BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2012, 9 February 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hall last evening; present—His Worship the Mayor ( W. Barnett, Esq.), Councillors O'Hagan, Anderson, Home, and Burger. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of. The inward correspondence was read, received, and considered seriatim. Cr. O'Hagan moved—" That this Council apply to the Governor in Council for an extension of time for preparing the Valuation List to February 23rd, and that the time for lodging objections be extended to March 23rd." The motion was seconded by Cr. Anderson, and carried.

A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary acknowledging receipt of one from the Town Clerk, Kumara, protesting against the claim of Mr Palliser for £l9 10s for services in connection with the audit of the Kumara Borough accounts. He stated that "as the assistance was considered absolutely necessary to obtain a satisfactory audit of the accounts, it is reasonable that the Kumara Borough Council should pay for it." On the motion of Cr*. O'Hagan, it was resolved that the letter be taken into consideration in connection with the Finance Committee's report. It was quite evident the Council would have to pay the money, and it had been standing long enough. The motion was seconded by Cr. Home, and carried. Another letter from the Colonial Secretary acknowledged the i*eceipt of a telegram from his Worship the Mayor having further reference to irregularities in connection with the late Mayoral election. The Colonial Secretary stated, in reply, that " there is no necessity for action on the part of the Government in this matter, and even if the necessity existed, it is very doubtful if the Government have any power to interfere." A letter was received from Mr Bernard M'llveney stating that the approaches to his dwelling in Seddon street were very dangerous, that he had paid rates for four years, and that he was entitled to have an approach made to his house.

On the motion of Cr. O'Hagan, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee to report upon.

An application was received from H. Gibson that he might obtain gravel for borough purposes from a place which would prove more remunerative to him than from the Zigzag, or that he might be allowed something extra on his present contract for supplying metal.

It was resolved that Mr Gibson be informed, that the matter was already

in the hands of the Public Works Committee.

M'lnnes and party applied for payment of the balance of amount due on contract No. 1 Seddon street west. On the motion of Or. Burger, seconded by the Mayor, the letter was referred to the Finance Committee.

In reply to an application, and on the motion of Cr. Home, seconded by the Mayor, permission was granted to Mr W. S. Hanna to erect scaffolding on the footpath in front of his house for the purpose of building. The Mayor reported having attended the Resident Magistrate's Court on behalf of the borough in the matter of Toms v. the Borough Council, payment of traveling expenses to attend Licensing Committee meetings. Tne Magistrate dismissed the case, holding that the members of the Licensing Bench had no lawful claim for remuneration.

On the motion of Cr. O'Hagan, seconded by Cr. Home, the report was received.

The following Finance Report was then read:— Finance Committee's Repokt.

I Present: Councillors O'Hagan and Carey. Accounts amounting to £156 18s 6d were passed for payment. 1. Resolved—That an imprest account of £5 be recommended to be passed for the use of the Town Clerk. 2. Resolved—That the balanee of R. Brady's account for Seddon street contract be recommended for payment, subject to the contract being passed by the Public "Works Committee. 3. That it be a recommendation to the Council that applications be invited from persons willing to fill the position of Inspector of Nuisances, whose duties it shall also be to proceed against owners of unlicensed dogs, also against unlicensed pedlars and hawkers trading within the borough ; and also against unlicensed persons carrying goods or passengers ; and to assist generally carrying out the bye-laws of the borough, as the Council may from time to time direct; also that the salary be fixed at £25 per annum. 4. That it be recommended to the Council that immediate proceedings be taken to recover all arrears of rates ; and that the Town Clerk write to Mr Wylde asking him if any other rates have been paid since the 31st March last, excepting those shown in the "Abstract of Rates Book." John O'Hagan, Chairman. February 7, 1883. On the motion of Cr. O'Hagan, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the report was received, and the clauses considered seriatim. Mr Perkins' (the Borough Solicitor's) account, amounting to £63 14s 6d, was passed for payment, subject to the approval of a majority of the Finance Committee. The accounts were then passed, as follows: £ s. d. .0. W. Palliser 19 6 0 H Gibson 28 10 9 F. Keenan 11 17 6 Kerr, Arnott and Co. (Greymouth) 3 12 6 Campbell and Kettles ... .3 5 6 Geo. Stewart 20 0 A. Skilton 12 6 0 Petty cash 3 17 6 Kumara Times ... ... 1 17 9 Geo. Orams ... ... 5 9 0 J. Manson ... ... 10 0 C. F. Holmes 2 11 6 W. Perkins 63 14 6 ! £l5B 18 6 Accounts to the above amount were then passed, the last item only being subject to the approval of a majority of the Finance Committee. On the motion of Cr. O'Hagan an imprest supply of £5 was granted to the Town Clerk. The several clauses in the Finance Committee's Report were considered and adopted. In reference to clause 3 it was resolved that the temporary Inspector of Nuisances receive one mouth's notice that his services will no longer be required after that time. An extension of time was granted to the Committee appointed to draw up rules for the guidance of officers of the Council. By leave Cr. O'Hagan moved—- " That the name of the Mayor be added to the Cheque Signing Committee, and that the Bank be noti6eci accordingly." The motion was seconded by Cr. Burger, and carried. At this stage of the proceedings Cr. Carey took his seat at the table, and Cr. Home vacated his. Cr. O'Hagan said there was one other matter to bring before the Council. There were certain moneys alleged in the Special Auditors' Report to have been overpaid by the Council. He thought the Council should take some steps to recover this money. They were now going to the Bank to ask for an overdraft, on which they would have to pay interest. Leave was granted, and Cr. O'Hagan then moved

the matter of over-payments referred to in the Special Auditors' Report be referred to the Mayor, to take such action as may be deemed necessary therein."

The motion was seconded by Cr. Carey, and carried. The Mayor, said he. would-consider it necessary to bring the bring the matter before the Council again before engaging the Borough Solicitor. On the motion of Cr. O'Hagan, seconded by Cr Anderson, the quorum of the Standing Committee was fixed at three. The Council then adjourned.