BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1636, 1 November 1873, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hall last night. Present— Councillors Kerr (in the chair), Smith, Acheson, Glenn, Reid, Moore, and Dupre. On the minutes being read, Mr Smith objected to that .portion referring to the acceptance of the tender for the repairs to the Town Hall. He said he had retired from the meeting previous to the motion being declared carried, and there could then be no quorum. Mr Kerr said that Mr Smith moved the amendment and voted for it, and was only in the act of retiring when he declared the motion carried. On the motion of Mr Moore, seconded by Mr Acheson, the minutes as read were confirmed. The next business was the, election of a Mayor, to act until the annual election in December, in room of E. Masters, retired. On the motion of Mr Acheson, seconded by Mr Reid, Mr G-. Glenn was elected Mayor, and took his seat. He thanked the Councillors for the honor they had conferred upon him, and hoped he would give satisfaction in conducting the business of the Council. The report of the Public Works Committee was read, to the effect that Mr Giesow had ordered the barriers erected by the contractors in Tainui street south to be removed, and that the street was now open for traffic. The report of the Finance Committee recommended that the day-man be only employed when required, and that the services of Mr Quinlan be dispensed with. Mr Kerr objected to the scavenger being dismissed. Mr Acheson said the man was only making work for himself ; he was not required constantly, and could be engaged when necessary. The report was received and adopted. T. Foxcroft, High street, requested the Council to take steps to order the removal of a shanty on. the road line opposite his house.- -The Town Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps. A letter from Alexander Tait was referred to the Town Valuator to report. The deferred tenders of T. Wright for the construction and drainage of Sections 1 and 3, and of Moodie and Co. for Section No. 2 of Mackay and a number of adjoining streets, were considered. There was a long discussion, during which several motions and amendments were moved, and the Mayor admitted that the Council had got in a muddle. The Town Surveyor stated that the tenders were still L 352 above his estimate, as set down in the schedule of the loan. A conversation then took place as to where the balance was to be found. Several members moved that the drainage works be struck out of the contract and the other portion accepted, and Mr Smith moved that the original plans and specifications of the Surveyor be adhered to. If it was only a matter of L3OO, surely they could increase their overdraft at the Bank and have the work properly completed. Ultimately, Mr Kerr moved—" That sections 1 and 3 be offered to T. Wright, and section 2 to Moodie and Co., provided that a proper understanding is come to between the contractors and the Surveyor regarding the drainage." Mr Acheson moved— "That no tender be accepted, and that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee to report." ; • The amendment was carried. Mr Kerr moved that the previous resolution of the Council be rescinded, and that the proposed wacch- tower be erected at the Fire Brigade Hall. He supported the motion at considerable length, explaining the reasons for the motion. Ultimately the motion was carried, but we hold over our report of the discussion, which was of a very personal nature, nntil our next.