NAPIER MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3509, 6 October 1882, Page 4

NAPIER MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, October 4

The Council met at 8 p.m. Present - His Worship the Mayor (chairman), Councillors Wall, McDougall, Cotton, Ellison, Graham, and Lee. HATES IN AKEEABS. In the absence of Cr Price the motion standing in his name, " That the Municipal Solicitor be authorised to recover all over-due rates, and that tbe receiver of rates be instructed to furnish the solicitor with a list of all burgesses whose rates are unpaid with a view to the recovery of the same by legal proce.B," lapsed. CORPORATION WORKS. Pursuant to notice Cr Margoliouth moved, " That no further works be undertaken by the Corporation laborers until the present works (excepting contracts) now authorised be completed." Cr McDougall seconded the motion pro forma. Cr Margoliouth said it bad occurred to him that for some mouths past so many works had been piled upon the Municipal Engineer that he was unable to attend to °tbem, the consequence being that necessary works ordered some time ago were still left untouched. Taking this fact, together with the present financial condition of tbe Council, into consideration, he thought it would be as well to give effect to the present motion. Cr Ellison would oppose the motion. He did not believe in adopting any such hard aud fast lines as were proposed by Cr Margoliouth. The Council should face its position boldly and continue necessary works. Crs Monteith, Lee, and McDougall agreed with Cr Ellison's views of the matter. The former considered that the motions respecting retrenchment recently passed by tbe Council should be approached gradually and not hurriedly. Cr Margoliouth, in reply, thought it was highly essential that those works already authorised by the Council should be completed. His motion did not lay down hard and fast lines; its object was simply to ensure the immediate completion of works in hand. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was lost on the voices. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Public Impounder, pointing out the inconvenience he suffered through the non-completion of the pound at Napier.—Dealt with in report of Public Works Committee. From the chairman Napier Trust School Board, requesting tbe Council to appoint a representative on the Board of Governors of the Napier High School lor the ensuing year. On the motion of Cr Margoliouth Cr Lee was appointed. From Mr W. Rathbone, Waipawa, requesting to see specification tor filling in section 384, Napier, his property.—The Town Clerk said the matter had been attended to. From the Town Clerk, Christchurch, giving certain information applied for by tbis Council respecting the Board of Health in that city.—The question of the appointment of a medical officer of health was referred to at some length by the Chairman, who pointed out what the duties of such an official would be.—Cr McDougall then moved that in view of the unsatisfactory state of the bor<>ugh finances the present was not an opportune time for discussing the question of such an appointment. — Cr. Margoliouth seconded the motion, which waa carried. From the Inspector of Nuisances, reporting, in accordance with instructions on the sign board erected on town section 58 by Messrs Glendinning and Griffin, and complained of by Mr James Taylor at last meeting. The board encroached on the public road, and could be legally removed if desired the Council.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee report. From Mr W. Parker, resigning his position as assistant clerk and receiver of rates for the borough as from October 31st.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee's report. From Mr D. Gay, solicitor, Waipawa, acting for Mr W. Rathbone, owner of town section No. 384, complaining of the prefunctory (sic) manner in which the conditions for filling in the section abovementioned (declared to be a nuisance) bad been drawn up and tender accepted for the work. Mr Rathbone considered that the filling in might have been done much more cheaply had he been allowed to see about it himself. An enquiry into the various circumstances connected with the matter was respectfully requested, Mr Rathbone having decided to resist payment of the "exhorbitant contract price tendered for in consequence of the manner in wbich the conditions were drawn up."—The Town Clerk said the matter had been referred to the Municipal Engineer for his report. From Mr W. Miller, inspector of fire brigades, reporting favorably on the plant belonging to the two companies, also on the efficiency of the men. Certain recommendations were attached to the reports with respect to the saltwater well in Clive Square, also respecting the matter of fire plugs.—The reports were adopted. From Mr F. E. Saunders, on behalf of the residents of Goldsmith road, asking the Council to reconsider its former decision respecting the question of repairs to that road, and pointing out that the Council was under a misapprehension in treating the road as a private one, only a deviation of some two or three chains beiDg in that position.—On the motion of Cr. M'Dougall, seconded by Cr. Wall, it was resolved, after some discussion that repairs to tbe value of £16 be carried out in Goldsmith road, under the supervision of the engineer, and that tenders be called for the work. Cr. Margoliouth dissented from the motion, arguing that it was unfair to make flesh of one section of the ratepayers and fish of another. He held that, considering the resolution passed at tbe last meeting on this very matter the present resolution was entirely out of order. ADVERTISING FOR TENDERS. By leave of the Council the standing orders were suspended, and Cr. McDougall moved without notice, " That in future the advertisements calling for tenders for all works estimated to cost not more than £30 be written ones, displayed upon a board to be reserved entirely for that purpose and fixed in a conspicuous place outside the municipal offices." Tbe motion was seconded by Cr. Graham and carried. PETITION. Cr. Ellison presented a petition from a number of ratepayers, praying the Council to undertake the repair of the steps known as " Jacob's Ladder." The petition was received, and (on the casting vote of the Mayor) referred to tbe Public Works Committee. APPOINTMENT ON FINANCE COMMITTHE. Cr. Margoliouth was appointed to fill the vacancy on the finance committee caused by the resignation of Dr. de Lisle. BEPORTB RECEIVED. Keports were received from the Engineer, the Inspector of Nuisances, aDd tbe Road Overseer. PUBLIC WOBKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The following report from the Public Works Committee was read: —

Your committee having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend the Council to give effect to the following : — 1. That Mr W. Parker be requested to retain his appointment until the end of the year, and if ho refuse to do so that Mr Williams be instructed to undertake the duties from and after 31st October next. 2. That Mr W. Black, overseer of roads, &c, be requested to commence the duties of inspector of nuisances, inspector of hackney carriages, fire and building inspector, &c, from and after the 31sfc October instant. 3. That a select committee be appointed to inspect the whole system of the mode of keeping the Corporation books, said committee to consist of Cr. Margoliouth and four other Councillors to bo chosen by ballot. 4. That with reference to Dr. Spencer's application, a reply be forwarded that the Council regret they cannot accede to his request to form the Beach-road fronting his house at present. 5. That Mr Peddie's request that his footpath be altered, be granted provided he pays half the cost thereof. R, Tliat the inspector of nuisances be directed to remove the obstruction caused by the sign-board erected in North-street forthwith. 7. That the report of the inspector of nuisances be adopted, and that officer be instructed to take the necessary legal steps to abate nuisances. 8. That the inspector of nuisances be instructd to report on all cases in which the provisions of clause 35 of bye-law No. 3 are violated. 9. That a sum of £50 be paid into an " Imprest " account to be operated upon by tho Tawn Clerk for the purpose of meeting any contingencies that may arise between the ordinary Council meetings. 10. That a sub-committee be appointed to consider the desirability or otherwise of adopting the Rating Act, 1882, the committee to consist of Crs. Lee, Margoliouth and Price, and to report to the next meeting of the Council. 11. That tho recommendation report of the overseer be adopted. 12. That the vouchers (£1136 6s) herewith forwarded be passed and ordered to be paid. Clauses 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 were adopted. Clause 2 was withdrawn, and clause 3 struck out on the voices. [Cr. Price attended and took his seat]. Clause 10 was, after considerable discussion, amended so as to include the whole Council in tbe proposed committee for the purpose of considering the advisability or otherwise of adopting the Rating Act, 1882. During the course of an animated discussion that took place on the latter question Crs. Margoliouth, Lee, and Price withdrew trom the chamber. RAILWAY PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION. By leave of tbe Council Cr. Wall moved without notice, " That in view of the urgent need of more railway carriages on the Napier - Makatoku line, this Council co-operate with the Napier Chamber of Commerce in bringing the matter under the notice of the Minister for Public Works." Cr. Monteith seconded the motion. Cr. Cotton wished to know whether the railway authorities could not be proceeded against for overcrowding ? It was a practice fraught with much danger, and he thought the Railway Department should be held accountable for any ill results. They were common carriers plying within the borough, and were surely as liable to be proceeded against as any other carriers. The Mayor was afraid Cr. Cotton held a mistaken view of the position occupied by Government railways. He would, however, endeavor to get Cr. Cotton any information he could on the subject mentioned. After some further remarks the motion was put to the meeting and carried. FINANCE. Vouchers for fhe fortnight amounting to £2136 68 were passed for payment. The debit balance to general acconnt and the credit balance to the special account were stated at £375 18s sd, and £368 7s 9d respectively. The Council then adjourned.