BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2384, 19 April 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Town Hall on Thursday evening ; present—His "Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Councillors Davies, Home, Burger, and Mulvihill. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved of; and the inward read, received, and considered. HOSPITAL PETE COMMITTEE AND THE RECREATION RESERVE. A letter was read from the Secretary to the Hospital Fete Committee, as follows: To his Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors. The Hospital Fete and Sports Committee beg to tender their sincere thanks for the use of the Recreation Ground on Easter Monday and Tuesday, and feel confident from the success they have met with on this occasion that a similar fete will be held annually in the future. They respectfully request that the public convenience would be served if the house at the foot of the ground was enlarged ; also it would be of great service as a store room for materials used in connection with the f6te, &c. As the cost will be trifling, we trust this matter will receive your favourable consideration. Lawrence J. Spyer, Secretary. Kumara, April 17, 1884. Cr. Burger agreed with the suggestion contained in the letter, and moved " that the letter be referred to the Public Works Committee, with power to expend a sum not exceeding £5 in enlarging the house on Recreation Ground." Cr. Home seconded the motion, which, after some discussion, was carried. BOROUGH SOLICITORS. A letter was read from Messrs Jones and Menteath, solicitors, Greymouth, successors to Messrs Perkins and Jones, accepting the appointment of Solicitors to the Council upon the same terms as their predecessors. HAWKER'S LICENSE. A letter was read from Mr A. M'Covey applying for a hawker's license for the Borough of Kumara. As he only wanted it for three days, he could net afford to give the annual fee of £2 ; but he would be willing to pay for such pro rata for three months. The Mayor said he did not see that the application could be entertained by overriding the Council's Bye-laws. He moved—" That Mr M'Covey be informed that the Council cannot legally grant him a license for a less term than twelve months." The motion was seconded by Cr. Davies, and carried. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. Mr W. Barnett, Hon. Secretary to the Kumara Benevolent Society, wrote applying for eighteen months' subsidy, at the rate of £25 per annum, due by the Council to the Society. The Mayor stated that the bye-laws of the society had been burned when the late Church Parsonage was destroyed, and hence delay bad arisen. He would move—" That the letter of the honorary secretary Benevolent Society be referred to the Finance Committee to report at next meeting of the Conncil." Cr. Mulvihill seconded the motion, which was carried. THE TANK IN MAIN STREET. With reference to the authorised tank in Main stieet, Cr. Burger moved "That the tank in Main street be taken over by the Council, and that Mr M'Callum be allowed the sum of £3 10s for labour done by him." Cr. Mulvihill seconded the motion, which was carried. The Mayor thought it advisable to call for tenders for completing the contract, for labour only. Cr. Burger moved—" That the matter of finishing the tank in Main street be left in the hands of the Public Works Committee, with power to act," Cr. Mulvihill seconded the motion. The Mayor moved as an amendment "That the Public Works Committee I have power to call for tenders and amend specifications for the construction of the Tank in Main street." The amendment was seconded by Cr. Hone; and, on being put, was lost, and the resolution carried. THE PRICE OF WATER ON THE GOLDFIELD. The Mayor now moved—" That this Council views with regret the unsatisfactory reply given by the Hon. the Minister of Mines to the suggestion contained iu the Report of Dr. Giles find Mr Gordon re sludge-channel inquiry, etc., especially that portion having reference fco the reduction of the price of water, and the Council would urge on the Government the great necessity I hat exists for mUiei.\i» iJioi present uhar»es made lor water on th * guluheld, nuU for that purpose tlittt Crs. i

Burger, Home, and the mover be appointed a sub-committee with power to draw up a memorial to be signed by the Mayor and Town Clerk on behalf of the Council, respectfully requesting the Government to reconsider its decision in the matter referred to." He need not add much to the motion. Councillors were all aware of the exorbitant and ruinous price of watersupply to the miners. So long as water was charged at the present price, so long would (he miners remain in their present poor position. Cr. Burger seconded the motion, which he said spoke for itself. An extension of time was given to the Public Works and Finance Committees authorised to bring up reports on various matters. The Council then adjourned.