BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2372, 5 April 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Conncil was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening; present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Nicholson, Ziegler, Campbell, Burger, Budkin, and Anderson.

The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed.

The outward correspondence was read, and, with the exception of a letter received from Mr Skilton, approved of. The inward correspondence was read, received, and considered. A letter was read from Mr Jno. Henderson applying for a box drain across the footpath to his garden. He hoped the Council would put the-box in, or at least allow him the timber to put it in letter was referred to the Public Works Committee, with power to act.

Mr T. Watts applied to be allowed something for the gravel from the excavation of the tank.—The consideration of this letter was held oyer until the question of the tank was disposed of.

A letter from the Town Clerk, Dunedin, in reference to Fire Brigades was referred to the Finance Committee, to bring up a report to. next meeting.— [The letter and enclosure will be published in another issue.] A letter was received from Mr "W. Close offering to make 40 dog collars and provide 10 additional labels at Is 6d per collar.

On the motion of Cr. Campbell seconded by Cr. Anderson, the letter was referred to the Public Works Committee, with power to act. A letter was read from Mr H. Millson stating that he found that for several years past he had been charged, and paid, for rates on sections that he neither owned nor held, viz., sections 132 and 138 E B road, and sections 115 to 121 Zealand street, and begged, therefore, that the Council would remit the rates paid on such sections. On tho motion of Cr. Kudkin, seconded by Cr. Nicholson, it was resolved that the Town Clerk inform Mr Miilson that the Council has no power to entertain his application.

Mr C. F. Holmes wrote requesting that a progress payment be made on his contract for the engine shed. Cr. Campbell moved—" That the sum of £4O be granted as a progress payment ou the contract for fire engine shed." It was customary in all large contracts to allow a per centage as progress payment. Cr. Anderson seconded the motion.

Cr. Nicholson moved that payment be made ou completion of the work • he would, however, suggest that £2O might be paid. The Mayor said that the contractor was getting on very well with the work, and might be allowed some payment. Cr. Burger drew attention to the specifications, which stated that payment was to be made on completion of the work.

Cr. Campbell theu moved—" That Mr M'Callum's letter stand over until the Finance Committee's Report be received and considered.

The motion, was seconded by Cr. Anderson and carried.

A letter was read from Mr Donald M'Callum, contractor for the Tank in Main street, stating that as he and the Public Works Committee could not agree as to the «r.. .truction of fchg

Tank, he desired to give up the contract, on condition that the Council would pay the expenses already incurred, which amounted to £27 10s. An account was enclosed showing the expenses to be £2B 2s. On the motion of Ct\ Campbell, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the letter was ordered to stand over until the consideration of the Finance Committee's Report be received and considered.

A letter was read from Messrs Perkins and Jones stating that as they wished to settle up their partnership affairs imediately, they would be glad to receive a cheque for the amount of their account, £lO los.

The letter was ordered to stand over until the Finance Committee's Report was read and received.

The Town Clerk read a Report from the Town Hall Committee, dated 19th March, as follows : Present—Or. Burger (chair), Crs. Rudkin and Nicholson. Resolved—That the Committee recommend the Council to make the following charges for the use of the Town Hall: — For lectures and addresses 10s per night; for public balls and quadrille parties, £1 10s ; and that if the Hall be required for any charitable purpose the Mayor be empowered to make arrangements.

On the motion of Cr. Burger, seconded by Cr. Anderson, the Report was received and adopted.

The Town Clerk then read the Finance Committee's Report of date 19th March, as follows : Present —Cr. Nicholson (in the chair), Crs. Rudkin and Home. The Committee recommended—1. That Messrs Jones and Menteath be the Borough Solicitors for the current year, in succession to Messrs Perkins and Jones.

2. .That the letter of the Borough Council of Caveraham be placed in the hands of the member for the district, to deal with as he thinks fit, as the Committee do not feel justified in making any recommendation on the subject. 3. That the Council take steps to make further arrangements with the Bank for an increase of overdraft. On the motion of Cr. Campbell, seconded by Cr. Burger the Report was received, and the clauses considered seriatim. Clause 1 was adopted by adding the words—"subject to their agreeing to fulfilling the conditions of the retaiuing fee paid to Messrs Perkins and Jones." Clause 2 was adopted as read. The consideration of clanse 3 was held over till the next meeting of the Council. The Town Clerk then read the Public Works Committee's Report of date 19 th March, as follows : Present—Cr. Rudkin (in the chair), Crs. Burger and Mulvihill. It was resolved—1. That the Committee cannot recommend the Council to continue the drain at Mr Spiers' across the footpath, as, according to the bye-laws, such drains must be constructed by the section-holders. 2. That Mr Orams be instructed to procure a sufficient quantity of copper wire for couplings. 3. That it be recommended that the Council take the necessary steps to get the engine and gear brought from Hokitika. The Report was considered and adopted. The Town Clerk then read the Finance Committee's Report, dated April 2nd, as follows :

Present—Cr. Nicholson (in the chair), the Mayor, Crs. Rudkin, Campbell, and Home.

It was resolved—1. That the account of Messrs Perkins and Jones be referred to the Council.

2. That the accounts (amounting to £49 17s 8d) be recommended for payment. 3. -That the letter of Mr C. F. Holmes be referred to the Council for consideration.

4. That the accounts of W. Hunt and J. Lowe be referred to the Council.

5. That the Council be requested to instruct the Town Clerk to communicate with Messrs Aitken, Wilson and Co. in reference to the amount charged for exchange, and other matters.

Amount paid since last meeting, £lO3 17s 8d ; amount received since last meeting £7l 10s 6cl; amount of Bank overdraft £365 8s 4d.

The Report was received and adopted, the several accounts certified to, including Messrs Perkins and Jones (subject to conditions stated) ; and the total sum of £126 10s 8d passed for payment.

A Report from the Inspector of Nuisances was read and received ; and the same was referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Burger, the question of cutting timber on the Reserves was referred to the Finance Committee, to report at next meeting ; iu the meantime no action to be taken to enforce penalties. With reference to M'Callum's tank contract, Cr. Campbell moved—" That the Town Clerk inform Mr M'Galium that the Council are willing to allow him the sum of £lO 10s for labour, 12s for hiDges, and the actual value of tim-

ber on the ground, on delivery of contract to the Council; and, failing that, that the Council intend to call for tenders aud complete the tank at his risk, at the expiration of term of contract." The motion was seconded by Cr. Nicholson, and carried.

Cr. Burger reported having tested the new tire engine, with the assistance of the Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade, and found it to work well. On the motion of Cr. Campbell, the Town Clerk was instructed to tender, through Captatn Michel, the thanks of the Council to the Hokitika Volunteer Fire Brigade for their kind assistance. Cr. Burger moved—" That the Public Works Committee bo authorised to procure a triplet coupling for the engine."

The motion was seconded by Cr Ziegler and carried.

This terminated the business of the Council.