BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 427, 28 May 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night, there being present The Mayor (Mr J, T.own--1 ley), and Councillors Hepburn, Jones, Harding, Lysnar, Whinray, Miller, and [ Kennedy. i The County Clerk, Mr John Warren, forwarded accounts in connection with the cost of conducting the business of the Licensing Committee from April 1, 1900, to 31st March, 1902. The total amount received by local bodies was £1059 ; the cost of conducting the business was £SO 15s Cd, the rate per hundred -being 11 Jd. The Borough Council’s share was £420 at ll£d, £2O 2s 6d. The Commissioner of Police wrote acknowledging the request that the police force at Gisborne lie strengthened. A further reply would be sent later on. In regard to an application from Mr Stubbs to remove a house that had been complained of to Read’s Gate, Cr Lysnar moved and Cr Whinray seconded, that permission be granted. Crs Jones and Hepburn said that if it was objected to in one part of the* borough,, there was like objection in another part of the borough. Cr Jones said that if the house was shifted there might be no further complaint, but on the other hand, other people might complain. Cr Harding said that the house had

. been brought into the borough without their permission, and there was no reason why they should change their ground. Cr Lysnar thought they should not act in an arbitrary manner, and Cr Kennedy thought that it would he the best thing to grant the application. Cr Miller considered they should leave the matter to Dr. Finch, who was paid for settling such things’ Cr Jones said that would only leave matters at the same stage. ThCi.Mayor said they should do all they could to prevent such buildings coming into the borough ; but it was in the borough now, and the question was what power they had to deal with it, and it would bo the best thing t-o have it away in an isolated place, as proposed, on a large section. The motion was carried, Cr Jones dissenting. Mr Harry Martin wrote Having had to vacate the olcLGisborne Hotel for the purpose of erecting a new house, 1 beg to approach your Council for a refund of rates on same, which I trust your Council will see its way to accede to, seeing that- I have derived no benefit for some considerable time. A start was made to pull the old house down on 7tli September last, and my brother entered into possession of the new house on the 10th May, which is nearly nine months that- I have received no benefit. Cr Lysnar said that Mr Martin had been doing business alongside, and should not try to get out of the rates. He moved that the request he not acceded t-o. Other hotels would want a like concession. Cr Jones said that the peculiar point was involved that there was no building, and therefore it could not be vacant. If the building were burned down a remission of rates could not be made. The Mayor said that the matter might be deferred for further consideratiom t.t

Cr Jones said it was clear they had no power to grant the request. The motion was agreed to.

Mr Vautier, architect, wrote offering his services in the building of abattoirs. Messrs Niven and Co. also wrote in regard to abattoirs. They stated that they were prepared to give all information cn the chance of business resulting. Cr lYhinray was doubtful as fo the meaning of the letter. Mr .J. M. Cumming, clerk of tVhat-

aupoko Road Hoard, wrote asking if the Council would contribute towards the expense of gravelling Stout street footpath with two yards of gravel to

he chain. Cr Lysnar urged that the work

should he done ; the Council’s share could he about £s.—Agreed to. Mr Darton, Secretary of the Beautifying Association, wrote asking the approval and co-operal'ion of the Council in carrying out works. It was proposed to replace the trees in Grey si., which were not growing well, with a double row of cabbage trees, also the Asssociation proposed to plant in Cus-tom-house street. The Association could see its way to proceed with the digging and planting of the North Recreation ground, and requested that the Council fence oil the small portion at

the north end of the reserve asshown on a plan attached. The public had appreciated the work already done on the town river hank, and had subscrib-

ed sufficient to warrant its continuance. The Association therefore •requested that the footpath along the river side of Read's Quay be formed as far as the Loan and Mercantile corner. The Association would then be able to proceed with their work. Cr YVbinray thought that more umbrageous trees than cabbage trees should be planted in Grey street, After considerable discussion, the question of planting Grey street was lets to the Association. On the motion of Cr Hepburn, it was agreed to have the recreation ground work done, at a cost not exceeding £lO. The river bank proposal was adjourned, the Overseer to report at next meeting. The Cabstands Committee reported : To meet tho wishes of the cab proprietors, it was recommended that thero be another stand for four cabs between Mrs Browne s promises and Messrs Allen Bros.’ ; tho stands to be metalled. Tho report was adopted. The report of the Sanitary Committee as to plague precautions was read and adopted. It was agreed to further extend the time for which the by-law as to burning was allowed to stand over. Mr W. Fraser »nd oil er ratepayers in Boot street wrote asking that the road bo formed and attended to. On the motion of Or Whinrny, seconded by Cr Jones, it was resolved that tho Overseer report on the cost of tho woik. The Inspector (Mr J. R. Little) reported that lie had been making a house to house visit in the Borough, and had instructed householders to rake up and burn everything that could he burned ; and he was satisfied that each and everyone of them were trying to do their best in assisting to get the place clean. Many fowl-houses were not in too good order. Rats did not seem to be plentiful iu the borough, or else were hard to get hold of, as there had been only 22 sent to the shed to he burned. The rats he had seen appeared to he a very healthy lot. In reply to Dr. Finch he had supplied all information re an uninhabitable house in Bright street.—Report adopted. The Overseer reported at length on Herbert Road, the effect being that it was impracticable to get tiie hospital property drained. The following tenders were received for repairs to Borough properties F. Stafford, Makaraka house, £3l) lbs; Mackrell and Colley, Makaraka house, £34, town house, £l6 (accepted) ; W.0. Sheet, Makaraka house, £47 10s, town house, £57. The Finance Committee recommended that the banks be written to, enquiring as to the expense of raising the proposed loan.—The recommendation was agreed to. On the motion of Cr Lysnar it was resolved to ask for 'information as to the ' cost of chimes lor the proposed tow r n clock.