BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 130, 12 June 1901, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special mooting of the Council was held last night, to formally confirm the resolution as to striking a special rate. Present :—Tho Mayor (Mr Townloy), and Crs. Hepburn, Morrison, Jones, Bright, Kennedy, Lysnar, Miller, and Whinray. The Mayor proposed, and Cr Hepburn secondod, that tho special order bo confirmed ns advertised. —Confirmed.

The ordinary fortnightly mooting of tho Council was then held. In tho minutes was tho rocord of a motion to the offoct that tho press bo not allowed to tako a copy of corrospondonco beforehand. —Cr Morrison said ho had not understood a motion to bo passed in that way.—Crs Jones, Kennedy, Hepburn, and Lysnar took a like view, and tlio paragraph was eliminated, it being loft to tho discretion of tho Clerk as to wkethor or not correspondence should bo copied beforehand in tho ordinary course. Crs Lysnar and Jones said they thought it would be a great advantage if matters of general interest were published beforehand.

Mr AY. Sandlant, AA 7 hataupoko, wroto oalling attention to tho stat-o of tlio footpath near his houso. —Cr Hepburn : Ho has como to the wrong body.—Cr Lysnar: He will have to work to get the amalgamation of the road district and Borough. in tho borough, and it wits decided to reply that tho matter was out of the control of tho Council. Mr Slade, Aberdeen road, asked permission to cut down a couple of treos near his house. It was stated that tho treos wero on an unformed road, and on Cr AVhinray’s motion permission was given, under the Overseer’s supervision. The Department of Hoalth wroto asking the number of rats destroyed since tho raid made upon them.—The Clork said that 240 had been destroyed at a cost of £3, and fees for their destruction wero still being paid.—lt was resolved to discontinue the premium. Mr J. M. Taylor wrote stating that ordinary traction enginos were unsuitable for road haulage. Ho suggested a road locomotive, and offered to supply one at a cheaper rate than offered.—lt was stated that tho same class of engine had previously been quoted. Cr Lysnar said ho had heard that the Christchurch Council was getting a 14 li.p. machine in place of an 8 h.p. machine, which would probably bo for sale. Mr George Grant also forwarded catalogues of machines. —It was decided to leave tho matter until tho whole subject was gouo into. Mr Dunlop also wroto in rogard to road machinery, and the letter was left to be dealt with when the others wore considered.

Tho County Clork wroto, stating that his Council had instructed tho Engineer to report as to what would be roquirod to strengthen tho bridges so as to allow of a traction engine working from Patutahi.— The Mayor said that thoy would not bo able to do anything until that report wa3 received.

Mr C. Bolton wrote, stating that ho had a specific for scarlatina and typhoid fovor, the benefit of which he sought to give the public, and ho stated that in trials it had been wonderfully successful. Crs AVhinray and Lysnar thought the matter was worthy of consideration, Cr Lysnar saying that ho had heard of some good curative work being douo among tho natives.

It was resolved to refer tho specifio to tho Government Health Officer. Messrs Anderson and Co., Christchurch, again wrote in regard to road machines, and quoting prices.—To bo referred to the Committee.

The manager of the Bank of Now Zealand wrote agreeing to the Council being allowed an overdraft up to £4OOO, so long as Section 154 of tho Municipal Corporations Act were not infringed, and that tho amount could be reduced at any time.

In regard to tho borough reserves, tho following valuators were nominated : For D. Jameson, AA 7 . O. Skeet; for J. Black, AY. J. Quigley ; for AV. L. File, AV. O. Skeet; for G. AV. Primrose, AV. O. Skeet. Mr R. N. Jones wrote stating that if the Council would indicate any repairs needed ho would be glad to have them done, but ho pointed out that as it was intended to value tho property any improvements would increase that valuo. Cr AVhinray said there might bo some expensive work, and tho Mayor said they had better leave it and do the repairs themselves afterwards, instead of having an increased valuation.

The Nightwatchman (Mr Morell) reported that thero had been no fires during his hours of duty for tho past fortnight. The Overseer (Mr M. Morgan) reported on works in progress, and the Inspector made a general report, mentioning that during the fortnight there had been two cases of scai*let fever.

A recommendation from tho AVorks Committee was adopted that the Overseer prepare estimates for the forming of Grey street near the AVaikanae bridge, and for shingling the road and footpath to the approach of the new railway bridge, Peel street.

In regard to the Borough properties, it was resolved on the motion of Cr Jones, that Mr Jameson be allowod to continue as a tenant of his house at 14s a week, and Mr Nield to continue as a tenant at £2 8s per month. A report in regard to the recreation ground was read, and caused a long discussion, Councillors generally favoring a suggestion by Cr Whinray, that the Council should work in conjunction with the Beautifying Association. On tho motion of Cr Kennedy, it was resolved that steps be taken to effect certain improvements to.the ground.