PALMERSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 6, 13 November 1878, Page 2

PALME RSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held m the Council Chambers on Wednesday evening. Present — The Major, and Crs. Ferguson, Walton, Roe, Coleman, Jenssen, King, and Linton. After the minutes of former meeting had been read, the Chairman read the following PSECIS OF CORttJSSPONBRXCH. From W< Johnston, Esq., M.H.R, enclosing letter- from Under - Secretary of Works declining aid from Government for Square- improvement*. Frotn same, relative to a resident Clerk of the Court. From the Secretary of the Public Hall Company, Limited, relative to the transferof the Hall, &c. PUBLIC HALt. "Gentlemen, — I have the honor- to stateby direction of the liquidators of the Palmerston North Public Hall Company, Limited, that they have this day signed the transfer of the- property to- Mr Lewis, as directed. I 3ir> instructed further- to state that they will accept the proposed debentures as part liquidation of their claim, on the understanding that the whole amount be handed over at once. — I have the honor to be, &c, Robt. N. Keeling, Secretary Public Hall Co." From H. J. Haynes, Esq., proposing terms upon which he would perform the required work for the Borough. BOBOITOH BXOItfEBBv "Gentlemen, — I am willing (providing the consent of Manawatu County Council is obtained) to undertake the work of the Borough Council of Pulmeruton, North on the following terms : — Setting out, levelling, furnishing plans and specifications, without superintendence at tl» rate oi & per cent, on outlay. Setting out, levelling, furnishing plans and specifications, with super! n- , tendcnce, at tlie rate of 7i per cent, on outlay. Any work other than above as per arrangement wit-U Committee. — I romaia, j your obedient servant, H. J. Hay^es." From the Overseer of Works,, tandwiug his resignation. BBSIOVi.TIO.N T OF OVRRSTJEB O* WORKS. Gentlemen, — I hereby tender my resignation as Overseer of Works and Inspector of Nuisance*, and while doing so 1 wi»h to convey my sincere thanks to the Council for the very considerate and satisfactory manner m which I hove been treated while m your employ. Might I request, as a parting favor, that an arrangement might be ma.de so i» to enable me to leave with as little delay as possible, say m one week from now, os I have another engagement to keep which is of very great importance to me. If you cau possibly manage tliis I will leave everything m a complete and satisfactory manner. — I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, Rore&t llkxi>krsoi<." Cr. Linton said that before taking any steps to elect a successor to the Overseor of Works, he thought it wouKi bo well to consider the proposition made by Mr Haynes, for the Borough Engineering. If Mr Haynes wore engaged they would not require a man, other than a trustworthy one, who would carry out bis direction*. He thought also that it would be much wiser to- secure the Engineer's services at the higher r.ite. Cr. Roe was of the same opinion. The Mai OR sai.l that if that course were taken all that would be necessary would be a handy nnn. There would also be an Inspector of Nuisance required, ami he was of opinion that sooner or hit or that duty would devolve upon the Town Clerk. Cr. Likto.v moved, and Cr. Fbkgusox seconded — " That Mr Haynes' offer for laying out, and superintending our public works, at the rate of 71 per cont,, be accepted by this Council." Carried. Cr. Linton next moved, and Cr. Rob second — "That applications be invited for a suitable man to nut under the Engineer m connection with the public works within the Borough." Carried. PUBLIC WOBKS RETORT. " I have the honor to report on the work? now m progress as follows : — "Coatractß. — The bush-felling contracts are nearly all completed ; the whole will be dono about the end of the present week. The whole of this work is being done m a satisfactory manner by the contractors. "George stteet. — This contract is completed according to specification. I would j respectfully point out that the kerbing i stakes are too small, and would suggest that when the Square footpaths are being dotie that heavier timber be used, say Sin. x 6in., \ and 2ft. Gin. long. The job would thou he substantial and lasting. " Boundary road. — This work has been commenced. " Roads generally. — That portion of Main street between Goorge*street and the gravelpit is much cut up, and will require require re-metalUng m several places. The streets throughout the town require repairs, more especially that portion of Main street between Terrace street and Brightweli's late premises, which is now getting into holes, and will soon be any tiling but safe for night traffic. Broad street likewise requires a considerable quantity of gravel upon it j the same may be said of the Rangitikei line. Since th-* day labor was done away witli I have fou.nl it quite impossible to do the work required on thf streets, and it will he found more than any one man can do w lile having to attend to s.o many other duties. T he wo.-k on Albert street has beens awl pegs put ii\ at every chain. This work will require to be metalled when formed, as thero will be a lot- of heavy traffic upon it, an I hkewiso on Princess street. The metal at both these streets. 19 qnile convenient. The outlet from Terrace street to the creek mentioned m late reports does reilly require immediate attentim, as a great portion of the property along the s. ret t is now under water, and loud complaint* from the resident* are being continually made to me." MAIN STBEBT. Cr. Linton drew utteni ion to the formation of the. footpath m Main-street. The kerbin.r was only done down as far as' Mr Brig'it well's old atore, and the timber. was now tyinij rotting on the ground. The M.V708 said, that the work had been authorised by tho Council long since, and there was no reason Why the street should not be finished at once. „

ALBEKT STKKBT. A discussion arose out of the reading of the Overseer's report, m the specification attached thereto, reference was made to the metalling of Albert street, but as such work had not been contemplated bjr the Council, Cr. Lision moved, and Cr. Rob second— "That lenders be called for forming only those st reef s named m the Public Works Report by the Overseer." Carried. PUBLIC HALL COMIiITTER's REPORT. " We, your committee, appointed la consider and carry out tho arrangements connected with tho transfer of tho Pub)ic Hall property, have the honor to report; that we have receired a letter from Messrs Duller & Lewis, m which it was suggested: that as a Corporate body cannot execute a mortgage, the transfer should be made by the liquidators to Mr Lewis of that firm, who would then mortgage- to the liquidators and transfer the- property to the Corporation, subject to the encumbrances. To tliis arrangement we liaTe agreed, and have further written to Messrs Buller & Lewis to try and obtain a moriguge from a private source, so as to save a portion of the present outlay. We htiYO also suggested to the liquidators that instead of paying an annual sum m cash, the Corporation should make over to them yearly a certain number of debentures, amounting m the whole to £500, and to bea portion of the loan. Should this be acceded to, the outlay yearly would be-^for I fire yours — about an average of jglOO, out of which £2a wotild be received for rent of the Highway Board office. A further reduction of £40- per annum would be effected ■ L/ changing Hie mortgage." Proposed by Cr. Ferguson, seconded by Cr. Lintos— •*" That tho whole of the re- | quired debentures be handed over to the Public Works Hall Company, as requested." | Carried. : ANNCAIi CmWS.TJIA3 BPO.BTS. ; A deputation from tWSports Committee, consisting of Messrs. E. Warbnrton, Slitford, and (Joodisson, whs here introduced* ! ■to the Council, when Mr Warburton said that ors behalf of the deputation he wished ; to apply for tks use of the Recreation Reserve. The Sports Commit tee were n»t it* a position to gire a very high figure for the grounds, but they were prepared to givoanything reasonable. They intended to give good' prizes, and hoped by holding other special inducements to make the gathering such a surcess as to bo able to< I compete with Feilding and elsewhere. Especial enro- would be bestowed upon the- . comfort of visitors, and should the sports, as ho had no. doubt they would, prove a j success,, it would 1 make the- Recreation ground ' more valuable. Taking those mutters into- ! consideration tho deputation were wiftin-g to offor the Council one-tenth of the amount taken, the committee defraying all expenses. Thus while the meeting might not prove a success, through wet weather, or any other cause, the Borough would receive s remuneration no matter how small, the Committee would have to meet all the expenses. Ho had little fear o-f the result, however, and he ftlt convinced that* next year they would be m a position to offer a much higher remuneration. Or. Fteßauao^i said, that the movement was tho first of the kind which it was scmgUt to inaugurate — a sort of lenp m thedark, and he thought the offiw- of ihe-com-I raittea a very liberal one. Cr. Boh was of a similar opinion, and thought that it should be accepted:. Proposed by Cr. Fkkgusox, seconded by Cr. LtXTOK — "That the offer of the depututinn be accepted — -namely to pay to Hie i Council one-tenth of the gross, takings at the gaU." Carried. Mr Warburton then thanked the Council and the deputation withdrew. RBQUEST FHOM MS. SHEEBAIT. Mr Sheehan interviewed the Council, an& nsked that something might be done to the R-.mgitikei roud, m. front of his. premises, l£e stated that if the Council woufd uuthorise the work, he himselt' would take up thecontract, accepting half payment when the work was done, and the balance at the cud of twelve months or two yenrs. The Ma yob pointed out that there -\ver» no funds available for such works, but Mr •Sheehitn might possibly have the work done by taking up- debentures. It could not. be done otherwise. The Auditor's report wa» then read, . received, and adopted". CUBA STBKET. Cr. CbLBMAN laid, upon the table a statement showing that debenture* amount ing to, £125 had been take* up by propetty-ltoUfcrs inCuba street. It was. possible another £50 might also be received, but lift held thatindependently of that, that street was fully entitled to have its improvements matfe. It was almost one of the first streets m the town, and had been systematically neglected*. He would therefore" propose that tender* be called for forming and metalling it. Cr. Rob could agree- with the remark* of Cr. Coleman. Cr. Lixtos aeked Cr. Cs>le>nan if be w.as aware of what it would cost to do the proposed work, hs certainly m his estimation fully £300 would bs required. The MAYaa »ni<\ he had acquired some experience m road-nn^ting since George- [ street had been formed, as he found that its. would oost £20 more than had been anliciI pated. lie should certainly advise that liabilities beyond the amount of debentures should uot be incurred. Cr. Listos wished to be understood fthntt he was not averse- to improving Cuba street to tho utmost ; the only matter to be considered was where were the funds to come from. Ho thought the wisest course would be to have the street formed as fur as themoney would go, and huve the metallingdone at a future time. Cr. Colkmas thought he could consistently claim that tho street should be properly made, and that if there wore any do* ficiency it should pome out of the rates. Cr. Ferguson would remind Cr. Coleman that even though a portion of the proposed work were done by money raised by dehen* : tures, nevertheless it was part and parcel of the rates. The Mayor said that as the mutter had, bee*n dealt with by the Public WoA* Committee, tho proper course- would be to refer, the debenture list to it, and that was dune accordingly. TKSDER3 ACCEPTED. No. 1 contract (Park Rmd), Nilsson Bros, £99; No. 2 do. do., N. Bcrgoisl, £1 18s per chain, culverts £3 10.s ; No. 3 do. (Racecourse), Ihlo Kjolsted & Co., £70; Square improvements, L. R. Bryant, £502 l(k.