Borough Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1009, 8 December 1881, Page 2

Borough Council.

The usual meeting of the Council took place on Tuesday evening last. His Worship the Mayor in the Chair. The following Councillors were present : —Townley, Clayton, Somervell, Lewis, Tutchen, AVhinray, Brown, Tucker and Berry. An offer was received from Messrs. Menzies & Co., of Napier, to lend the Borough any sum from £60,000 on any Municipal security, the terms of which will be communicated if the Council is disposed to negotiate. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply to Messrs Menzies that their offer would be borne in mind. The Borough Auditors communicated with the Town Clerk to the effect that the accounts would be presented to the Council within a week. With regard to the sitting of the Native Land Court, a letter w r as received stating that the Government could not fix the sitting of the Court, and the matter was left an open question. A communication was received from the Government announcing that Mr

C. D. Bennett would be appointed a Justice of the Peace, by virtue of his office as Mayor, and that the present Mayor, T. W. Porter Esq., was appointed to administer the oath of allegiance. It was resolved that application be made to the Public Works Department to proclaim the continuation of Grey and Lowe-streets through the Waikanae Block, and that the question of opening up the other streets be referred to the Public Works Committee.

A letter was received from Mr Shrimpton the Chief Postmaster complaining of the great quantity of kerosine left exposed in the grounds attached to the various stores in the town. After discussion it was decided that the Town Clerk be instructed to report on the matter.

A similar letter was received from the Chief Postmaster suggesting that the Borough Council do provide some public urinals in the township. The Council decided that it was not in a position to make the provision suggested. A letter was received and read from the late Town, Clerk, explaining many of the difficulties he had to contend with during his tenure of office, urging the Council’s favorable consideration of his proposal for a bonus ; and in consideration that he had sacrificed much of his time and labor to the service of the public, for which he had received no remuneration, for those extra services, he threw himself on the further consideration of the Council. After a few remarks from Councillors it was decided that the Town Clerk do merely acknowledge the receipt of Mr Sherriff’s letter, as he has not yet relinguished his connection with the Council. Mr W. K. McLean—one of the Auditors appointed to audit the Borough accounts—being present said that, although he had been engaged for some days in the work it would take some time before he could finish them. He found them in a very disorderly state, and they did not redound to the credit either of the late Town Clerk, or those who commanded him. At the expiration of the work he would be prepared to furnish an exhaustive report on the whole state of affairs. Mr MeLean also informed the Council that he was compiling the accounts, as an accountant, and, at the same time was acting as Auditor. The celebrated Oxenham contract engaged the attention of the Council for a considerable time, and ultimately it was resolved on the motion of His Worship the Mayor that Mr Oxenham’s letter be referred to the Public Works Committee who shall appoint a member to inspect the shingle, and arrange with the County Council, in order to arrive at an arrangement with Mr Gxenham regarding the proposal made to the Council. The following tenders were received for office furniture :—J. E. Harries, £lB 4s 6d (accepted) ; W. H. Steele, £2O 10s 6d.

The officers’ reports were read, but tdey contained nothing of particular interest.