NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3853, 22 November 1883, Page 3

NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, November 21. Present—Messrs Neal, Lee, Graham, Faulknor, Cohen, and McDougall. In the absence of the Mayor, Cr. Neal was voted to the chair. correspondence. The following correspondence was read— From tho Inspector of Police, enclosing a letter from P. R. Engel, a commercial traveller, which complained of overcharge, abusive language, and assault by AVilliam Bfaroncy, cabman, on the 27th ultimo. The letter stated that Mr Engel had been accustomed to pay 3s for conveying his samples to the Spit, whereas Maroney charged him ss, and on remonstrating with him the cabman called him insulting names and struck him. The Town Clerk having stated that as Maroney was specially engaged he was justified in charging ss, it was decided by the Council that" no action be taken in the matter, as Mr Engel had his remedy in the R.M. Court. From James Higgs, complaining of the conduct of a poundkeepcr named Willis, and stating that on the 10th instant he had sent his boy to release his horse from the pound, and that on reaching his own gate AVillis had come up and driven the horse back to the pound, the boy following. He was compelled to pay 7s before getting possession of his horse. —Cr. Graham: AVho is the impounder?—The Town Clerk: Mr Strudwick. — Cr. Margoliouth explained that Strudwick employs AVillis to act as impounder. Ho said it was perfectly intolerable that the present system of impounding should be allowed to continue. —After some discussion Cr. Maryoliouth moved, "That tho impounder be notified that complaints having been made to the Council of , the manner in which impounding is carried A on by a person named AVillis, unless Strudwick is prepared to perform the duties himself his appointment will be cancelled by the next mooting of Council." —Cr. Graham seconded the motion, which was carried.

From householders iv Clivo Square and Carlyle and Tennyson streets, calling attention to a nuisance existing on section 05 by stagnant water. —Dealt with in Public AVorks Committee's report. From Messrs Percival Bear and Brooking, replying to charges made against them by Mr AY. Parker as to the auditing of borough accounts. — Referred to Public AVorks Committee. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

The following report from the Public AVorks Committee was read :— Your committee having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend tho pouncil as fol-

lows: — , ~ n ... . 1. That a hydrant, Sec, be fixed withm tho hospital grounds, as suggested by the engineer ; tho Hospital Committee to bear tho cost of the work. 2. That a Ism. pipe be laid across Milton-road at its junction with Burling-ton-road. 3. That two culverts, as suggested by tho engineer iv his report, be laid across Carlylo-strcet. 4. That a notice bo served upon the owner of town section No. 95, informing him that a nuisance existing thereon must be abated. 5. That the vouchers herewith forwarded (£BB Is 6d) bo passed and ordered to be paid. The following report from the road overSeer, referred to in the Public AVorks ComA. mittce's report, was also read: —

1. Storm AVater, Milton and Burlington roads. —With reference to the letters of the Rev. Mr Perry and Mr Reid, complaining of the storm water from these roads flowing iv upon their sections, I would beg to re-

commend that the present culvert under Milton road, constructed of Uin. pipes, for il,o purpose of carrying off this water, be taken up and replaced by 15in. pipes. This I am of opinion, would bo ot sumcient capacity to carry off till the water that passes this way, and could be done at littlo cost (labor 28s) as the pipes would bo available for future use should permanent drainage arrangements at a future time be decided upon. I. may also say that the greater portion of the water that flows upon these sections comes from a largo gully extending from MiUou road to the old Grammar School, and must necessarily flow across the sections before coming in contact with any drainage arrangements the Council can make. , . 2. Carlvle-street. ~ 11' my last report, su—osting two additional culverts in tins street, one at Faraday street and one at Chaucer road, and referred back for further consideration, I beg to state that I have conferred with Ihe municipal engineer on the matter, and we arc unable to eonm to anvotherconclush.n than that the equalising of'the water iv both channels m Carlvle street by additional culverts, and the lowering of the (advert under the railway opposito Faraday street, so as to give greater facility for the water from Dr. Ditching's gully to pass this way, are the best means that can possibly be adop,ed I may also state that there is a large amount of silt from these gullies during rainfalls, which renders more eh;umel accommodation and short routes for the disposal ot the water all tho more necessary. _ t Clauses 1, 2, and 3 were passed witnouf discussion. Iv connection with dau.-e 1 the inspector reported that the section complained of was the source of a nui-anee, stagnant water standing on it. The clause was passed. ADULTERATION ACT. Cr. Margoliouth moved that Sergeant Burtenshaw be appointed inspector under this Act. Cr. Cohen said it would be better to wait to see how the Act worked in the larger towns. Cr. Lee would also prefer the matter to be postponed. He bad heard lately that the milk in town win bad, but he bad lived in Napier for twenty years and had not found it so. Cr. McDougall quite agreed with Cr. Margoliouth in the matter, lie thought the Act would do good, and they had a right to protect the eifiz.'iis. Cr. Lee said he would vote against the appointment. Cr. Neal thought it would be no use appointing any one except an analytical chemist. Cr. Lee moved, as an amendment, seconded by Cr. Faulkuor, that, the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee. After some further discussion tho amendment was put and carried. MEETINGS OF COUNCIL. Cr. Margoliouth moved. "That after tho Ist of January next the meetings of the Council should be held monthly on the first AVednesday in each month—and that the vouchers for wages be passed by the Public AVorks Committee." He thought they could easily get through their business in one sitting every month. The other public bodies,' the Education Board, Coitnty Council, aud Harbor Board, met only once •i month, and surely their business was not less important than" the, Municipal Council. He thought it was a great fie on members to have to attend fortnightly. If the proposal was found unworkable they could easily i-ehiru to the old system of meeting fortnightly. Cr. Graham seconded the motion. Cr. McDougall was quite taken by surprise in this" matter. As far as the Education Board was concerned that body only met once a, month, but the chief part of its business was done by the inspector. If members of the Council found attendance at the meetings a tie on them they could easily remedy that by ceasing to he councillors.'' He had no doubt, there were numbers of men in town who would be found to take the places of those who objected to the fortnightly meetings, lie would certainly vote against the motion. Til-: Chairman said that the only function of the Council which the Public Works Committee would perform, in ease the alteration were made, would be passing the vouchers for wages, and that could be got rid of by reverting to the old system of paying wages once a mouth. Cr. Lee 'moved as an amendment that the matter be referred to the Public AVorks Committee. Cr. M'Dougall seconded the amendment Cr Faulkuor did not altogether believe in the proposed change. In the case of tenders it would be very inconvenient, as they would have to waif, a whole month before' they could accept tbem. Cr Margoliouth said that the Education Board was not the only body that met monthly. The County Council also met once .'i month, and they'bad a great number of small contracts to ileal with. As to Cr McDougall's remarks about there being plenty of men who would desire to become councillors, how was it they did not come forward? It was well known there was always great, difficulty to get good men to undertake the position. The amendment was eventually carried by 5 to 1. HONORARIUit TO MAYOR. Cr McDougall moved "That the sum of £100 be granted to the Mayor as an honorarium for past services. Cr Graham seconded the motion, which was put and carried unanimously. VOUCHERS. Vouchors amounting to £S8 Is 6d were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.