BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 671, 7 May 1870, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

1 The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held in ihe Town Hall last evening. Present — Councillors Strike (in the chair), Moore, Kennedy, Wickes, Purcell, Coates, Parkinson, and Nichol. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A sum of L 4 was received from the Eooidon!> Magieirrate's Oifioe, being' tho amount of fines for breaches of the Corporations Act during April. On application, permission was granted to the Volunteer Committee to erect a shed on Mackay street, adjoining the Volunteer Hall, to be used as a retiringroom on the occasion of the proposed ball on the Queen's Birthday. John Simpnon applied for a lease of one chain of wharfage accommodation somewhere between Boundary street and the Transit Shed. If granted at Boundary street, he would have to build a loug approach over the scrub, for which he hoped an allowance would be made on payment of the rent. The matter was referred to Public Works Committee, with power to act. Messrs Kilgour and Perotti wrote stating that they found that the carrying the ne w tramway line 20ft from Mr Rody's house, as directed by the Council, would cause three sharp curves, dangerous to the working of locomotives, which they intended to use on the line. They requested that the previous resolution might be considered, and submitted a survey tracing by Mr Cooper, which they requested the Council would decide upon immediately, to allow them to proceed with their work at once. The Town Clerk stated that Mr Kilgour had asked back the tracing and report of Mr Cooper, and forwarded them to County Chairman. It showed the line to come within seven feet of Rody's house, and the report said this line would do less damage than the one ordered by the Council. On the other side he would state that Rody had placed the matter in the hands of his solicitor. Mr Nicfol could see no other course for the Council to adopt than to give the right to go through as required, in a safe manner. At the same time he was willing to consider any legal or moral claim Mr Rody had to make. He moved " That the tramway proprietors be allowed to run ( their line in accordance with Mr Cooper's survey." _ Mr Parkinson would second the motion, if it contained a recommendation that Messrs Kilgour and Perotti pay some moderate compensation, say from L 7 to Mr Strike thought it would be better for some Councillor to give his guarantee for the amount instead of entering it in the Council's books. Mr Nichol would be very happy to give the guarantee that the amount would be paid. Mr Parkinson seconded the motion after the words were added to it "and that a reasonable compensation be paid." Mr Moore opposed the motion in toto, and criticised the liberality of the Councillors. He thought L2O ought to be given, which would be required to move the cottage to another site. He wished to see this man treated in a fair and liberal spirit. Mr Kennedy thought L2O was the smallest amount that should be mentioned. He opposed the motion, and thought the matter should be settled outside of the Council. Messrs Puroell and Coates opposed the motion, unless the cottage was moved, or the expense of removal paid by the tramway proprietors. Mr Strike asked the Council to guard against entertaining the question of compensation, as it would establish a very bad precedent. ' Mr Kennedy moved an amendment —

" That the farther consideration of the matter be adjourned," to give the parties an opportunity of settling it amicably. Mr Moork seconded the amendment. Mr Nichol would increase the sum to LlO, in order to meet the parties halfway. He would rather pay the L 5 out of his own pocket, than have the matter discussed again. Mr Coates expressed his astonishment at the discussion, and compared the Council to " selling a cow at an Irish fair." Mr Wiokes supported the motion. The amendment was negatived by the vote and casting-vote of the Chairman. The motion was carried in the same manner. A letter was read from Mr Andrews, Collector of Customs, stating that a regulation had been passed by the Council which was antagonistic to the Customs Regulations Act. He was willing to confer with the Council, in any way, in order to rectify the error. After a short discussion it was resolved "That Mr Andrews be informed that it is not the intention of the Council to infringe upon the duties of the Collector of Customs." The Town Surveyor reported several dangerous chimneys, which the proprietors had promised to repair. Also, that he considered Mr Heron's hotel a breach of the building regulations, but the Town Solicitor said it was not. Also, whether all breaches of the regulations should be reported to the Council before taking action. It was resolved that the Solicitor's opinion be adhered to, and that these matters be reported either to the Mayor or to the Council. Another report from the Town Surveyor, with regard to the cost of, and the locality where the proposed stand-pipes should be fixed, was received, and ordered to Me on the table. The Council proceeded to consider some matters in Committee.