BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 703, 24 December 1902, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of tho Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by Hi* Worship tho Mayor, and Crs Jonos, Miller, Hopburn, and Harding. auctioneers’ licenses. Five auctioneers’ licenses were granted at j 640 per year. In answer to a question, His Worship the Mayor said that tho whole of tho money received from auctioneers wont to tho Borough, and “ We can do with it all,” remarked MrTownloy. A member: It 13 nearly as much as we get from the hotels. TRAMWAY STOCK. Mr J. J. Craig, of Auckland, wrote stating that the only tramway material that ho had for sale consisted of a number of tram chairs at J 63 per ton and a quantity of tram rails at JE3 10s per ton. — Received.

CITY HAND. The Gisborne City Band wrote stating that tho Band were doing their utmost to raiso funds to attend the noxt annual contest, to bo held at Mastcrton in February, 1903. They asked tho Council for permission to open the Band Rotunda when completed, when they proposed to take up a collection in aid of tho funds. Tho Mayor said tho Band deserved encouragement. On the motion of Cr Harding tho Band’s application was granted. TOWN CLOCK. Joyce and Co., Whitchurch, Shropshire, wrote stating that thay had not sufficiently advanced with tho clock to send tho measurements tho Council required, but they hoped to do so by tho next mail. They had mado enquiries from the Tyser Lino Co., and found they hud a steamer sailing early in the new year, tho exact date ol which had not yet boon settled. SURVEY or JIOItOUGH.

Tbo Department of Lauds and Survey wrote to His Worship tho Mayor as follows “We forwarded to headquarters your lettor of Nov. 7, 1902, re tho survey of Gisborno, wherein you objected to pay for tho pipes, cement, etc., necessary to mark tho standard points. I am now directed to inform you that it has boon decided not to proceed with tho survory of tho town until you can reconsidor tho matter of payment. In making this request wo are not asking anything unusual, as other towns in the colony pay for tho marking, and quite latoly tho city of Wellington paid .6200 towards tho cost of tho standard survey of that placo. You are also mißtakon in thinking that this survey is undertaken for tho benefit of the Govornmont. It is mado almost entirely in tho interest and for the security of landowners, and tho Government havo only a remoto interest in tho matter. Are we rh’ht in assuming that your Council refuse payment of J 62 2s Id for chocking tho land plans of tho waterworks survey ? If so, we regrot to inform you that we cannot examine or approve of any plans for your Council until tho amount is paid. Tho Mayor said that tho thing was so small that tho Council might mako tho payment asked for. It would cost the Council more if thoy undertook the work themsolves. Tho Town Clerk said tho cost would not exceed TlO. . Cr Jones said that in common justice the Council should not pay for tho passing of the plans. Cr Harding preferred to soo the matter referred to Wellington, Cr Jones: I don’t think Government servants should write such a lettor to a public body like this. Wo have too much of this treatment from Napier. The Mayor said that the work was being dono at tho wish of tho Council. Cr Harding pointed out that the Council had not refused to pay, but had merely pointod out that the work to bo done was chiefly in the interests of tho Government. He thought the whole of tho correspondence should be sont to Wellington. Cr Miller did not consider tho letter an impertinout one. If tho letter was referred to Wellington ho would object to tho payment boing made. Cr Hepburn said that tho lettor was without doubt a most iinpertinont one. Cr Jones said that the Napier office had no right to say that tho work would not be proceeded with until paymont had beon mado. . i i i After further discussion it was decided that tho matter should stand over until thoro was a full meeting of tho Council. BAND ROTUNDA. Messrs Mackrell and Colley wroto as follows : Wo much regrot tho dolay in not getting further ahead with tho band rotunda contract, but wo havo dono all in our power to havo the work advancod, but cannot got more work dono, owing to the fretwork castings not coming to hand. Wo placed the order for the fretwork with Messrs Luke and Co., Wellington, on date of October 25th, but so far thoy havo not sent any of it along, pleading that tho time was too short. They havo promised to forward it at an oarly date. Had we been able to obtain tho ironwork sooner we could have finished the contract ero this, but you will seo it is not entirely our fault.” A considerable amount of correspondence with Messrs Luke and Co. was also attached, explaining the delay. Tho Mayor said that tho letters would oxplain tho dolay, NIOUTWATCHMAN.

Mr Moreil, mgncwatcmxmu, wruuo iwaj ng for throe months’ loava of abseneo, statins; that ho had not been reloased from duty for three yoars. Councillors spoke in terms of tho highest praiso of the manner in which Mr Moroll had carried out his duties, and it was decided to acoedo to his request for leave of absence. overseer's report. Tho Overseer roported as follows: — Since last meeting, the weather being tavorablo for the work, wo have boon principally engaged in tarring tho footpaths and general cleaning up of tho town. .Derby Street drain, reported on at last rueetin": I have cleaned and relaid this drain as suggested by tho Public Works Committee. Oravel contract: Mr Jones having finished tho Aberdoon road footpath, I have had a few yards of gravel put in depots on Aberdeen road and tho upper end of Childers road for future patching to save extra carting; gravel delivered by Mr Jones 512 cubic yards. I would recommend a final payment for same. Stone contract: Stone delivered to date 6SO yards. I would rccommond progross paymont for same. An Engineer 'WantedJu connection with the repairs to tho Turanganui bridge, Messrs King ami Fraser, Harbor and county Eng, necrs, wrote staling that they found it impossible on account of other uti ties to under lake .tho chaige of the

work. , , Cr Harding asked why ihc County Council and Harbor Board bail not been asked -for permission for their Engineers to carry out Uie work. Tuo Mayor -said that the Engineers had been asked to report on the bridge, and now they wanted them to go -i step further and supervise the

The Clerk said that the Engineers had been requested by their respective bodies to report on the work. Cr Harding: Were they told by, Uie respective local bodies to write this letter 9 It appears to me that the Council and Harbor Board are not considered in this matter at all. it is the men themselves teat are writing the letter. The Mayor said that Uie ratepayers of the County and of the Harbor Board had to’ contribute towards the cost of the worn. The Engineers had engaged Mr McLeod to do me work, but neither of them had the time to I supervise it. Cr Miller" Was satisfied lliao Mr McLeod would carry out tne work in a I proper manner, but at the same time tic thought the Council should have an engineer to pass itCr Harding considered it both a re ilc tion on the County Council anu lll.i- bor Board that they had not been written to asking for the engineers services to supervise the work. ihe Council itself would not like to be treated in tho same manner, The Mayor pointed out that the I the Comity Council had been written I to, and their Engineer had reported I as requested. Cr Harding: I tliiuli should jwiitQjfl _ uulU es expressing regie: {" yjeic- Engineers cauuot supervise

the work. Then we shall see what the true position is. s' he strangest part of the whole matter is*that the engineers- are piot consulting or even considering tlie jieople who pay them. After further discussion, it was tie tided to write to the County Council, and ask that, the Engineer be allowed to supervise the repairs to the bridge.