BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 597, 13 November 1869, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thff us'jal weekly meeting of theßotvmgh Council was held in the Town Hall last even in -j. Present: J.Kilgonr,Esq. , Mayor, in tho chair ; Councillors Psirkinsnn, Wickcs, Strike, Coates, Purcell and Kenned >\ * Tiie minutes of the last meeting were read and approved of. A letter was read from Mr E. Lap!iara, for the manager of the Bank of New Zetland, stating that since the last financial arrangements as to the overdraft the Council had incurred fresh liabilities to the amount of £1000, which was not contemplated when the overdraft was altered ; he regretted that existing financial arrangements must terminate, and requested that the C.snncil should take speedy steps for the reduction .-of this present overdraft. Received ami referred to the Committee that made the arrangements with the Bank Manager as to the overdraft, and to report to the Finance Committee. A petition, . presented by Mr Strike, was read, from a large number of residents, stating their belief that, the authorities intended to run a fence through the Camp Reserve, dividing the Court-house from the police buildings, and if so, that the public recreation ground, now used by the Greymouth Cricket Club, would deprive them and the public of the use of the ground. They requested the Council to take steps to prevent the erection of the fence in question. The petition was received, apd the standing orders suspended, in order to enable the Council to deal with it at once. Mr Strike moved—" That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the County Chairmau, forwarding the petition, and requesting him to take immediate steps in the matter." Mr Kennedy seconded the motion. Mr Wickes asked who was tliß authority for the statement that it was intended to run a fence as indicated ? Mr Strike could give no definite authority. Mr Parkinson moved an amendment that the petition be referred to the Public Works' Committee, as the matter might be worthy of consideration. Mr Wickes seconded the amendment, as he believed from enquiries he had made it amounted to nothing more than a mere rumor, without any foundation whatever. Mr Kennedy, after what he had heard, supported the amendment. The motion was withdrawn, and the amendment carried. A report was read from the Committee appointed to enquire into the nuisance caused by burning bricks in Mount street, and recommended that the Council do not allow the work to be carried on there any longer, as the smoke from the kiln was a great nuisance to the residents in the neighborhood. In connection with this matter, a letter was read from two of the residents who signed the original complaint, stating that it would be sufficient if the kiln were removed to the end of the shed, 100 yards from their dwellings. It was moved and seconded that the report be adopted. Mr Parkinson wished the Council to proceed cautiously, so that an injustice

might not be-done. He therefore moved an amendment—" That the matter stand over for two weeks, and the Commitee enquire if the removal of the kiln to the proposed site will obviate the nuisance complained of." Mr Purcell seconded the amendment, which was carried. A report was read from a portion of the Committee on the Dangerous Goods Act, stating that as it was impossible to form a quorum in consequence of sickness and absence, several members had met and brcUjht up the* following nc mnendfr tions :— Jst. That the Council should erect an iron store, 20 x 30 and 10ft. high ; 2nd. That licenses be granted to merchants tradiug in dangerous goods j and 3rd. That the Council should* communicate with the Collector of Custouw, with regard to masters of vessels, unacquainted with the Act, bringing and landing such goods without being marked " dangerous." On the first clause, Mr Kennedy moved that the building be erected forthwith. The Mayor said that Councillor Ken^ nedy had offered to advance the iron, at least for sis months. Mr Kennedy added that there should be no difficulty as the Mayor had offered to -advance the money for the timber and labor. . This clause was adopted, and the Bite of the building fixed in Johnston street. The second clause was referred to a Committee to give the details as to the licenses, quantities to be kept. &c., and to report at next meeting. The third clause was referred to the same Con^ mittee. The Town Surveyor reported that tha temporary repairs to the coal wharf had been effected at a cost of Ll2, and that the plans and specifications for the kerosene depot would be ready next day Mr Kennedy moved— "That a Com-, mittee, consisting of Messrs Parkinson, Kennedy, Strike, and the Mayor, be appointed for the purpose of devising a more efficient and economical manner of carrying on the business of the Council. He did so because at present the expenses of the permanent staff were entirely disproportionate to the revenue of so small a Borough as Greymouth. At present it amounted to between LBOO and LIOOO per annum, which swallowed up the whole of what would be a fair rate. He had good reason to say that a veiy material saving could be effected. Mr Strike seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Leave of absence for one month waa grauted to Councillor Nichol. By leave, Mr Wicos moved— "That the east portion of the wharf, now used as. coal wharves, be leased at per chain, and a committee, consisting of Councillors Kennedy,. Parkinson, Strike, and the mover, be appointed to carry out this object. Mr Coates seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Only one tender was sent in for the* supply of scrub— J. S. Hazel, for the lump sum of L 339 19s, for finishing the whole work. It was stated that this was far in excess of the estimate. It was ordered that fresh tenders be called at per chain. The Council adjourned.