THE ENDOWMENT AND DISTRICT COURT.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 45, 5 June 1880, Page 2

THE ENDOWMENT AND DISTRICT COURT.

Letter from Mr Walter Johnston stating that lie had conferred with the Minister of Lands with respect to ,an endowment for Palmerston, but was informed by him that as the Legislative had definitely determined the principles upon which, ifc should act, it would not be possible to get a Bill for the purpose passed through, the House. Mr Johnston further stated that he had been informed by the Minister of Justice, Mr Rolleston, that Mr Cooper had been appointed to report upon the requirements for the District Court. No action required. FENCING THE BALLAST PIT. Prom Mr Rotheram, informing tho Council that the matter of fencing the ballast pit had been laid be fore the District Engineer. No action required. COMPLAINTS.. From Mr Torquil Gunderson, complaining that timber and rubbish had been allowed to remain m front of his residence m Main street. Mr Gunderson said he had borne with the nuisance and inconvenience for two years, and therefore asked th.a.t it be removed at once, The Chatumav said that part of the obstructions alluded to had been left there by Messrs. Hichter, JSTannestad, & Co., but he felt quite convinced that if that firm were written to, they would take action m the matter. From Mr James Kibble white, also complaining of the obstruction of traffic m Main street, through the logs and timber allowed to remain there. Councillor Dungan moved, and Councillor King seconded — " That the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the persons liable for the obstruction of the traffio of Main Street as complained of by Messrs. Grunderson and Kibblewhite, informing them that it w.as I necessary they should be removed forthwith," Carried. KAIEANQA BLOCK. From the District Engineer m reply to one from the Council, asking that the roads be cut through the Kairanga £,lock to tap Rangitikei Hoad. Mr Stewart's letter was to the following effect :— " I will forward your request to the Engineer m Chief. I return the tracing you enclosed, so that you may- show on it by distinct colors . the portions of roads you mention as being already formed — for half a mile ; also the portion of Boundary Hoad already formed as that would assist m seeing what was most desirable to bo done. Councillor Dungan »aid that — as. no doubt Councillors were aware— the Waste I^ands Board had withdrawn the block from sale this year, and as the alleged reason was m order to thoroughly make the roads before submitting the land for auction, he did not see 'what farther, action could be taken by the Council. That opinion was endorsed by those present, and no action taken. A' BEQUEST. Mr. Thomas Mansoninade application, to the Council for leave to have some temporary traffic- across the footpath to. his premises m G-eorge Street, stating that he. would Undertake to niaks good any damage done. i Proposed, by Councillor. Ferguson, seconded by Councillor Dungan, — "That Mi\ Thomas Mason's request be granted, on. the' understanding that he makes' good any. damage which may be done." Carried,.

DEPUTATION. Mr. Batchelar interviewed the Cpunoil with regard to the formation of a pathway m front of his promises, and stated that ao .necessary was the work that he was prepared to meet the Council half way m; the matter, ] ; The subject was discussed at some length, and eventually ■ ; Councillor Ferguson moved, and Oounv cillor King seconded, — " That the Public Works Committee confer with Mr. Batchelar, re his request for forming footpaths." Carried. ANOTHBB DEPUTATION. Mr. Milverton waited on the Council, with a request to be allowed to erect a temporary fence three feet high on the pathway m Ferguson Street, m order to protect a live fence which he was about to set on the boundary of his section. Councillor King moved and Councillor Metard seconded — " That Mr. MilTeytQn be allowed to erect a temporary fence three feet on the road line fronting his land m Ferguson street, on condit ion that it be romoyed when requested by the Council." Carried, " Mr. Milverton then applied for permission to place a pipe across the footbpath m front of his residence m Main street, m ordor to carry off the water from hi» land. There appeared to be a prevailing opinion amongst the Councillors present that it would be unwise to grant the concession hastily, and its further consideration was I« ft until there would be a full meeting of the Council. Mr. Milverton next made application to have some loads of gravel put down on the pathway m front of his premises m Main street. • ' ■ Councillor Fbrguson said he regretted having to oppose the. granting of the request but he did so on principle. No doubt the placing of the gravel looked a very insignificant affair, but it should be considered tli at if Mr. Milverton's request were complied with, it would form a precedent and tlie consequence would be that the Council would be inundated with simila* applications. He sympathised with Mr. Milyerton, Jand all those who were similarly situ* ated^ and for that reason would be inclined: to meet him half way. He did not know what was the general View of the Council, but as far as ho was individually concerned ho would be favourable to permission being given to Mr. Mil^ei'ton to ohtain the necessary metal free of charge for the Borough pit. Councillor Dungan said that Councillor Ferguson had forestalled him m his remarks, but he was perfectly m accord with the refusal of the roquest. Although possibly Mr Milverton's pathway might bt quite as bad as he represented it, he was quite confident m asserting it was fifty per cent better than that m front of his (the speaker's) hou3e, and certainly if Mr Mil-vei-ton'a request were granted the Council could not refuse to act similarly m other parts of the town where gravel waß much more needed. _ Mr Milverton said he had been paying rates for some years, and the proper formation of the path m front of his premisses had been promised even m the time of the Local Board. It had been shelved for years, an. l he supposed it would have to be further shelved. Councillor Ferguson was, of course, aware that the Council was not called upon tho enter into a lengthly discussion with Mr Milverton over the matter. That gentle.nan knew quite as well as' he did that tho Council was not m a position to spend money upon any but the most necessary woi-ks, and seeing that a very liberal offer had been suggested, of which Mr Milverton did not seem to oare to take advantage, he did not see what mow could bo done m the ina'ter. Councillor King agreed with Councillor Fe;-j;u*ou. Mr Milverton had the same reuic Iv for hiving -bis pathway made as ratepayers m other parts of the town. Mr Milverton said the. original making of the pulh had not been done by the Borough. Tlie Chairman reported that that was a mailer which had nothing to do with Mr. Milverton, or any other ratepayer. How--ever the Council could not see its way clear o entertain the request. TTIMKING A RATE. Councillor Dpngan movei, and Councillor Jenssen seconded — " That a rate of one shilling m the £ be now struck upon all rateable property m the Borough of Palmerston North for the year ending the 31st ol March, 1881, said rate to be payable on the 6th of June, 1880." Carried. ITBRART RATE. Proposed by Councillor Ferguson, seconded by Councillor Metaed— " That a Library rate of one penny m the £ be now struck upon all rateable property m the Borough of Pulmerst.on North, for the year encfing 31st of March, 1881, said rate to be payable oh the 6th day of June, 1880" Carried. SIGNING THE BATE BOOK. Councillor King proposed, and Councillor DUNGAN seconded — " That tlie Kate Book be signed by Councillors Ferguson, Metard, and King." Carried. RESERVES COMMITTEE. We, your Public Reserves Committee, have ('he honor to report that we have fully considered the application of Mr. Anderson, referred to us by the Council, that he should be released from his agreement, a.nd we have resolved to recommend to the Council that, upon Mr. Anderson paying all dues to date, the Council should undertake to consider the advisability or otherwise of accepting a tenant at a reduced rate, and relieving Mr. Anderson of further liability. . We have likewise received and granted an npplieation from M"r. Ivor James to sublet the portion of the Eeserve leased by him, as to leaving certain portions of the bush unfelled for the better protection of the river bank. . The report was received, but its adoption was left over until there was a full meeting j of Council. [ PUBLIC WOKKS COMMITTEE. We, your Public Works Committee, have the honor to report that m accordance with your instructions, we have received and accepted tenders for Feathewtoii Street, via*., that of James M'Coll, at £1 4s. per chain, reduced from £1 Bs. The reduction m the price was occasioned by an alteration, and consequent reduction of wurk, made by us m the specifications to bring them more m accord with the ruling of this Council as to const ruction of streets within the Borough. We have likewise accepted on application from readouts m Main Street for lha .construction of » footpath m the. following terras, viz., that all material excepting gravel and all necessary outlay be provided by the aforesaid resideuta. Tho Council's shaya not to exceed the labor of the roadmen m its employ. Councillor Dungan said he wished to make a remark witk regard to a portion o! the repoi-u. An opinion was somewhat prevalent that the work tendered for m Featherston Street had been called for, under ' different circumstances, or. arrangements from other works m the town. Remarks had been made that because the. street fronted Councillor Palmerson's property, he had had concessions granted to him which would not have been granted to other ratepayers, Of oou»e a he (Councillor Dungan)

knew positively that such was not the case, etill he thought it. his duty to bring the matter before the Council, so that it should ! have an official contradiction. "* , v : The Chairman said that »s a member of I the Public Works Committee, he oouKfgive the statement a point blank denial. 'The work was being done upon exactly the nmi conditions as other works m the town, and the tender was not accepted until the Town Clerk was m possession of the amount of debentures guaranteed.- With regard to the formation of th« pathway m Main Street, alluded to m the report, the expense *borne by the property holders would be far m excess of the ordinary half proportion.. Councillor DTrar&AN said that there was a matter which he desired to bring under the notice of the Council, and although properly speaking it should be dealt with as an ordinary, business, , still as it had something (o do with reports ; it might not be out of place at that stage. He alluded to the absence of a report from the Engineer. If he recollected aright when Mr. Hayns was first appointed to the charge of the borouph, the Council was always, supplied with monthly reports, and certainiyithe fpr-njer officer — the overseer of works — never neglected to-furniih such monthly-informa* tion. He believed that at the outset of Mr. Hayns' engagement he made a ..claim, for commission upon the- salary of the, daymen, which the Council did not recognise, . and from that time , reports as previously fuj^ nished were discontinued. From that it would be seen that the Engineer diet not', acknowledge control of the daymen, although the somewhat apparent anomaly existed of Mr. Hayns' certifying as to the correctness of the* mens' time. It was well" ; known that Mr. Hayas* duties, called him away from Palmerston for. days together," and the question then arose by whom were, the men directed, or their time: checked, during his. absence.. He made these remarks because numerous complaints had been made tb him by ratepayers pf : the manner m which' the time of the- roadmen was occupied, and the very small amount of work performed m; contrast with the. outlay. He did not think that the present system adopted was at all satisfactory. It appeared Mr.- Hayns got no consideration whatever for overseeing the maintenance, works of the borough, and therefore.it was hardly to be expected that it should be done man efficient manner j while certainly it was a very general opinion that the roadmen required careful overseeing. Councillor I'aBGHJSpN heartily endorsed the remarks made, and he was m a position to speak of the general dissatisfaction entertained at the manner m which: roadmen put in| their time. He thoroughly recognised the value of the monthly reports, as they gave the Council some knowledge not only of the manner" m which the roadmen* time was occupied, but also the state of the various streets. , ..... _ . Councillor- EJfNO- said that ;; there, could be na question as to the existence of a very wide spread dissatisfaction at the- manner 'm whioh the. roadmea performed their duties. TherecoUld be no ; doubt ■ tjhfekt tbre furnishing of monthly reports invthe past had. been of the .very material service; and he was only surprised- that they had ' been allowed to be omitted; so long. •■ ! ; , 'Councillor Dtwi&an. said that as the meeting that evening was : but a bare quourm, lie thought that perhaps? 'the. better: way would be to defer discussion .until ,'tha next sitting. He, would, therefore* /at the. fitting stage table a notice of motion with regard to the subject. v . " ' , WOB^ tS- CHXTBOH' SIEE^t kt : ■ T Councillor King proposed, and Councillor Mbtabd i seconded — ,; ( ; : ; : T "That the .Council authorise the, : PubJic''Works Committee to call tenders for formation.and, metalling, of Church street, or a portion thereof, m the event of a sufficient number of debentures being floated to defray the expense of the 1 said . work." Cai - fied. .:, . : } HOSPITAL FATIEtfTi, Councillor Ferguson reported .that^h'e and Councillor King had forwarded a ! patient to Wanganui Hospital. The applicant had a doctor's certificate, and the case was an urgen,tpne,-^^btiotL endorsed. I . NOTICE Or MOTION. • Councillor Dungan to move— . " That at the next ordinary meeting of the Council the question be considered as. to the best means of carrying oi^t theicb'rtstrup;.; tive and maintenance works of .the-Borough."