BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 897, 12 June 1871, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Town Hall on Friday evening, the Mayor, E. Wickes, Esq., in the chair. A letter was read from Mr Andrews, Collector of Customs, drawing the attention of the Council to the condition of the landing place enclosed between the fences of the Transit Shed, and containing a request that the landing stage between the wharf and shed be at once repaired ; also that about a dozen new planks be laid down on the wharf opposite the shed and the side door repaired. Attention was drawn to the necessity that tenders, transhipping cargoes from from foreign vessels in coastwards should be discharged through the Transit Shed ; but the accommodation at present provided was both dangerous to life and property. Mr Moore moved— "That the repairs to the landing-stage and planking of the wharf be completed as requested-— the cost not to exceed L 5." Seconded by Mr M'Gregor, and carried. The following letter from the Collector of Customs, in reference to the extension of the limits of the legal landing-place at this uort was read :-— " I have the honor to inform his Worship the Mayor and honorable Council that I forwarded their request to Wellington, and the substance of the reply to my letter forwarding their application is to the effect 'that the land-ing-place must be proclaimed where it is most suitable for the trade and commerce of the port. All that will be required for the accommodation for the Customs is a conveniently-situated transit shed and a couple of small moveable landing-waiters' boxes, as exists in other parts in the Colony. The present Transit Shed being almost useless, except as a gauging-shed, it is advisable to have ifc removeable to where most of the goods are landed, if the Borough Council are willing to undertake the removal. To enable the Secretary of Customs more fnlly to understand the Council's request, I wish to be supplied with a sketch or tracing of plan of the river frontage, showing the present limits of the legal landing-place and the proposed limits, also the position of the Custom House. You will convey to his Worship that any suggestions on this subject will be forwarded by me in confirmation with the reply to this letter, As far I am in any official capacity concerned, I am averse to extending the limits, except to where the wharf has been built between Boundary and Tainui streets, unless accommodation in the way of wharves is provided. As all discharge of cargo, at anyrate the most important part, takes place between Boundary and Tainui streets, it would be to the* advantage and interests of the mercantile community that the shed should be erected opposite Tainui-street. This would not interfere with the promenade of the new wharf, and wonld be a convenient centre for delivery of goods in transit to the prinoipal bonded warehouses and merchants here." The above letter was referred to the Public Works Committee to report, and the Town Surveyor was instructed to make the tracing as requested by Mr Andrews. A letter was read from Mr John Harris making application for a lease of that portion of Boundary-street known as the Market Reserve, as soon as the present filling-in was completed, in order to build a market-house on certain conditions. It was resolved that the Council does not^ at present intend to entertain any application for leasing any portion of Boundary-sireet, for " any purpose whatever. Mr J. Abrahams wrote asking permission to erect a foot-bridge over the tidal creek at the end of Albert-street, subject to approval and removal whenever required to do so. — Permission was granted on the terms of the application. The following report, with regard to Mount-street, was read from the Town Surveyor — " 1 have the honor to report that I have examined Mount-street bridge, as ordered by the Council, and find it would require the sum of Lls to put the bridge in a state of temporary repair. lam of opinion that this formation of bridge is not at all suitable to the ' Tidal Crock,' either as regards permanency or cost of construction, and would recommend the Council to have a six-feet culvert made out of the timber of the present bridge, and fill the approaches with earthwork. This wonld cost the Oou ncil abou b L 35 ." His Worship moved— "That this Council is full" aware of the immediate necessity of i e;vnrs to the bridge ; that it would be greater economy by at once carrying out the "work as recommended by Town Engineer, and that on the Town Clerk receiving a guarantee from the in- j habitants to take up Council's bill at six months, tenders be called forthwith. Second clause as per engineer's report." Mr M'Gregor seconded the motion. Mr Purceil moved an amendment — "That the work be done upon the inhabitants paying one-third of the cost." Seconded by Mr Ddpre, and carried, after a long discussion. By permission of the Council, Mr Moore moved—" That an application be made to the County Chairman, that he instruct the Chief Surveyor to furnish the Council with a map of the Grey District, showing the land already sold, together with any that may be left open for Bale." This was carried. Mr Moore, also by permission, moved — " That the Town Clerk write to Mr Blackett, the Government Engineer, and request him to favor the Council -with his opinion as to the present system of protective works, and also if he could suggest a plan of a more permanent character than the present system adopted." Mr Pdroell seconded the motion, which was put aud carried. The remaining business was unimportant.