Borough Council.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1060, 13 April 1882, Page 2

Borough Council.

A. special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening for the purpose of drawing up a byelaw with reference to tho position of cab stands within tho Borough, and regulating the charges for cabs. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Townley, Clayton, Lewis, Tutchen, Whinray, Somervell, and Tucker. It was resolved that the matter be deferred until the bye-laws for regulating cabs and other vehicles at Wanganui and at Auckland were received by the Council. It was proposed by Cr. Tutchen, and seconded by Cr. Clayton, that a committee consisting of Crs. Lewis, Townley, Tucker, and Tutchen frame the bye laws with reference to the cab stand, and regulations appertaining thereto, and that they report at next meeting. Carried.—lt was then resolved that Mr Phillips, the Town Clerk at Auckland, be telegraphed to for a copy of the Bye-laws obtaining in that city.

The special meeting then closed, and the ordinary sitting of tho Council commenced.

The following outgoing correspondence was then read :—To Messrs. Carr and Sons, enforcing shoring up or pulling down of walls. To S. Oxenham granting permission to sink well. To the Fire Brigade, giving £5 towards repair of hose. To Collector of Customs conccrniug landing of cargo

on foreshore. To J. 0. Barnard, forwarding plan of Grey-street extension. To Messrs. Fenwick and Kennedy, re screw steamer; declining. The inward correspondence was as follows :—From the Bank of New Zealand concerning special debit on draft transfer of money ; postponed for enquiry. From the National Insurance Company, concerning Fire Engine contribution. From the Marine Department re Introduction of Bill respecting the sale of a portion of the foreshore to Messrs Common and Shelton. From J. Bennett, exonerating Mr Faram from all blame in connection with the poisoning of his dog, and withdrawing letter praying for enquiry. A petition was presented by Cr. Somervell from the residents of Dis-racli-street, requesting the attention of the Council to the necessity of the formation of Disraeli-street North being considered in appropriation of estimates. —Cr. Whinray proposed, and Cr. Tutchen seconded, that the petition be received and acceded to.

The report concerning the extension of Grey and Lowe-streets was then read and confirmed.—Cr. Lewis asked for information regarding the water supply on premises in town. Tho following payments were passed: —A. Robertson, £3 10s.; G. Lee, £1 Ils. Gd. and £1 15s. ; T. Adams, £3 ; G. Humphries, £1 Is. ; Parnell and Boylan, £22 Ils. Hd.; Large and Townley, £1 4s. Gd.; goods destroyed by Health Officer’s orders, £5 95.; W. Adair, £8 155.; J. Sigley, £2 65.; Fire Brigade, £5; |petty cash, £5. W. Adair’s account for damage to shovels and buckets during fire (£3 55.) was, on the motion of Or. Somervell, seconded by Cr. Tutchen, deferred for account in detail. It was also resolved that payment of £lO 18s. lOd. to Mr Finn (solicitor), be deferred until further information be obtained concerning Wilson’s claim. Tenders were then submitted (one rejected as late) for the repairs to Childers Road, and that of Chas. McDevitt, £9B 7s. 6d., was accepted. Cr. Whinray called attention to the fact of a large heap of stones being left near the Royal Hotel in the main road, unprotected, and without a light, at night, two accidents having already occurred there, and reprehended strongly the carelessness therein exhibited.—Cr. Tutchen attributed carelessness to Mr Stuckey, and adduced instances.—Cr. Whinray urged that a light be kept at night on any obstructive substances left on public roads.— The Engineer drew attention to depots being required when Oxenham’s contract camo in work.—Cr. Clayton moved, and Cr. Somervell seconded, “ That all stone already cracked be spread immediately.”— A. resolution was passed that in future any heap of stones or other obstruction in tho roads should be protected at night by a light, and the Engineer bo instructed to that effect.

Cr. Tutchen stated that Mr Stuckey was neglecting the interests of the Council by giving way to drink, and moved that he be discharged with a week’s notice, and another appointed. Seconded by Cr. Townley. Carried.—■ Cr. Clayton corroborated Cr. Tutchen’s report as to Mr Stuckey’s unfitness for his place. His Worship the Mayor and Cr. Townley said that Mr Stuckey was incapable of work through tho same on the night of the fire. Cr. Somervell followed in corroboration. The Borough Engineer could say nothing in defence of Mr Stuckey, except that he had never seen him drunk at work. Cr. Tucker said it was the duty of the Engineer to supervise tho workmen and report any dereliction of duty to the Council. A long discussion here ensued as to whether Mr Stuckey’s successor should be looked on as an officer of the Council and so liable to be called on to act in any emergency, or merely as a day laborer whose time after hours should be at bis own disposal. Cr. Tucker moved, “That in consideration of the higher pay of the working overseer, the Council expects that he will be prepared for duty in cases of emergency, such as at fires and the like, and that on all occasions he will take charge of all Borough property coming under his notice, and that he shall at least once a month, make a return to the Borough Engineer of all properties in his charge.” Cr. Tutchen seconded. Cr. Tutchen urged that the Town Clerk be instructed to look up the Council’s agreement with Mr Wilson re Pound. —Cr. Somervell called the attention of the Engineer to the existence of heaps of stones near Parnell and Boylan’s.—Cr. Clayton moved for a return from the Engineer of all pipes the property of the Council in Parnell & Boylan’s yard.—Cr. Whinray asked for information about Mr Fraser’s rental for Borough reserve. Cr. Tutchen stated that he thought only one instalment had been paid.—The Town Clerk said the lessee of the ferry asked permission to erect a small building on sledges near the ferry. Granted, subject to the satisfaction of the Engineer.—Cr. Tutchen submitted that it was necessary to appoint a new Committee to act with him as Endowment Committee. Moved by Cr. Whinray, and seconded by Cr. Townley, “ That Crs. Tutchen, Lewis, Somervell, and Tucker be appointed.” Carried.—Cr. Tucker urged that immediate steps be taken for preparation of “ Foreshore Encroachments Bill.” Cr. Lewis moved and Cr. Tucker seconded, “That a Committee consisting of His Worship the Mayor, and Crs. Tucker and Townley be appointed to draft the necessary Bill and advertise as required.” Carried, —Tho Town Clerk was in-

structed to write to Messrs Common and Shelton allowing them to start with their new buildings subject to the conditions agreed upon, agreement to that effect to be made out subject to Bill passing the House.—lt was resolved that the width of Read’s Quay be one chain, and that a special meeting be called this day fortnight, at 6.45 p.m., for the purpose of adopting such resolution. The Council then adjourned.