BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 12 November 1880, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present—His Worship, the Mayor, Councillors Blair, De Lautour, Hardy, Headland, M'Combe, Otterson, Spence, and Sutto.n. Councillor Progtor entered late in tlie eY e l}iflg! read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. Mr, R. Hewat wrote, offering to lease section Jg, block corner of Steward and Thamesrstreets, for gl years, at 20s per foot per annum, provided early sion be given. The matter was referred to the Reserves Committee for report. Mr. G- Glen wrote asking if the Council . would lay a lead pipe from the corner of Test and Wharf-street to the corner of section 12, block 35. The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee for report. was given to Mr. F. J. Jeffreys, on behalf of the Otago Bible, Book, and Tract Society, to erect a tent in Arun-street on the east side of Wharfstreat, for the purpose of exposing for sale, or free distribution, Bibles, etc., during the time of the Agricultural and Pa3C»ral Show. It was decided to comply with the request of the Secretary to the Agricultural stud Pastoral Association tn water Wharf and XJretStreels, near the show ground, on the day prior to the shew, and on the mornings of the show-days. An offer from Mr. A. M'Auley to lease sees. 18 to 21 (inclusive), block 6, Georgetown. for 21 years or less ; or sees. 1, 3, s,"and 7 of-same block, was referred to the Waterworks Committee for consideration. The manager of the Gasworks wrote stating that the season for lighting the street lamps expired on Monday last, and that arrangements would have to be made for lighting and extinguishing the two lamps on Thames-street bridge for the next four months. Referred to the Gas Committee with power to act. The Finance Committee reported forwarding the following accounts, certified to as being correct :—Waterworks, Lllsß 16s ; ordinary, LlB6 8s 8d ; gas, L 33 14s 2d ; total, L 4378 l§s lOd. The Comr mittee drew attention to the fact that L 2980 is now overdue for rates and rents, and recommended that strenuous exertions be used to get in that sum, legal proceedings for its recovery being taken if necessary. Some discussion took place upon the matter, during which reference was made to the supa of L9O or so owing by Mr. Shrimski, M.H.R. The report was eventually adopted, and it was understood that this would authorise the taking of legal proceedings against Mr. Shrimski and other unnamed defaulters. The standing orders having been suspended;

Councillor Headland moved that the resolution passed at a previous meeting adopting the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the Town Foreman, Mr. Alexander Hiddleston, be rescinded. The discharge of Mr. Hiddleston would press heavily upon him. At first he (Councillor Headland), though thinking the course proposed very singular, had been quieted by the motion that a married man was to be appointed to the position, but the more he thought of the matter the harder it seemed to him that a man should be dismissed in this way after 16 years' service. If the principle sought to be initiated were carried to its legitimate conclusion, a married man with a small family must give way to one with a large family. The question of discharging an would be difficult if it were rendered necessary to. count his children. Councillor Blair seconded the motion. Councillor Spencesupported the original motion. It would be necessary to discharge one man, and the Council should select for retention a married man with a family. This was a principle he adopted in his private business, and he would, so far as he was able, support its adoption in public matters. His' Worship the Mayor remarked that Mr. Hiddleston had always been regarded as a thoroughly trustworthy servant. Councillor Hardy supported the motion. Councillor Hardy said it was singular that the motion had been brought forward by Councillor Headland, who, when the Finance Committee's report recommending Mr. Hiddleston's disposal was before the Council, had stated his willingness to second the motion, and only refrained from doing so as he was a member of the Committee. Councillor Headland should then have opposed the motion. Councillor Blair said that both Councillor Smith and himself had voted against the proposal to dismiss the foreman. Councillor Headland said the Finance Committee' 3 recommendation had been adopted by the Council before it had received full consideration from several councillors at his end of the table. Councillor Blair remarked that though he would not advocate the employment of single men, he could not approve of dismissing an old servant on the grounds given by the Committee. Councillor M'Combe said the proper principle was to keep a man employed so long as he was required, and when he was not wanted he snould be discharged. In answer to Councillor Headland, Councillor Spence said that, where a man had been in his employ for a long period and saved a considerable sum of money, he would deem it right to dismiss that man and make room for another. If Mr. Hiddleston had made a fortune through working for the Counoil, he should give place to another man. Councillor Headland remarked that if Mr. Hiddleston had made a fortune out of the Council he had been a singularly fortunate man. Councillor de Lautour said that the statement that Mr, Hiddleston was to be removed to make room for another put a different complexion upon the question. His Worship the Mayor thought it would have been better, if the Committee had arrived at the conclusion that Mr. Hiddleston was overpaid, if they had proposed to reduce his salary. The question that the previous motion be rescinded was then put, and lost by four to three. Councillor de Lautour asked what provision had been made to carry away the drainage from the stook and farm yards immediately above and contiguous to the and prevent the dirty water therefrom entering the race. The Mayor said that overbyes had been provided. The question was referred to the Acting Engineer. The Council then rose.