BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1058, 20 February 1880, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Boroiigh Council was held at the Town Hall last evening ; present His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Campbell, Blake, O’Hagan, Pollock, Hanna, and Fitz-simons.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of, and the inward read and received. The following report from the Committee appointed to consider the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill was read and received Report of the Committee appointed to CONSIDER THE HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE Aid Bill. The Committee having carefully considered the various clauses of the Bill prepared by the Government, find that they will have to suggest several very important alterations. As these suggestions would doubtless carry more weight if they were made jointly by several bodies which will be affected by the Bill, the Committee recommend that the following Councils and Committees should be invited to send delegates to a conference to be held in Kumara on the 24th day of March, to consider the provisions of the Bill, viz., the Westland County Council, the Grey County Council, the Hokitika Borough the Greymouth Borough Council, the Ross Borough Council, the Ara-. hnra Road Board* the Kaniei’i Road Board, the Hokitika Hospital Committee, the Greymouth Hospital Committee, the Ross Hospital Committee, the Kanieri Hospital Committee. John S. Pearn. February 19th,* 1880.Cr. Seddon, in speaking t > the adoption of the report, said that it would be a bold stroke on the part Of the Borough Council to propose a poll-tax, but yet the revenue derivable ou ratable property under the Bill in question would be insufficient to carry out the object it had in view, as no provision was made for taxing the mining community. In proposing a conference of the various bodies, he thought this was a question that would engross their attention. The report of the Committee was then adopted. The Town Clerk made the following report on the Borough Reserves : Report of the Town Clerk on Borough Reserves. As the Government surveyors are now surveying the 500 acres of Reserve for the Borough, I would suggest the desirability of appointing a Committee to make inquiries, and bring up a report as to the best method of utilising the Reserve. I have reason to believe that a considerable

quantity of timber is novv being takeii from the Reserve, and it might be well tb frame regulations under which Some revenue might be derived from the property. James Wylde l , Towft Clerk, February 19th, 1880. Oii.tlle motion of Councillor Seddonj a Committee consisting Cf the Mayors Councillor Campbell and the itooverj were appointed to bring up 4 Report oil the best means of utilizing the Reserve, the mover stating that in justice to the’ ratepayers of this town it w 4& the bounded duty of the Council lb make the reserve as renunierative 4s possible either hy laying it off in blocks So that every one could purchase or by allowing them to cut timber thereCh by license. Accounts to the iraoiiiit Of £9i Ts 9d were passed for payment. i On the motion of Councillor Seddon; - a Committee consisting of the Mayors Crs. o‘Hagan, Blake, (jathpbbllj and the mover, were appointed to draw up 4 statement of the necessary works required in the district to be brought under the notice of the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, when he visited Kumara ; such works to include the formation of the new road to the makau bridge; Speaking relative to the visit of the Hon. the Minister of Public Works td this district, Cr. Seddon suggested that should be eUteriained at a pdblic banquet, as although it was a delicitC subject for him td introduce, as he di&ered with the Government of Which the honorable gentleman Was a member* still, he thought that as one of the present Ministry Mr Oliver' Via entitled to every respect at their kinds. Hd trusted tile Council would vote a sutii of money for than purpose. Cr. Hanna moved and far; Poliak seconded “That the sum.of £SO be voted by the Council towards entertaining the Hon., the Minister of Public Works during his visit to this district. Cr. O’Hagan strongly supported the resolution and he trusted that Mr Oliver would receive a right hearty welcome at their hands.

Cr, Campbell, while condurfiug with the respect that should be shovm a Minister of the Crown. wbert vigitirij* tliis goldfield, could not see they tfdre justified in voting away thetidiids of the ratepayers for that purpose, udder the present circumstances of the 80 1 rough. 'fhe JSoroiigli was ndt the Only interested party in the proposed visit of the Hon. the Miriister for Public Works, and he thought that the West, land Corinty Council slioiild contribute towards what expenses were incrirred in entertaining Mr Oliver. C. Blake thoroughly endorsed tho Opinion of C)r. data pbell and he thOright that, under the present financial, position of the Borough, although it ytas dot a very bad one, they ifrere entitled to pay their debts before Noting money for such a purpose. He for oile would willingly individually contribute his quota of the expenses, and he 1 tlioright others would act in a similar mariner; as he believed that the Hon. the Minister of Public Works should be entertained in a manner befitting the position he occupied as a member of 1 the present Government. Cr. Seddon, in reply said, that what lie wished to see was a cordial reception given to Mr Oliver, and one at which everyone could be present. He did not believe in these exclusive banquets*, The ratepayers by paying the amount necessary to carry this object out front the Borough funds, were only paying in proportion to what they contributed in the shape of rates, arid lie thought that a far more equitable way than by public subscription.

The motion was then put and carried.

It was resolved to' write to' the? Westland County Council as also theJ Arahuta Road Board asking them to vote a sum of money for a similar purpose. The Town Cleric vfras instructed td issue the necessary invitations, and the Council then adjourned.