NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4118, 2 October 1884, Page 4

NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Council met last evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Cotton, Cornford, Neal, Cohen, Leo, Graham, Faulknor, Robjohns, and Margoliouth. CORRESPONDENCE. From AY. S. Seavey, desiring to know if the land adjoining Mr Glassford's property belonging to the Corporation was open for lease.-—Received. From Carlilo and M'Loan, calling attention to tho fact that tho Corporation workmen aro cutting into the land of tho trustees of the Church of England in. Napier Terrace, and asking that the same might be desisted from.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee's report. From J. D. Ormond, asking if ho could assist re validity of elections.—His Worship said tho advice of the solicitor was to wait a little, and see what was the experience of other people in the matter.—Cr. Cornford asked tho Town Clerk to say how many boroughs were divided into wards. He asked the question because all the boroughs were in tho same position. —The Town Clerk said he could not say if all boroughs were in wards, but the greater number of them were. —Cr. Margoliouth thought it would bo better to have the Council on a proper footing. It would not be much trouble to gct_ it done now, as the House was now in session.—Cr. Neal said next time tho election could bo properly held. Cr. Cohen said they had not a Council sitting there this evening, and legal opinion in town was very equally divided on the point. Again, the Corporation had sold much land, and difficulties might crop up in the future. Ho thought an outside opinion should be obtained, and if necessary get a validation Act passed.— The Mayor agreed that affairs wero not in a satisfactory condition, and tho point should bo settled. Ho did not think the question should bo allowed to stand over longer than necessary to see what the result of the proceedings at the Thames would be, and learn the opinion of the law officers of the Crown. It might not be necessary to pass an Act, the Governor in Council might validatetheirproceodinga. —Cr. Margoliouth did not believe in delay at all. He would move that tho borough solicitor be instructed to prepare a validation Act and forward the same to the member for the borough.—Cr. Cohen seconded tho motion. ■—carried.

From Wilson and Cottcrill, on behalf of Mr Robjohns stating the purchase of Stamford street could not be completed unless a title was given, and suggesting tho Council should take legal steps to compel the Registrar to register the title—Cr. Lee proposed, and Cr. Cornford seconded, that tho letter bo received—Cr. Margoliouth did not see how tho matter was to rest. _ When they decided to sell it they recognised the fact that it was their property, and they should give a title. It was ridiculous, after fighting the matter out week after week, that they should now refuse to go on. They had sold the street, and it was their place to "ivo the purchaser a title. He believed in consistency. —Cr. Cotton thought that Mr Ormond, if the facts were communicated to him, might be able to put them right.— Cr. Cohen said the money to be received on account of tho sale of the street was authorised to be expended, and as it had been expended they were in duty bound to carry the transaction through. Perhaps Mr Robjohns would fight the question himself. —Cr. laulknor said the majority of the councillors wero not in favor of selling the street, but the matter had been forced on them.—Cr. Margoliouth said it had always been held in tho Council that when once a resolution was carried it should be fulfilled as far as it could be, and before that resolution could borcscinded notice was required.— Cr. Lee saidthesolicitor said Mrßamfordwas right. That being so he did not see how tlioy were going to complete tho transaction —Cr. Neal said the Corporation were prepared to give a guaranteed title. Tho Corporation Avould sell as fur a.s tlioir interest was concerned, they could only sell what they had got. It secerned to him that tho roads were only held in trust by the Corporation for the Government.—Cr. Cornford asked how it was possible to undertake to do that which they could not do. Tho motion was carried by 5 to 4, the voting being Crs. Lee, Graham, Cornford, Neal, andFaulknor for receiving the letter, Crs. Cotton, Margoliouth, Cohen, aud Robjohns for getting a title. From Town Cleric, Duncdin, forwarding a bill which that Council had framed for the purpose of placing tho management and and maintenance of Fire Brigades throughout the colony on a permanent and satisfactory basis, the proposal being (hat twothirds of the contributions should be found by tho Municipal Councils, while the Insurance Companies should pay tho remaining third.—Referred to Public Works Committee. From Road Overseer, suggesting that two additional staudpipes for watering the streets bo erected.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee's report. From Road Overseer, with reference to tho petition from residents in Craven-street requesting tho construction of footpaths so as to prevent tho flooding of their premises, suggesting tho work should stand over for some time, as improvements were to bo carried out by the railway authorities. He also recommended the making of culverts to carry off the water.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee's report. From George Scarfc, asking whcnDickcns street was going to be tarred.—Referred to Overseer of the Roads to report to Public Works Committee. From Saiusbury and Logan, giving their opinion "That tho Corporation is liable for tho advertisements inserted for the Board of Health according to tho ordinary scale charged by the Daily Telegraph proprietor. The contract only relates to advertisements by the Borough as such, and it cannot bo taken to extend to advertisements of another public body, although tho Council may represent and actually he such other body."—The Mayor said tho voucher had been sent to tho Government with tho others, but no reply had yet been received. From W. Ilarker, asking for tho water to be laiil on to his and the adjoining properties. — Referred to the Public Works Committee. From W. Ilarker, asking that Park road might bo reported on by the Road Overseer. —Referred to Road Overseer. ROAD OVERSEER'S REPORT. Franco Road. —The work of widening, channelling, and metalling of this road has been proceeded with during the month, and will be completed in about a week from the present time. It will be necessary to- allow a short limestone bank to remain until tho material therefrom can bo used elsewhere to advantage. Jobbing.—The usual jobbing work has been attended to during the mouth. Tarring.—ln connection of the surplus tar at the gas works being in excess of the storage available, I have been compelled to tar the pathways in Tennyson-street and in Harvey road, the work, as far as the roads are concerned, being necessary. Hydrabad Road. —The contractors for tho widening of this road have made good progress with the work, and will have it completed in about a week. Napier Terrace Road.—The contractor for this work has almost completed his contract. I would respectfully ask permission from the Council to remove a short piece of bank at tho corner of Mr Scoble's fence.. The quantity of earth to be removed will be about 130 cubic yards. Franco Road. —As I have no particular works to recommend at this meeting so as to make a report, I would respectfully ask permission to remove the gas lamp from its present position in France road to Cobden road, immediately opposite. The effect would ho that it would light up Cobden road and Chapel street, and be of great benefit in connection with the. entrance to and from the chapel, while it -would at (he same time light up Franco, road with as much advantage as at present. PETITION. Cr. Cotton presented a petition from some forty residents of the Spit objecting to the enforcement of the pan system.—Received, and referred to Public Works Committee. public works committee's report. Your committee having met pursuant to notice beg to recommend the Council as follows: — 1. That the first portion of the overseer's report on tho Craven street petition be adopted, the footpath being formed four feet wide on each side instead of five feet, condi- I

tionally that the petitioners contribute half the cost, and that the latter portion of the report be struck out. 2. That the report of the overseer on the watering of streets bo adopted and authorised. 3. That tho progress and recommendation reports of the overseer bo adopted and authorised, except clause G of the latter, deferred till next meeting of tho Public Works Committee. 4. That subject to the opinion of tho municipal solicitor as to the propriety of selling those sections which have been ad - vcrtised for salo for non-payment of rates tho same bo sold. 5. That the vouchers herewith forwarded, £053 13s 4d, for general account, and £2133 12s, special account, be passed and ordered to be paid. Clause 1 was adopted without discussion. Clause 2 was passed after some discussion, Crs. Graham and Cotton dissenting. Clause 3 was carried without discussion, while clause 4 was adopted, Cr. Margoliouth alone dissenting. WIDTH OF STREETS. Cr. Cotton moved that Mr Ormond bo requested to get clause 24 of the Municipal Corporations Act of IS7B amended. Several Councillors objected that such a motion would require notice, and Cr. Cotton gave notice of moving such at the next meeting of the Council. LEASING SECTIONS. Cr. Graham washed to ask the Council if they would take into consideration the leasing of sections belonging to the Corporation abutting on Vautier-strcet.—The matter was referred to Public Works Committee. VOUCHERS. Vouchors were passed for payment of £G53 13s 4d general account, and £2133 12s special account, and tho Council adjourned.