Borough Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 979, 17 September 1881, Page 2

Borough Council.

A good deal of business was got through by the Borough Council at its usual meeting on Tuesday last. Amongst other interesting items, the newly elected councillors—Messrs. Tucker, Lewis and Tutchen—were formally introduced, and after subscribing to the usual declaration, took their seats at the Board. Mr. Finn addressed a letter to the Council re the imposition of a 5s fine on the owners of impounded horses. Mr. Finn contended that the act was illegal, and should be discontinued. Councillors thought that it was beyond their power to inflict an all-round fine of this nature; but His Worship, and others, said that was the only way of getting at the owners. Cr. Tucker spoke sensibly to the effect that the fine for impounding was sufficient punishment, unless in cases wjiere animals do damage, or are wilfully, qt knowingly permitted to be at large. The following resolution, moved by Cr. Tucker, and seconded by Cr. Tutchen, was put and carried : — “ That until the revision of the byelaw, the Ranger be instructed to refrain from levying any damage for stray cattle save those which he believes to have been enlarged wilfully T or those which he knows have done any damage. The Council acceded to Cr. Tucker’s offer to widen the Nesbitt Road from his own land, rather than Mr. Morgan, whose property encroached on the road, should suffer ; and the matter was referred to the Engineer. A rather startling communication was received by the Council from the Loan Commissioners, intimating that as a sum of £7OO was lying idle at the Bank, it would be well to have it invested. In discussion it transpired that the Council were paying interest on an overdraft of £3OO, while this £7OO was unproductive. Cr. Tucker was appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee, vice Cr. Bennett retired.. The Ranger’s report was read, after which it was resolved that the Ranger is to use his own discretion in surrendering animals in his custody on their way to the pound. After some discussion it was resolved on the motion of Cr. Whinray two blackboards for notices should be made and fixed at the Council offices. This action appeared to result from a disinclination of Councillors to pay 20 per cent, less for advertising than the general public pay. The Council ordered that the sum of £7 be paid, being legal expenses incurred in the recent detenue case Gruner v. Wilson. The following resolution was carried —“ That a committee consisting of the whole council be appointed to consider the official working of the Borough, such committee to report and make such recommendation as they may deem expedient.” Mr. J. Wilson was appointed Poundkeeper, during the absence of his brother, Mr. R. Wilson. Cr. Tucker gave notice to move the following resolution at the next sitting of the Council: —“ That the Engineer be instructed (after the completion of existing contracts on the subject) to order no fresh formations, except* by special authority of the Council, after the Ist September, or before the Ist of April of each year. In reply to a question the Town Clerk said nothing had been done with regard to the fire engine.