BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 713, 11 January 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (E. Blake, Esq.), Councillors Brown, Campbell, Seddou, Pollock, O’Hara, and Dnngan. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received.

A letter from Mr Drummond was considered, asking that the charge made for the footpaths in front of his premises be reduced.

Cr. Seddon thought that Mr Drummond should only be charged for his frontage and not for the length of the section, as he (the speakei) contended that the frontage was in Seddon not in Main street. In equity he could only be charged for the frontage of the section. As an instance suppose that the footpath had been carried down either Camp street or Seddon street, would it be fair to ask Mr Adamson or Ids Worship the Mayor to pay for the length made along their sections, which would be IGS feet. He moved that Mr Drummond be charged only for the footpaths in accordance with the frontage of his section.

Cr. Campbell i>econded the motion

The Mayor was afraid that all persons inteiesied in this question would like to advocate the shortest frontage ou cheir sections, in regard to payment. And he thought that if all the corners of the streets were eventually made the Council would have to be tepaid by someone.

Cr. Dungan thought the consideration of this matter had I letter he defevied. It.was very-doubtful whether the ratepayers would have to pay for the construction of the footpaths after all, as he ’ intended taking action in the matter. The Town Clerk had. informed them that their financial position this year was far before the last; and although agreeing in the main to the motion of Cr. Seddon, he would suggest the postponement of the question. They all know the contract price and what the services of the surveyor had cost, and he thought the ratepayer were entitled to get the benefit, not the. Council.

Cr. Seddon, in reply, might say that the question ought not to .bedeferred, as, after the clamour made by the people in the Alain street for footpaths, they should pay for their construction. Now the money had been, expended, they objected to it; but if they did not pay towards their construction, he ti usted the head of the. Council would compel the payment, if necessary. Ltt them make the footpaths in Seddon street and he knew the residents of that street would only too glad'y repay the outlay. He should consider it his duty to call the Town Clerk over the coals” if this mutter was not attended to. as actually before Chi istmas some memb ra of tlie Council had to guarantee money to pay outstanding accounts : the Council required the repayment of the money for the construction of the footpaths. Cr, Dungan explained that although Cr. Seddon said the ratepayers weie<(msirous of the footpaths, he (the speaker) might say there was a large majority against it.

The motion was put, and carried on the voices. The consideration of a letter from the Waste Lands Board, stating that an application had been received from a resident of Kumara to purchase s ane sections oii’side of the town boundary, and asking if the (Joimc I were agreeable to lie sale, was. on the motion of Cr, Seddon, seconded by Cr. O’Hara, answered in the affirmative. 1 he tenders for dog collars were refeired back to the tenderers, as a supply was m>t at present required. The Town Clerk rejiorted that he had laid an inf irmatimi against D. Davidson and Co. re their verandah, which wonid be heard at the next sitting of the. Court.

In reply to a question, the Tosvn Cl alt stated that the contract for moving the Victoria Hotel had not heeri carried out according to specifications, as although the house was off the road, it was not in a straight line. He had examined the work, and, it not being

done to his satisfaction, he had with* held the sum of £6 out of the £2l. (the contract price), and if not otlurwise instructed, he should pay the balance.

Cr. Seddon thought the contractor should be kept to the specifications, and the balance of the money should not be paid. He would be no party to this kind of tliin j, as the work was not t > the satisfaction of the Town Surveyor, and he moved that the Town Clerk inform the contiactors that they would have to carry it out according to specifications.

Cr. Dungan seconded the motion. Cr. O Hara agreed with the mover of the resolution. He thought the house had b-eu an eyesore, and its removal should have bean carried out properly.

Cr. Brown thought they had had enough of this house question and as the Town Surveyor ha<J. been satisfied, and recommended the payment by the Finance Committee, they had better let the matter drop. The Mayor said they would recollect he had stood out against the whole affair from the beginning, but as they had entered into a contract in regard thereto he thought the contractors should complete their work according to tire specifications.

Cr Campbell explained that the paymeub bad been iruvtb.! by the Finance Co mi ait lee on ( he surveyor's recommendation.

The motion of Cr. Seddon was then carried.

After a notion of motion for the next meeting htid been tabled by Cr. Dungan re footpaths, the Council adjourned.