BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 30, 3 January 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council took place last night in the offices, Lowe Street. Present His Worship the Mayor (C, W. Porter) in the chair, and Councillors Townley. Lewis, Tutchen, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn, and Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the following correspondence were read outgoing correspondence, To F, Dufaur Ji Co,, re acceptance of contract for printing and advertising. INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE, Letter from Mr, W, H, Luke re Waikanae drain, complaining that the drain was likely to breed sickness. The matter being under the consideration of the Council, was ordered to stand over. From Mr, Brooking as follows Gisborne, Deo. 19th, 1888, To His Worship the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Gisoorne. Gentlemen, —Being desirous of selling, subject to encumbrance, the portion of Section 141, under mortgage to the Sinking Fund Commissioner, for £lOO,l have been recom- _ mended by Mr. Matthews, to whom I have A applied, to lay the matter before the Council for approval, I now, therefore, have the honor to submit for your consideration my application for permission to offer the above property by puolic auction, subject to the mortgage to the Sinking Fund Commissioners, as above. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, John Brooking. Councillor Townley moved, “That the application be granted.” The Chairman said the matter must go through the Sinking Funds Commissioners. Cr. Tutchen said that he should oppose the application, as the property might go to someone who would cause the Council much trouble, Cr. Lewis did not see how that could be. There was ample protection for the Board. He would second Cr. Townley’s motion. Cr. Tutchen moved, as an amendment, “ That a letter be written to Mr. Brooking, stating that, had he been going to sell the property privately the Board would have considered the application, but they could not grant his request on the present conditions.” The property was not worth more than £l5O. The Chairman suggested that the best plan would be to refer the matter to the Finance Committee to deal with it. Cr. Tucker thought this the most proper course to pursue. The Chairman moved, and Cr, Townley seconded, “ That the matter be placed before the Finance Committee, with full power to deal with the same.” Carried. The following letter was then read from the Under-Secretary:— “ Wellington, December 23,1888. “ Sir,—l am directed by the Minister of Lands to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, relative to the Kaiti Block, and to inform you that steps are being taken to protect the public interest (under the deed dated 81st of July, 1875) at the sitting of the Native Lands Court. “ I have the honor to be, Sir, “ Yours most obediently, “ H. J. P. Shott, “ Under-Secretary. “ To the Town Clerk, Gisborne.” The following letter was then read from the County Council: — Cook County Council Office, Gisborne, 18th Dec. 1888. Sir, —I have the honor, by the direction of the Council, to respectfully request that the Gisborne Borough Council will recommend to the Government the advisability of amending the constitution of the Gisborne Harbor Board by making provisions for the representation on that Board of the whole of the settlers in the County, as many works will •eventually be undertaken which will affect the County settlers quite as much as those resident in the township, and I am directed to assure your Council that this request is not made in any spirit of antagonism to the present constitution of the Board, but as a measure to provide timely representation for all settlers.

I have, &c., John Wabrzn, County Clerk. To his Worship the Mayor, Borough of Gisborne. Cr. Kenny wished to knew whether the l etter was not identical with the one received by the Harbor Board. On reading the same ’ over he moved “ That the Borough Council do not consider it expedient, at the present time, to consider the resolution contained in the letter received.” Cr. Lewis seconded the motion. Or. Tucker was absent when the matter previously came before the Council. He , thought the matter was not without two sides, and was worthy of attention. The i strongest argument was that that body did not , represent the whole of the people interested in : the question. He oould not help thinking that there was some good reasons on the other side. The Board was certainly in a most peculiar position, as they were asked to judge their own actions. It was for the t benefit of the County all at that Board should cheerfully make any sacrifice for the general good. What that Board had to ask itself was, i was it not possible that a better representation of interests could be made? He would moxe a notice of motion on the subject. Cr. Joyce said that one of the local papers advised that all good and charitable considerations should be exhausted before attributing it to bad ones. He thought the County Council should be asked to state a cause for their complaint. He came there to do his duty conscientiously, and if he could see any reason to make a change he would cheerfully do so. At present he thought any alteration would be to the prejudice of the ratepayers’ interests (hear, hear). Cr. Tutchen cordially agreed with Cr. Joyce. Most of the members present on the Board had more interest in the County than in the Borough. He himself had as six to one. Cr. Tucker moved “ That a letter be sent to the Council stating that the final reply would be given after mature consideration, in a month’s time.” Cr. Townley said the letter before the Board was a most fair one. The question before them was whether the settlers were worthily represented by the present Harbor Board. If the County Council wished any special action taken in the matter they should speak definitely. If it would be better for all interests he was sure himself and the other members of the Board would cheerfully concur in any measure for the general good. At 4 the same time he must say the principle interest in the Board was centered in and around the town of Gisborne. If any agitation was made in the matter the Government would surely cut off the present help extended to the place, and introduce a rating clause in the Harbor Bill. The Chairman said it appeared to be a movement more confined to Gisborne than to the district. He agreed with Cr. Tucker that some definite measure should be laid before the Board by the County Council. If necessary they could admit the Chairman of the County Council by virtue of his office and one elective member. Something definite should be laid before the Board. After some desultory conversation Cr. Kenny rose to a point of order. The matter seemed to have resolved itself into a sort of conversation between Crs. Tucker and Townley. He would read the by-law referring to the matter. The discussion was being carried on in a most irregular manner. The Chairman explained that no irregularity had taken place, it was for the benefit of all that the rules be not adhered to too strictly. Cr. Tucker then moved, and Cr. Townley seconded, the following proposition:—“ That this Council, while admitting a possibility of bettering the formation of the Harbor Board, cannot yet accede to the request of the County Council, and would request the County Council to favor them with their views as to the nature and details of the change which the County Council consider advisable.” The County Council should be asked what they wished, as that Board was entirely unacquainted with what change was required. Cr. Townley would be very glad to hear the opinions of the County Council as to what they wished. Cr. Kenny said he could not withdraw his motion. Nothing had been shown that the public were discontented with the present

Board, No complaints, public meetings, letters, or articles had appeared in relation to this matter. The question had simply arisen in the Council, who, he t naught, alone wished to have their finger in the pie. The Board had hardly been yet formed. The sooner cold water was thrown on the matter the better, else no one would take any interest in the work. If there was really any public wish in the matter the Board would undoubtedly treat the request with the greatest •respect. The proper answer to be sent to the communication was to the effect that the time for the consideration of this question had not yet arrived. On the amendment being put, it was lost. The proposition was then put and carried. engineer’s report. Borough Office, Gisborne, July 2,1884. To his Worship the Mayor of Gisborne. Sir,— Pump and trough in Gladstone Road.— l find the trough rotten and leaky, and the pump-stand in bad condition: also, the present trough is inconveniently small. I therefore intend to put up a new trough, 12ft. « long, ancßo repah: the pump-stand, at a cost Kerbing opposite Infant School.— To shingle and kerb the footpath with totara kerb for a •ustanoe of one chain, opposite the Infant School, would cost £6. Drains.— Cort of clearing of watercress, moving slips, and thoroughly clearing out to original sections :—Drains from Bright Street to Bead’s Quay, twenty-eight chain r, at 45., £5 125.; drains from large box-culvert in Gladstone Hoad to Waikannae, seventy-six chains, at 55., £22 16s. Footpath in Roebuck Road, opposite sections 176 a. 177 a, and 178a.— This has heen finished, A culvert (say a 12ft box, 18in. square, costing £3) is wanted at the northern end, to give access from Gladstone Road. Contracts.—The contractors for Abereden Road and Disraeli Street are making fair progress, considering the late holidays, in shingling their respective roads. I have, 4c., B. J. Reynolds, Borough Engineer. As to the kerbing opposite the schools, Cr. Tutchen wished to know whether the whole of the proposed work was to be done in Disraeli Street. The Engineer answered in the affirmative. The work was agreed to. Re the drains in Bright Street to Read’s Quay. Agreed to. Cn. Tutchen and Tucker thought it better to let the box-drain from Gladstone Boad to the Waikanae stand over for the present. Carried. The remainder of the report was adopted. REPORT OP INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. I gave notice to the owners of sections Nos. 206 and 207, Palmerston Road, relative to the pool of water. Owing to the difficulty of getting material for filling in, they have been unable to comply. They have made arrangements that during the next fortnight I trust I may be able to report an end of the matter. Ranging.— During the past month I have impounded 57 horses and 5 head of cattle. I am, 4c., Taos. Faran. The report was adopted. PAYMENTS. Wilkinson, £lO Bs.; J. Brown, £ll7s 6d.; wharfinger, £9 3s. STANLEY ROAD. On the motion of Cr. Tutchen and seconded by Cr. Lewis, this matter was ordered to stand over. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr. Tucker moved, and Cr. Kenny seconded, “ That the dog-tax remain the same as last year.”—Carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE. Proposed by Cr. Tucker, and seconded by Cr. Joyce, “ That his Worship be a member of the Finance Committee vice Mr. E. K. Brown, retired.”—Carried. SHINGLE. In answer to Cr. Tutchen, the Engineer said shingle was now obtainable. Proposed by Cr. Tutchen, and seconded by • Cr. Kenny, “ That the footpath in Disraeli 1 Street be shingled two inches deep, cost not 1 to exceed £8 or £9,” —Carried. After the rough minutes had been read the ' meeting resolved itself into a 1 l SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HARBOR 1 BOARD. j The following Public Works Report wa 8 1 then read :— To the Chairman of the Harbor Board. ' Sir,—We beg to report on the new stock- ! yard as follows: — The work appears to have been carried out in accordance with the Engineer’s report. * The extras charged by the Engineer have t been completed, the Committee regret that < they were not consulted at an earlier period ; of the work, believing that some of the extras might have been dispensed with without in- ; terfering with the stability of the structure.— . We are, <tc., The report was then adopted. Mr. Townley explained that a quantity of ( unnecessary extra work had been done, and j in support of this statement mentioned a i number of items. He also called attention to 5 a clause in the specifications to the effect that } no extras should be allowed in the contract. Mr. Tucker wished to know whether the accounts had been passed. Mr. Joyce said that if the yard had not been raised 2 feet higher than the specified height there would be no necessity for extras. r The alterations necessitated extras along the j whole of the wharf. He would suggest that f no extras whatever be paid for, until the com- ( pletion of the contract, and then they could j be considered.

The Chairman said the question to be considered was the payment of £97 4s. for extras. Mr. Tutchen said if some of the extras had to be paid for out of his own pocket he should refuse to pay them. The meeting then went into committee for the purpose of discussing and examining the specifications. After going into various questions relating to the extras, Mr. Tutchen moved, “ That the whole consideration of the extras stand over until the completion of the contract.” Mr. Joyce then moved, “ That Mr. Drummond be called in, and asked to state his opinion upon several points.” Upon the motion being put, it was negatived by the casting-vote of the Chairman. Mr. Tutchen said the Clerk of the Works had not performed his work in a satisfactory manner. He had not seen that the work had been tarred according to specifications. When spoken to on the question he said tarring was a dirty job. It was resolved to write a letter to Mr. Thompson, telling him that the Board was not satisfied with his conduct, and that he be asked to see that the specifications are faithfully carried out. Mr. Kenny moved, “ That the further consideration of the matter stand over until the next ordinary meeting of the Harbor Board.”— Carried. The Board then adjourned.