BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 111, 8 October 1874, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

KAIAPOI.

Tuesday, October 6.

The ordinary meeting of this Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present —The Mayor, Crs Blackwell, Wearing, Milsom, and Parnham. Letters were read : From Or Taylor, asking for leave of absence. Granted.

From James Harper, resigning his situation as foreman of works, after October 20 th.

The Clerk was directed to inform the foreman that, under his agreement, he must give one month’s notice.

From the Mandeville and Rangier i Road Board, stating that plans and specifications for raising the Beach road were completed ; the-land from Mr Mclntosh had been conveyed to the Board ; the work was estimated to cost £620, and the roadway for this sum would be raised above flood level. Towards this sum the Provincial Government had voted £250, the Road Board £101), Messrs Rhodes and Wilkin about £l2O, and Mr Mclntosh £SO, leaving a deficit of £IOO. The Board asked the assistance of the Council towards the work, and informed them that the contract would be let forthwith.

The Mayor said the Board had employed Mr Cuff, surveyor, and he had prepared the plan, specification, and estimate of the work. The proposal was, as gathered by him from the chairman of the Board, to raise the road from the North road to the Sand Hills to a level of Gin higher than flood level, by taking earth from the sides and the drains. The top of the road would be about 22ft in width. Not only would this prevent the overflow of the river getting into the swamp and remaining there till stagnant to breed disease, but it would improve the drainage of that portion of the borough. The councillors all said they should like to see the plans first; Cr Paruhara considering it was doubtful if the work could be carried out for the sum stated ; Cr Blackwell thinking that in all matters of the kind, the Council ought to know what they were asked to do before voting a sum which might prove to be inadequate; Cr Wearing expressing his opinion that the plan ought to have been submitted, with which Cr Milsom coincided.

The Mayor said he hoped the Council would vote £SO; he had inspected the plan and explained its nature.

Cr Blackwell moved —“ That the letter be acknowledged with thanks, and the Board be requested to favor the Council with the plan and specification for inspection,” saying that he did not move this in an antagonistic spirit, but simply that the Council might be aware of the nature of the work and its probable cost. Cr Parnham, seconding the motion, po'nted out that he did not expect the expense would end at the limit given. The borough received through it all the drainage of the district referred to, and in some measure they could be hardly expected to contribute towards making a road outside their district ; but if it was shown to be a benefit he would be happy to vote for a sum necessary to assist the work.

Cr Wearing agreed with the resolution, but hoped the matter could be got over without delaying it till next meeting. A long discussion ensued, in which the Mayor was earnest in pressing that the Council should vote the £SO, when ultimately the resolution was passed “ That the letter be acknowledged, and the Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board informed that the Council will contribute £SO towards the work if the plan and specification meet with their approval.” Cr Wearing, chairman of the works com mittee, reported that the contractor for forming and shingling Hilton street had performed the work satisfactorily. The committee recommended an expenditure of £3O for drain pipes, and the forming and metalling of a footpath in Akaroa street, and improvements to the drainage of Otaki street. The report was considered and adopted. The Mayor reported, on behalf of the fire brigade committee, that the d;fective chimney reported at the last meeting, had been rebuilt.

The cash-book showed the receipts for the fortnight to have been from rates, £74 9s; her S‘‘ue licences, £2 10s ; rent of reserve o , £5 los6d ; court fines, £1 10s The credit lialam •at the b ulk was £.0)I 8s 100.

Cr Milsom moved, Cr Wearing seconded, “ That the accounts, 15. Packwood, balance of Hilton street contract, £9l 18s lOd ; Jno. Harper, North road footpath, £9 ; clerk’s salary, £7 19s lOd ; foreman, £4 ; Northern 17s 9d—total, £l3l 9s 3d, be passed.” Carried,

Cr Blackwell drew attention of the works committee to a defective flood gate at the head of Raven street.

Cr Parnham moved, Cr Wearing seconded, “That this meeting do adjourn till Wednesday at 7 p.m.”—Carried.