BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1368, 13 October 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting ol the above took piece lut night. Preeent—E K Brown (in the chair) Cre Hepburn, Tutehen, Brown, Kenny, Joyce, Townley end Tucker. Outgoing Correspondence. J e m OU Js°* n £L correspondence was then read—To H. J. Finn re Tutchen’s property, and giving notice that he would be permitted to open a private street, known as Cook street. To J. Barnard acknowledging receipt of hie letter re rightsoil. To Mr Nasmith acknowledging receipt of his letter, and stating that its contents had been noted. To C, McDevitt, acknowledging his letter requesting the Council to close Aberdeen road, and Informing him that it was the Council's intention not to do so. To J. Grossweil and 0. Dunlop, auditors of the Borough, asking them to come and audit the Council s books. Incoming Correspondence. From J, Rosie, asking permission to erect a verandahjo his now shop Permission granted.

From J. McDouall, asking if about 2 years ago a resolution was passed by the Council to the effect that no tender for work sent in by him would be accepted, and wishing to know if he could tender again. Cr Tucker proposed, and Cr Tutehen secon* ded, that he be informed that no such resolution had been passed by the Council. From Rogan and Nolan, applying for transfer of lease from J, Beveridge to J. Harvey, of sections 73, 74, 75. Cr Kenny proposed, and Cr Brown seconded, that a letter be written to Rogan and Nolan, granting the application.—Carried. From the Railway Department, rathe plant to open the Patutaln Quarry. From J. Thompson and Dackwood, re the filling in of the Grey Street drain, which they stated would prove detrimental to their property situated thereabout. With regard to the Crowu Grant of 1000 acres at Patutahi, Cr Tucker proposed and Cr Brown seconded, that the Town Clerk be directed to forward the necessary files to Mr Bamford, with a request for him to post certificates.

From J. Drummond, asking when the Council would sit as a Board of Enquiry to hear his claim.

Cr Townley thought that Mr Drummond should give notice to the Council when he was ready, and then the Council could appoint a time to meet him.

Cr Kenny moved that no moh meeting be held as Mr Drummond was now no longer a servant of the Councils. If he was still a servant of the Council’s then the matter might bo entertained.

The Chairman said they had passed & resolution at a previous meeting to hold a Board of Enquiry to hear the claim. Cr Kenny being iaformed that the vesolution was passed after Mr Drummond had received notice to leave, said he would withdraw his motion.

The Clerk was ordered to inform Mr Drummond that the Council were prepared to meet him when he gave notice that ho was prepared to appear. From Mr Holt, asking for balance of account, 5s sd, which he alleged was due on timber had for the Council’s use.

The amount was ordered to be paid. From the County Clerk, informing them that it had been decided at a meeting of the Cook County Council, to reject the joint application for £2OOO for the Turanganui Bridge, which they had promised to put down in their schedule for the £5OOO.

The Chairman could not see how the County Council could withdraw now, and they would have to get the money. Mr A. McDonald assured him that the Government would allow them the £3,000 applied for Engineer’s Report.

I have the honor to report that I commenced my duties as Borough Engineer on September 21st last. I have carried out the instructions given me at the last meeting, as under t— Grey street Drain.—l have seen Messrs Ward, Woon and Parnell who have no objection to the proposed alteration. Messrs Thompson and Duck wood object. The proposed work was fully described by Mr Drummond in his last report. It would not in my opinion injure the objectors. Childers Road.—Beach shingle has been spread on four chains of the road (east of Carnarvon street) 30 feet wide and four inches deep, at a cost of Ll 5.

Fire-bell.—The stand has been repaired and made secure, and the new bell hung, I propose to paint the stand white. Aberdeen Road—The contractor has nearly completed the formation, and is making very fair progress with metalling. Disraeli Street.—The contractor is making fair progress with the formation. Strong Room.—This is now nearly finished. Shelves and pigeon-holes will have to be fitted,

Drains by Recreation Reserve. —The drains in Aberdeen road, Disraeli street, and Carnarvon street require deepening and altering. The drain across Aberdeen road near the grand stand should be filled up and a new drain cut on the north side on the watertable line, to join Carnarvon etreet draincost, LlO. Drain at Junction of Al erdeen Road and Cobden Street.—lt is proposed to remove the present box culvert and fill in the drain across Aberdeen road, and put in pipe across Cobden street to join pipe taking water from Gibson’s garden.

Removal of rails in Gladstone Road.— Unless the Council intends at an early date to obtain an addition at supply of metal from up-country, I should recommend that the rails be taken up and stacked where required by the County Council. The rails, by preventing traffic on the crown of the roadway, make the wear of the road very severe. I have received a letter from the Superintendent of the Volunteer Fire Brigage complaining that water drips through the roof of the engine shed on to the engine owing to defective flashing of the funnel. I find this complaint well founded, and as the matter appeared urgent I have directed the necessary work to be clone to remedy the evil, at a cost of 355.

Payments.—l recommend the following payments : McDavitt, sacond progress payment Aberdeen road contract, L3O; Doleman, firs£ progress payment Disraeli street contract, LI200; Doleman, 25 cubic yards shingle on footpath of Aberdeen road, near Brewery (authorised by Mr Drummond) L 5 ; Doleman, 100 cubic yards shingle on Childers road, authorised by the Council at their last meeting, LIS. I have, etc., R. J. Revnotjis. Inspector of Nuisance’s Report. Sir, —I have to report for the information of the Council. Nuisances.—During the past month I have had all rubbish lying about the Borough either buried or destroyed, and the night soil at the depot burned every W'cck. I have to inform you the night soil contractor (Mr Hearfield), is very ill, he is unable to fulfill his duties, he wishes to give up his contract, as he is advised to do so by Dr. Pollen, who is attending him. I have spoken to Mr Burch who is willing to carry on the contract under the same conditions as Mr Hearfield was bound, if your Council are agreeable. I am, Ac.. T. Faram.

Cf Kenny mored that the report be adop. ted in Ma with the exception of that part referring to the Grey Street drain, Cr Tutohen seconded thia motion. Cr Townley moved ae an amendment, and the Chairman seconded, that the report be dealt with ad serratim —Carried.

Cr Tutehen said some time ago the Engineer had beeu requested to report us to the best place in which to cut a drain, and had advised the opening of the present one in Grey Street, This had been done at great expense and now it was sought to close it up. The drain wee one of the most important and ueef ul onee in the town as it drained a very Urge area of land. He ehould strongly oppose the filling of it in.

Cr Tucker agreed with the last speaker as he had no doubt whatever that the drain was a molt important one, and the filling in would not alone do much harm, but would entail a considerable amount of unnecessary ex;>enie, Or Joyce was also with the two lot •peakers. The Council had been put to't great expense in forming the drain and hi did not see why they should go tb the expense of filling it In t 0 please one man. The two partiei who were the most in. •crested in the matter had stated that it would most materially injure them and he thought it the duty of the Council to consider the request of one ratepayer m much at another. He thought Mr Parnell had shown great unfairness in showing so little intertlb in his tenants welfare. He had leased his A land and did not care. For his own ' part he did not care if a man wm the Attorney-Gsneml he would consider the claim of a working man equally with his, As long as a working man paid his rates he ought to be considered as much as any one who happened to be in a higher position. He should strongly oppose the project. Cr Townley said he wished to ask the Engineer the expense of the proposed work* and was informed that it would cost £4O. The matter was not a fad of the Councils, but in conformity with a request of the resident ratepayers. He should move that the Engineer s recommendation be followed.

Cr Kenny called the attention of the Board to the provisions of the Municipal Act with respect to forming drains, and read the same. Cr Townley said the only property which could possibly be injured by the filling in of the drain was Mr Thompsons. There wm r nothing determined at present. S Cr Kenny moved and Cr Tuoker seconded, ' that the two letters read be laid before the Public Works Committee so that they Could report at the next, meeting. Cr Joyce said it was a good idea to paint the bell stand white. Cr Tutehen said that a roof ought to be placed over the bell. Down South he had known forts to crack the bell. He thought some covering ought to bo given to the bell. Cr Brown said ns they were of funds, and as they were short of funds, and m he bad not seen frosts here that were likely to affect the bell, the matter might stand over. It was ultimately agreed (hat the matter be held over, and that the bell stand be painted white. Drain- in Aberdeen Road. Cr Tutehen moved that the drain be filled in. X Cr Townby wished to know if the work X was urgently required. He thought it could * stand till the fall and then be done- Already £5OO had been expended on this road. Cr Tutehen said that no money had ever been spent on that part of the road. Cr Joyce wished to know why they should drain the recreation ground for the benefly of the cricket club, or for their pleasure. Cr Tutehen said that was what they should * do it for. Persons could not walk there without getting their feet wet. Cr Townley thought that Cr Joyce was under a delusion. Cr Joyce said he understood that the ground had been let to the Cricket Club, and was not open for the public. Cr Townley said the road was never used. Cr Tutehen said it would be if it was made passable.

Cr Kenny opposed this work, and agreed with Cr Townley that every pound should be saved at the present time. The motion was lost. Drain at the Corner of Abbbdio and Cobden Roads. | I Cr Tutehen moved that the work be done. It was decided that the work be proceeded with at onco. Removal ojt Rails. Cr Townley proposed, and Or Hepburn seconded, that they do not remove the rads until they were ordered to. Cr Tutehen moved as an amendment that the rails be taken up at. ones and that the Engineer be instructed to make out an esti. mate for so doing. There being no seconder to the amendment motion wai carried, and the report was adopted. Nigrtsoil Contract Cr Tutehen said he would have no objec* tion to Mr Burch being the contractor providing that the sureties were still good. Cr Kenny would second that— Carried. Payments. Accounts to the amount of £221 6s 4d were possed for pavment. Waiuiriri Block. Cr Tucker, who had deputed with another Cr, by the Council to enquire into the matter, gave a verbal report of what had been done, stating that the land was unalienable, and the title in a most, complicated state. He would move that negot.iationa be opened up with | Wi Pere, and his letter to the Council be replied to, in which he stated that he was ready to enter into negotiations for the same. Cr Tutehen thought it would be advisable to Rend the Engineer to Patutahi, and ascertain the height of the watershed there. There they could claim the land, and lay the pipes on. Cr Townley would e?cond Cr Tucker’s motion, which was carried. Mb Drummond’s Claim. After the whole letter had been considered clause by clause it. wa« resolved to ignore the whole claim, and the Clerk was instructed to wr:te to Mr Drummond to that effect. Extraordinary Business. The balance sheet was then laid upon the table.

Cr Joyce moved' and Cr Townley seconded, that an advertisement be inserted in the paper notifying that the half-yearly balance sheet, was open to inspection by the 4 ratepayers. I Cr Hepburn wised to know whether any report had been made by the engineer as to I the state of certain footpaths in the Gladstone Road. / Cr Tutehen said that asjrfiey had been much behind hand with Jflie Valuator the Engineer was instructed/to commence the valuations at once / Cr Kenny seconded tinis motion. —Carried. Cr Tutehen moved/ that a committee be formed to enquire ingo the losses which Mr Drummond hod occasioned the Borough. Cr Joyce wished to call attention to the state of the foot path in Bright Street, Cr Kenny moved that the Engineer inspect, and if necessary to order the repairs.—Carried. Cr Tutehen also called attention to the bad state <jf the road opposite Mr Crawford’s brewery j The Engineer was ordered to see to it Cr Hepburn next called attention t<» the st ite of the footpath at the crossing of Roebuck Road and Palmerston Road The Engineer was ordered to see to this.