MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3723, 21 June 1883, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, June 20

The Council met at 8 p.m. Present: His Worship the Mayor (chairman), Crs. Lee, Neal, Margoliouth, Graham, Ellison, and McDougall. ( Certificates were read from the returning officer, Mr G, W, Cullen, notifying the election of Mr PI. P. Cohen as a< councillor for the South Ward, aud of Mr Roope Brooking and Mr Percival Beat as auditors for the Corporation. . ->, , TUB RF/rUBNING. OFFiqEH, Cr. Graham moved, "That, in prder to reduce expenditure in respect of municipal elections, the duties of returning officer be performed by gomo officer of the Council to

be appointed for the purpose, and that movable voting stalls be made so as to be erected at any time by the Corporation laborers." Cr. McDougall seconded the motion. Cr. Graham said the motion was intended to bo a step towards reducing the borough expenditure, and when the number of resignations in the Council was considered he thought members -would see the expediency of J adopting it. If steps in the direction of retrenchment wore not taken as opportunity offered the Council would soon find itself in the position of paying away all its funds in salaries and such like. Cr. Leo opposed the motion, remarking that it would bo an improper thing to place place any official of the borough in the position of returning officer. A returning officer should be entirely independant. Cr. McDougall thought, if tho alteration proposed would effect any reduction in expenditure, it should bo adopted forthwith. The idea of providing booths, however, was, ho believed, a mistake, as the interest on the amount they would cost would be more than is at present paid in rent for a polling place. Cr. Ellison said the difficulty raised by Cr. Lee might be overcome by the appointment of scrutineers as provided by the Act. Cr. Lee explained that tho previous speaker was under a misapprehension. What ho (Cr. Lee) meant was that the returning officer might, in certain cases, be called upon to decide whether or not a candidate was eligible for election, and officers of the Council should not be asked to decide such questions. In reply to a question put by Cr. Ellison, the Town Clerk said the present cost of an uncontosted election was about £b to £6, and of a contested election about £12, depending upon the number of candidates. Cr. Neal would support tho motion, bocause it aimed towards reducing expenditure. The Council had no fault to find with the late returning officer, who had always fulfilled his duties properly, but it was necessary to effect a saving wherever practicable. Cr. Mprgoliouth asked whether any of the present officers were prepared to undertake the duties without increaso of salary. He would like to know what Cr. Graham proposed in that respect. If further duties were thrust upon tho officials ho feared there would soon arise tho necessity for employing additional clerical assistance. Cr. Graham thought the case might be met by a payment of a bonus of, say, £10 yearly. With respect to Cr. McDougall's objection there was nothing in it. A few old " batten doors " nailed together would answer the purposes of polling booths, and would cost very little.

The motion, on being - put, was carried on a division. Ayes : Crs. Ellison, Graham, Cotton, McDougall, and Neal. Noes: Crs. Margoliouth and Lee. COKUESPONDEXCE. Tho following inward correspondence was read: — From tho Municipal Solicitors, forwarding tracing of the Town Hall reserve agreed to be leased to the Recreation Ground Company in terms of lease already approved by the Council, and asking whether a small portion of ground on the other side of the railway was included in tho lease. —After some discussion it was decided to reply in the affirmative. From the Chief Surveyor, stating that the plans of Mr Rochfort's standard survey of the town of Napier v.iU be finished in about four months. The delay in preparing - them was due to Mr Rochfort having been employed on the survey of the railway land plan, town of Napier. From Mr E. Lyndon, on behalf of the majority of the householders in Emersonstreet, asking whether tho borough would contribute a share of the expense in moving back the houses on the south side of the street so as to widen it. The estimntcd cost was £2,000, and the Corporation share would be about £450 calculated on the ratable value of the Criterion Hotel owned by the borough.—lt was agreed to consider the letter at a committee meeting of the whole Council to be held on Tuesday, 26th instant, at 8 p.m.; the Town Clerk in the meantime to communicate with Mr Lyndon asking for fuller information. From Mr MeG-rath, Onepoto, asking - the Coiincil to tap the high pressuro wnter main at his house, aud stating that he was not in a position to supply himself with a tank and ball-cock as required by the engineer.—Cγ. Margoliouth asked by what right the engineer required householders to supply a tank and ball-cock?—Tho Mayor said that, under a clause of bye-law 16, persons connecting with the high pressure supply were "advised" to obtain a 200-gallon tank and ball-cock.—Cr. Margoliouth said that was so, but the engineer exceeded his authority when he made it a condition of obtaining the supj)ly. Poor people could not afford to buy tanks and ball-cocks, and it would be far wiser for them to depend on tho rain water than submit to such a hardship.—Cr. McDougall said the intention of the byelaw as it orginally stood was to obviate waste. If householders had only to turn on an ordinary tap what was to prevent them from wasting the water. He had known instances himself where a hose was attached to the tap, and the water used for watering gardens. Tho reservoir would not stand that, and it was necessary there should be some cherjk. If these people were really too poor to buy tanks he would head a subscription list with a few shillings to enable them to obtain them.—Cr, Cotton said there were plenty of houses where the high pressuro water was supplied in the ordinary way.— Cr. Neal thought it possible that the cnginerr was under a misapprehension as to the wording of the bye-law. Clearly enough he had no Eower to insist on the conditions laid down. f, however, people would not follow the advice of tho Council, and wasted water, more stringent measures would have to be applied. He suggested that the attention of the engineer be drawn to the wording of the bye-law.—This was agreed to. From Mr T. Campbell, Onepoto, complaining that the engineer had refused to tap the water main for his use, after ho had purchased a permit and cnvploycd a workman to lay on tho water. The engineer required him to erect a small reservoir capable of holding 200 gallons, with ballcock, &c, costing £30. Mr Campbell concluded by giving notice that if tho main was not tapped by noon on Friday ho would enter an action for damages. (Laughter.) THE CESSPOOL QUESTION. A letter was read from Messrs Sainsbury and Logan, municipal solicitors, reporting the failure of the information laid against Dr. do Lisle for having permitted waste and impure water to remain in a cesspool in his yard, and adding " The wording of the by-law is as follows: —'Any person suffering or allowing any waste or impure water or other matter to remain in any cellar or place within any building or premises in the borough,' &c, and we therefore assume that the Resident Magistrate did not consider thac a cesspool fell within tho designation of 'place' as mentioned in such bylaw, as the evidence adduced could not have b,een more favorable to our case. Cr. Ellison moved that the municipal solicitors bo instructed to take prompt steps to secure the suppression of tho nuisance existing on Dr. do Lislo's premises. Cr. Graham seconded the motion. Cr. Ellison said the Corporation was indebted to Dr de Lisle for a very valuable discovery. Dr de Lisle had found out that, without the employment of any system of drainage, impure water could be got rid of in a simple and inexpensive way. The modus operandl was to throw it into a hole dug in the ground, and use disinfectants now aud then. It was a pity Dr de Lisle had not made known his discovery long ago, as he would then, as a councillor of the borough, have used his endeavors to prevent an expenditure of many thousands of pounds that had been incurred for drainago works, instead of assisting to have the money expended. Cγ, Margoliouth said he entirely agreed with Cr. Ellison in this matter. (Laughter). He could not holp saying that Dr de Lisle should have been the last one to throw obr structions in tho way of the Council's officers, or commit any breach of the bye- j laws. Probably as a medical man it was the correct thing for him to do, however. He (Cr. Margoliouth) did not sec how a second information could be laid now. He believed a person could not be tried twice for the sam»3 offence. The Mayor sajcj tlfe-t the s,ixth section of tho bye-law provided, that cesspools might bo "abolished by the Council at any fchno 'on giving one months' notice." Ho believed notice had not been given to Dr de Lisle. Tlic Town Clerk said such a notice had been served to all residents of the fiats six months ago. ' "'' ; . Cr. Margoliouth contended that it was useless to take the case into tho Resident Magistrate's Court. He would suggest thai the Gcimcty ehould have their cases heard before tspmo other tribunal if informations wero to bo upset on such frivolous grounds as this one liad been, '

Cr. McDougall suggested that perhaps Dr. do Lisle had filled in the cesspool since. The inspector might be instructed to go and see, and if there was any danger to bo apprehended from his going alono a convoy might be appointed to accompany him. Cr. Ellison pointed out that his motion was a wide one, and was purposely made bo, in order that the solicitor might act as he deemed best. He was not instructed to take the case again before tho Resident Magistrate. If the cesspit was filled in, of courso the motion would bo inoperative. The motion was unanimously carried. PUBLIC WOEKB COMMITTEE'S EEPORT. The following report from tho Public Works Committee was read:— Your cammitteo having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend this Counoil as follows:— 1. That the terms for leasing tho Woodville reserve shall be as follows:—[Terms stated.] _. . 2. That Mr Barrett's tender for fencing the new reservoir bo accepted. 3. That the plan (marked A) herewith forwarded for a new strong-room in tho Town Clei'k's office be approved, and tenders invited forthwith. 4. That the consideration of the matter of supplying the residents of the- Bluff with water be deferred until the report of the water supply shall have been received. 5. That a reply be forwarded to Mr Pinhorne, informing him that Shakespeareterraco not being a public road his request cannot bo entertained. G. That with reference to Mr Lascolles , application the engineer be requested to furnish an estimate of a retaining wall (rubble in cement) for his property in the Shake-spoare-road. 7. That tho vouchers herewith forwarded —£159 lleCd—bo passed and ordered to bo paid. Clause 1 was amended on the motion of Cr. Neal. Clauses 2 and 3 wore passed without discussion. .;■.■■ On clause i Cr. Margoliouth explained that the committee rocognised the hardships complained of in the non-supply of water. The engineer was present at the meeting and stated that he had now completed the pipe laying, and ho proposed taking stock of tho pipes remaining, when he would report to tho Council. The committee decided to await that report before taking any action in tho direction of extending tho water supply. The clause was p,grocd to, and the remaining clauses were passed without alteration. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S EEPOET. The Finance Committee presented the following report:— Your committeo having met pursuant to notice, and carefully considered tho matters laid before them beg to report as follows: —

1. With referenco to the re-survey of the town and the maps for municipal purposes, your committeo instructed the Town Clerk to write to Mr Horace Baker, Chief Surveyor, Napier, asking him when it would be likely that the map of the re-survey would be completed. His reply will be laid before you when received. 2. With reference to the maps for municipal purposes, your committee find that the following is the position of tho Counoil in the matter: — (a.) They have already paid £250 as their proportion of the re-survey, and arc therefore entitled to receivo one map on conviction of the work. This is in accordance with tho agreoment made with the Chief Surveyor by the Council. (i.) The three maps for municipal purposes are under contract to Mr Rochfort, and will cost when completed £498. This work is now in hand, and progress payments aro made upon the certificate of the engineer. The three maps are to be as follows;—(1.) The record map. This is a copy of th* block survey plan agreed to bo furnished to the Government and the Council, but giving the following additional information, viz., the footpaths, tho lines and sizes of gai mains, tho water mains, sewers, valves, hydrants and standpipes, street lamps, levels of kerbings of footpaths at intersections of streets and roads, boundaries of wards, Fire Brigade districts, area for building regulations, area for shingle roofs, and eleven different bench marks at certain places indicated in specifications. (2.) The rating map, showing all buildings and subdivisions of soctiona in accordance with rating roll, with the numbers of sections and subdivisions, and names of streets. (3.) A similar map of three chains to one inch, being a copy of the record map, and showing the same details. 3. With referenco to the probable receipts and expenditure of the Council for the year onding 31st March, 1884, your committee, having , carefully considered tho estimates laid before them, beg to recommend the Council to limit the expenditure) for street maintenance, and for maintenance of waterworks, and for public works, to an amount not exceeding £250 per month. Cr. Margoliouth moved, and Cr. Neal seconded, the adoption of the report. Cr. Ellison moved an amendment, to tho effect that the latter portion of tho report, referring to the expenditure upon watorworks and street maintenance, be struck out. Cr. Neal secondod tho amendment p >•* forma. The amendment was negatived, and the report adopted. BKJNING CHEQUES. On the motion of Cr. M'Dougall, seconded by Cr. Margoliouth, Cr. Neal was appointed to sign cheques, in place of Cr, Monteith, rosignod. HAWKEHS' LICENSES. Cγ. Margoliouth asked what was the amount receivod for hawkers' licenses last year ? The Town Clerk: £6. Cr. Margoliouth: Do tho butchers who hawk meat in carts take out hawkers' licenses ? The Town Clerk: No. A test caso against a butchor was taken into Court, and tho Resident Magistrate decided that moat came under the head of "farm produce." (Laughter.) Cr. Margoliouth said in that case nothing could be done, but he could not help saying that it was a great hardship to the town butchers, who had to pay rents, taxes, &c, to have to compete with what wero practically \inlicensed hawkers. THE ENGINEER'S OFFICES. Cr. Cotton (who was absent when tho notices of motion were called on) asked leave to move his resolution to tho effect that tho offices occupied by the consulting engineer be given up. Cr. M'Dougall objected, on account of the lateness of the hour. Permission was therefore rofusod. The Council rose at 10.40 p.m.