TE KUITI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 418, 29 November 1911, Page 5

TE KUITI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Borough Council was held lust night at the Council Chambers. There were present —His Worship the Mayor and Crs Lusk', Sims, Forsyth, Young, Finlay, Juilan ana Taminadge. When the minutes had been read Cr Sims said there was a misapprehension as to the seconding of a motion with respect to making provision for progress payments when necessary without having the accounts passed by the committee. He had no recollection of having seconded such a motion, nor did he believe in the principle affirmed; therefore he objected to the passing of the minutes as read. The minutes were confirmed as read, Cr Sims' objection being noted. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs McClelian and Co. wrote regarding the water pipes for the borough stating that they were on board the Morayshire whij:h was due on December 17th. —Received.

Wandering Stock. A letter was received from Mr J. B. Morgan stating that horses were allowed to wander on the streets at night and in some case had got on to the railway line. He requested the council to take action in the matter. Several members agreed that the practice was followed and on the motion of Cr Forsyth seconded by Cr Young, it was resolved that the attention of the ranger be drawn to the matter and an example made of offenders.

Building Areas. —The president of the Maori Land Board wrote drawing attention to the tendency of property owners in the town to sub-divide sections into small areas for building purposes. He suggested the advisability of the council establishing a minimum area to repress a practice which was against the best interests of the town. —Letter received and referred to the Works Committee. Sanitation. wrote drawing attention to the insanitary state of a section behind Mr Free's stable and making suggestions in the interests of the public health. The section was in the hands of the Official Assignee. Referred to the Sanitary Committee.

Insurance. —Messrs St. Hill and Brathwaite applied for the insurance business of the. council. —Referred to the Finance Committee.

A New Road. —R. H. Travera wrote with respect to the council taking over a road on his property. —On the motion of Crs Forsyth and Lusk it was resolved that the council look to the owner to complete the road. Mention was made of another road on the property and on the motion of Cra Sims and Tammadge it was decided that Mr Travers be called upon to metal the road. Water Connections. —Several applications for water connections were granted under similar conditions to those previously granted. Rora Street. The agreement between the council and the Railway Department in connection with the taking over by the council of the extra half-chain of Rora street was forwarded for signature. —It was decided that the agreement be executed, Crs Lusk and Julian to execute same. Extension of Time. —T. McLoughlin was granted an extension of two weeks on the Hill street contract subject to the engineer's approval. Night-soil Area.—A letter was received from Mr H. Hine, borough solicitor, enclosing memorial to be forwarded to the Government. —On the motion of Crs Forstyh and Finlay, the matter was held over pending a reply from the Health Department.

Seddon Street. —Mr O'Regan wrote with respect to the state of the street —.Referred to the engineer.

Fire Escapes. —The inspector of fire escapes reported that further provision should be made in this respect at the Hotel Grand, Railway Hotel, Kelvin House, and Lissaman's premises.—The report was adopted, the proprietors to be written to.

Tenders. —Tenders for the sewage contract were received from E. J. Rarlv £4601 19s Sc3. Keane and Brewer £3406 Is. The latter firm also supplied an alternative tender in case concrete pipes were allowed, the price in that case being £362.' —On the motion of Crs Tamamdge and Finlay, the matter was left in the hands of the Works Committee with power to act.

Tenders for the fire station were received as follows: —T. A. Williams £370, Jensen £377, Pithy £396, Hitchcock £39S, O'Regan £417, Fletcher £478 15a. These prices were all considerably above the amount that had b u en provided for the building. On the motion of Crs Ju ! ain and Finaly, it was resolved that the billiard room be eliminated and the acceptance of tenders left to the Fire Prevention Committee and the architect.

Proposed Morgue.—Cr Tammadge drew attention to the necessity for providing a morgue. He suggested that the council should take the matter into consideration when the fire station was being built. They were providing a room for emergency cases of accident. The Mayor said he heartily agreed with Cr Tammadge's remarks. Constable Mathew had spoken of the matter on the occasion of the recent fatality, and be thought the Hospital Hoard was the proper body to attend to the matter. He moved that the board be requested to build a small morgue. Seconded by Cr Tammadge and carried. The report of the Works Committee was adopted.

Cr Young said he had been requested to confer with the turncock with respect to the valves in the water mains. They had gone into the matter and had concluded that several more were necessary. On the motion of Crs Young and Forsyth it was decided that the extra valves be put in.

Lighting Report. —It was decided to meet on Monday evening next for the purpose of discussing the lighting report. Rata Street.—With respect to the notice of motion standing to his name regatding the extension of Rata nanufWii. Cr Finl r -" ° nirl had in '

felt sure the work was worth doing and the necessary land could be obtained reasonably.

Cr Julian said he had trial the grades. By going through Morgan's section a grade of one in nine could be obtained. To extend the road straight ahead meant a grade of one in seven. '

The Mayor suggested that the council should have a surveyor's report before being asked to decide. Cr Finlay argeed to the suggestion that the engineer be asked to report. Contract System-—The Mayor in speaking to his motion in favour of

rescinding the motion recently passed :iy the council limiting all work to

iontract, said he did not care two straws whether the council adopte i his motion or not. He wished to say that the present state of things was impossible and the Works Committee would, in order to carry out its duties be forced to break it sooner or later. There was no idea to break away from the contract system and revert to day labour, but the council should be freed from the cramping effects of such a mandatory motion. Or Lusk, in seconding the motion, said he was in favour of the contract svstem, but agreed with thj Mayor that they should have power to let small works by day labcur. Cr Julian said he was satisfied after hearing the explanation given. He thought the council should be cramped. Cr Sims said he opposed the motion as a member of the Works Committee and as a councillor. The Works Committee brought the matter forward and after consideration the recommendation was adopted by the council. The work had been carried out as well, or better, than previously. He would consider the motion as practically being a want of confidence in the Works Committee.

Cr Forsyth said he would also regard the motion as a want-of-confi-dence. They had to fight to get the motion carried. When the work had been carried out by day labour they could get no clear account of it and did not know what it was costing. By contract this was altered. If the Wqrks Committee considered it necessary they could have the motion rescinded at any time. Up to the present he had seen no reason to rescind and would oppose the motion. The Mayor, in rep y, said that all his experience he had never heard of a council which had tied itself up in such a manner. As to the motion meaning one of censure on the Works Committee, there was no such intention. The first resolution was recommended by the Works Committee and confirmed by the council which showed a desire to meet the committee in every way. On being put the motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it.

Notice of Motion.—Cr Sims gave notice to move that the motion be rescinded providing for progress payments on the engineer's certificate, which was passed last meeting. H 8 was supposed to have seconded the motion, but had no recollection of having done so and as he disagreed with the principle he wished to have it rescinded if possible.-