BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 118, 29 May 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

,\ meetiyo of the Council was held last night, Present—'The Mayor (Mr Townley) and Crs Kennedy, Morrison, Whmraj, .Tones, Harding, Hepburn, Bright, Lysnar, and Miller. . ~ „ , A special meeting was held first to adopt and sign the balance-sheet. The Mayor, who said that the balancesheet had been audited, proposed that it he adopted and authority ho gnen the Mayor to sign it. The motion was seconded bv Cr Harding, and carried. The Council then resolved into ordinary meeting. . Mr E. I’. Joyce wrote acknowledging his appointment to the Hospital Board, expressing his pleasure that the Council had continued confidence in him, and again accepting ofiice as a Hospital Trustee. A letter was received from Mr r. .J. Shelton, stating that the terms offered for providing abattoirs would not be the same as offered some time previously, but that he was willing to meet the committee. Crs Lysnar and Hepburn said they should first obtain Mr Shelton’s terms before interviewing the butchers. Cr Kennedy said he had asked the butchers to have a conference among themselves before meeting the Council’s committee.

it was agreed that Mr Miolton be informed that the committee would meet at 7 o'clock on Wednesday evening. “Guarantee my engine will pull as much as any other offered to you,” was a telegram received from Mr Anderson in reference to the traction engine. Councillors smiled.

Mr Hoare wrote claiming the full amount allowed by the Council for articles destroyed after a scarlet fever ease. The inspector had given a less value than claimed, and a deadlock ensued, Mr Honrc still adhering to his original claim of A's 10s, as against A 3 Hs (id.

Cr Bright proposed that the amount certified to by the Inspector be paid.

Cr Morrison seconded the motion, which was carried.

I'. Green and Andrew Ram ago applied for the position of driver of the new dost eart. —Opportunity would ho given when applications are called lor publicly.

ISOIIOUUI! I.KASF.S. Tlic Borough Holieltor, Mr E. J. Chrisp, wrote as follows ro borough leases:—“l liavo considered the questions reforrcil to me herein. As to the covenant, that the tenants will keep and yield up the demised properties in good and tcnnnlaldc repair, declared by Section 00 of the Land Transfer Act, 18.45, to be implied in every memorandum of lease, I think there can be no doubt that such covenant is implied in all the borough leases, it may therefore ho prudent to notify each tenant that the Council will insist on this covenant being performed and carried out in its entirety. I enclose you forms of notice which I have prepared fur the occasion. The notice referred to in Section 91 of the Land Transfer Act, 1885, does not apply to tile present leases, and is therefore unnecessary. As regards payment for buildings erected upon the demised premises, f am of opinion, on the wording of the covenant, as tlic lease stands at present, that tlic Council must only pay half valuation, not exceeding in any case .Cl5O, under each .lease, irrespective of whether the lease comprises more than ouo allotment or not. In Mr Stevenson’s lease, it appears that there was one lease of three sections. Sir Stevenson assigned to Mr Houldon, and Mr Jlouldun assigned one section to Mrs Teat and the others "to Mrs Primrose. Both assignees erected dwellings, probably to tiie maximum value. Under tlic lease only one payment for improvements is authorised. This payment will require to Co apportioned between the two assignees according to the total value of each of the buildings, and tlic Council must be satisfied that it obtains proper discharge before paying over the respective amounts. 1 observe that none of the lenses contain a covenant to insure. Seeing wlmt a large interest the Council now holds in the insurable value of the buildings, it might 1)0 wise to consider the propriety of insuring this interest against loss by fire without delay. I think the Council should, before the expiration of the leases, appoint its valuer and notify each tenant of the appointiuent.” It was decided to take the Committee s report, which was road, as follows : “ The Committee, consisting of the Mayor, and Crs Kennedy, Miller, Bright, Hepburn, Whinray, Lysnar, Jones, and Morrison, met on Thursday evening, 23rd May, when the question of the establishment of abattoirs for tlic Borough was considered. A letter from Mr Shelton ottering to erect abattoirs at Gisborne Breezing Works, Kaiti, was read and discussed, and eventually a committee consisting of Crs Kennedy, Hepburn, Lysnar, and Whinray was appointed to obtain from the local butchers and Hr Shelton nil particulars upon the subject, and to report to the Council upon tho suitability of tho suggested scheme. Tlic question in regard to tho Borough reserves in Childers lvoad was considered at length, when it was dually agreed that before deciding the question the properties bo inspected by the committee, and each dealt with upon its merits, and that a full list with recommendations by the inspecting committee bo submitted to tiie v ouncil. It was decided to inspect the properties at 8.30 on Monday, and rtic Clerk was instructed to confer with the Council’s solicitor as to their position in tiie matter, end to send out notices ro delivering np premises in a good state of repair. The question of obtaining road machinery was also debated, and the Clerk was asked to write to Messrs Anderson and Co. as to cost of crusher, serceuer. and elevator. A' 8.80 on Monday morning, tlic Mayor lino Crs Bright, Lysnar. Morrison, and Whinray inspected each leasehold, and ha\c to report as follows: —‘ Mo.-: of the fences are in bad repair, and the paddocks more or less require to be cleared of briars, and several of the outbuildings are in a dilapidated state. Section 20a, with dwelling : The committee recommend that this property be taken over at valuation, and let from year to year n* AT per week, the present tenant to nave first right of refusal. Sections 80a and 81a, with dwelling, to be taken over at valuation, and let from year to year at 13s per week to present tenant. Section 63a, Childers Hoad: Buildings to be taken over at valuation (also small sledge-house), and sections reserved for borough stables, etc., dwelling to bo let to road overseer at 10s per week ; section 00a, with dwelling, taken at valuation and property reserved for borough purposes, house to bo let to one of the Council’s roadmen at t’>s per week ; sections 05a, 66a, 07a, and 70a to be reserved as paddock for Council’s horses ; sections 02 a and 01a. Childers Hoad, to be cut up into halt-acres and leased by auction for long terms with good improvement clause, but"until a suitable opportunity arrives for putting these on tho market they be used to supplement the horse paddock ; sections 71a. 72a. 78a, 71a, 75a, 70a. 77a, 2.10 a and 220 a, lying between Disvaclistreet and Roebuck Hoad, north of Childers Road. With a view of reserving this most favourably-situated property for a recreation ground, the committee recommended that arrangements bo made for taking over houses at valuation and letting the properties to present tenants at the following rentals from year to year : Section 76a at a rental of, say, £5 per annum : sections 73a to 75a. with buildings, 16s per week ; sections 71 a. 72a, 219 a and 220 a, with buildings, T 1 per week ; section 77a, two dwellings. 9s per week each. —Present rental for the whole of sections, 1:93 10s per annum ; proposed rent for portions of sections, ;627S per annum.” A plan of the reserves was laid on the table. As to abattoirs, the Mayor said that had been settled so far, and the question of a broom was also allowed to stand over. As to the leases each property was separately dealt with. Cr Jones said, and tho Mayor agreed, that some of the rents were too high. The proposals were passed up to the question of the sections suggested for paddocking, which Cr Bright thought should be let at once. - It was agreed on the suggestion of the Mayor, to let tho matter stand until the

leases fell in. The Mayor proposed the adoption of the whole report, which was seconded by Cr jiennedy and carried.

Cr Bright said that the solicitor’s suggestion as to insurance- was advisable. _ Cr Whin ray proposed, and Cr Bright seconded, that insurances be effected on the following day. The Mayor: Remember they are not our properties at present. Cr Jones said if the houses were burnt down the Council would have- its interest in the insurance. Cr Bright doubted this view, and after some further remarks, the resolution was adopted in the form that it was to be seen that the Council’s interest was covered in ease of fire. The Council adopted the form of notice to be sent to each tenant. Cr Whinray proposed, and the Mayor seconded, that Mr W. P. Finneran be appointed valuator for the buildings. It was agreed, on the motion of Cr Harding, seconded by Cr Lysnar, that the Mayor and Town Clerk arrange with Mr Finneran as to the fees.

officers’ reports. The night watchman reported that there had been no fires during his hours of duty for the fortnight. The Inspector of Nuisances (Mr J. R. Little) reported as to the work done. There had been one fever, and three of scarlet the fortnight, two in the Borough and one on the Whataupoko. A question arose as to whether or not

the rubbish cart should go beyond Roebuck road, but no definite instructions

were given. The Overseer (Mr M. Morgan) reported

as follows : —Tlie tarring work of Palmerston Road lias been completed. New works : The block between Disracli-street and Ilocbuck Road, in Gladstone Road, has been tarred. The next block in Gladstone Road from Disraeli-strcet to Car-narvon-strect, being very low in formation, requires to be raised and gravelled before it can bo permanently tarred ; this would cost about A 9. The tarring on the cast side of Peel street has been com-

pleted. If the weather continues good tarring can be carried on. The that are kerbod and in condition for tarring should be first tarred. Palmerston Road : The footpatli on the north side of this road between Derby street and Grey street requires forming and gravelling, if this side of the road is to bo tarred in future. This work will cost £5 ; also the block between Grey street and Bright street on the north side, This block will cost A 4. There are many of the paths that require tarring, but need to be repaired with gravel before it can bo done, f would ask for authority to get the needed gravel to do the necessary repairs. Esplanade Road to Freezing Works: I would point out to your Council the necessity that will arise for the protection of this road from the sea wash. The tides have been very high of late, and Have been coming with great force at the bend of the road and washed a considerable portion of the earth away. The fascine work at present at this point is not high enough for a protection from the tide. It would also require to bo lengthened for about one and a-balf chains. This work, when carried out, would take 600 bundles of fascines, which at Is per bundle (delivered) would cost A 80; to complete the work would cost about AB7. If your Council intends to purchase the horses, as recommended, I would suggest that they bo purchased before the busy season of spring sets in, as it is liardor to get good horses in the spring, and as a rule the prices are higher. Formation of roads: If any of tiio roads are to be formed, the winter is undoubtedly the best time for the work in our sandy soil. On the motion of Cr Whinray? seconded by Cr Jones, it was resolved that the first work mentioned bo done. The question of tarring the footpatii near Mr Massey’s house was allowed to stand over, but on the motion of Cr Kennedy it was resolved to tar the footpath in front of the block of houses lower down Palmerston Road.—On the motion of Cr Jones, authority was given to get gravel as suggested. In re-

gard to tlio Esplanade Road, Cr Jones asked was not the slip to be placed there. The Mayor said that the work might stand over for the present. The Harbor Engineer was preparing a plan for a slip which might have relation to the locality. In reply to Cr Hepburn, the Mayor said a claim for the road work had not yet been made on the Kaiti Board, but it was being kept in view. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr "Whinray, Crs Hepburn, Lysnar, and Harding were appointed a committee with authority to purchase two horses. As to forming streets, the question was on the motion of Cr Kennedy, seconded by the Mayor, roforred to the Works Committee for a report.

The following tenders were received for building a cottage on Waiohiharorc: —McLeod and Co. .£207, Haisman .£2ll, Clayton Bros. A 199105. On the motion of tho Mayor, seconded by Cr Kennedy, it was resolved that Mcssrs.Clayton Bros.’ tender he accepted. Cr Bright proposed that tho Works Committee bo Crs Townley, Harding, Hepburn, and tlio Mayor. Cr Lysnar said there should be two new members, an'equal representation of old and now members. He proposed Crs Miller, Morrison, Hepburn, and the Mayor.

Cr Kennedy seconded Cr Bright’s motion, and expressed his disagreement with tlio principle suggested by Cr Lysnar—there should be no fooling as between old and new members.

Cr Hepburn wished to retire from tho committee, but Councillors strongly urged that he should retain the position. Cr Bright’s motion was carried.

In reply to Cr Miller, the Mayor saicl that something was being done in regard to tho resolutions of tho meeting of citizens on May 10. Tho matter had been referred to the attention of Dr Valentine, and probably an extended health district would bo created.

Cr Lysnar brought some samples of metal for inspection by Councillors, and suggested that a day be decided upon for Councillors to view tlio sites, but a definite time was not fixed.

Cr Whinray said that the site on Kaiti had been inspected by Councillors fifteen years ago.