GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 February 1901, Page 2

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of the above Council was held last night. Present: the Mayor, Ore. McLean, Steer, Giescking, Joyce, Petrie, and Bignell.

LOAN AND ABOLITION OF WARDS. A special meeting was held to confirm an order to abolish wards; also to authorise loan to wipe out over-draft. The Mayor said the interest paid on amount on over-draft was 6 per cent, whereas the money would be obtained from government at 3£ per cent with a half per cent sinking fund, or in all 4 per cent for forty years at which time the loan would become extinguished. Both orders were confirmed by unanimous conspnt.and the Mayor and Oaairman of Finance Committee were appointed to obtain Borough seal to Order, and the Town Clerk was instructed to see that documents were forwarded on to Wellington as expeditiously as possible. COBDEN BRIDGE. Mr Kettle, Chairman of the Harbor Board, waited upon the Council in regard to charges for use of Cobden Bridge. He pointed out that in all in the shape of repairs and rent the Board had paid for the Council over £3OOO on this account, and to make it safe for work an additional £3OO would now be required before the Board could again use the bridge. Under such circumstances he thought the Council should give a year's use free of cost. The Mayor [said over £IOOO had been expended to fit it for the extra work required by the Board and this should not bo charged against the Borough. Cr. Joyce thought that one day's traffic work by the Board was more trying to the structure than six months ordinary work. At the same time he desired to work amicably with the Board. Cr. M'Lean held that the Council should demand a fair amount, but he was not prepared to say that £l7 was not too much.

Cr. Shecdy said that the demand was a bit heavy all things considered. Both bodies should work amicably for their interests were identical. The Board was moreover spending a good round sum to put the bridge in good repair.

Cr. Potrie said that £BSO had been paid by the Board to the Council to make up the extra cost of the bridge caused by damage by flood ore the structure was dnished, and £950 for rent, but the balance could not be charged against the Borough. Cr. Gieseking held that under the circumstance £l2 was a fair charge, and that that amount ba made. Seconded by Cr. Steer and carried. Cr. Joyce voting No. FIHB BRIGADE COMPETITION. From the Fire Brigade asking for a subsidy towards sending a team to tho annual competition at Chrietchurch. Proposed by Mr Petrie that £lO bo granted and that Mr Kennedy, one of the team, g3t a fortnight's leave of absence to enable him to take part. He said the Brigade did good work and such competitions improved the men. Cr M'Loan seconded the proposal and Mr Sheedy supported. Carried.

GAS EEPOET. Mr Petrie brought up the followiug report in regard to the gas works : " Your committee recommend that accounts be passed for payment as per schedule amounting to £159 lis lid. That the gas mains he extended from 1 ligli Street through Buccleugh Street to Shakespeare Street, a distance of 30 chains. Mr Kennedy estimates the cost at £l3O, hut the Borough Council have £BO worth of material on hand so that the cash outlay means only £SO. This extension will enable 20 cottages to be supplied, of which 10 householders have already signified their intention of taking it at once. The estimated profits for tho first year will be £25 in addition to which £3 per year for a kerosene lamp will bo saved, making a total revenue of £2B per year."

In moving adoption he said the rapid extension of the works in the near future seemed imperative; t ais would, of course, be very advantageous to the Council inasmuch, as that it meant a much increased annual revenue. Report seconded by Mr Shcedy and carried. FINANCE REPORT. Mr Steer brought up the Finance Committee's report as follows, which was adopted .• — " Your Committoo have the honor to report that accounts have been passed for payment as follows : Borough Fund £342 12 11 Gas Account 159 11 1 Loan Account 506 2 1 Total £IOOB 6 1 After payment of which the Borough overdraft will be £3,770 18s lOd, or nearly £4OO over the limit. The loan account is in credit £1,067, which will last for three months. It will not be possible to construct any works out of Borough Fund until the overdraft is reduced. Wo recommend that tho Government be asked to appoint a Health Office under the Public Health Act." , EXTENSION OF STREETS. Cr. Bignell brought up.the question of the continuation of Shakespeare Street towards the hospital, and he moved that Mr Lord prepare an estimate. Seconded by Mr Petrie. Cr. Shcedy held that the matter should be left to the works committee. Ultimately it was|decided to leave tho matter as desired by Cr. Shcedy ; and in the event of no meeting of the committee taking place Mr Lord bring up the report as required by Cr. Bignell. .TENDERS. Upon tenders for the Herbert street bridge coming up a discussion ensued as to other works, and it was agreed that the works scheduled should be pushed on at once. The following were fcHe tenders for the bridge : E. G. Gardiner £783 10 0 D. Shannahan (accepted) ... 405 0 0 W. Walton 565 iq 0 MISCELLANEOUS. From the Secretary of the Greymouth Harbour Board, stating that the offices now held by the Council were required forthwith. Received. On the motion of the Mayor, Messrs Harlcy and Co were given the insurance oi the borough workmen. Wednesday wasjappointed the weekly half-holiday. J The use of tho old Town Hall was granwhen not used by tho Salvation Resolved on the motion of Cr Petrie TrV o r L W "-appointed to tho High School Board.

„* p f ot £? ° f ° r - Petrio the aPP'ieation r ,u r ,? lb^ on t 0 rGnt sec,i °n at price fined by the Council was accepted. The application of Mr Coatee *n behalf 01 Mrs Newsome for permission to make private way through property was on motion ofCr. Steer, held over for legal opinion. b

Resolved on motion of Cr. Petrie seconded by Mr Bignell, that Mr Aainsworths saUry stand as it was prior to withdrawal of Dairy Inspectorship On the application of Mr C. Kettle for a lamp at Elmer's Lane. Mr Lord said that the Council had approached The Railway Department on the matter. made. amth * V plication be