read as follows: — Your committee having met pursuant to an order of the Council of the 4th of May, 1881, beg to report that at an adjourned special meeting held on the 16th instant., they carefully considered the report of the engineer and the plans of the scheme for supplying the hills with water, and are of opinion— 1. That the scheme of the municipal engineer for supplying water to the hills is one of great merit, and they therefore recommend that it be adopted and carried into effect as soon as circumstances will permit. 2. Your committee are further of opinion that it would be very beneficial to the proper carrying out of the work if some thoroughly competent engineer specially conversant with waterworks were appointed to consult with the municipal engineer, and tbey therefore recommend that Mr Lamb be requested to nominate some engineer with whom he would like to consult in connection with tbe new waterworks scheme, and that the cost of such consultation be borne by tbe Corportion.

Appended to tbe report there was a letter from (he municipal engineer, naming as the engineer be would wish to consult with, Mr James Stewart, of Auckland, a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and for nine years District Engineer in Auckland for the Public Works Department. Cr Swan said the committee had carefully considered the report of the engineer. He was only too glad to think that there was now a probability of water being supplied to the hills; he had alwayß been in favour of it, and there had never been a word from him wherein it could be shown that he opposed tbe supply of water to the hills. Now that they would have funds available in about six months they would be justified in proceeding at once to order pipes, &c, so that by next summer they might hope to be well advanced with the work. No doubt they had suffered very considerably on the hills during the past summer. He was glad the engineer had suggested Mr Stuart as a consulting engineer. Cr McKay felt great satisfaction at the appointment of Mr Stuart. He could only say that he was intimately acquainted with him in Auckland,and from his special knowledge of thia kind of work a better selection could not have been made throughout the colony. The Mayor said he was glad indeed that the report was so favourable to the engineer's scheme. It was a very good scheme, and had every prospect of being carried out.

Cr. Monteith said he thought the amount of remuneration to be paid to the engineer consulted on this matter should be fixed.

Cr. Swan said he thought it was the intention of the committee that Mr Stuart send in a report.

The report was then adopted, and the appointment of Mr Stuart approved of. REPORT OF PUELIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

The report as published was then read

In connection with clause two the following report from the municipal engineer was read :—

1. Lucknow Terrace.—l have examined this road and estimate that the cost of repairing it in a satisfactory manner would be about £12. I understand, however, that a question of boundary as regards the east side has been raised by Mr Oliver, and it appears to me that this dispute had better be settled by the parties interested before the Corporation undertake any work in connection with this road. 2. Mr F. E. Hamlin's letter. —As Mr Hamlin is at present at Taupo I have been unable to confer with him respecting the alleged encroachment in Milton-road. 3. Eurke-sfcreet.—Herewith I have the honor to lay before the committee, plan, sections, and specifications for B urke-stveet. I estimate the co3t of forming a road as shown on the plan to he about £25. 4. Chaacer-road.—l have conferred with Mr Amner, but have not yet received a decisive reply from him. 5. Hydvebad-voad. — The contract for shingling this road Ims been satisfactorily corcnpleted. 6. Hasting-street. — The contractors, Messrs Tait and Mills, have begun loading shingle and metal for this road, and I expect that in a short time it will be in a thoron.gly satisfactory state. Roeet.t Lamb, Municipal Engineer. Cr. M'Dougall wished to ask if two men were permanently employed in painting the pavement in Hastings-street. It might be highly satisfactory from an artistic point of view, but scarcely so satisfactory to ratepayers. Or. Swan said there was much yet to be done in the way of tarring the footpaths.

On clause three being read, Cr. Cotton said he considered £140 per annum sufficient for a receiver of rates. Among the many applicants there were sure to be trustworthy ones who would accept £140 per annum.

Cr. Leonard thought they ought to have a thoroughly trustworthy man, and ought not to offer less than they gave their present receiver. The Mayor said that between £6000 and £7000 passed through the receiver's hands in a year, and to get a good man to stay they must give a fair salary. Cr. Cotton moved that the salary offered be £140. Seconded by Cr. Wall. Cr. Leonard moved that the salary remain as it is. This was not seconded. The clause was then adopted. After a short discussion clause four was also adopted. MUNICIPAL SALARIES. The following returns, asked for by Or. M'Dougall, showing the salaries paid previous to the loan, and since, and the proportion charged to the general account, and to the loan account, was then laid on the table: — Town Clerk and Treasurer.—Salary in year ending June 30, 1879, £300; in year ending 31st March last, £400. Amount of

salary charged to general account, £160 ; to loan account, £240.

"Enn : r.eer. —Salary in year ending June 30, 1879, £300 ; in year ending 31sfc March last, £300. Amount charged to general account, £120 ; to loan account, £180. Solicitor. —Salary in year ending June 30, 1879, £100, in year ending 31st March last, £100. Amount charged to general account, £40 ; to loan account, £60. Valuer, Server of Demands, Inspector of Nuisances, Cabs, &c. —Salary in year ending June 30, 1879, £170; in year ending 31st March last, £200. Amount charged to general account, £80; to loan account, £120. Receiver of Rates and Cleric—Salary in year ending June 30, 1879. £150 ; in year ending 31st March last, £170. Amount charged to general account, £68; to loan account, £102. Overseer and Clerk of Works. —Salary in year ending 31st March last, £180. Amount charged to loan account, £180. Messenger.—Salary in year ending June 30, 1879, £30 ; in year ending 31st March last, £30. Amount charged to general account, £30. The Council then adjourned.