BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1134, 30 August 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present—Hia Worship the Mayor, Cra Clavton. Brown, Tutchin, Tutohin, Somervell, Lewis, Townley, and Whinray, The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The outgoing correspondence was read, The incoming correspondence, consisting of a letter from Mr Tharratt, requesting per* mission to put a culvert in front of his pro* miaes in Gladstone Roadi was road, and the desired permission granted. Mr J. Robb wrote asking for an extension of 14 days re his Derby street gravelling contract, Granted. Mr McDonald, M.H.R., had telegraphed stating that the Harbor Board Bill w’as before the Committee, and that there would be no trouble in the foreshore matter* What had retarded the Bill was the illness of Major Atkinson, and the delay consequent on the No-Confidence debate. Mr R, L. Fisher, for the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Association, wrote re the Council’s letter to him of the 17th inst., and stated that the Company wonld be willing to allow 5 per cent on the Council’s credit balance in current account while in the Company’s hands. Mr W. O’Ryan, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church Committee, applied for a remission of rates. The Town Clerk was instructed to make enquires. Mr W. S. Green wrote stating his willingness to take £7*lo from the Council at 9 per cent., giving security over 1000 acres of land for tlic Carrie.

It was resolved that the question of interest be left to the committee. The Wairoa County Council circular was then discussed, and it was resolved that the Council be communicated with by both local bodies re East Coast road expenditure. The report of the Committee on the Library was then read :—“ Your Committee beg to report that they had an interview with the Library Committee, and the following proposition has been made. The Library Committee, for the sum of £5O per annum, will provide the Council with much superior and more convenient quarters than they have at present, viz., 1 large Council room and separate offices for the Town Clerk and the Borough Engineer, and guarantee that they will not ask for any assistance from the Council in aid of the Library for 10 years, that being the period for which they would require the Council to take the new premises for. We have inspected the plans, and highly approve of them and of the suitability of the position where they are to be erected. While approving of the desirability of aiding the Library Committee in carrying out their scheme, your Committee are of opinion that the question of paying a much higher rent than we are now paying, is a matter for serious consideration and renuires to be fully discussed by the Conncil.—E, K. Brown, Chairman; H. Lewis, J. Tutchen.” A long discussion here ensued. Cr Tutchen seconded Cr Lewis’s resolution. He thought the grand object is to keep down expenses. Office expenses at present are disproportionately large in comparison w’ith revenue. Cr Lewis would be well pleased to make the term three years, but he felt sure the Library Comir’ttee would not accept such terms. He wou’d adhere to his resolution. Cr Townley would second the amendment, but would suggest that the words “five years” should be substituted for “ three years. ” Taking into consideration the working of the Library Committee, and the needs of the Borough Council, he would urge the substitution of the words. Cr Lewis accepted the amendment. Cr Tucker said the proposal to give the Council a ten years’ tenantcy at £6OO per annum, was not entirely to the Council’s advantage. He could only contemplate it from the one ground—duty to the ratepayers— Khd on these grounds he did not think it would be advisable for the Council to accept the offer.

Crs Somervell, Towmley, Tutchen, Lewis, Whinray. and Clayton, voted for the amendment. A slight discussion here arose, by reason of Cr Tucker’s assertion that a Councillor could vote for both sides .’ I! The original motion was withdrawn, and the amendment became a substantive pro* position. Cr Somervell thought £4O a year and a five years’ lease would better meet the requirements, and would move so as an amend* ment, Cr Tucker seconded, Cr Lewis thought that it would not fall too hard upon the ratepayers to pay the extra £lO to make the amount £5O. For : Crs Somervell and Tucker, Against: The remainder. Lost, The original motion was then put and carried. REPORTS. Nuisance Inspector—Removal of nightsoil, recommending renewal of contract for six months. 15 horses impounded. Cr Tucker doubted the power of the Council to extend the time for the night-soil contract, Cr Tucker proposed that fresh tenders should be called for, in preference to extending the time for the old contract. The Council has no power in the matter. It was resolved that the report be adopted. The Engineer’s Report was then read. Mr Martin, contractor for the Waikanae Bridge roads, asked for a remission of the fine imposed for non-completion of the work according to contract. Proposed by Cr Tutchen, seconded by Cr Brown, that the extras be paid, and the con* tractor fined £4. Carried. CARNARVON STREET. Cr Somervell would like to know something more definite as to the formation of this road. The water is actually laying stagnant in the ditch ; there is not sufficient fall. DANGEROUS GOODS STORE. A good and sufficient store can be erected for a sum of £l2O. Cr Townley thought, considering the general circumstances of the great drain on the Council’s funds and the non-pressing necessity of the present erection of a dangerous goods store, the matter might be relegated for mo ’e convenient deliberation. It was resolved that this matter be held over till next year. Cr. Lewis said that enquiries made by him shewed fully the absolute necessity for the erection of a dangerous goods store, and he hoped that the Council would at once call for tenders with that object in view. It should be divided into bonding and storage compartments. This would give facility for taking small quantities out of bond, and would ease the burden upon those dealing in these commodities. The Mayor disagreed with Cr. Lewis as to the weight of duties. Kerosene and the like material differed greatly from spirits in this. Through a previous misunderstanding the resolution was omitted, and the following amendment was put:—That this work be carried out, and tenders called for, for the erection of a dangerous goods store.” Cr. Tucker said ho would put his foot down at the £lOO. Cr. Somervell liked to see lots of buildings going up, but considering other matters had been shut out on the same grounds he thought this ought to meet with equal judgment. Cr. Whinray thought that if the erection is necessary the sum ought not to be an ob* jeotion. Cr, Townley could hardly see that the work is a necessary one. If it were a work demanding instant attention he could support it, but from facts laid before the Council and considering their means, he did not think such attention was requisite. He did not think the Council would be doing its duty by erecting such a building, The amendment was lost, and the original proposition for postponement was carried, Cutting of a Drain in Aberdeen Road, Crs. Tutchen and Brown supported the idea of this work on the ground of necessity, Crs. Somervell and Townley asked for information, which the Borough Engineer supplied, on the subject. Proposed by Cr. Lewis, seconded by Cr. Tutchen, that the matter stand over. Carried. The adoption of the Engineers report as amended, was adopted. His Worship here vacated the oha|r, which was taken by Cr. Townley. Payments Passed. J. McDevitt, £4O; J. Boland, £2 Os; G. Shelter, £4 8s 4d ; J. Caples, £1 8s; G, Cooper, £9 I Us ; T. Brostenham, £2 19s fid j T. Barry, £3 5a ; E. Wilkinson, £lO 16s; H. W. Luke, £3 2a Od; W. Morgan, £1 Ba ; C. McDevitt, £’7 9s 9d ; J. R. Morgan, £3 5s 9d ; Parnell and Boylan, £7 9a fid; Porter and Croft, £3 ; Large and Townley, £3 15s fid ; Officers Salaries, £4l 13s 4d. Petty cash, £lO. The following tenders were opened—for lighting and keeping in repair street lamps : —J, Herefield, £77 ; H. Ham ley £37 10s ; J. Boland (accepted), £35. The question of cutting a drain in front of Mr Daly’s property in Childers Road was tjheu brought forward, ami the report of the tiviDmltUx iip|K>intcd bn a previous ocuasion >

to adjudicate on the matter was read. Cr. Tucker asked for an explanation of the minutes of the report hs he considered they reflected on himself. He was not answerable for any instructions for alterations made. The Engineer said he took his instructions from the Mayor, who had conferred with Cr, Tucker on the matter, and orderedthat tenders be called for cutting a drain. Cr. Tucker gave an explanation shewing that the conversation between himself and the Mayor was entirely a private one, and should not be quoted as an authority. Cr. Townley explained that no censure was intended by the minutes as written, but those minutes were simply the result of the extraordinary position in which the Committee were placed by the absence of C’. Tucker and the Mayor ; they were really rendered powerless ; hence the wording of the minutea. Cr. Tucker pleaded innocence. Cr. Tutehen argued the case for the Committee as only Cr. Tutchen and the late Cockburn, C.J., could argue. Cr. Tucker still upheld that his conversation with the Mayor was a private one, and urged that the objectionable paragraph in the minutes should be expunged. It was resolved that the matter of expunging the objectionable paragraph stand over till next meeting. Tenders for cutting the drain were read. Cr. Somervell moved, and Cr. Lewis seconded, “That the tenders be returned.” Carried. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. The Mayor being absent the transfer of lease from Mr Fraser to Mr Orr w’as postponed for the present. Nesbitt Road.—The Town Clerk said that Mr Johnson had made frequent applications regarding this matter, and was naturally getting impatient for a decided reply. The matter was discussed, and Cr Townley explained that the road had been taken possession of by the Government under warrant, the validity of which was supported by the Attorney-General’s opinion. It was simply a question of paying Mr Morgan the comSensation he claimed—under his lease frern aptain Read—he having leased the ground before the Government took possession of the land. The Council had worked hard in the matter without any satisfactory result. Mr Morgan’s claim had not been in any way satined. Cr Tucker said the proper course would be to clearly ascertain the circumstances, and act accordingly. The Engineer was instructed to make the necessaxy enquiries, and report to the next meeting. A question was asked by the Town Clerk as to who was the proper officer of the Council to act in the matter of infringement of any bye-laws, such as obstruction of pavements, etc. Cr Tucker thought the Inspector of Nul* s&nces should look after these matters, and report to the Town Clerk, who would then take the necessary steps. Cr Lewis supported this view. Cr Clayton said it was a matter of salary as involving the time of the Inspector of Nuisances. y as the present, that Mr Wilkinson and Mr Faram be instructed to report any cases coming under their notice to the Town Clerk, with a view to their repression. The rough minutes were then read, and the meeting was declared closed.