Borough Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 112, 16 April 1885, Page 2

Borough Council.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING.

Present : The Mayor, Crs Grace, Bentley, West, Hawkins, Park, Hutcheson, T. King, Wylds, and Arahams. The minutes of last meetin? were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Surveyor General, stating the intention of the Government to complete the standard survey of the Borough during the ensuing winter. From the Under Secretary, returning plan of of allotment 1 of section 225, plotted off into building sites for sale m terms of the Special Powers Act of last session, with the approval of the Chief Surveyor noted thereon. The plan has been slightly altered so as to give access to section No. 13. The sale will be authorised by the Governor under the provisions of the Act on the following condition : — l. The sale to be by public auction at Polmerston. 2. Not less than 30 days' notice to be given m the local newspapers of the day of sale. In order to comply with the provisions of the Act a copy of the account sales may be forwarded to the Receiver of Land Revenue at Wellington. Section 10 of the Public Works Act, 1882, provides that the Borough Council, as the local authority shall have power to take any land required for local works. From D. M. George, resigning his seat m the Borough Council. Accepted. From Thomas McAnulty, calling attention to a piece of road about three chains from Main-street towards Church. street m Cook-street, which is formed but not metalled ; also to further down m Cook-street towards Ferguson-street which also requires metalling. The let- j ter urged that the work might be done I during the dry weather. From .P J. Miller, asking permission to erect a sign board m front of his premises. From Messrs Milverton and Carroll, again urging the Council to do such work at once as will prevent a recurrence of the recent floods to the injury of their properties, and pointing out the unavoidable delay that must aitend the floating of the loan, before which another wet season will have intervened with possibly disastrous consequences to their properties. From the Dunedin Fire Association, giving copy of a resolution that had been passed, re the desirability of appointing as fire inspectors only those who are officers of fire brigades, and suggesting that the first and second officers of the local Fire Brigade (if any) may be appointed Fire Inspectors, thus preventing any jealousy through an outside person interfering with the duties of the Fire Brigade while attending a fire. From the Borough Ranger, pointing j out the small remuneration he receives as driving fees, and asking for an increase. From the substitute presiding officer j at ths recent poll taken on the local option clauses ot the Licensing Act, and giving results thereof m detail. He application for metalling m Cookstreet : Referred to the Public Works Committee with power to act. Re application' for permission to erect sign board. Permission granted. Re letter from Messrs Milverton and Carroll : Referred to Public Works Committee to report at next meeting. Re circular from United Fire Brigade Association. Cr Hawkins thought it would be dangerous to delegate all powers to Fire Brigades, but it would be better to retain the positions of Fire Inspectors. He gave several cogent reasons for his contention, and quoted from the Act to show what powers and responsibilities were placed m the hands of Fire Inspectors. The Mayor also thought serious complications might arise, especially as regards insurance policies, by giving the Brigade unlimited powers. He would I prefer to allow matters to remain as they are. Cr West stated that the Fire Inspectors originally were Messrs J. Linton, G. M Snelson, T. King, and the Captain of the Brigade. Decided on the voices that it was better to remain as at present. Re application for ranger for increase of driving fees, which were greatly reduced by the provisions of the new Act. The Town Clerk said the driving fees by the new Act were Is a mile for any number under 25 head, of which he got half. The Mayor said it seemed very little, and the present ranger was doing his work well, and giving satisfaction throughout the district. Resolved that the ranger receive the whole driving fees from this date, m lieu j of half as formerly paid. Several of the Councillors stated that the present ranger was the most efficient man m that position the Council had yet had, and should bo encouraged to con* tinue to discharge his duties energetically. Re sale of lands allotment 1 seotion 225. ' The Mayor said the terms would have to be complied with as specified m the lette. But he thought it would not be wise to conclude the purchase uutil they were prepared with the money to pay for it. The necessary authority to proceed with the sale would no doubt be duly forwarded. Cr Abrahams apologised for Cr Larcomb's absence from the meeting, owiug i to his having gone to Woodville on business. FOREMAN OF WOHK3 REPORT, Work for month :— Raising of about 6 chains of road m Terrace- Street ; also j cleaning out 14 chains of drain m same street. A portion m Feafcherston-street requiries cleaning out to give an outlet to this drain. East-street is being formed, and will be completed about end of the first week m April. Some of the timber m the drain on Boundary Road had been taken out, and some trees m the drain near the bridge on Boundary Road would be taken out when Eaststreet is completed. A large tree lying near the piers of the Fitzherbert Bridge requires removing. One of the day men (Ayres) had been discharged, for which course reasons were assigned, and another man (Short) had been taken on. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCE'S. Had not been able to inspect nuisances during past month, owing to press of other work, but would have a good look round during the present month. Some pipes m Main-street near the railway line which were causing a nuisance had been removed. The report further dealt with a complaint from Mr Evans, that the nightmen buried carcases m the night-soil pit, which practice he had caused to be discontinued. Allusion was also made to a dispute as to Evans refusing the key except on certain nights, causing inconvience to the contractors. It was recommmended that each nightman should have their own key, poundkeeper's report. ■ Impounded by ranger 72, by property owner 5, outside Borough 52, total 129. Fees received £1G 15s. Paid to impounders ; owners 9s, county ranger £2 13s, road board 18s, total M. Charged against Road Board for loss m cattle impounded £2 5s ; balance due by Road Board £1 7s ; poundage fees to poundkeeper on cattle for Road Board 51 at Id 4s 3d, notice fees 7s 6d ; half driving fees to ranger £1 5s ; balance to Borough Council £12 16s 3d. Piibltc Wouks Committee. Meeting held on Mr r<-h 30. Present, Crs E, Larc»wl> and R. K. Hutchison.

The application of Mr McNeil relative to the culverts at the junction of Mainstreet and Botanidalßoad was considered, and it was resolved to ask for extension of time to report on the same, a full meeting of the Committee not being present and tho roadmen being fully engaged at the present time. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Council that Iho Foreman of Works bo instructed to have three chains of Cook-street metalled leading to Mainstreet. April 13. Present, Crs L. Gk West, E. Larcomh, R. R. Butcheson. The application of Mr McNeil to have the culverts at the junction of Botanical Road and Main-street altered, refeired from the Council to this Committee was considered. Resolved, To recommend to the Council that instead of making any alteration m the culverts at the junction of the Botanical Road and Main-street that a large culvert be made across Kairanga Road' to allow the Kawau to run m its natural course. ' Resolved, That recommendation m above report be adopted. CHABITABLB AID COMMITTEE. Gentlemen, We your Charitable Aid Committee hava th» honour to report that Mrs O'Brien has been m receipt of rations to the extent of £1 per week as resolved by the Council and continued by resolution dated March 4, 1885, to the present time. We have received from Mrs O'Brien an application the purport of which is that assistance shonld be still continued to her, her husband not havitig sent her any assistance, bnt as we are given to understand that O'Brien is at work we would recommend that the council should cease any fur* ther aid leaving the matter m the hands of tbe police. Report adopted I MISCELLANEOUS. Cr West moved and it was resolved that the Town Clerk notify Mr Evans that free access be allowed the nightmen when going to the pit, and that if thore is any further opposition is offered on his part be will be compelled to fence off his land and the Council will find another approach to the nightsoil pit. The question of the power possessed by the Foreman to discharge was »«xt discussed, and the Clerk stated that the Foreman had been given the power to discharge the day men. Cr Grace thought it was not judicious to entrust the power of discharging employes with the Foremau, but rather with the Public Works Committee. Cr Hawkins spoke of the man discharged as a steady industrious man, and he thought he should not be discharged unheard. The charge might be true, or it might not, and he thought a i Committee should be appointed to inquire into the whole matter. He had i heard that the Foreman bad been asked to give a reason, but did ■ not assign any except that he did not like Ayres and wished to pet rid of him/ Cr Grace seconded the motion and recommended that the certain Crs be the committee, to inqure into the action of discharging Ayres. Cr T. King differed with the motion, and said that doing so would destroy all the Foreman's authority m future, and would be a very ill-advised proceeding. Cr Abraham was of the same opinion. Cr Hawkins inquired when a motion had been passed authorising the. Foreman to discharge and take on men at his will as had been stated ? The Clerk searched, but it was not turned up. Cr West moved as an amendment that the Foremau of Works be' received aud adopted. The Mayor thought that if a man had been dicharged harshly the matter should be inquired into. He never had heard any complaint against this man Ayres before. He believed m doing justice to all parties — Ayres as well as Hill. H« believed that an injustice had been done and he could conscientiously speak m tho highest terms of Ayres* work. We wantedjgrood men m Borough employ, but men who were liable to be discharged at a moment's notice would not care to remain. He, for one, would like t« have the matter more fully investigated, especially as be fully believed that the man was an honest working man who every day earned his (wages. The Foreman had never before complained of Ayres' negligence or misconduct, and he thougiit K that the two men should be brought face to face and the rights of the dispute fully inquired into. Cr Hutcheson spoke m very high terms of Ayres, and while being unwilling to interfere with Hill's authority, he thought the matter should be inquired into. Ho had heard that Hill had expressed ill-will against Ayres and threat* ened to "do for him." The Mayor thought the day-men should be troated with full justice and consideration. It was possible the?Foraman had acted hastily, or abused his authority, and Ayres had a right to detuaud an inquiry if he considered he had been unjustly dismissed. Cr Park thought it wo aid be better to receive the report, and leave it open for Ayres to demand an inquiry if he deemed it advisable. This course was adopted and the Mayor notified Ayres f who was m attendance) that ho could have his matter inquired into by making a formal application to the Town Clerk. Ayrea also spoke re his wages which he said had not been paid when he was discharged. He was told that what was. due would be paid. THE BOROUGH I.OAN. The Mayor said the next question was to deal with preliminaries m reference to the Loau. t£« congratulated the Councillors on the substantial majority by which the Loan proposals had been passed at the recent meeting. He thought it would be better, so as to afford anrestrained discussion, that the Council go into Committee, not that he wished anything kept from the public, or the representatives of the Press to retire,but simply that they might discuss matters m a free conversational manner, and to afford full soope for representation and argument. The Council then went into Committee. After about an hour's discussion, the Committee brought up the following resolution on the motion of Cr Wylda seconded by Cr Abrahams. Resolved— That all the Banks m Palmerston North be coinmunioated with m reference to the floating a loan for the Council at 5 per cent, for a term of 30 years, to the extent of £50,000, asking them to state their terms for the floating the said loan, also what rate of interest they would charge for any over, draft that may be required for immediate use. f The Couucit then adjourned.