BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1534, 16 August 1905, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho ordinary mooting of the Gisborne Borough Council was held last ovoning when the following mombors wore present: His Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. Townloy), Crs Harding. Rees, Oolloy, Bright, Webb, Whinray,"and Miller. CORRESPONDENCE,

Mr H. White wroto in regard to tho Te ! Arai watershed. Ho would bo pleased to forthor tho interests of tho Oounoil, but preferred to exohango his land for part of tho adjoining propony. Ho would bo in Gisborne at an early date, and discuss tho matter with tho Oounoil.—Received. The inspootor of tho abattoirs reported thet everything was prooeoding satisfactorily at tho abattoirs. During tho past month tho following animals wore slaughtered: 166 head of 0att10.767 sheep, I 118 pigs, 2 lambs, and 1 oalf. Several animals had been condemned, and portions of others.—Or Whinray thought that if a portion of a beast was diseased that tho whole of it should be rejected. Tho Council, ho thought, ought to havo moro information on this subjeot. Tho Harbor Board wrote requesting tho Oounoil to unite with them in urging on tho Government the necessity of reinstating the Tuabine Point lighthouse, and placing a permanent man in charge. The Government received through light dues paid to tho oolleotor of customs by vessels visiting this port the sum of ;G630 7s 8d for the year 1905.—1 t was dooided to heartily support the Harbor Board in the matter. A number of residents of Whataupoko petitioned the Oounoil to havo the west drain of Ormond road conneoted with the I north drain of Hall street. They considered it was the only way of obtaining a clean and empty drain between Hall and Ballance streets. On the motion of Or Bees, the matter was referred to the overseer, who was authorised to undertake the work at a moderate expense. VICTORIA ESPLANADE. Tho Beantifying Association wrote urging upon the Oounoil the advisability of j taking steps to at once prevent any further enoroaohmeot of the sea on Victoria Esplanade, A petition from the residents of Viotoria township was received to the same effect. [ Or Harding spoke in support of the petition. He considered that the Oounoil should do what they could to assist the j ratepayers who had given the land to the Oounoil. Mr lan Simpson also urged tho olaims j of-ratepayers upon the Council. the Oounoil did something in the matter the property holders would have to. The matter was of importance to the Borough as a whole as the boaoh was used by everyone. Or Colley said that greater damage was taking place farther along the beach. Whatever was done should be in the nature of a permanent work, and he would not favor wood being used. Or Webb put the cost of a wooden breastwork at £1 per foot. Or Whinray urged that some efforts should be made to stop the damage whioh was going on. They had already lost several acres of land.

The Mayor regarded the matter as a very difficult one. It was hard to determine what was best to be done.

Or Whinray moved, “That the Publio Works Committee investigate the matter and report to a future meeting of the Council.” Mr Simeon said that if the Council could not see their way to grant the request the land should be handed back to the ratepayers, who would themselves do the work.

The Mayor pointed out that the Council oould not give the land back. Mr Simson said that the Supreme Court would be moved in the matter. Cr Colley was sure that every member of the Council was in sympathy with the request, but they should not allow themselves to be bluffed. Cr Harding thought it was useless for the Works Committee to again visit the beaoh unless they had the money to spend on the work. He heartily sympathised with the ratepayers in question, and thought the Council Bhould assist them as far as possible. Still the Council had to face the fact that a similar state of affairs existed all round the Bay. If the Council had £SO or £IOO to spare he was in favor of starting a breastwork. They could do two or three chains of the beaoh. He moved an amendment that the Bum of £IOO be granted towards the work. Cr Bees seconded the amendment. It was only by expending a certain amount that the Council could arrive at the solution of the difficulty. He thought the Workß Committee should report to the Council before the. work was commenced. Cr Whinray deemed it the duty of the Council to go carefully into the question, and ascertain whether' the expenditure of £IOO would prove beneficial. After further disoUßsion, it was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee and the Overseer, a report to be forwarded to a later meeting. OVERSEER’S REPORT.

The Overseer reported as follows: “ Since your last meeting the very rough weather has made a great deal of extra work in letting off water and filling in hollows, so as to get the water away as quickly as possible, and the time has been so fully occupied that new work has been obliged to stand over for the present. The roads have cut up very much through the heavy and continuous rain, and haß made it verv difficult to get metal to patoh and repair the same, ■ Wj&inui road: This road has been very bad in ' the Jow, flat parts. I am having a few loads of W@inni stone put on the sides of the road where it is low and boggy. Haiti bridge; The footway on this bridge is progressing favorably considering the unpropitious weather. Stanley road : The filling in at the lagoon on this road is progressing favorably. I shall be .able jto start the putting in of the culvert in a few days.” On the motion of Cy Colley it was decided to inspect Stanley ro#d before the proposed culvert was put in.

MR HAY’S APPOINTMENT, The repprt of the Finance Committee stated that the borough solicitor expressed the opinion that it was quite unnecessary to observe by-laws 51 and 52 before making arrangements with Mr Hoy. The committee recommended that the Council authorise the seal to be affixed to the agreement forwarded to Mr Hay for his elghature. The agreement with Mr Hay was read, the various clauses being oo"?idered at some length. In regard to tbe question of commission Cr Sheridan asked if it was perfectly clear that the Council did not intend to pay Mr Hay commission on any 1 sum .exceeding £65.000.

Tho Mayor : That is so. Mr Hay will not be paid commission oh any sum exceeding £65,000. Cr Webb thought another clause should be inserted fixing the date of the commencement of the work. Unless they moved more quickly the summer would be gone and nothing done. The Mayor said they had not yet obtained the certificate of title to the land.

The agreement was confirmed, and it was decided to request Mr Hay to make all expedition with the work.