MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3711, 7 June 1883, Page 3

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Juxe 0

The Council met at 8 p.m. Present: — His Worship tho Mayor, Crs Lee, Margolioutb, Cotton, Graham, and Neal. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and couiirmod. CORUKSFOXDUXCE. The following inward correspondence was read: — From the Town Clerk of Masterton, enquiring as to the most efficient apparatus obtainable for sweeping chimnies. From Mr R. Raine, of Nelson, expressing the opinion that a visit to Napier by him would be useless for the purpose of inspecting the waterworks machinery as he was nonexpert; but that he would forward the reports concerning the maehinory to Messrs McEwen and Co., who told the manufacturers responsible for their work. A telegram from Mr J. Stewart, stating that ho was about to proceed to Wellington, and would inspect the waterworks machinery on his way back to Auckland. From the secretary of a sub-committee of tlic Oamaru Bovouifli Council asking , for information concerning street tree planting. From the secretary to the Napier Harbor Board, asking for a copy of the valuation lists of the different wards.

From tho Town Clerk, Wellington, asking whether tho borough of Napier had adopted the Rating Act, ISS'2, and if .so ivhother rates had been paid on Government property within the borough. From Mr Amesbury and from Mr Holder in reference to the leasing of the Corporation reserve, Sovcuty-mile-Bush. From Mr A. Lascellcs, asking the Council to bear half the cost of erecting a concrete wall to protect the footpath leading to Ills house.

I'Yom Mr 11. Hill and others, praying thiit the water .supply should be extended tilonsf tlio road loading past, their residences. —Referred to the Public Works Committee.

From the Municipal Engineer, asking for a reconsideration of its decision whereby he was deprived of a month's salary which lie thought it was understood lie should rcceivo'.—lt was decided that if Mr Lamb thought he was aggrieved in the matter he could put in a claim in the usual manner. IXSI'EOTOR OF NUISANCE'S HEPOIit. The following report from the Inspector of Nuisances was read : — 1. Complaint has been made as to_ a nuisance existing on town section No. 2oG, Dickens-street. The nuisance I may say, arises from its being under the level of the adjoining sections, and is in consequence subjected to occasional inundation from heavy rains and high (idea. This section comes under the same category as the other unreclaimed swamp sections within_ the borough, but being situate in a business and more public locality than the_ others might be entitled to pro-consideration. I understand that a petition setting forth its condition is to be presented to the Council. 2. Complaints are being occasionally made in respect to "waste and impure water" flowing from premises situate on the hills into the road channels and causing an unsightly nuisance. The practice is certainly most objectionable, but I am unable to sec how it can bo avoided. By-law No. 3, C. 30, forbids of it being so disposed of, and at tho same time forbids of it being retained ou the premises. The question as to how it is to be disposed of is one worthy of consideration. From what I have seen of cesspools I consider them most objectionable. 0. The cesspits reported by me some time ago as existing within the district in which they aro forbidden have been abolished, except in one or two isolated places, of which I cannot speak with certainty, not having , examined thorn. I may, however, express the belief that very little good can be expected to arise from their abolition so long as the people arc ponnittd to use any other moans they please for tie diiposal of nightsoil. I have no suggest!' ns to make in the matter other than" those I have already made, further than to express tho opinion that if anything is to be done in the matter the sooner it is done the bettor. Six months from hence tho unhealthy season will again return, and as it will require some considerable time to frame a by-law and bring it into operation it will not come into force too soon. W. Black, Inspector of Nuisances. I'UIIUC WOKKS COMMITTEES MEI'OUT. The following report from the Public Works Committee was read: — Your committee having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend this Council as follows: —- 1. That the upset price of tho Woodville endowment reserve be altered, and that new terms, including a compensation clause for improvement* not exceeding .£2OOO, bo proposed by tho Public Works Committee for tho consideration of the Council.

2. That Mr Ebbett, of the Royal Hotel, be appointed poundkeoper to tho Council. 3. That the report of the overseer of roads bo adopted. •1. That tho clause of the engineer's report re Shakespeare terrace be referred to tho municipal solicitor for his opinion as to whether it is a public road. b. That tho plans (alluded to in clause '2 of the engineer's report) for a strong-room in the Town Clerk's oih'cu be adopted and tenders invited for the work.

0. That the vouchers for expenditure herewith forwarded (£'J'2'.i 10.-3 9s) be passed and ordered to bo paid. Clauses 1 to 3 were adopted. In connection with clause 1 and o the following report was read from tho municipal engineer: — 1. Shakopeare-ternice.—With reference to Mr Pinhorne's application, I havo the honor to report that Shakespcaro-terraeo is a public road, and therefore in the care of the Corporation ; that the culvert suggested is much needed ; and that tho cost of tho material would be only trifling, between £'2 and Xo. I would respectfully recommend that this work be authorised,

2. Now Strong , Room, itc.—Herewith 1 liavo the honor to submit drawings showing , proposed strong , -room, mid sundry additions and alterations, much required, to the office fittings for the Town Clerk. 3. Fencing Now Reservoir.—Tenders for this work will be laid before yon. It is now Homo time since I wn.s authorised to call for them, and the work is much needed. Clause "> was referred back to the engineer in order that a less elaborate plan for a strong-room might be provided. TAKING TUBLXO STBEETS DV THE GOVERNMENT. Cr. Graham would again bring before tho Council the fact that nothing had been clone by the Government to compensate owners of property in the neighborhod for the injustice done them in closing Stamford and Raffles streets. Not only were the owners of sections abutting , on those streets wronged, but tho public generally were subjected to great inconvenience through no railway crossing having been provided. Cr. Margoliouth suggested that, as the Government had only taken a part of Stam-ford-street, the part that was left should be eolcl. It was useless as a street, and was now, ho believed, being occupied as a paddock by Mr Robjohns. He thought it was worth £3 or .CI per foot frontage, and the two owners of the sections on either side —Mr Colonso and Mr Robjohus—should have tho first offer. His Worship said lie would bring the subject of Cr. Graham's complaint to the notice of both tho Government and the member for Napier. He did not think the Government would do anything unless through fear of losing a vote. VOUCHERS. On the motion that clause 6 of the Public Works report be adopted, Cr. Cotton moved as an amendment that Mr Rochfort's voucher for .£25, progress payment re survey and maps of the town, be withheld pending further information. Cr. Margoliouth explained the eireunistanccH under which Mr Kochfort accepted tho contract. The tender was for £198, progress payments to be made on the certificate of tho municipal engineer. Numerous progress payments had been made, and this present voucher was not different from those of others. Tho Council was bound to pay the claim. Cr. Neal thought more information was wanted respecting the contract, and therefore ho would second Cr. Graham's amendment. Cr. Lee contended thai the money was duo to Mr Rochfort, and the Council could not legally withhold the payment. He road from tho memorandum of agreement between tho Council and Mr Rwhfort showing thai. the voucher was .'-triutly in order. The amendment was then put and carried, Crs, Leo and Margoliouth alone voting against it. The other vouchers, amounting to ;?8!)3 JOsi-Jd, \Toru then puHsed and ordered tube paid, NOTICE Of MOXIO.V. Cr. Cotton to move, "That the offices

now used by the consulting engineer be given up.