0AMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8174, 4 May 1895, Page 3

O AMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho fortnightly meeting of tho abovo Council was held last night, tlioro beine; present : Hia Worship tho Mayor, and Councillors Ai'kon, fledlvy, RIo-k, Milne, Hamilton, M'Dowoll, Bee, Dividson, Brown, and Vornor. The minutoa were road and confirmod. The Finance Commit too recommended the piyment of accounts amounting to LlB3lBi4i. -Adopted. A speciil committee of the Council recommondod that a sum of L 250 be annually set aside for watorworka special repairs account for the purpose of renewing the tunnels and viaduotn, and ro« pairing thorn as required. The following reduc ions in expenditure wore- mndo ; Street formation, LKH) ; appropriations for waterworks extension ; North Road extension, Lso— tutsl, L 250 It was ro> commended that the kerbing chanelling agreed upon bo gone on with. All the items of the report were adopted with the excoption of tho last. Mr Hedley moved an amendment against the adoption of this part of tho committee's report. It had been decidod at the time of appointment that tho oflice of cadet be only for threo years, and that a c tdet bo always in the oftico. Ho movod that Cadet Toohry get notice that his term expires in three months. Mr M'Dowell teconciod tho motion, saying he agreod with Mr HeJley'a amendment. It was essential tint tlioy should economise. Other boya should have a chance of tho oftioe. Mr Davidson, who had moved the adoption of the report, snid the terms of the agreement regarding Toohey had never been carried out, and tho boy lud (he right to expect that he would receive tho higher wage that ho had been entitled to. They wero not proposing to deal fairly with the boy, Mr Vernor 6aid they were dealing perfectly fairly with the cidet. Mr 800 agreed with Mr Davidsons motion. The boy was a very deserving boy, and he would be Borry to loso his services. Mr Milne said if the boy wore a suitable boy he would be in favor of keeping him for another year. Mr Brown agreed, on certain conditions, that the boy should be engaged for another year. The report was adopted in its entirety, and Mr Hodley's amendment lost. The statement of income and expenditure was adopted, and it was decided that a special meeting be called for tho 15th day of June, for the purpose of fixing a general rate of Is 3d in the £, a special rate of — in tho £, and the water rato aocording to tho Act. His Worship tho Mayor a^id they had at last attained to the end they hid aspired to. The estimates of income and expendituro provided for carrying on the affairs of tho town on a reduction of a shilling in the raten. Councillors had reason to be proud of the position, which they hid Al worked to attain. He hid always held that tho low value was consequent on the high rites, and new he hoped to see the valuos increase with the lower rates. They had carried out a Urge amount of works of a perraanont character, and nearly all their streets had been repaired. Ho therefore thought the borough had reason to be pleased with the work done. (Hear, hear). Mr J. G. Finch waa granted permission to lay a pipe across the footpath from sections 3 and 4, block 51. The same writer asked that tho channelling in Exe street be put in repair, as the dirty water from it flowed on to his section. Mr Brown said the engineer had explained the intentions of the Council, and Mr Finch was satisfied. Mr 0. W. Cuoke asked that tho water be laid on to the upper floor of the Union Stores, that portion having been let to the Natal Band, and ho askod that the property be divided for valuation. Mr Hedley did not think they could divide a property in this way so far as value was concerned. He moved that the matter be referred to the Waterworks Committee to report. Seconded by Mr M'Dowell. The Mayor read the act to show that the property could bo divided. The motion was carried. Mr John Taylor wrote asking who authorised Mr Oreagh to appear on behalf of the borough in his appeal cisc, as it was agreed that whore an appellant had no solicitor the council would not employ one. The Mayor explained that the reason why Mr Oresgh appeared was because there waa a cross appeal, and the Borough Council had to be represented by some one, as the Magistrate hid so decided. It was decided to forward this explanation to Mr T>»ylor. The Mines Department intimated that Mr Gow had been initruct«d to proceed to Oaraaru to consult with the Council regarding the waterworks ixtenoion, Mr W. Duguid offered LI a year for section 5, block 13. Tho offor was declined. Mr J, Ooutrihan offered 15a a year for siotioo 0, block 10. It * M stated that the section was already Ist. The application wa« declined, The Refrigerating Company wrote complaining that they were nob getting the proper pressure of wnter for their motor. Tb» matter was referred to the Waterwork! ijomroittee, with power to ant:.

Miss Gibba was granted permission to erect a atono Rtablr on sections 5 and 28, block 4 ; Potor W ilktT, wood and iron shed ; VVm. Beo, small q am store, on section 11, block 3. Tlioapplioibtmi of the Acclimatisation Sooiety regarding subletting th- ir leasehold land was agreed to on certain o-iti-ditioiiH. Mr Davidson movod the following motion of which ho had given no'ic : (1.) Total borough valuation for 1894 and 1895, (2.) Total valuation of same for 1895 an I 189 G. (3.) Coat of valuation 1891 and 1805. (3.) Cost of valuation 1894 and 1895. (4.) Cost of valuation 1895 and 189 G. (5.) Tlio number of tho appeals, and how many of theso appeals were compromised after tlio Assessment Court ant. (6.) Comparative statement of coats of wifcnoaacd, solicitors' i fees, aud all other costs for 189 1 and 1895, and 1895 1896 in connection with said valuation and Assessment Court, and adding first year of each of the other valuations. (7.) Return to be laid on tho table at tho nek t regular meeting of tho Council, and to remain on tho tab'o 28 days for the perusal of whom it may concorn, and to discern betwoen appeals by ratepayers and appeals by tho Council. The valuation had created a good do»l of interost, and ho left tho matter to tho Council. The motion was seconded by Mr MD .wall. Me Milno said he would bo gld to support iho motion if Mr D vidson would ninkt 1 his motion show iho i'xpen«o in connection with the Council's appeals and tho ratepayer-!* appeals. Tho M»yor said thore would bo a difficulty in separating thdm, a.B tlioro were counter appeals. Mr Hedley said tho Council was iraqg Q d into tho Court in a good many instances. Mr Mcok S!»ld there was more lh«n ouo instance in which tlio Council wont into tho Court on an appeal without being dragged thero. Mr Bed did nob soothe fairness of comp\ring a now man's work with laat yoar, unless tho first year of oftiou of hig prodocesvira was also givon. Mr Davidson aaid he had much pleasure in agreeing to tho recommendations of any councillor. Nimothayoar. (L.ughor.) Mr Brown faded to see what was to bo gained by all this. Thoy might go back to tho tine of Arihuc Toms and thon not bo satisfied. He mo<red an amendment that the matter be roferred to tho Rosorves Committee. (Great laugh'or.) Seconded by Mr Hamilton. Mr M'Dowell thought a notico of motion could not be reforrod to ft Committee. (More laugh ( or.) Mr Mcok thought tho roturn should show the number of properties nisol and tho number of properties reduced. Mistakes had h>:oii nmlo, but thoy had the beat valuation now they evt r hid. Tho only s \tisfactory valuation would bo by the appointment of a permanon oftWr of the Council to do tho work. Mr Hedley pointed out that Mr Mo>k was nob preaching a doctrine ho had prac ised, ms ho was not satisfied with the old valuers. Mr M'Dowell said thoro wore fowor people satisfied with the valuations than in any previous year. The valmtion whs an iniquitous one. Largo properties hid been reduoed and am ill onoi raiiod. Previous valuations had been more satisfactory than 'ho prosenc one. Mr Beo : That was boctuno the values Bore now more equitable. < Mr Meek atid the largo propcrtioa hul been reduced on appeal, and not by tho valuer. Mr Davidson replied. Tho Mayor said ho did not think tho return would do one bit of good, and Mr Davidson would probably sco this. Ho also thought a porm mont oflicor of tho Council should do tho work. The motion was ctrried. Tho Council Mion rose.