BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1025, 19 January 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met on Tuesday evening last, at 7 o’clock. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. E. K. Brown, Townley, Lewis, Whinray, Clayton, Tutchen, and Somervell The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Finance Committee’s Retort. The report of the finance committee was brought up and read. The report recommended the Town Clerk to be instructed by the Council to take proceedings before the 31st instant against all persons who had not paid their rates. Some surprise was shewn at the minutes containing no reference to a certain cheque of £l7 odd from Captain Porter. Cr. Townley: The instructions to the Clerk were that be should repossess himself of the cheque. His Worship: There is some correspondence that took place between ‘ "apt. Porter and the Town Clerk upon the subject.

Cr. Tucker thought it should have been added to the report that the Clerk was instructed to take such steps as he thought necessary in the matter, and re-possess himself of the cheque. Cr. Clayton pointed out that there was a slight mistake about the special rate; that the demand for it was wrongly made last June. In the present instance there was no special rate overdue. Cr. Tutchen proposed, and Cr. Clayton seconded, that the report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Agreed to. Auditors’ Report. The Auditors’ Report was read. Cr. Tutchen thought that the portion of the report relating to the £lOO of the special loan as only yielding interest was incorrect. The fact was that £6OO was actually bearing interest; the understanding being that the £2OO was to be lent out when the borrower had his house built, and the proper security to offer, but in the meantime he had to go on paying the interest of the £2OO. His Worship: There really was £6OO in our Special Loan Account yielding interest. Cr. Somervell: There is another part referred to in the report as to the butts in some of the receipt-books not being filled in. That could be easily accounted for through the counterpart of the receipt being spoiled in drawing up the receipt. He (Cr. Somervell) knew several instances where that had occurred. That might account for the bodies not being filled up. His Worship : As to the Sinking Fund Loan, every farthing is out, and bearing 10 per cent. Cr. Townley: In looking over the Act the other day, there appeared to be no provision made for the expenditure of the interest accruing on the Loan. The reason the money was held so long without being lent was that the Commissioners could not get favorable opportunities for investing. When a chance offered itself the whole amount was invested in two months. Cr. Tutchen: Although a portion of the money lay idle, it was through a circumstance over which they had no control. Cr. Clayton: The auditors were quite right in calling attention to the matter.

In reply to a remark from Cr. Whinray, His Worship stated that a cheque having been paid in to meet deficits, there were now no deficiencies in the Borough accounts with the exception of the £l7 cheque to be met by Captain Porter, already mentioned. Local Board oe Health. The names of Cr. Somervell and His Worship, the Mayor were added to the Board. Captain Chrisp, as a member of the Hospital Committee, attended, and, with the permission of His Worship, addressed the Council. In doing so he explained that it was really more with tljp Board of Health than with the Borough Council he had to deal. He heard that the whole Council ex officio constituted the Board of Health. He desired to know what steps the Board would take in making provision for the establishment of fever wards at the Hospital. The rules of the hospital were against allowing patients suffering from any infectious diseases to remain in the building. There were already two patients suffering from fever, who were compelled to be kept in an outhouse. The accommodation was altogether inadequate for their requirements. What provision can be made for these patients ? In all probability accommodation will be required for more. A sum of £lO would be necessary to line and ceil the outbuilding, and another £lO for furniture would suffice for making the building somewhat habitable. He had Dr. Pollen’s authority for saying that although the outbuilding w’as not far enough away from the Hospital, under the circumstances it would do where it is. It would be for the Council whether they had any funds available or not. His Worship thought that the Council had already given £5O towards the Hospital funds. Had the County Council given any ? Captain Chrisp: I think not. Cr. Somervell: I think the question arises whether the County Council are represented on the Board or not. His Worship : They could appoint a Board of Health. Cr. Somervell: Would it not he advisable for the County to be represented on the Board of Health. They should contribute to the Hospital funds if they have the power of sending patients there. The Hospital belongs to the whole district, although it is located in the Borough. The County should certainly contribute to the Hospital if it derive benefit from it, and they should he also represented on the Board. It is my opinion that a letter should be written to the County Council asking them to cooperate with the Borough in the matter. Ido not know what the actual statistics are, but all the scarlatina cases do not come from the town alone. I do not mean that the Borough should shirk its duty in any way. His Worship : Certainly not. Cr. E. K. Brown: The first fever patient we had in the Hospital came from the country. Cr. Clayton : I think it is only the duty of the County Council to subscribe the whole of this amount, £5O. Cr. Lewis: Cr. E. K. Brown could inform us if the County has given anything to the Hospital fuuds.

Cr. E. K. Brown: We have had nothing from the County Council this year. I think it is only fair that they should contribute their quota. His Worship: I am doubtful whether we have the power to vote money from the rates except for special purposes. Last year we made a donation to the Hospital. I very much question whether we can do it this year or not. From what I can hear, the County supplies three out of four of the patients in Hospital, and they expect us to pay three-quarters of the cost. Cr. Townley: I find it in the Act that the Borough Council have a perfect right to vote funds. (Section of the Act referred to). There is no doubt that the Hospital receives the principal number of patients from the County, and I think that that body should contribute its fair share to maintaining the institution. I think a letter ought to be written to them about contributing the full amount required for putting the outbuilding in order. I believe they would readily comply with the request. Cr. Clayton: I think that the Council will remember that we contribute £5O a year already, as salary for the medical officer. (Someone here interjected that that gentleman had not received his last quarter’s “screw’” yet). I do not think it is fair that the Borough should contribute any more. Cr. Whinray : I was under the impression that the County Council had contributed £5O. Cr. Tutchen : Brown ought to know. Cr. E. K. Brown : No, they did not contribute. Cr. Tutchen: Were they written to? Cr. E. K. Brown: I believe they were, but they have never given a cent. Cr. Tucker: Having given £5O last year, we should delay voting any this year until we find that the County Council have given at least a similar donat ion. Arguing upon the fact that the County Council contributes two-thirds of the patients they (the Council) should contribute £lO0 —the County Council should also pay two-thirds of the salary of the medical officer. I do not qnite agree that this Council should place itself in communication with the County Council. The proper course to my mind is that the Board should make a similar application to the County Council that it has to tne local Board of Health. Cr. Whinray : I think that the Hospital Committee should make application to the County Council. His Worship : The Board of Health, so far as the Borough is concerned, is the Borough Council. The Board of Health is only a Board of Health within the Borough. They cannot interfere with any cost outside. Cr. Whinray: We have the Board of Health and the Hospital Committee making application to us. I think it would be better for these bodies to make application to the County Council. Captain Chrisp: I may say that this application from the Hospital Committee is to the Board of Health. It is only to the Board of Health they can speak. The Committee are very thankful for what they received from the Borough Council, and W’ould be glad to obtain the same amount from the County. An epidemic is raging in the place at the present time, and it is absolutely necessary that fever wards should be built. His Worship pointed out that the application was one of great urgency. Resolved that the County Council be asked to contribute. PAYMENTS. The Engineer reported the completion of the Valuation Lists of the Borough. On the proposition of His Worship the Mayor, seconded by Cr. Whinray, it was carried that a Committee, consisting of Crs. Tucker, Tutchen, and Clayton, be appointed to go over the Assessment Roll, and revise the Valuation List, and to make such alterations as seemed to them necessary and submit the same to the Judge of the Assessment Court at the proper time. TOWN CLERK. His Worship stated that a communication had been received from Dr. Pollen to the effect that the Town Clerk, Mr Johnßourke, was seriously indisposed, and unable in consequence to attend to his duties for the present. On the motion of Cr. Clayton, it was agreed that His Worship should have full power for temporarily appointing some person to carry out the duties. AUDITORS AND ACCOUNTANTS CHARGES. W. K. McLean £2 2 0 W. Ratcliffe 22 0 £4 4 0 Borough Council.—To W. K. McLean and William Ratcliffe. To entering up the Borough Council books and accounts to 14th Nov., 1881; preparing balance - sheet up to 30th Sept. 1881; opening new ledger on improved system £lO5 0 Some semblance of surprise manifested itself among Councillors when this account was read. Cr. Whinray: I expected that the charges would be more. Cr. Tutchen : I suppose it is a just claim. Cr. E. K. Brown: Who authorised the auditors to open a new ledger upon an improved system ? His Worship: The Council has adopted their report. Cr. Tucker (after some remarks not audible to our reporter) observed : I suppose it is just as well to dive into the thing at once. My opinion is that half the amount would be sufficient.

I do not see why we should pay 100 guineas without knowing what it is for. I propose that a detailed account for this amount be furnished. Motion made that a detailed account of the number of days the accountants were employed, and the price per day. Seconded by Cr. Tutchen. Cr. Whinray : If they charge from the time they were engaged, I think the amount would be twice as much. Cr. Lewis: You are getting funny ! Cr. Tutchen: Aye 1 Read backwards. Cr. Townley : Is not the account sufficiently in detail ? [Account read.] I think that the Council is pretty well aware that the books were not made out at all for about three months previous to the late secretary leaving; No doubt there was considerable trouble in putting the account right for that period. Then the accountants had to post up the books for six weeks. The books were not posted up to the 30th of September. I think that the accountants could make a detailed statement that would come to more than what they have charged. Cr. Tucker: I would ask the Councillors individually whether they feel, upon such a bald account as the one furnished, inclined to vote lOOguineas? Cr. Whinray: lam afraid if the accounts were itemized they would come to much more than the amount charge. The account is certainly quite within what I expected. Cr. Lewis understood that if a detailed account were asked for, there was nothing to prevent the accountant putting down so many days and so many hours, and bringing it up to 100 guineas. How can we check them ? They say that they have opened a new set of books. That in itself is worth a great deal. But it is an open question whether we shall get any further information if we ask for a detailed account, or whether we shall get our account reduced. Cr. Whinray : We have no mode of checking the account. Cr. Clayton : We know from conversation with Mr McLean that up to the 9th of November he had not been able to touch the accounts, and that on account of Mr Ratcliffe being so busy with other work that he did not touch them. Cr. Tutchen : I think it is quite posisble to find some one else to check the account for £lO 10s. A Councillor : Yes, and perhaps he would charge another 100 guineas. His Worship : I quite agree that it would be better to have a detailed account, but the total amount I think would come to exactly the same thing. You must remember, also, that this business is that of experts, and not to be paid for as that of au ordinary clerk. A Counoillor : It is not to he paid for the same as a post and rail job. His Worship: Ido not myself think that the Auditors were the proper persons to do the work. Cr. Whinray: I move that the account be paid. This was seconded by Cr. Lewis. Cr. Somervell: Mr McLean told us himself that while making up the books he could audit them himself as he w’ent along. Councillors: The auditing is only £2 2s each. Cr. Somervell: That’s no matter. If he audited them going along he should not bo paid for the work twice. Cr. Lewis : Knock him off five per cent. Cr. Somervell: If the accounts had been 150 guineas I should not be surprised. The fact is that the Council was in their hands. It is a long figure to pay, I must say, but I believe it is that sort of work you cannot estimate the price of. I have had a little bit of work of that sort, and I know how hard it is to go over accounts of another person, especially when the accounts have been muddled. Ido not see that we can raise a point of dispute The Council was altogether in their hands, and was very glad for some person to take the matter up and go through it without saying anything about the cost. Cr. Tutchen : I asked them all along what they would charge, but they would not tell me. Cr. Tucker: I recollect a question being asked, and the impression in my mind did not lead me to think that the amount would be anything like this. Cr. Somervell: I asked the question what it was going to cost. His Worship : What answer did you get ? Cr. Somervell: A very indefinite one. Mr McLean told me that the accounts were so muddled that he could not tell. We got no very definite answer. Cr. Whinray’s amendment, seconded by Cr. Lewis, that the account be paid was put. For: Crs. Brown, Somervell, Whinray, and Townley. Against: Crs. Tucker, Tutchen, and Clayton. The amendment was carried. A subsequent amendment that the account be paid forthwith, was put and carried ; the same parties voting respectively for and against.