BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 743, 22 October 1870, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held in the Town Hall, last night. Present — The Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Kennedy, Nichol, Wickes, Woolcock, Purcell, Coates, and Moore. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A deputation was received from the Greytnouth Gas Company, consisting of Messrs Thompson, Kenrick, Mirfin, and Smith, for the purpose of conferring with the Council with regard to matters affecting the interests of the Compan}'. Mr Kenrick stated that they requested permission to carry the mains of the company through the streets, and offered to make any explanations that might be required upon any point connected with the workings of the company. Mr Moore said free permission had been given already to carry the pipes through the street, but they required to know where the proposed site was to be for the we rks, as in some localities it might prove to be a great nuisance to the residents. Mr Kenrick could indicate the site, but he wa3 not at liberty to name the section, because it would no doubt materially raise the price of the land. It was determined to fix the site somewhere on the Tidal Creek between the Herbert and Tainui street bridges. Mr Kennedy asked if, in the event of the Council objecting entirely to that locality, could they find a suitable section further back 1 Mr Kenrick anticipated that such an objection would cause the company to increase its capital, which they were not likely to do. He instanced mauy large towns in which the gas works were in the most densely-populated parts. Besides, at any time they could be indited for a nuisance, if they caused one, and compelled to abate it. Mr Wickes supposed the Company only wanted permission to erect the works at their own risk, so that in future the Council could not be compelled to assist in the cost of removing the works, in the event of their becoming a nuisance. He instanced, one case, in which a i Borough Council was compelled to remove gas works at their own cost. Mr Kenrick said they only asked all the protection the Council could give as to carrying the pipes through the town. The works they built at their own cost on their own section, and that question lay between them and the public. Mr NiCHoi asked if all they wanted was to lay the pipes, subject to the usual conditions, and subject to the supervision of the Town Surveyor. Mr Kenrick said that was all. . Mr Nichol moved "That permission be granted to the Greymouth Gas Company to lay down all necessary piping, and to have access to it at all times, subject to them not unnecessarily interfering with the traffic and good condition of the streets." Mr Woolcock seconded the motion, which was put and carried. A letter was read from the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, enclosing a sketch plan of several reserves in town for churches, schools, and other purposes, and asking advice previous to their being gazetted. The propositions contained in the letter were approved of, and Mr Fraser thanked for his offer ;' and the Town Clerk was instructed to apply for a further reserve for a recreation ground. A report was read from the Town Surveyor as to the to best means prevent the continuance of the scour in the river. Mr Moore moved that an experiment be tried, to prevent the scour in the river, by the use of rock for half a chain near Tainui street, Mr Coates seconded. A conversation took place, during which several motions were moved, and Mr NrcHOL produced a memorial from twenty business firms on Mawhera Quay, asking that the wharfage accommodation should be extonded for six chains along the protective works, and they guaranteed to discount the Council's bills at six months for the cost of the work. Mr Kennedy moved — " That the present temporary wharf, opposite the Cosmopolitan Hotel, be taken up, and

that the present wharf be continued to within four chains of the Customs Wharf ; the cash to be provided by the residents in that locality, on six and seven months' bills, and that the value of the temporary wharf be paid to the persons who erected it ; the amount to be added to the bills above referred to." Mr Niohoi. seconded the motion, which was carried, Mr Coates strongly protesting against the revenues of the borough being mortgaged for wharfage accommodation that was unnecessary at present, when the back streets were not provided for in any way. The deferred business was then called ! on by a report from the Town Surveyor as to the widening of Richmond Quay, from Johnston street to Greason street. He reported that the work would cost Ll2B. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Purcell, that the work be carried out, on the same terms as the contract for the wharf. The remainder of the business was unimportant.