BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 77, 27 February 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting ol the above Council took place last night in the Council Chambers, Lowe Street. Present—Councillors Townley (in the chair), Lewis, Tutchen, Kenny, Joyce, Hopburn, Brown, Tucker, and Smith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

out-going correspondence. The following out-going correspondence was then read : —To the County Council re the Tauranganui Bridge; to Mr” Barnard re night-soil contract. IN-COMING CORRESPONDENCE. The following in-coming correspondence was then read :—From Messrs. Graham, Pitt, and Bonnett, asking permission to erect a powder-magazine on section 168 a. Cr. Tutchen did not think the Council had power to grant the construction of such a thing with the Borough. Cr. Brown proposed, and Cr. Hepburn seconded, “ That the_required permission bo granted.” Cr. Kenny thought the greatest danger laid in the conveyance of the powder to the magazine. There was an Act of the General Assembly regulating the storage of explosives. “ The Dangerous Goods and Explosives Act, 1882,” paragraph 16, having been referred to, Cr. Kenny said the Council had no power to deal with the matter. Cr. Brown then withdrew his motion, with the understanding that Messrs. Graham, Pitt, and Bennett be referred to the provisions of the Act. The next communication was from the Clyde Town Board, re stray cattle. Cr. Tutchen moved, “ That a copy of the Borough By-laws be sent in answer, calling attention to the clause referring to the matter, and informing them that the Borough employs a Ranger to impound such cattle and horses.” This having been agreed to, the Clerk was instructed to take such steps as advised. The next letter was as follows :— February 25th, 1884. To his Worship the Mayor. Sir,—l regret having again to bring before your Council a breach of the by-laws in reference to emptying cesspools. On Saturday the 15th inst. the contractor (having long delayed his duty) did remove the nightsoil from the closet and buried it on my premises, contrary to my wishes and your regulations. I would also state further that on Saturday, 15th, when complaining to the contractor of the delay (and consequent inconvenience to me) in performing this necessary duty, he told me he should only empty the closet at such times as suited him, and not necessarily according to my requirements. He also requested me, being dissatisfied, to make the complaint which I now do. Your former letter to me stated that steps had been taken to prevent the recurrence of the annoyance to which I had been subject. I can only hope now some stronger measures will be adopted. Jas. Orme Barnard.

Cr. Joyce said he would like to know what part of the borough Mr. Barnard lived in, and was informed beyond Derby street. He then asked that the contract be read, which was accordingly done. The Clerk said there was nothing contained therein relating to houses beyond the stated boundary. The contract extended all over the Borough, but there was a special resolution by which the boundary was fixed at Derby Street. Cr. Joyce wished to hear the contractoi’s explanation on the matter. Mr. Birch explained that Mr. Barnard had complained about his premises, and he (the contractor) said he was only two days late on account of sickness. Mr. Barnard said he did not care who was sick. If he (the contractor) had offended he would apologise to the Council and not to Mr. Barnard. Cr. Tutchen wished to know whether the contractor had told Mr. Barnard he would empty it when he liked, and was answered in the negative. Cr. Joyce did not see any reason whatever for the complaint. He moved “That the contractor be exonerated.” Cr. Tutchen thought it a waste of time bothering about such a trumpery matter. The Chairman thought it necessary to answer Mr. Barnard’s communication, and inform him that steps would be taken to prevent a reoccurrence of the complaint. Cr. Joyce objected to this mode of procedure. The matter should be left to the Inspector of Nuisances. Cr. Kenny thought they should not cast a slur on the complaint of any householder. He would support the action of the Chairman, and did not think the matter had anything to do with the Inspector of Nuisances. Cr. Tucker followed, and would suggest that the matter be left over until this day week, so as to give Mr. Barnard a further hearing. This was Mr. Barnard’s second complaint, and the Council should give it due consideration. The Chairman pointed out that Mr. Burch had acknowledged the correctness of the complaint, and ho could not see what would be gained by an adjournment. Cr. Joyce pointed out the trivial nature of the complaint, as the contractor had only been two days overdue. Cr. Tucker moved, and Cr. Kenny seconded, as an amendment, “ That the Council find the charge contained in the complaint has been proved well founded.” Carried. The next letter was as follows:— N. Z.N.L. S. Co., Gisborne, Feb. 23, 1884. The Mayor of Gisborne. Sir,—Tne directors have observed the discussions whieh have taken place as to the proposed bridge over the Turanganui River, for which the Government have given £1,500, conditional upon the Borough raising £5OO. It seems to bo agreed that a sufficient sum cannot be raised to place a bridge at the Gladstone Road unless the County Council contribute a large sum. If the bridge were built over the Waimata River, on the direct coast road as now surveyed, the Land Company would be willing to supplement the Government grant in consideration of the increased faculties which would be given to purchasers of sections on the Whataupoko. Should it bo thought that the Borough could not construct a work in the County, the difficulty, if it be one, could be easily met by including the portions of Whataupoko effected in the town of Gisborne. Should this not be thought desirable, the County Council might be asked to superintend the erection of the bridge, and expend the Government grant subsidised by the Land Company. No doubt it would be necessary to obtain the assent of the Minister of Public Works to the change of site; but as probably the Government engineers would professionally favor the Waimata site, this might not be a matter of any great difficulty. I hope if some arrangement of the kind could be made that the Land Company would be willing to hand over the Taruheru bridge to the Borough on condition that it be a free bridge for ever. Will you be so good as to bring this matter before your Council for consideration ?—I am, &c.,

C. DeLautour, Director. Cr. Tutchen said that if they got the Government sanction to the proposition he could not possibly see what the Borough had to do with the matter, as it was entirely outside their boundary. Cr. Lewis could not see of what possible advantage the bridge would be to the Borough. If it were constructed with money of the present grant they would never get any further assistance towards the Turanganui Bridge. It was plain to all that there would have to be a bridge across the latter river, either at the end of the Gladstone Road or lower down, before long, and if this money was diverted for the purpose mentioned in the letter, the Borough would ultimately have to bear the whole expense o? the Turanganui Bridge. He .should strongly oppose the application. Cr. Townley did not know that there wa.i& County road over the V/aimata aa stated in letter. There were other matters connected with the request entirely outside the grant. If the Borough were to take over the road across the Wnirnata, it would cost more to firm it than the cost o’ the bridge itself. The Company were quite much interested in the Kaiti and might possibly be induced to contribute to the erection of the Turanganui Bridge. Cr. Lewis moved the adjournment of the question until after the meeting of the Conference next Fii lay. Cr. Smith could not possibly see why this money should be diverted to the purpose sought. The Company were equally interested in the Kaiti Block, as it was most probable that they would, ere long, have the freehold tenure of it. They would certainly benefit more than any other body by a Tanranganui bridge, and should be willing to contribute £l,OOO towards the construction of the same. The bridge up the river would only benefit the holders of property in the North Township. If the Company would

give £l,OOO perhaps the County Council would give the balance. He should certainly like to hear the opinion of the Council upon the question. Cr. Kenny had given the matter some attention, and had taken the opinion of a number of influential ratepayers, who were strongly opposed to the proposition. Ho could not possibly see how the Council could agree with the proposition contained in the letter. If the suggestion were made to the Government, they would simply be laughed at. The bridge over the Waimata would not alone be of no earthly advantage to the Borough, but would also greatly tend to depreciate all the property in the town. It would also injure the Harbor Board and all the storekeepers at the lower end of the town. The bridge should not be further up the river than the end of the Gladstone Road. He must say that Cr. Tutchen deserved the greatest credit for his disinterested expression of opinion, as he was a large purchaser of land on the Waimata. The Act specified that if one third of the ratepayers objected it would nullify such a proposition, even if the Council agreed with it. He was quite certain that if this matter was even agreed to by the Council that a numerously signed petition would be got up against it. While so many roads were in their present deplorable condition it was quite impracticable to take other ones over. Of course no one could blame the Company for trying to bring this adroit move to pass, but it was the duty of the Council to oppose it and to protect the interests of the ratepapers. In the present state of affairs he should strongly oppose both this proposition and also the proposed incorporation of the North Township with the Borough. Cr. Tutchen made the following proposition :—“ That an answer be sent to Mr. DeLautour, informing him that the £1,500 promised by Government was for building a bridge across the Turanganui River at the end of Gladstone Road, and that the Council have no power to use it for building a bridge at any other site.” He would sooner be without the proposed bridge, as it would only entail a loss and additional expense. Thought the money should be turned over to the County Council. Cr. Tucker thought that the County Council would not hesitate to accept the offer. He thought the proposition a very wise one, but would ask that the motion be held overuntil they heard what the County Council had to say about the matter next Friday. Cr. Joyce said that £1,500 would not build the bridge across the Turanganui river, and before the grant should be allowed to lapse they should endeavor to allow the money to be spent in the district. He would be in favor of the Turanganui Bridge, but they could not burden the ratepayers for that, and he thought the money should be kept in the district. He was in favor of holding the question over until next week. Cr. Kenny would second the motion of Cr. Lewis. Cr. Townley thought something definite might be arrived at, so as to make a definite offer to the Company, and ask them to contribute towards a bridge across the Turanganui. Cr. Tutchen withdrew his motion. Cr. Smith then moved, and Cr. Brown seconded the following resolution—“ That an answer be sent to the Company thanking them for the offer they had made, and explaining that we have no power to apply the money in any place except at the end of the Gladstone Road across the Turanganui river, and asking them to supplement the £1,500 to be applied to the building of the Turanganui Bridge, and asking them, if they agree to this, to specify to what extent they would be willing to supplement, and also asking for immediate reply to put before the Council on Friday next.”—Carried. It was then resolved to adjourn the question until next meeting; engineer’s report. To his Worship the Mayor. Sir, —I beg to report that the small jobs ordered at the late meetings have now been completed except the drainage of the junction of Carnarvon Street and Palmerston Road, which will be attended to. Head's Quay.— With regard to that portion of Read’s Quay extending from the end of the roadway lately metalled (under the wharf contract) up to the southern corner of the Post Office block (Childer’s Road) I think it would bo advisable to form the road with a total width of 80ft., incluning two 12-foot paths, and to slope off the river bank to a slope of 2 to 1, placing a wattle fence at the foot to retain the earth. The slope might be sown with Poa Pratensis, and planted with osier willows, and a row of poplars might be planted along the top of the slope. The annexed plan will explain matters. Total cost, including metalling road with 40 yards to the chain, £BO. This would include repairing the old wattling between Childers Road and the ferry. I have, &c., R. J, Reynolds, Engineer. Cr. Tutchen wished to know the financial state of the Board, and was informed that the overdraft had reached £1,400. He then moved “ That the Engineer make a temporary job of the river bank.” The Chairman could not see any immediate necessity for the work. Cr. Joyce called attention to the excellent gravel to be obtained from the river bank, On the motion of Cr. Smith the matter was allowed to stand over for the present. INSPECTOR 07 NUISANCES* REPORT. The report was as follows: — Sir, —I have to report for the information of the Council: — Ranger.— During the past month I have impounded nineteen horses and ten head of cattle. Fire.— l have also to report that the house lately occupied by Dr. Leggatt was totally destroyed by fire. Nuisances.— The 31st of next month the contract for the removal of nightsoil expires. In writing out the specifications, will you please to inform me (1) is the present line— Derby Street—to be the compulsory boundary, and (2) how often the boxes are to be emptied ? It is only fair to the present contractor, Mr. Burch, to state that since his appointment he has carried out his duties in a most satisfactory manner. He started at the worst time of the year under disadvantage, the work, owing to the previous contractor’s illness, being behind, and by sheer hard work he has got it into good working order. I have only received one complaint respecting him since his appointment, and that will be brought before you. I have notified Mr. Burch, who will be in attendance to answer any questions you may put to him.—lam, itc., Thos. Farah, Inspector of Nuisances.

Cr. Smith complained of the number of loose horses that he found walking about the streets. The Inspector’s attention was called to this complaint. In answer to Cr. Tutchen the inspector said he thought the houses on either side of the Roebuck Road should be included in the contractor’s boundary. Cr. Tutchen then moved, “ That the compulsory line be two chains back from the west side of the Roebuck Road.” Cr. Tucker thought any householder should be enabled to have his box emptied at any time. He thought the Inspector should be allowed some discretionary power. Cr. Kenny thought the inspector should have definite inslructio is. He thought the limit should be once a fortnight. Cr. Brown could not see how the contractor could attend to the summons of everyone at the same time. If it were made fortnightly, the contractor could take regular rounds. It was resolved that the boxes be emptied every fortnight, and that no soil be buried two chains west of the Roebuck Road. rAYMKNTS. Returning Officer, Cl Is.; E. Williamson, C 7 Bs.; Large and Townley, £l7 3s. 4d.; interest on loan, £303 o<. 2d. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr. Joyce M'ished to know whether the Palmerston Road, by the fire-engine shetl, was of the proper level. He had noticed that the firemen were ankle deep in the mud. The Engineer was instructed to report on the matter. Cr. Tutchen complained that Councillor’s dogs were allowed to enter the Council Chamber and annoy him by scratching their fleas out on his legs. Cr. Joyce said the dog had a right there, as he was a ratepayer with a collar on. (Loud laughter). The Council hen adjourned.