BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 53, 30 January 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held in the Borough Council Offices last night. Present—His Worship (T. W. Porter) in the chair, and Councillors Townley, Lewis, Tutchen, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn, Brown, and Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the out-going correspondence was read. IN-COMING CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr. Joyce, asking permission to erect a well, pump, and trough outside his, the British Empire Hotel, for the purpose of watering horses. The permission sought was granted subject to the approval of the Engineer. A letter was next read from Kennedy and Bennett informing the Borough Council they are about to erect an engine and boiler, together with a shaft 81ft. in length, for the purpose of cutting firewood and crushing bones, <fcc. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter.

The following telegram, received in answer to one sent by the Board enquiring as to the allocation of moneys for main roads, was then ■■ Wellington. ” Referring to the telegram of the 10th, I am to inform you that allocation of moneys for main roads, under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, has not yet been made. Local bodies will be advised directly the money is allocated*” DEPUTATION, Cr. Tutchen said he had great pleasure in introducing a deputation consisting of Messrs. Seivewright and Barraclough, who wished to address the Council respecting matters connected with the township of North Gisborne. The Chairman having stated that the Council would be very pleased to hear those gentlemen, Mr. Seivewright stated that he and Mr. Barraclough appeared on. behalf of the owners of property in the North Gisborne township to ask that the Council would do something towards putting the approaches to the Peel Street Bridge in proper repair. Although the property situated on the other side of the river was beyond the town boundary, the majority of those who would reside there would also have a home here. He hoped the Council would see its way to giving the matter a favorable consideration, as the cost would be comparatively small. If the work was not ddne before winter, the place would be impassable for drays. Cr. Kenny moved, and Cr. Brown seconded, ” That the Engineer be instructed to report as to the cost of making good the approaches to the bridge.” A large number of people were going to reside over there, and he thought it only right that the Council should do all it could towards making the necessary repairs. He could not see that there could be any objection to the proposed course.— Carried. Cr. Tutchen wished to know whether the bridge was the Council’s. He noticed that the Town Clerk’s flag had not been hoisted on it. The Clerk pointed out that the town boundaries extended two chains beyond the river, from the junction of the two upwards, as far as the boundaries extended. The deputation, having thanked the Board for the attention given to their request, withdrew. engineer’s report. The following report from the Borough Engineer was tnen read: — Sir, —I beg to report as follows i— Contracts.— The Aberdeen Road contract will probably be finished before the next meeting. I have ordered all the shingle that has been guaged to be spread to the contract width of 20ft; The shingle now being delivered is of fair quality. Disraeli Street Contract.— This is now completed, and ready for the inspection of the Public Works Committee. Roebuck Road Rootpath.— The shingling of the footpath will be proceeded with at once. Pipes in Grey Street.— This has proved rather a longer job than I had anticipated, as it was necessary to take up and re-lay the whole line of pipes over six chains in length. The work will be completed this week. I am, dsc., J. Reynolds, Borough Engineer. inspector of nuisances’ report. Sir, —I have the honor to report for the information of the Council:— Ranging.— l have impounded tWenty-nine horses during the present month. Dog Tax Registrar.— Eighty-four dogshave been registered. There are many others who have not been. I will give the Town Clerk a list of those who have not been registered tomorrow, I have, cfcc.,

Thos. Fabam, Inspector of Nuisances. Adopted. PAYMENTS.

The following accounts were passed for payment: —J. Whinray, £1 155.; Fire Brigade, £1; Wilkinson; £lO 16s. SUPPLEMENTARY. ASSESSMENT ROLLS. Cr. Joyce called attention to the necessity which existed for compiling supplementary rolls for the property over the river. He thought the same should ba done at once, as the valuation would amount to a considerable sum. Cr. Kenny having read that portion of the Act relating to assessmentj said it would require some ratepayer to make an objection to the present roll, and then ask that the other names be added to the same. They could get any ratepayer to make the objection.

Cr. Townley called attention id the fact that the assessment roll had to be completed by the 15th of January. The sale of the property over the river did not take place until the 17th of January, and the buyers would not become owners until next month. Under these circumstances, it was a question whether they could put the buyers on the roll, as proposed. If anyone should be taxed for this property, it should be the Company. Cr. Tutchen would like to know why all this property belonging to the Company had not been taxed before. Cr. Tucker pointed out that the fault laid with the Assessor, who should have seen to the matter. If the assessment was made at all, it should have been made before the 12th of January. The Chairman did not think it would be worth the trouble. They had only made a very small concession, and he did not think they should exact more on that account. Cr. Kenny said the Council had just been asked to repair the approaches, and these rates would perhaps cover the cost. The objection could be made up to February Bth. A formal motion embodying Cr. Joyce’s request, and seconded by Cr. Kenny, was then put and carried.

Cr. Kenny then moved, and Cr. Joyce seconded, “That the Clerk of the Council be empowered to receive the valuator’s report, and, if necessary, to make the requisite objection.’ ’ —Carried.

Cr. Townley would like to know why Kaiti was not included, as Crown and Native lands were now rateable. The Town Clerk said he had written to the Government asking which lands were rateable, but had not received any answer yet. Cr. Tutchen said the County Clerk (Mr. Warren) had been to the Land Company’s office for a list of the purchasers of sections, with a view to putting them on the roll. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS.

Cr. Tutchen wished to call attention to the Cobden Street drain, where it crosses the Gladstone Road. There was no necessity for its being so deep. In its present state it was most dangerous. There was a quantity of stone lying down at the wharf belonging to the Borough which could be used for pitching the drain with where it crossed the main road. The drain was getting worse and worse, and would be quite as efficacious in its action were it several inches higher. Upon the Chairman asking the Engineer his opinion as to the matter, he said he could not give any answer until he had inspected it. Cr. Joyce also wished to call attention to the state of the drain at the corner of Cameron Street and Palmerston Road. Cr. Tutchen said the same complaint existed with respect to the drain at the junction of Palmerston Road and Grey Street. The Engineer’s attention was called to these several complaints.

Cr. Tutchen wished to know the state ot the Borough finances, as he had noticed that a great deal of day labor had been employed lately, The Chairman asked the Clerk to inform Mr, Tutchen as to the financial state of th* Council. £H>oo^° Ur ' ie account was overdrawn The Chairman wished to ask what was the amount of the outstanding accounts, Mr. Bourke—There is about £4OO uncollected. In answer to Cr. Tucker, Mr. Bourke said they were paying 8 per cent, for the overdraft. The Harbor Board owed £6OO balance for the wharves, and interest was being charged on that amount at the rate of 8 per cent. The Chairman said that under those circumstances the Borough was getting its overdraft lor nothing.

T>£ KOOTI, Cr, Tutchen wished to call attention to re: ports which he saw in the papers announcing that Te Kooti was making a tour accompanied by 200 armed followers. If such was the case he certainly thought that steps should bo taken to stop such unlawful proceedings on his part should he favor us with a visit. He certainly thought some steps should ba taken to put a stop to such a state of affairs. An European would not be allowed to set in such a manner, and why should he, Cr. Kenny said lie did not think Te Kooti would venture to come here, but if he did he thought the Borough Council Was ndt th 4 proper bodv to move in the matter. No doubt the properly-constituted partiee, which were the J.l’.b, would see that proper precautions were adopted for public safety, No doubt the Government would take steps to conserve the peace. The Chairman said he had already communicated with the Government, asking that Te Kooti should not be allowed to come within this district. He did not for one moment think he would venture here, blit should he attempt to come here with 26(5 armed followers he (the speaker) Would immediately raise 500 armed Europeans who would speedily keen him in order, Mr. Joyce thought the local bodies were to blame for allowing such a thing in that part where he had appeared. No one, much lees a rebel, should be allowed to go about the country with such an armed force, roor-rarss. The Town Clerk wished for instructions M to whether he should charge residents M»i( the coat of forming as well as shingling the foot-paths; or only half the shingling. Cr. Joyce did not think oooupiers should pay for formation ot the foot-paths, but only for the shingling. Cr. Fownley said there was a minute to the effect that only shingling should be ehsrpofi for. nisnaxLi sTMir, Crs. Hepburn and Tutchen wished that, if the Public Works Committee passed the above contract, the Clerk be empowered to pay the contractor, so as not to keep him waiting for another fortnight; Cr. Lewis objected on the ground oi its being a bad precedent. The Chairman also agreed that the precedent was bad, and suggested that the matter be left with the Public Works Committee to bring forward. It; having been arranged that the Public Works Committee meet at 11 o’clock to-day, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.