Borough Council.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 130, 7 May 1885, Page 2

Borough Council.

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING,

Present :— The llayor, Crs. T. King, Grace, Larcoinb, West, Hawkins, Wylds, Abrahams, Park, Hutchison, and J. King. Minutes of previous regular and. special meetings were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From the manager Union Bank, stating that matter inquired about would be referred to Head Oflice for decision and reply communicated on receipt. From the Undersecretary, acknowledging receipt of result of poll for Borough Loan proposals. From Mr G. M. Snelson, as follows : — I have given notice to the Mayor of my intention to take immediate action if the Town Council proceeds with certain drainage work by which a quantity of water is thiown upon my land irom other than the Kawau creek. I allude to the storm water which at present goes down the Boundary Road. From the same, as follows : — I see that the big culvert running across Rangitikei road is to be lifted and placed longitudinally along the drain thus bringing a foreign flow of water from the Mangaonfi and the lands on this side of it down the creek running through my property. I beg therefore to give you notice that I shall hold the Town Council responsible if this is gone on with and shall proceed accordingly to take action at law. I have just spent i'lo on having the creek through my property cleared, hut unless it is cleared right through to the Foxton Line no water can get away. From same, as follows : — Since going with the deputation to the Boundary Road and agreeing to forego any action so far as myself is concerned, if certain foreign water was brought on to the Borough near my property, 1 find that the cross culvert has been laid at a lower depth than agreed upon by two inches ; but I also learn that instructions have not been given to put the extra culvert required on the town side of the road to connect with the drain cut m the side of the road. As this is a most imperative work m order that a portion of the surplus water may be conveyed m that direction, and thus save a number ot ratepayers' properties m that neighbourhood, I trust the Council will authorise this at present sitting. , Further, I would remark that the drain ruuning by the property now owned by Messrs Milverton and Carroll was by commen consent'agreed to by the owners of the properties contiguous thereto. And Mr Foster, who owned the sections since bought by Mr Carroll, Mr Wiltshire, Mr Rush, and Mr Milverton, was duly written to when the scheme was put into effect and he agreed. The property since was subdivided and bought by the abovenamed gentlemen, and of course they bought it with this road side drain as it is at present and with its consequent evils, if any. This property is not rateable to the Borough, but by your present I action you will injure |>roperties owned by the following Borough ratepayers, viz., Messrs Waldesrave, Beetie, Ollivier, Palmerson, Miller, Woolcock, Collins, Schiager, Ryen, J. E. Nathan, Snelson, and Dr Curi, all of wliom will donbtles take such remedy against the Council as they may be advised, to. The matter is of very serious consequence to the town, and until such time as the Kawau stream is cleared of debris from the Foxton road upward to the Rangitikei Line no outlet exists for water m that channel. And further, the Kawau creek m itself has no real outlet expecting that made by the Railway Public Works Department, through Jamieson and Weeks' section to the Awapuui lagoon. As Chairman of the Road Board I will use eyery effort to get the culvert above on the road deepen ed some 12 inches which will to a .great extent relieve a great deal of the water that now comes down the drain complained of. From Sir Julius Yogel, (telegram) as follows : — It is under consideration to increase the rating limit within Boroughs from fd to Id m the £ on the capital value m order to give Boroughs as large an income from rates as they possess under the system of levying Is m the £ on the annual value. I should be glad to learn the views of your council on the question, and also to know whether if the law were altered m this direction the Council would be willing to adopt " The Rating Act, 1882," and rate on the capital value, thereby saving the present annual cost of a valuation. An early answer would oblige. Reply free by telegraph. . From Road Board intimating that the Chairman and Warden Sly had been authorised to inspect Boundary Road and report at next meeting. From E. Powell referring to the very bad state of Ferguson-street, where it joins Fitzherbert • street, and asking to have some twelve chains metalled. From Secretary Racing Club asking permission to charge for admission to racecourse on 25th inst. From J. Ayres, requesting an inquiry | into the matter' between himself and Hill the overseer.

MATTERS DEALT WITH. Permission granted to the Manawatu Racing Club to charge for admission to the racecourse on 25 th insfc. Mr Powell's letter referred to the Public Works Committee. Be Sir Julius Vogel's telegram. Rosolved that a reply be sent after next Tuesday, when the Town Olerk will have submitted figures showing how the proposed alterations would affect the financial position of the Council. He Ayers' application for inquiry into his dismissal. Cr J. King objected to the inquiry being held as establishing a dangerous precedent. The Mayor reminded Cr King that the Council had virtually promised Ayres that a request to that effect would be entertained. Cr Grace moved, and Cr Abrahams seconded — That the Public Works Committee and the Mayor be a committee to investigate the merits of dispute between Ayres aud Hill, which led to the former's dismissal. < Cr J. King, suggested as an amendment — That John Ayres' request for an enquiry be not entertained by the Public Works Committee. Seconded by Cr Wylds. Cr Hutcheson reminded the Council that at the last meeting it had been distinctly promised- that Ayres could have an inquiry if he wished. It may have been unwise to allow him to understand that an inquiry would be granted, but when such had been done the promise should be fulfilled. Ci* Hawkins moved, and Cr Wylds seconded — That the request be attended to and that an inquiry take place before the whole Council m Committee at its next meeting. The amendment was carried, the original motion and first amendment being withdrawn. Re Mr Snelson's matter. The Mayor said that all the water that was such a trouble did not come from the Borough at all, but from the district of a body of which Mr Snelson is chairman, fie thought Mr Snelson's. action was setting a very bad example, of which a good many might take advantage, it would have been m better taste had Mr Snelson offered to meet the Council m a friendly spirit, instead of acting as he had done and threatening proceedings. No doubt the difficulty would receive attention with other works when the loan was floated. One thin<j they could not do, which was to make the water flow uphill.

Agreed to adopt the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. Cr West expressed his opinion m strong deprecation of Mr Snelson's communication, and the position takon up by him and thought that the Council should let him take his threatened action. He held that the Kawau creek was the proper outlet for the overflow from that locality. Cr Larcorab advised an amicable adjustment rather than a recourse to law. In lawsuits the wiuner is a loser. In his opinion the bulk of the water comes from the Mangaone. The Mayor thought an action would lie against the Road Board for permitting the overflow of the Kawau by storm water from the Mangaone. Cr Hawkins moved and Cr West seconded, and carried, •as follows : — That referring to Mr Snelson's letter, that the Boad Board be informed that as the Mangaone water is lead by the drain along the Rangitikei Line into the Borousrh the Municipal Council now calls upon the Boad Board to stop this nuisance, and that m the meantime the complaint of Mr Snelson and others must stand over ; but that nevertheless the work he alludes to as being consented to will be carried out on its integrity. The mover spoke strongly on the subject of these threatening letters, and thought the Council should not be intimidated by them. The Mayor said the Boad Board had displayed a hostile and acrimonious spirit on every occasion that offered, m matters, m connection with the Borough Council. The Board had brought the water down, but declined to assist m the cost of providing for its outlet. He was with Cr Hawkins that the Council should not allow themselves to be intimidated by threatening letters from one and another who sought to embarrass the Council by threats of legal proceedings. The Mayor suggested that Parliament should be asked to erect a new railway station m Paltnerstou, which at present was quite inadequate to the requirements of the place. He thought the plans should be submitted to the Council for their approval previous to their being decided upon. Parliament would shortly meet, and it was time that the matter was being considered. The Palmerston municipal body had shewn a disposition to accommodate the Government m the way of giving land for railway purposes, and would be prepared doubtless to make further concessions if necessary, and he thought that the requirements of traffic, which would shortly be greatly increased, demanded suitable accommodation,which was not afforded by the present building.

Cr Hawkins suggested that the Town Clerk draft a letter to the desired effect. The Mayor said the request would include new post and telegraph offices as well as railway station. He thought that a photograph of the rear of the present station buildings be taken to show the authorities the accommodation they had m the largest inland town m the North Island. Cr Hawkiua suggested a deputation as likely to have substantial effect m having their wishes given effect to. The Mayor said lie would be very happy to act as a member of the deputation when m Wellington. The matter was one of great importance to the town and district, and he hoped that the centre of the Square would not be disfigured with a building that would be no ornament to the town. Cr West asked on behalf of residents m North-street that further metalling be carried out as promised last year. To be dealt with later on. FOREMAN OF WORLS REPORT. 339 loads of stripping hod been carted from Fitzroy-street to fall a low place m Ea3t-street, about 40 loads more were still required. 8 chains of metalling m Cook-street had been done, which work was being continued to Ferguson-street, making about 18 chains. A piece m Church-street to Pitt-street, wanted doing sufficient metal could be got m Cookstreet, but instructions from Public Works Committee would first be obtained. The Kawau creek across the Kairanga road had been cleaned, and two culverts placed across the road to take the flood water into the Kawau Creek, and the low part of the road had been filled m. A small piece more of Rangi-tikei-street had been metalled m front of Mr Johnston's new shop. A large culvert across the Rangitikei Line had been taken out, and the best of the timber used for the culvert across Boundary Road. Attention was drawn to the present culvert across Rangitikei-street at Boundary Road, which gave a great deal' of trouble last winter, the road having broken through several times, owing to the bottom and sides having been scoured out by the rush of water. It should be taken out and put m level and made solid at the bottom and sides. Some of the roads required repairs, among others the entrance to North-street. The drain' m Featherston-street from Terrace-street was being cleaned out. Some repairs about the crossings m Main-street and filling m a low place near Flyger's store were promised by Mr George Nye, the railwuy overseer, to be attended to but nothing bad been done as yet. Mr Joseph Nathan had offered 18 bags of oats at 2s 7d per bushol, were at present paying 3s. Permission was asked to purchase a chaff-cutter, to cut up hay m pound yard, which could be done under the shed by the men on wet days. Price of chaff-cutters £4 to £4 12s 6d. Were now using four bags of chaff a week at 2s 6d a bap*.

poundkeeper's report. Impounded by ranger 87, by property owners 14, outside Borough 43, total 144. Fees received £26 Is ; cash received for cattle sold m Borough Pound £8 13s, expenses of sale £6 16s 6d ; paid impounders £2 10s, paid county ranger £2 10s, paid Road Board 15s 6d, poundage fees to poundkeeper, notices ss, 43 head of Cattle from Road District at Id, 3s 7d, driving fees to ranger £4 6s, balance to credit of Borough £17 7s sd. INSPECTOR Ofc 1 NUISANCES. Had only been able to take one day during the -past month inspecting nuisances, on account of extra work to attend to. All places inspected were free from cause of complaint. A dead sheep and horse had been buried. PUBLIC WORKS COMMUTE. Present : The Mayor, Crs Wylds, and West. The Borough Solicitor attended to confer with the Councillors as to the by-law re cabstands, &c. The draft prepared was fully considered and after amendment agreed to. Respecting the drainage at tho Kairanga Road, it was resolved to open a channel to allow the Kawau to follow its natural course, and prevent the water 1 running into Main-street. It was also resolved to take steps to prevent the overflow m Boundary Road. The petition of ratepayers asking for a few chains of Cook-street to be metalled referred 5o this Committee from the Council was considered. Resolved — That the foreman of works be instructed to do the same, and that he be authorised to take on two extra men to complete the drainage works noted above as soon as possible. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Present — Crs G. F. Hawkins (chairman), S. Abrahams, and W. Park. The following accounts were passed for payment :- — Roadmen's wages, March and April, £83 9s 6d ; W. Ellis, ploughing, £2 12s ; Town Clerk, salary for March, £16 13s 4d ; Moffatt, lighting, £4 1.6 ; Haines, poundkeeper, £4 3s 4d ; Maul, hire of dray, £1 4s 6d ; advertising, £15 14s 9d; Milverton, horsefeed, £4 15s sd ; Fer-

giis.son, mator'al, 6s lid ; T. Monta-ma, 12s; total, £1.54 7s «Jd. Resolved— That the amount due for curt and harness be paid by promissory note with discount added. Resolved— That the balance of the accounts due for April bo passed when money available. Resolved— That the Council be recommended to authorize that the necessary stops be taken for the purpose of striking the ordinary general and special rate to provide interest. In reference to report of foreman ef works it wag resolved to carry out the suggestion made therein to purchase the oats and procure the chaff-cutter. Resolved— That the Town Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to strike a general and special rate to proj vide interest for the ensuing year. Cr Larcoinb suggested that cleaning out of a number of drains, the carrying capacity of which if left as at present would be next to nothing. The Mayor said the work would be put m hand m due course. Metalling was now being pushed on while the good weather remained. Cr West moved that the remainder of the metalling m North-street be completed s promised last year. Cr Abrahams would like first to be informed what works were now m hand, and when they would be completed. Decided to leave the matter m the hands of the Public Works Committee with power to act. •. Resolved— That next meeting be the latest date till which replies to communications re the terms, &c, for floating the loan should be received. The Mayor said he did not expect the Banks would have replied to the circulars sent them re the Loan, nor did he think they would now. All that they could expect the Banks to do would, be to ■offer to do the best they could to float the Loan. He thought the Council's action m the matter had been a mistake. He knew that their own Bank would not make any proposals, the Bank of New Zealand could not, and he was almost sure the Union Bank would not either. They could not alter matters now and must abide the result, but he was satisfied the prospects of their loan would not be improved by the course that had been adopted. The Town Clerk was instructed to communicate with the Banks requesting them to forward replies to the circular sent on April 16th hot later than the 20th inst. The Council then adjourned.