BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1032, 9 May 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held on Monday evening. Present; The Mayor, and Councillors Williams, Aitchison, Adams, Mahony, and McCarthy.

CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was road— From Mr G. D. Hamerton asking if the Council would re-consider his previous request regarding Sections 5, 10, and 11, Block 8.

The Mayor said that he had not advertised the land as he thought a legal opiniqn should be obtained. Besides the Council' had not fixed an upset price and he did not think he was going too far when he asked them to obtain a legal opinion. Moved by Cr Aitchison “ That in the matter* of Sections 5, 10, and 11, Block 8, a legal opinion be obtained by next ordinary meeting.” Resolution seconded by Cr Mahony and carried.

From Mr Richards asking the Council to approve of tho temporary stops erected in front of hia premises—tho old Bank of New Zealand—in Bedford street.

Cr Mahony asked tho Engineer if ho gave Mr Richards permission to erect tho steps. The Engineer said that Mr Richards was putting up temporary ones and ho told him to erect them as at present. Cr Adams thought if this weio allowed tho town might bo full of stops. The Council might bo held liable if an accident occurred.

Cr McCarthy said that tho Old Town Board gave the permanent levels to the Bank of New Zealand. Cr Aitchison ; The Town Board was not in existence when the Bank of Now Zealand was built.

The Mayor stated that Mr Richards, when ho bought the premises in question, was aware that there was going to bo a cutting of 3ft Gin in front, Cr Mahoney moved “That the Council do not allow tile steps in Bedford street referred to in Mr Richards’ letter, to remain there,” He said that in moving tho resolution ,he thought the stops were dangerous ; besides coming up Bedford street they looked like a sentry-box. Cr Williams : In that case wo will have to take Dr Croft’s steps away. Trie Mayor said that tho letter asked the Council to approve of the steps. Ho did not think they would be wise in approving of such a structure, and he thought tho writer should be informed that they were there at his own risk. The motion lapsed through want of a seconder, and one proposed by Cr McCarthy met a similar fate. Cr Aitchison moved “ That the Council decline to agree to the request of Mr Richards, contained in letter 109.” In moving this, he said that Mr Richards

asked the Council t J 6 do certain things and also referred to the formation previous to the building being erected. He (Or Aitchison) : thought that there was a mistake there as the building was erected long before any levels were taken. He thought the Council would be wrong to approve of the steps as they were certainly objectionable. CrMahony Seconded the motion. Cr Adams moved as an amendment, “ That Mr Richards be informed that the Council will agree temporarily to the steps erected in front of hie promises in Bedford-stroot until such time as he may make the necessary alteration, but that he must that the Council will hold him in the meantime answerable for any damage that may occur through their erection.” Seconded by Cr Mahony. The mover said that he thought that as the steps were now erected, the least that could bo done was to agree to them till the time when the necessary alteration could be made, but that Mr Richards bo held responsible for any damage in the meantime.

Cr Aitchison thought that the amendment in substance was almost identical with the resolution, except that it committed the Council to a certain extent.

A division was taken, and the resolution was carried on the casting vote of the Mayor. From Mr Odgers drawing attention to the bad state of Bedford street and the loss and inconvenience occasioned !b him thereby. The Mayor said that this letter should have come before the Council at its last meeting, but that through an accident it arrived too late. The matter complained of had, however, been remedied.

From tho Chairman of tho Harbour Board enclosing a resolution asking the Council’s co-operation in urging upon the Government to call tenders for the small remaining gap on the Wanganui- Waitara Railway, so that the whole work may be completed within twelve months. A councillor suggested that a public meeting should be called. The Mayor did not think a public meeting could help the matter much, as the Chamber of Commerce had already brought the matter strongly before the Government. Cr Adams said he did not see what the Chamber of Commerce could do unless backed by the people living in the district. He therefore moved—“ That the Council agree to the request contained in the letter from (he Harbour Board, and that the Mayor call a public meeting to take the matter into consideration.” A public meeting would not do' any barm, and he ■thought that if public meetings were held the Government would take the matter into consideration sooner than they otherwise would.

Cr Williams seconded the motion. Cr Aitchison agreed with the resolution. He thought it was time they took action. He did Board was the ’proper body to convene theTneetingpb-ut-perbaps it would behetterf or tire Council to do .so, as it represented the ratepayers, whereas the Harbour Board did not ; so, all things considered, no doubt the best thing they could do would be to convene a public meeting. Cr McCarthy was in favour of the resolution, but he thought that the HarbourBoard ought to bear the expense of the public meeting. The Mayor : The Harbour Board do not ask a meeting to be called. Resolution carried.

From Mr A. Wood stating that he accepted the rent as offered in the resolution of the Council for sec. 1 block 19. Cr Adams asked if the money offered was as compensation or rent ; whether the Council could take the house and re-let| itCr Mahoney said the understanding was that Mr Wood should be paid 10s a week and allowed to remain in the house. A letter was read from Mr Barton on behalf of Mr Wood stating that the house had been much damaged, and his client put to much expense in making a pathway to the door, for which £BO compensation was asked.

Cr Mahony said that Mr Wood laid the same subject before the Council at the last meeting, and the decision was to allow him 10s a week.

Moved by Cr Adams, “ That Mr Barton’s letter lie on the table.” Seconded by Or Mahony. Cr Aitchison remarked, seeing that Mr Wood accepted the Council’s offer, he could not understand the second claim being sent in. Resolutions carried.

From Mr J Lee, calling the attention of the Council to surface water from Cambridge and Bedford streets flowing on to his section.

Moved by Cr Mahony, “ That Mr Lee be informed that tho Council anticipate getting tho nuisance referred to in his letter remedied immediately.” Seconded by Cr Aitchison, and carried. From Mr G F Sherwood, staling that through bad weather ho was unable to carry out bis contract for drain pipes in tho time specified, and asking for a reasonable extension.

Cr Adams moved and Cr Williams seconded “That Mr Sherwood’s letter ho referred to tho Works Committee and that they bo requested to pay a visit of inspection to tho works.” Tho mover thought that tho pipes should if possible bo got locally, but if it was found they could not bo obtained then they should: go elsewhere. Tho Mayor said that some of the pipes wore required immediately. Cr Aitchison said that tho weather had boon exceptionally bad lately and ho thought it hotter to lot the matter stand this month and give Mr Sherwood notice to do everything in his power to get some done in tho month. If none wore ready by tho next mooting of the Council then it could bo considered what should bo done.

The Mayor moved, ns an amendment—- “ That the contractor for drain pipes bo allowed one month’s extension of time, and should there bo no delivery of tiles made before the end of the present month, the works committee, with the engineer, visit the manufactory and report progress ■at next ordinary mooting.” Seconded by Cr Ailchison.

Cr Adams withdrawing his motion, the amendment was put as a motion and carried.

From. Mr J, F. Donnelly, asking permission to erect a signboard in front of his premises. Moved by Cr Adams, seconded by Cr McCarthy, “ That the letter of Mr J, Donnelly be referred to.lhe Works Committee.” An amendment by Or Mahony, “ That Mr Donnelly be allowed to erect the signboard mentioned in bis letter, but should it prove a detriment to the street, he be willing to take it down when requested by the Council,” lapsed, aud the resolution was carried.

From Mr P. McLougblin, asking if the Council would take over about 5000 ft of totara left after the completion of his contract. In order to ensure getting enough, he had ordered more than what he wanted.

The Mayor moved Loughlin’s letter re totara be referred to the Works Committee.” Seconded by Cr Adams, and carried.

' * engineer’s REPORT. ' The Engineer reported as follows “1, The weather has been boisterous daring the month, and has greatly retarded lho works in hand. The kerbing in Bedford street has been laid, the formation almost completed, and the gravelling is proceeding satisfactorily. “2. The new gravel pit has turned out first-class, and I strongly recommend the Council to procure the exclusive right to remove gravel from, say, 3 acres ; that is, 10 chains in the run of the gravel by 3 chains in width ; and to have the same fenced. Leicester street extension contract is ,being carried, out to my satisfaction and I anticipate; wijl be completed within ton days.

“ 3. The labour employed by me on the street improvements this month amounts to about £l4 14s, and that of the office to 14s.

“ 4. Your instructions re specifications for forming footpaths in Egrnont street north-are too vague for mo to act upon. I therefore request to know whether the Council mean the formation.made to the permanent or to a temporary grade.” The report was received.

WORKS COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Works Committee reported that “ 23 days 2 hours labour had beeumuthorised in repairing roadways, footpaths, water-channels, and erecting fences, one day of 2 horse team removing sand from footpath in Victoriastreet at 225, one day of horse and dray at 10s, carting for filling Egmont-street North. Four yards gravel from pit at Heads were placed in Egmont-street North ; 15 yards of gravel were used in covering crossing in Devon and Bedford streets, and footpath in Devon street; also, G yards ordered by the Engineer for crossings.” The report was adopted on the motion of Cr Aitchison, seconded by Cr McCarthy,

INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES’ REPORT. Tho Inspector of Nuisances reported : During the past month while inspecting the Borough, I have had to censure several occupiers of houses for great carelessness in allowing straw and other inflammable material to remain in and about their premises, I have pointed out the danger to themselves and others by such neglect, and they have since eradicated the nuisance. I have written to the Patea School Committee complaining of the disgraceful state of the Patea School closets, and informing them that they must at once give their attention to this matter, and have recommended that new closets be built, the old ones not being sufficiently commodious nor suitable for the large number of scholars. I would respectfully request that I may be allowed to insert in the Patea Mall a notice reminding owners and occupiers of sections with furze fences that they have them properly trimmed during the month of May or June. _ I have collected £3 10s dog registration fees.” The report was adopted on the motion of Cr Adams,

DRAINAGE. “It was resolved on the motion of the Mayor that (he drainage map now in the possession of the Council be adopted.

MISCELLANEOUS. Of Adams"mb am- nf.£ 35 Jbe expended in tree planting in Bed ford-street during the present season.” Seconded by Cr Williams,

The Mayor objected on the ground that the finances of the Borough would not warrant the expenditure, the loan being all appropriated. Cr Aitchison said that much as he would like to see a row of trees planted there, he would like the matter to stand over till next meeting. On a division the motion was lost, the Mayor giving his casting vote against it. Cr Aitchison asked if the gravelling contract could not be pushed on a little quicker than is being done. There were not enough drays on the work. The Mayor said the contractor had had a lot of difficulties to contend with. Cr Aitchison thought an effort should be made fo push on the work quicker, as the street in question was part of the main road through the County. The Council then adjourned.