Borough Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1015, 22 December 1881, Page 2

Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council took place in the Council Chamber on Tuesday evening last. Present: All the Councillors except Crs. Berry and Porter. The following correspondence was received and read :— Common’s Wha.ee : — Brom the Marine Department at Wellington re this subject, in which Mr Seed says that although the Government will not sanction any unlawful encroachment on the foreshore, and that Messrs Common & Co. have no legal title to the foreshore at Gisborne, “ it must be evident to the Borough Council that claims such as that here described have usually been treated with some amount of consideration, both by the Government and local bodies.” In this connection the Council is advised to meet Messrs Common & Co., in a “ spirit of fairness, with a view to an amicable and speedy settlement of this long vexed question.”

A resolution was ultimately carried suggesting that Messrs Common & Co., advise the Council of their willingness to meet a committee of the Council, to discuss the subject.

Stamp & Registry Office :—Prom Mr Ilamerton refusing an application of She Council for the establishment of a branch of these departments in Gisborne, on the grounds that “ looking to the risk of loss to the revenue, the Commissioner of Stamps is unable to adopt the suggestion as to the establishment of an office, such as the one referred to.”

An animated discussion took place, Councillors generally differing from Mr Ilamerton as to his data of objection ; and it was resolved to address a remonstrance to the department urging that the Council fail to see how any loss of revenue could occur. Council Reserve : — From the Under Secretary intimating that the Minister of Lands cannot accede to the Council’s request for a portion of the Reserve in rear of the Government Buildings, as a site for Corporation Offices. Humane Society’s Reports :— From the Under Secretary forwarding a copy of last annual report. Ferry Punt :—From Mr W. Seed granting permission for a rope being placed across the Turanganui river, to work the punt with, but on the condition that “ satisfactory arrangements are made by which it (the rope) shall be promptly lowered or removed to allow the free passage of vessels or boats up or down’the river,"

New Punt. —From Mr Thompson, complaining that the plan and specification for the contract for a now punt do not agree, and making many general er pout facto complaints. The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Thompson that they held him to the terms of the contract as signed by him, and did not wish any further correspondence of the kind under consideration on the matter. Re Wharf Supplies.—From Mr G. Williams, lessee of the Lower Wharf, suggesting certain supplies of which he stood in need. It was resolved — Ist. That if Mr Williams explains the exact kind of store required at the Wharf, the Council will entertain the question of its erection, and charge him a per centage on the outlay. 2nd. That Mr Williams pays his own law charges in connection with his bond to the Council. 3rd. That the charges for lighters lying alongside the Wharf have not been altered or annulled. 4th, Mr Williams was referred to the letter presently received from the Marine Department lelative to the right of vessels to load and unload on the foreshore, otherwise than at the Public Wharf.

Councillors were “ exercised ” over a letter received from the County Council, re the now famous Oxenham Contract, for about three hours. The new proposals and concessions to alter the contract urged by the County are: 1. To extend the present tramway line from Waerenga-a-hika to Ormond, and to extend the time of the contract from the 31st of March to the 30th September, 1882. 2. The County agrees to pay the Borough for 8,000 yards of gravel advance of Is. per yard over and above the contract price ; reserving its right to obtain 3,000 yards of gravel at Waereuga-a-hika at the present contract price. 3. The Council will lend the Borough the plant they have on hand, but the Borough is to provide any extra material required to complete the line to their terminus ; after which the whole of the lino to become the property of the County. 4. The Borough to pay for any private rights set up in order to obtain the metal required by the Council, and to “indemnify the County forany damages in law, which may arise by reason of granting the permission to lay the line upon a County road.” 5. The extended work to be executed by the Borough as the County Engineer directs; and any contract made between the Borough and Mr Oxenham to be submitted for approval to the County Council before being signed. After a long discussion the Council resolved to write to the Cook County Council to the following effect: — I—The1 —The Council declines to accept the offer to supply the County Coun-

cil with metal, therefore it cannot entertain the proposal to supply the 8000 yards alluded to. 2—With regard to the. 3000 yards of metal the Borough Council is not desirous of disturbing any existing contract between the County Council and Mr Oxenham. 3 — The Borough Council cannot undertake to give the indemnity sought by the County Council. 4—The Borough Council are willing to meet the County Council, in order to arrive at an equitable arrangement.

The Engineer submitted his Report which was mainly confined to a recommendation for the Council to proceed to an immediate erection of the dray bridge over the Waikanae stream. The Council acceded to this, and gave instructions accordingly.