GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 September 1901, Page 2

GREY BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of tbe Grey mouth Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor, Cr Sheedy, Petrie, Joyce, Steer, Thomas, M'Lean, and Bigncll.

'The ordinary and special rates for the year were agreed tc. From the Borough solicitor stating that the deed with the Church Trustee was ready for signature. Mr. Joyce again objected to the terms of the lease which were in his opinibn preposterous. Mr. M'Lean thought that they should make sure of the money before proceeding further in the matter and he moved according. Mr. Joyce seconded. Mr. Petrie said it was only following the natural course of events to complete the deed, the question of loan would follow. He moved that the Mayor and Cr. Sheedy be appointed to sign the deed. They would take good care to see that the Council was in a position before signing.

Mr. Thomas in seconding said the resolution was only carrying ont an ordinary business transaction, and a very good bargain too for the ratepayers. . Mr. Joyce thought some Councillors were altogether in too great a hurry. He twitted the Committee with ignoring the interests of the ratepayers.

Mr. Steer said lie was one of the Committee and was averse to the site, but at the same time he emphatically declared that the Committee had acted for the best and beat down the Trustees to the lowest.

Mr. Sheedy also took exception to Mr. Joyce's personalities which he was always at. As to the site he approved of it because a majority of the ratepayers decided in favor of. it. The actual cost was £7OO, the £SOO for filling-up had no right to be charged against the purchase. The amendment appointing the Mayor and Mr Sheedy to sign the deed was then carried.

Letter from Colonial Secretary authorising the removal of a body from one place to another in the cemetery subject to local regulations. Prom the Invercargill Borough Council asking the Borough to co-operate in getting a Government measure to enable Local Bodies to get loans at a cheaper rate. It was agreed to aid the desire of the Invercargill Council and ask Mr Guinness to aid the matter.

Application from Mr Stewart for footpath was referred to Public Works Committee to report upon.

Letter from the Fire Brigade with reference to a shaft for manual engine and hook and ladder carriage was referred to Fire Brigade Committee with power to deal with. Eesolved on motion of Mr Thomas that the question of improving Thompson street be referred to Works Committee to report upon. Mr Steer strongly supported. Mr M'Lean moved that Threadneedle street be referred to Works Committee to report upon as to an asphalt footpath. Mr Shcedy brought up the footpath in Murray street. Mr Petrie moved that the matter be referred to Works Committee to report upon, also footpath in Alexander street.

In reply to Mr Petrie tho Mayor hoped to be able before next meeting to give information when Mr Napier Bell would be able to report on water works so as to enable tenders to be called.

Oil the Mayor's notice of motion re Fire Inspectors- coming up, Mr Petrie said he had acted for over twelve years, and thought he was fairly entitled to retire, and asked the Mayor to withdraw his name. The Mayor then proposed Messrs Steer, Bignefl and M'L?an, which' was agreed to.

The following Works Committee's re-. port was adopted:— "Your committee has the honor to. report that they opened tenders to-day-for the Shakespeare- and Marlbro street? metalling contract as follows '■ — - D.-Shannahan £394 0 0 J. Kennedy ' 440 0 0 The lowest tender, viz, that of Mr Shannahan for £394 was accepted as being within 5 per cent of the engineers estimate."

The gas committee report as follows was adopted : (1) With regard to Mr PoM's letter offering to supply lime for the gas works, we have no recommendation to make, the Council having resolved some time back, to try the oxide of iron "process of gas purification. (2) The application of Mesr'ss M'Queen, Hamilton, and Weaver for gas service at Marsden Road was deferred pending further inquiry as to cost and revenue. (3) Your committee regret that they cannot recommend the application of the £)istricb Engineer for Railways for the cancelling of the charge for laying the sen'ice pipes to the wharf lamps, the charge being in accordance with clause 322 of >*be " Municipal Corporation Act„ 1900."'

The Inspector of Nuisances reported as follows:-~

“ Since my ’ast report I have continued, to closely perfoi;m the various duties of my offices. My n’ork has been chiefly of the routine character, inspecting where necessary, issuing notices where required, and seeing that your by-laws and regulations are thoroughly enforced. “ In consequence of the hearty support given me by your Council, and the drastic penalties inflicted upon sanitary and bylaw offenders by the Stipendiary Magistrate, lam pleased to report that during the past two months no legal proceedings were necessary, my notices in all sanitary matters receiving immediate attention. “The cattle-straying nuisance is now practically abated. During the period under review, no complaints were forwarded me on this score, a rather unusual record. In four cases I impounded straying cattle, but on_ further enquiry into the reason of their being without attendance, I considered the poundage a sufficiently deterrent penalty. “In a few cases the dog tax still remains unpaid, my many notices being disregarded. As the amounts are long; overdue, I will at once issue summons for their recovery. “I notice that two buildings have recently been erected in the Borough without a permit being first obtained, and respectfully call your Council’s attention to the matter.” The Finance Committee’s report was as f ollows { — Your Committee have the honor to report that accounts have been passed for payment as follows

General account £1,498 3 10 Loan account ... ... 2,189 19 0 Loan account in credit ... £142 9 9 General account in debit... 2,788 17 10