Feilding Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 58, 25 October 1884, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council.

An ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at the Council Chambers on Thursday evening last. Present —Crs Goodbehere, Thompson, Worsfold. Richardson, Nicholas, Fowles, and Carthew. In the temporary absence of the Mayor Cr Goodbehere was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and confirmed, and in the meanwhile the Mayor took his seat in the chair. The report of the Public Works Committee, as road at the last meeting, was then discussed. The Mayor thought it a great pity that more money was not being spent on Manchester Square and the centre of the town, as he considered great improvements might be made in these parts to the great benefit of the town and the ratepayers generally. Several Councillors agreed with, the Mayor. Cr Worsfold said that was one of the difficulties the Public Works Committee felt, as they considered they could not do such work according to the Act. Cr Richardson thought the outlying parts of the town should be looked after before the centre was improved. Cr Thompson pointed out that the outer portions of the Borough were being improved already, and the ratepayers getting good roads, and said something should now be done for the centre. Cr Fowles pointed out that Manchester Square was provided for by the loan. Cr Nicholas said he thought the centre of the town was being well looked after already, and objected to anything more being done to it at present. Cr Nicholas moved and Cr Carthew seconded, That the report of the Public Works Committee be adopted. Cr Goodbehere spoke against the motion. The Mayor spoke of the importance of making the town more attractive in order „ to induce people to come and settle. He mentioned that remarks were frequently made to him by outsiders of the shabby appearance of the town and wondered why the Council did not do something to improve it. He read from the schedule of works the provision made for the imimprovement of the Square out of the loan. Crs Goodbehere and Thompson greatly approved of the proposed improvements to the Square. After further discussion the motion for the adoption of the report was withdrawn. The Mayor again urged his suggestions for improving the Square, &c., on the importance of which he said he felt very strongly. Cr Goodbehere moved and Cr Thompson seconded, That the Town Surveyor prepare a scheme, to present at the next meeting, for the improvement of Manchester Square. — Carried. The Mayor, in reply to a question, read the section of the Act empowering the Council to make diversions of roads, &c. The Mayor reported the trial of Blackmore v the Borough Council for alleged damages by the late flood had been heard, and resulted in the plaintiff being nonsuited with costs. He thought the case should be a warning to any who might at any time feel inclined to bring action against the Council for similar objects. A letter was read from Mr Hopkins, of Russell street complaining of water flooding on to his property near the railway line, as the result of the diversion of a stream, and doing him certain damage. He prayed the Council to instruct the Engineer to visit the place and report what was best to be done with a view of remedying the matter. After a conversation on the subject Cr Goodbehere moved, and Cr Fowles seconded, That the Engineer inspect and report on the matter at the next meeting and also as to the effect generally of the diversion upon the lands through which the water now runs. Cr Carthew thought the resolution was not needed, as the Engineer was no doubt prepared to report on the matter already. On the motion being put a division was called for resulting in an equal number of votes for and against The Mayor gave his casting vote with the ayes, and the resolution was declared carried. Dr Johnston wrote asking the Council's authority to have the bush-felled in continuation of the road adjoining his property in South street. Cr Thompson moved, and Cr Goodbehere seconded, That Dr Johnston be authorised to have the bush felled along with his own at the rate suggested in his letter, viz., £1 9s 6d per acre. A report form the Inspector of Nuisances was read. It stated that several nuisances which had existed were abated, and pointed out the desirableness of filling up or draining a large water hole in Denbigh street. The report was received and laid upon the table. The following tenders for the erection of Warwick street bridge were then opened : — Berry & Heald. £360 ; W. Hammond, £340 ; Watts & Bilderbeck, £361 10s ; Chas. Bray, £344 5s ; Graff & Ihle, £380; J. Jensen, £395. Cr Thompson moved, and Cr Richardson seconded, That the tender of Mr Hammond be accepted. Mr Carthew asked for the Engineer's estimate of the cost of the work. In reply to the Mayor the Engineer said his estimate was £325. Cr Nicholas said the work was worth £350. The Mayor was glad to hear this from a practical man, as he had himself put it down at about £250, as he understood it would cost about that amount. Cr Fowles said the timber alone would cost £200. Considerable discussion followed as to the estimated cost, an there appeared to

be some misunderstanding as to the instructions given by the Council to the Public Works Committee on the matter of the plans and specifications for the bridge. The Mayor thought the committee should have given in a report of their opinion on the proposed plans of the work submitted to them for approval, or some explanation of the great discrepancy in the estimates. Several members of the committee gave explanations to the effect that the first were only rough estimates, or guesses made without having thoroughly worked the matter out. Cr Carthew suggested the calling in of another Engineer for the Borough Engineer to consult with on such an impor- tant matter. The Mayor too thought this desirable. He had been led to understand the work would cost about £250, and had arranged with the Bank accordingly, and he was now astounded to find the work was estimated to cost £100 or at least £90 more. After along discussion the resolution was again read. Cr Goodbehere moved and Cr Carthew seconded as an amendment, That the Engineer be requested to consult with Mr Chas. Bray as to the work, in order to ascertain if a considerable reduction might not be made in the cost of the same, and to report at the next meeting. The amendment was put and negatived. Cr Carthew moved, and Cr Worsfold seconded, as a further amendment, That the tender of Mr Bray be accepted for the work of erecting the bridge. A division was called for and the second amendment was carried by five votes to three. Cr Worsfold asked if plans and specifications had been prepared for the proposed work in Kimbolton road, and Cr Thompson asked a similar question in reference to Manchester street bridge. The Engineer, in reply to the Mayor, said that the plans, &c, of these works were in progress. Cr Worsfold moved, That plans and specifications be prepared for the intended formation of Kimbolton road. Considerable discussion followed as to how far the proposed work should affect the road through Manchester Square, and the feeling of the Council was very much divided on the subject. Ultimately Cr Worsfold amended his motion to include the road through the Square, and after the motion had been seconded by Cr Nicholas, it was put to the Council and carried. It was resolved, That the next meeting be held on Thursday, the 6th of November at the same plaee, but at 8.15 p.m., instead of 8 as usual. The rough minutes were then read and the Council adjourned.