BOROUGH COUNCIL,

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 836, 1 April 1871, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hall last night. Present — E. Wickes, Esq., Mayor, presiding ; Councillors Moore, Purcell, Dupre, and Kennedy. Mr Purcell reported, as Returning Officer for the Middle Ward, that Mr John M'Cxregc^ had been elected, in room of Mr Barclay, resigned. Mr M'Gregor was introduced, < and took the usual affirmation and his seat. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Batty wrote asking a lease of half a chain of coal wharf east of Mr Simpson's lease in consequence of the old wharf leased to him giving way. — Granted, provided the applicant took a chain upon the same terms as Mr Simpson's lease. The Secretary of the Gas Company wrote, asking a remission of wharfage dues on the plant of the Company. On the motion of Mr Kennedy the application was not entertained. A copy of a telegram was read informing the Council that the Governor would visit Westland on or about the 12th April. — Consideration deferred until the close of the other business. An application for the appointment of town-crier was read from C. S. M'Dowall. —Received. J The Town Clerk reported that he had authorised Mr Cooper, District Surveyor, to obtain the requisite timber for marking the graves in the Cemetery. Notices of intention to appeal against the assessment were received from Mr Patrick Flannery, and Mr James Middleton. Mr Kennedy could not see that the Council was in a better position to estimate the value of these properties than the Surveyor who made the valuation. — Resolved to consider the matter in committee at the close of the other business. An application was received from Mr Cass for the erection of a verandah in front of the premises formerly known as the Dunedin Hotel. — Granted, subject to the approval of the Surveyor. A similar application from Mr H. Williams, was granted on the same conditions. Letters were read from the Secretary of the Grey Valley Tram way Company, asking permission to lay the line through the Borough as far , as Boundary-street, and making a tracing of the proposed line. — To be considered at the close of the other business. The following report with regard to the landing of cattle at the end of Richmond Quay was read and received : — " I have the honor to report that, in company with the Harbor-Master and Town Surveyor, I examined the lower end of Richmond Quay with reference to the landing of cattle and the destruction of the sidepath, aud we are of opinion, — " First. That a chain and a-half of the river bank should be pitched with stone, to prevent the river encroaching behind the works. i " Second. That a slip pannel should be placed across the quay, to prevent cattle rushing up the thoroughfare. "Third. That a boom should be provided for vessels discharging cattle, to prevent the vessels from getting ashore. "Fourth. That? all cattle so landed should be compelled to cross the lagoou to the beach, as the water in the ford is very shallow. " Fifth. That a mooring post be fixed, three chains below the end of protective works, for the purpose of mooring vessels." After a short discussion, the Mayor aud Mr Moore moved resolutions for the carrying out of the works mentioned, but they had to be withdrawn, as notice of motion had to be given for the expenditure of money. Ultimately, on the motion of Mr Kennedy, the report was adopted. Tender-were opened for making and fixing an iron rail on both sides of Sefton Bridge as follows : — Briscoe, LSO ; Stone and Fraser, LSO;. Campbell and Co., L 54 ; Noy, LB7. After a conversation, the Town Surveyor stated that he could patch up the hand-rail with timber for less than LlO. Mr Kennedy moved that the Town Surveyor be authorised to repair the hand-rail, Mr Dupre moved as an amendment, that the tender of Stone and Fraser be accepted. Mr Moore seconded the amendment, and the Mayor supported the motion. The amendment was negatived, and the Surveyor instructed to patch up the bridge temporarily. Mr Moore, by leave, moved that instructions be given to the wharfinger to charge tonnage dues onjy once each trip on steamers trading between Nelson and the West Coast. His object was to induce these steamers to call here before proceeding to Hokitika with mails and passengers. The matter was well understood by the Council, and, no doubt, the public would appreciate the advantages to be gained by the speedy delivery of mails. Mr Kennedy seconded the motion pro forma, but would not support it, as he thought there were other matters which caused the steamers to go to Hokitika first. After a short discussion the motion was withdrawn. The Council then went into Committee, and considered the application of the Grey Valley Tramway Company to carry their line to Boundary street, and after a discussion it was resolved to allow the matter to stand over until the next meeting for the Town Surveyor to report. The Council, in committee, decided not to entertain the application of P. Hannay and J. Middleton for reduction of assessment, and the Town Clerk was instructed to defend the appeals if necessary. With reference to the reception of the Governor, the Mayor was requested to convene a public meeting of the citizens to co-operate with the Council in providing a fitting reception of his Excellency. The Council then adjourned.