BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1361, 27 September 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday evening in the Council Chambers. Present—His Worship the Mayor, E. K. Brown (in the chair), and Crs. Townley, Lewis, Kenny, Joyce, Smith, Hepburn, Brown and Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Incoming Correspondence.

R. J. Reynolds re his appointment; County Council re metal contract ; S. Dolman re contract; Mr Barnard re nightsoil; Mr Sievewright re closet system : Mr J. Hearfield *•« complaint against his contract ; Chairman Cook County Council re tram line ; to A. Graham re remission of penalty. Outgoing Correspondence. From Mr Barnard complaining that the nightsoil contractor had not been sufficiently punished. The Chairman said the Council had done all they could in this matter. Cr Lewis moved that the letter be not acknowledged as the Conucil had done all they could, and they could not allow Mr Barnard to dictate as to their line of duty. Au ample apolugy had been made and that ought tu be suffice. On the motion of Cr Kenny it was resolved that the letter be simply acknowledged. From Mr J. Hearfield, asking that the closet boxes should be kept to specified dimensions, otherwise he was entitled to charge more than Is per box. The Chairman stated that if the boxes more than the specified size (2ft 6iu x Ift 3in), people must pay extra for it Another letter was received purporting to come from Mr Hearfield, but being without signature it was refused. Cr Townley wished to know whether the boxes were really above the size. He also said that he did not see the use of enforcing the emptying of boxes in the town if the people outside Derby street were allowed to do as they liked. It was no good to keep the town clean if they had a stench blowing from other places outside the boundaries. The contract should be enforced in all parts of the town or otherwise it would prove useless.

Cr Lewis moved, and Cr Brown seconded, that the inhabitants be informed by advertisement that the contract size of the boxes is 2ft 3inxlft 3in, and that if boxes exceeded that dimension the contractor could charge ex ra, according to agreement. From Captain Winter, asking for certain articles for fire engine. Cr Smith moved, and Cr Smith seconded, that permission be given to Captain Winter to get what was required. From Parnell and Boylan, re fire bell, stating that the new bell had arrived, and calling attention to the faulty aud rotten stand of the present one. The Eugiueer was instructed to see to this matter

From Mr H. J. Finn, re transfer of Borough reserves lease, 69a and 70 to Building Society. Cr Townley said that to refuse these applications would be to prevent any building on the ground. He could see no objection.

Cr Tucker thought there might be some objection. He would move that consent bt given to the transfer, subject to approval ol the Council as to any future lesee. Consent waa given subject to the above conditions.

From Mr Finn, stating that Mr Houlden wished to sub-let the reserve in his name, to two Chinamen, providing the Council approved. It was decided to inform Mr Houlden that the Council would still hold him responsible Cr Kenny said that such a measure would not entail any risk on the Council. From Mr Finn, stating that Mr Flook wished to transfer his interest in the reserve 77a to the Building Society. Cr Tucker proposed, and Cr Smith seconded, that permission be granted under similar conditions to the former.

From Mr Nasmith, stating that he was the owner of the section at the corner of Cook Street, and that Cr Tutchen could not in any way guarantee the width of the road, as stated by him. Letter to be acknowledged. From Mr J Drummond, »•« claim for plans, &c., and water scheme bonus of £lOO.

The Chairman eaid he regretted taking any notice of any of these letters, as they were becoming a perfect pest. Cr Sm*th moved, and Cr Tucker seconded, that the consideration of the letter be postponed until next meeting.—Carried. From Mr Barrett, re statutes for 1883. Cr Tucker moved, and Cr Lewis seconded, that a volume be obtained.

From Mr McDevitt, asking that Aberdeen Road be closed during formation, as the traffic materially obstructed the progress of the wo»‘k.

Cr Hepburn did not see how tney could well close the road without great inconvenience to the residents.

Cr Townley moved that the request be complied with. Ur I'ucker would suggest that the road be not closed. It was resolved to answer the letter, and inform Mr McDevitt that the road could not be closed. Petition From Mr McDkvitt.

A petition was read from Mr McDevitt, re the Stanley Road. Cr Tucker moved, and Cr Hepburn seconded, that the petition be aoceeded to.

Cr Smith said that the road was quite unpassable. Cr Lewis moved, and Cr Joyce seconded, that the matter be referred to the Engineer, and if be considers the offer reasonable to accept it. The original motion was put and carried. From Mr Finn, on behalf of Cr Tutchen, asking the Council to permit the formation of Cook Street, as a private street.

Cr Kenny moved that the request be com pli -d with, providing the street be 66 feet wide.

Cr Tucker said that this would leave the matter in precisely the same position as before. He would ask that Mr Tutchen be referr d to the minute already pissed on the subj *ct. Providing Cr Kenny would embody this in his motion he would second it. Cr Smith said that he did nnt think the Council could enforce any particular width. Cr Joyce said he knew that a portion of the street was in dispute. He thought that som • consideration should be shown to the bur 'esses who had bought property in the street. To take the road over at present woo d only involve the Council in several lawoiits. When the road was in Cr Tutchen’s possession then they could give their consent. Mr Finn here addressed the Council on the subject. Cr Joyce moved as an amendment that permission be not given until Mr Tutchen wa< in possess io i of the property. Cr T -wnL-v moved ♦'h it. the word “ private” be inserted. This was the first for i 1 anplic ><» i w mm Ind o»*en n ade. The original motion was then altered and passed. Comm, i i be Report re Mb Drummond’s Claim. Cr Kenny moved and Cr Lewis seconded ’

the adoption of the report.—Carried, Committee Report re Nightsoil Contract. The above report, which was printed in a previous isiiue, was then read and adopted, Commmittee re Grey Gaavel Contract. Cr Townley said that the Borough Council had previously decided not to formally remit the penalty until the County Council had taken over the line. Cr Tucker did not think this was the resolution. He understood that it had been agreed to pay over some £6OO, the balance to be held until the line had been taken over. Cr Hepburn understood that the penalty was not to be iemitted until the line had been taken over by the County Council. Cr Townley said the £6OO had been paid over without any prejudice to the penalty. They had no right to release from the penalty until the line was taken over. Cr Kenny said that was clearly the intent of last meeting. Cr Tucker proposed and Cr Townley seconded the adoption of the report.— Carried. Engineer’s Report. Sir, —I have the honor to forward for your informati n and guidance, the usual iortnig «tly report. Grey trket Drain —A longitudinal section has been made by Mr Reynolds from Grey street to the outlet of the drain through fucker's pahdo k on the Waikanae, to fill up the Grey street drain from seci-m 170 to the W aikanae and subati< uting the usual kerb line of about 8 inches. The whole of the drainage from sections 170-9 a and 10a can Uh dive ted, and the drain t rough the B-Tuugh endowments deepened on au average of 18 inches. The footpath from section 170 to the Waikanae could be levelled and widened out to its proper width. I estimate the work at £4O

Childers Road. — Owing to the non delivery uf the balance uf gravel, and the road having beeu completed as far as Uarnavon street about 4 chains of the new formation remains uncovered. I would theref-.ro recommend that beach shingle be pro ured and spread. The coat ol which 1 estimate at £2l.

Aberdeen Road Contract.— The works on thi-contract are being proceeded with satisfactorily, and a progress payment for the sum of £3O on account of formation has been asked fur. I have arranged for the delivery of shingle as follows : The contractor to deliver aud tip the shingle, aud notify the Engineer before spreading, the overseer to take the yard metal box on the ground, and test by measurement the quantity delivered, this will relieve the contractor from auy extra trouble. It will be necessary to construct a shoot About 100 ft loug, for the purpose of draiu.age from the bank near the faraheru river, to conserve the b*anks uf the river. Cost, I estimate at about £2O. House for Custodian.— This work has beeu completed, but 1 regret to report that through luadvertauce the openiug for the window in the back room was omitted to be shown ou the drawing, the contractor, therefore, claims £3 10s extra. Strong Room — The front wall is specified to be 18 inches thick, this has beeu ea rned out to a thickness of only 14 inches, nwing to the joins and studs of the building interfiring. This should be deducted from the contract price, as also deficiency of size. Day Labor. —Ail the day laborers have been discharged. The overseer has been engaged repairing footpaths aud other necessary works. I am, Ac., J. Drummond. Grey Stewet Dhain. A long and desultory discussion here ensued about the Grey Street drain. Mr Reyuolds was ultimately instructed to enquire whether any objection was nie.de by the owners. Custodian House. Cr Hepburn thought 13 10s a large price for one window. It was explained that this included the cost of sash aud fittings in it. Strong Cr Brown understood that the room wu no t constructed according to the plan. The door was now in the side instead of in the end. It was decided to leave the matter over until the account came in. Cr Hepburn wished to know whether the Engi ueer had nut some report to make with respect to the Palmerston and Roebuck Roads drain pipes, and was answered in the negative. The report was then adopted. Payments. J. Drummond, £5 5s ;F. J. Piesse, £4 4s ; J. Adams, £1 16s 6d ; J. Punsford, £64 10s ; J. VVhiuray, £2 12s ; J. Migley, £3; McDevitt, £3O (prouress payment); J. Brown, £6 6s 6d ; Groll, £2 Us Bd. Waihiriri Block. Mr Bourke said that no report had been received from the Committee re the above Block. He understood that the land had passed through the Laud Court aud belonged to W i Pere and another. Cr 6mith hoped that the committee appointed fur this purpose would report at the next meeting. Ex i raordinary Business. The deeds of lease to Jemima Black weie signed and stamped. Cr Smith enquired whether the copies of deeds of transfer of the Waiongaaunai block had been received and was answered in the affirmative. Cr Townley wished to know what they were going to do as to the new fire bell. 'l he Chairman said the Etgineer would see to the erection of the new bell. Cr Smith asked that some Councillor take the post of Chairman of Public Works. H»* wished that some more practical man take the post. Cr Lewis proposed and Cr Smith seconded thatCr Brown he appointed a member of the Public Works Committee.—Carried, Cr Joyce proposed Cr Kenny who begged to decline, Cr Kenny proposed and Cr Lewis seconded, that Cr Hepburn be appointed a member of the Public Works Committee.— Carried Cr Hepburn called attention to the state of the footpaths just above Mr Orr’s cottages in the Gladstone Road. Cr Townley suggested that the Engineer report on the matter. l he Engineer was instructed to do so. The Council then rose.