Borough Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 997, 10 November 1881, Page 2

Borough Council.

The usual meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday evening last. Mr. J. Somervell signed the usual declaration and took his seat at the board. The Council was occupied for about an hour and a-half over the discussion of the celebrated “ Oxenham contract,” which appears to be causing some little trouble between the two Councils. Ultimately the following resolution, whieh will convey an idea of what the desultory conversation consisted, was carried:— That the request of the County Council that the Borough Engineer be instructed to accompany the County Engineer and examine the line to Ormond be complied with, and that the Borough Engineer be instructed to advise and assist the County Engineer, but not to direct or accept any responsibility. It was decided to ask the Government for an extension of time in regard to the preparation of the balance sheet, to the 25th November. The Bank of New Zealand Manager notified that Mr. Oxenham had transferred all his interest in the tramway contract to the Bank. The Engineer was instructed to report on the Waikanae crossing. On the motion of Cr. Tutchen, seconded by. Cr. Clayton, it was resolved, “ That the permission granted some time since, to drive horses in Childers-street, be withdrawn.” Goats trespassing are to be destroyed. No tender for the erection of a punt was accepted. Plans, &c., were ordered to be prepared for a bridge over the Waikanae at Grey-street.

Cr. Lewis moved— That application be made to the General Government for a site upon the present reserve at rear of Government Buildings, for the erection of offices for the use of the Borough Council; the reserve to be, say, a quarter of an acre. Cr. Tucker moved the following resolutions :— That in the opinion of this Council au immediate* sitting of the Native Land Court is urgently required, and since the want is one of very long standing this Council thinks the relief should be speedy, and that a local branch of the Native Lands Court Office should be established here.

That this Council is firmly convinced that the institution of a Stamp Office, and a Deeds Register Office, in Gisborne, is daily much needed, and that such an office would pay its own expense.

That this Council is of opinion that a periodical session of the Supreme Court in Gisborne would greatly facilitate the administration of justice, and would, by economising expensed of witnesses and prosecutions in criminal cases, be an actual saving of money to the colony.