BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 118, 7 May 1880, Page 3

BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 4, The Council met at S o’clock p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and ( Os Rob'nsou, Sinclair, Houldsworth, Parker, Fell, Press wood, ’ r cmyss and Rogers. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. TAYLOR RIVER r.EI. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Wairau Rivers Board, asking the Council to co-operate with them in the removal of the gorse from the Taylor river bed, from Burleigh to the swing gate between the Meadow Bank and the Vernon runs. Crs Robinson and Rogers said it had been pointed out that the site was outside the jurisdiction of the Borough. Cr Pre3Swood thought that it was a matter which affected the interests of the public, and that if the Council and the Ro..d Boards could co-operate it would be very advisable. No resolution was passed on the subject. REMOVAL OF A GATE. In reply to a communication from the Town Clerk, the following letter was read from Mr Fitzgerald, Assistant Engineer, in reference to a gate, removed by the railway authorities, which was erected by Mr Dodson, near the ferry ‘ Public Works office, 17-4-83. —To the Town Clerk—Sir,—l lnve to acknowledge the receipt of the above, and also to inform you that having referred the matter to my superior officer it has now passed out of my hands. Under theße circumstances I do not feel justified in forward ing the claim, unless further grounds are forthcoming for making the same.—l have, etc., Gerald Fitzgerald, Assistant Engineer.’ Cr Rogers said this was a funny sort of official letter. Cr Fell said he understood Mr Dodson was satisfied. Cr Weinyss said Mr Dodson had got a better gate now than the one lie had lost. At a subsequent stage of the proceedings, notice was given by Mr Fell, that the motion agreeing to give Mr Dodson £2 10s on account of this gate being taken by the rail way authorities, be rescinded. HIGH STREET BRIDGE. Cr Robinson moved that plans and specifications lie prepared for a cart bridge to be erected at the West end of High-street, and that the Omaka Road Board he requested to contribute their share towards the expense. He said this was a work that was much required, and it had been felt for some time that a bridge was wanted here. When there was a flood it was impossible for people to come into town that way, and this was the leading road, lie might call it, from the Boulder Bank to the Top House, and traffic was increasing upon it every day. The Omaka Board had made a good bridge at Murphy’s creek and this was a work which should have been done long ago. It was ridiculous that people coming in from Renvvidk by the Middle Road should have to go round by the old Plough Inn and by Mr Dodson’s, in order to get into town when the river was too high at the ford. Cr Presswood seconded the motion and said he quite agreed with what had fallen fro n Cr Robinson. Cr Rogers said if the Council decided on erecting this bridge, they could, strictly speaking, compel the Omaka Board to pay half, but it would be more courteous to put it in the form of a request. He understood that the Omaka Board was quite willing to assist in the matter. He agreed with Cr Robinson as to the work being required. After some discussion as to the wording of the motion Cr Weinyss moved—“ That the Omaka Board he asked if they will contribute half the expense.” This was seconded by Cr Presswood and carried. FOOTPATH ROUND SCHOOL-HOUSE Cr Wemyss moved that specifications be prepared for gravelling the footpath round the school-house. Cr Fell seconded the notion. Cr Robinson said he thought it would only he a waste of money to gravel the path along Seyniour-street as the sand would all he carried away in the first flood. Cr Wemyss suggested that the pathway might he gravelled up to the small entrance gate in Seymour-streec. This was agreed to. inspector’s report. The Inspector of Works reported that lie had examined the locality near Mr Dodson’s brewery, and did not think it would be any benefit to the road |to p’ace a culvert there as had been suggested. Mr Ball had agreed to convey to the Council a piece of land at the corner of the Renwiek Old Road and Redwood street, if the Council would fill up the adjacent hollow. The Inspector recommended that this offer should be accepted, as it would be a great improve ment, and the cost would not Be more than £lO. He also recommended the purchase by the Council of a small piece of land at the corner of Market and Alfred Streets, from Mr Nosworthy. On the motion of Cr Fell, seconded by Cr Parker, it was agreed that the Mayor, Cr Fell, and the Town Cierk, should be a Com mittee to make arrangements w'ith Mr Noswortliy. yiuE brigade. Mr Rae, late Captain of the Fire Brigade, forwarded to the Council an abstract of receipts and expenditure from December, 1878, to date, by which it appeared that the receipts were £62 9s 9d, and the expenditure £67 Is 9d. Cr Robinson said there was an opinion abroad that when the Brigade disbanded, the members divided amoiigst themselves the funds in hand. Cr Fell said the Brigade had established amongst themselves an accident fund, and it was that which had been divided amongst them. He understood that a new Brigade would shortly he established. GAS SUPPLY. A letter was laid befere the Council from Mr J. B. Lewis, of Dunedin, forwarding a copy of an agreement between the Council and Mr Hutcheson in reference to the supply of gas to the Borough. On the motion of Cr Fell, it was agreed that the Mayor, Cr Rogers, Or Sinclair, and the mover, be a Committee to consider the document and report to next meeting. MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. A letter was read from the Local Secretary at Wellington, asking the Council to act as a committee in the same way as they did for the Sydney Exhibition. The Mayor said as soon as he received the letter he took it upon himself to send a telegram stating that the Council would act as a Committee. MARKET STREET, A letter w r as laid before the Council signed by several ratepayers directing the attention of the Council to the want of a pro per footpath on the West side of Market St-cot, from High Street to Alfred Street,

Cr Sinclair said it had been decided t hi the work should be done, and it ought to have been .proceeded with. The Town Clerk stated that specification? for the work would be laid before the Com-. cilat its next meeting. accounts. The following account were passed, ?•. ? payment:—Hewitt £1 10s, Maxted £2, Cook £lO 4s, Mahon £0 2s, Elbeck £2 fti 9d, Carroll £ll, Taylor LlO 3s, By the! 1 .L,' Os 3d, Sellor L 3 4s, ferryman L 24 4s, Auditors LG Ss Od, Thompson L2l 17s Bd. RAILWAY BRIDGE. Cr Rogers moved that the authorities be asked to provide a cart bridge in connection with the bridge which is to convey the railway across the Oniaka, tho Council contributing to the cost. He said the extra expense of making the railway bridge available for ge‘ eral traffic wouldjba very° small, the only extra cost would be the planking, and the benefit to the town wou.d be very great. . Cr Sinclair seconded the motion, which, was carried. TENDERS. The following tenders for street repairs were laid before the Council, and the lowest tender in each case was accepted Percy Street—D. Bishell 22s per chain, J. Batty 25s 6d do, H. O'Leary 21s fid, A. Cameron 245, G. Crook 28s, J. Foster 30s, J. Lowe 21s. Litchfield Street—D. BishelL' ISs per chain, J. Batty 10s 6d, G. Atwood 16s, H. C. O'Leary 14s, A. Cameron 17s, J. Murphy 13s 9d, W. Gosling 19s, G. Crook 18s, J. Foster 245, J li Aberhart 16s, J. Lowe 17s 3d. Howick Street—D. Bisholl 17s per chain, J. Batty 19s 6d, G. Atwood 16s, H. C. O’Leary 13s, W. Gosling 18s, J. Cook 17s 6d. J. Foster 22s 6d, J H Aberhart 17s, J. Lowe lfia’ Auckland aim Short Streets—D. Bishell 24b per chain, J. Batty 255, H C. O'Leary 18s, J H A’ rhart 16s, J. Lowe 22s Gd. South Street— D. Scanuell 7s sd’ H. McKegnie 8s 9d, W. Holton 9s 6d, J. H. Aberhart 16s. J. Lowe 22s 6d. The Council at its rising adjourned until Tuesday next.