BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 93, 27 March 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council took place on Tuesday evening last. Present:—Crs. Lewis (in the chair), Joyce, Townley, Tutchen, Hepburn, Smith, Tucker, and the Council officers. The minutes of previous meeting were first read and confirmed. outgoing correspondence. The following correspondence was then read:—Letter to A. McDonald, M.H.R., requesting his support to the agitation for Hospital endowments; to J. Drummond, acknowledging the receipt of his late communication and enclosing certificate of length of service to the Borough. incoming correspondence. A communication from the Library Committee re rent of offices; from H. Cannon (poundkeeper) re pound fees, containing a request that the return for the same might stand over till next month—(granted) ; from J. Cantie, asking permission to remove two trees from the front of his business premises in the Gladstone Road. Cr. Tutchen moved, “ That the required permission be granted subject to the Engineer’s directions.” Cr. Joyce could not see that any engineering was required in the matter, and would propose, “ That the request to remove two trees be granted.” Cr. Smith having seconded the motion, it was carried. The next communication was from the Under Secretary of Public Works, in answer to a request from the Board to be furnished with the dimensions and description of the proposed Turanganui Bridge, enclosing the same. Letter from Mr. B. Sheriff, calling attention to the state of the footpath in fromt of his property in the Gladstone Road. Cr. Townley could not see the use of patching, and would move, “ That the matter stand over until the Board knew its financial position.” If they were always to attend to all letters of this description they would soon have enough to do. The Clerk was instructed to reply to this effect.

The next letter was from the Secretary of the Gas Company, notifying that their Empowering Bill would be laid before the House next session. From the Dunedin Borough Council asking our member’s support to a measure similar to that passed by the Australian Parliament which enacts that an annual grant from Government sources, Insurance Companies, and local bodies should be made for the support of fire brigades. Cr. Smith could not see that the public should be asked to contribute towards the protection of private property, and did not see that the Board was interested in the matter. The insurance companies had always refused to contribute to the Brigade here, although they had done so elsewhere; but now he saw they were universally declining to do so. If such a measure as that proposed were passed, the insurance companies would only raise their rates. He thought they should let the matter slide. He would move, “ That the letter be acknowledged, and that our present position with respect to this matter be explained.” Cr. Townley also thought this the best course to take, as it could do no harm for the Dunedin Board to know how our Brigade was supported. That would enable them to understand that no necessity existed on our part to support such a measure as that proposed. Letter from the Cook County, informing the Board of the £250 vote towards the Turanganui Bridge, and also one asking the opinion of the Board as to the best line of route through the Borough for the proposed railway. Cr. Tutchen enquired whether the road had been laid off through Matawhero B block towards Makaraka.]

Cr. Tucker thought the race-course would have the effect of preventing this being done, After various expressions of opinion had been given as to the relative merits of Gladstone Road v, Childers Road, it was decided to let the matter stand over until next meeting, on Tuesday, the Ist prox. engineer’s reFobt. I do not intend to propose any further new works until the estimates for next year are made out. The laborers are knocked off on Saturday, and with the exception of the road overseer there is no one now engaged on the streets. The accompanying pay sheets show the total amount of labor £7 19s. 3d, and on what work it has been expended. The report was adopted. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCE’S REPORT. At your last meeting you decided that there should be exemptions in the removal of nightsoil from premises of owners having properly-constructed earth-closets. I wish to be clear as to what description of closet I am to recognise as an earth-closet. I respectfully submit to your Council a work on Sanitarv Engineering, in which Monte’s patent eartn closet system is explained. You will see that sand is of no use as a deodoriser, and further slops must not be thrown down. It will be obvious to your Council what the term slops means. When Dr. Pollen was Medical Officer for the Borough he confirmed every word von will read in the work I have submitted to you. I ask your Council to decide as to the class of closet that shall be exempt, and I will do my best to carry out your wishes to the letter.” After long discussion upon this unsavory subject, it was decided to leave the matter entirely in the hands of the Inspector, who could refer to the Council in any time of doubt. tenders. The following tenders for nightman’s con* tract were then opened:—G. Hearfleld and Mcßride, 9d. per box, Bd. per bushel for rubbish, dead animals Is. each; Birch, 9d. per box, 3d. for rubbish, animals 2s. each, cattle 10s. each. Cr. Tucker moved, and Cr. Townley secon* ded, “ That Messrs. Hearfleld and Go’s, tender being the lowest be accepted.” Cr. Tutchen moved, and Or. Joyce seconded as an amendment, “ That Mr. Birch’s tender be accepted.” Carried. There were two tenders for the carting contract, McDavitt and Doleman. The latter was accepted. PAYMENTS. Brown and Smaill, £2 10s.; Library Committee, £25 ; Croll, £2 10s. lOd.; Petty Gash, £10; Ready, £3 15s. 3d.; Turton, £4 45.; M. Davis, 15s. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. Gr Townley called the attention of the Engineer to the state of the drain in front of the Masonic Hotel, where the stagnant water laid several inches deep, mixed with decayed vegetable matter. Cr. Hepburn also called attention to the state of the water channel opposite his property in Aberdeen Road. The Engineer was directed to see to these matters, and the Council then rose.

HARBOR BOARD. At an extraordinary meeting of the above Board, held for the purpose of hearing Mr, DeLautour express his views upon the Harbor Board scheme, that gentleman stated that he was scarcely in a position to make any suggestion. The position was that he had received a communication from Capt. Porter and Mr. Chambers, asking his support to the Bill. If he had been left alone he would have said nothing, but as he had been asked to support the measure he felt bound to give some expression of opinion. He did not wish to throw cold water on a movement which had attracted so much support from all sides, but at the same time he felt in a difficult position when asked for suggestions, as his interests laid in the South. They had proposed to get a large endowment an< 25 per cent, of the local land fund. If they could do so well and good, but he could not see that they could very well ask him to support it. Perhaps he had foolishly gone cut of his way to point out the defects in the mode of procedure, but he did not mind helping them with his opinion. Parliaments did not like Bills, and avoided them as far as possible. The best way of fortifying the matter was by public discussion and public meetings, and clear and well expressed resolutions, which could be brought before Government by their representative. They must get Government to take this question up, as they could not expect Government to entrust such a small community with such powers, and such a large sum as £200,000 or so. The construction of such a work oould not be carried out by such a district as this. No doubt another harbor of refuge on this coast was wanted, but no one would dream of putting such a work in the hands of a local body. The Government alone could bear the great responsibiity, as in the event of the endowments failing to pay the interest, the burden would otherwise fall on the district. They should draw the Governments attention to the great necessity for a harbor, and then look entirely to Government to take the scheme up. If they got the support of Auckland, and the Norther members, he did not see why a Colonial work of this description should not be undertaken by the Government, at the expense of the Colony. This must sound like throwing cold water upon the subject, but he did not wish to do that, and it was only an expression of opinion. Government always set its face against Bills of this kind. In 1876 the House had seventeen Bills of this kind which were all thrown out in Council. Lyttleton Board seemed to be the only one which had done any good, and the others had absolutely thrown their money jaway. In the face of these facts he did not think there was room for much encouragement. He understood that a deputation would wait on Government, and if that were done it would enable them to feel their way, and might have the effect of carrying Government with them. Mr. Townley mentioned that matters had been explained, and a copy of the Bill forwarded to the Premier asking approval and support, but no reply had been received at present. Mr. DeLautour then explained the necessity for taking all precautions as a private Bill by advertising, Ac. They need not trouble about the form of the Bill at present. The endowments were the most material matter, and what they had to contend for was the grant. Mr. Townley said he thought the main cause which prevented Mr. DeLautour from supporting the Bill was some defect in the Bill itself, but if he now understood matters properly it was because he (Mr. DeLautour) was a representative of the South. That put a different face on the matter; at the same time he did not see how it possibly could affect the South. At present the work was entirely a Government one on Sir John Coode’s plan. They were not wedded to any particular scheme and simply thought of adopting the Government plan as the safest course. Mr. McDonald had always blamed the local bodies for not affording him support, and so they had done all they could in this respect. All they could ask Mr. DeLautour for was any advice which would tend to forward the matter.

Mr. Smith explained the various actions which led up to the present movement, and said he had not understood Mr. DeLautours objection to the Bill. Did he mean that they were to ask Government to take up the matter as a Colonial work ? Captain Tucker did not think it fair to ask Mr. DeLautour what course he thought best, and to cross-question and argue with him. Mr. DeLautour did not mind that. He had always opposed these harbor schemes, and could not consistently support this one simply because he resided here. They must look to the State for help, but could not reasonably hope to be successful without having several Cabinet Ministers with them. The whole chance of success laid in agitation, and they were doing well in keeping the question alive. If they once got the endowment, all else was easy. By sending a deputation to , Government they could ascertain the feeling towards it, and he should not go out of his way to oppose them. He felt that he could not give any satisfaction by coming there. Captain Tucker said Mr. DeLautour had opened his (the speakers) eyes with respect to the procedure in such matters. Mr. Townley said Mr. DeLautour had not found any fault with the Bill but only with the endowment.

Mr. DeLautour thought the Government would fence with the question, and if pressed might say “Yes,” and then the Bill would have to take its chance in the House. Mr. Smith wished to know whether Mr. DeLautour could propose a better form of Bin. Mr. DeLautour said that if they obtained the Government sanction their member could then see to the Bill. Mr. Townley said we were without one at present. Mr. Tucker said our position was the reverse of the man who was inside the door and had forgotten the word. We were on the outside. As there was no harbor of refuge between Wellington and Auckland, the construction of one here was of Colonial importance. The people were in favor of the Napier H rbor. Mr. DeLautour further strongly advised them to get the alliance of Auckland and the Chamber of Commerce. The Auckland members were mainly guided by public opinion. They could not move alone and should get the Auckland merchants in their favor, as they were most interested in our trade. They should also get the Auckland press on their side, which would greatly help. They should advertise the Bill, as there was no knowing what the Government might do. After some further remarks, and the thanks of the Board tendered, Mr. DeLautour retired.

Far, far, better for you than beer, ale or porter, and free from the intoxicating effects, is Hop Bitters. Bead. Feeble ladies, aged persons, weakly children, persons of sedentary habits, all need Hop Bitters daily. Read and believe. A dog on a warm summer day lay down in the shade and soon fell asleep. He was awakened by the noise of a huge bull approaching his shady resting-place. . “ Get up,” said the bull, “ and let me lie down there?” “ No,” replied the dog, “you have no right to the place; I was here first.” “ Well,” said the bull, looking innocently at the dog, but with a ferocious twinkle in his left eye, which made the dog’s spinal column run cold, and his lower jaw give way, “ let us toss up for it.” “ Thank you,” said the dog politely, **l never gamble,” and he walked BWMT* The following curious advertisement appears in a recent issue of a Pesth newspaper: “To please my wife, I, the undersigned, declare that henceforth I will not put my foot in a cafe or braeserie, and beg my friends and acquaintances never to ask me to frequent these haunts of perdition; and I authorise anyone finding me in a cafe immediately to demand from me the sum of fifty florins, which will be given to some public charity.”