BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 113, 23 April 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held last night. Present: Crs. Townley, (in the Chair), Tutchen, Hopbum, Tucker, Brown, and Lewis. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed, and the following outgoing correspondence read:—To the Chairman of the Cook County Council, conveying Hie resolutions of the Borough Council on the railway scheme, and to J. W. Nolan, enclosing retaining fee. INCOMING CORRE SPONDEECE. From the Chairman of the Cook County Council, asking the Borough Council to ;>; : - point a convenient day to meet the County Council in conference for the purpose of discussing the proposed railway scheme as follows:— 1 have the honor by direction of this Council to acknowledge the receipt of your hitter of the f)th inst., in reference to the proposed railway from Gisborne to Patutahi, and I am directed to thank your Council for your appr<ciation in gmeral t irms of the proposal of Ulis Council, but in order io give a more minute consideration of the scheme, it is suggested that your Council should appoint some convenient day upon which the

two Councils should meet, and consider the I whole question of connecting the port of Gisborne with the country districts by means of a railway, Cr. Tucker moved, and Cr. Tutchen seconded, “ That the Clerk confer with the County Clerk with a view of fixing a suitable day for the conference, and to notify the same to the Councillors.” Cr. Joyce moved ami Cr. Tutchen seconded as an amendment “ That the Council appoint the first day of May at 7 p.m.” A lengthened and warm discussion here took place between Crs. Tucker and Joyce as to the right of the Council to leave the matter in the hands of the Clerks, Cr. Joyce asserting that it was the clear duty of the Board to arrange such details without deputing the thing to the clerk. A warm and somewhat angry bickering continued until the Chairman put the amendment, which was lost, and the original motion was then carried. The next letter was from the registry office, Wellington, asking for information under different heads, as set forth in an enclosed form, with a view of compiling statistics for the year ending March 31st, 1884, showing all the fininciai operations of the municiThe Clerk was instructed to comply with the request. The next letter was as follows :— I have the honor to submit to you a circular referring to the above, and shall be glad if your council will assist my undertaking by giving me an order for the work. Every effort has been made to render the work especially to local government bodies, and in a specially prepared general index will be found a simple and easy means of reference to all matters treated of in the public general statute law of this colony. Cr. Tucker moved and Cr. Tutchen seconded “ That a copy be obtained.” Cr. Joyce understood that the work would run into sixty or seventy guineas, there being a large number of volumes, and he thought the expense would be too great. Cr. Tucker understood that the work was contained in one volume. As there appeared to be some doubt upon this point he would add “ Providing it did not cost more than two guineas.” Carried. engineir’s report. The road overseer has lately been employed in making good the Gladstone Road footpaths this has been done up to Stanley Road, and it is proposed to continue the work to the borough boundary. Drains.— The Grey Street drain and the outlet drain through Read’s Town require cleaning out, the latter drain is a good deal stopped up with slips. Cost, Grey Street drain, £4 ; Read’s Town drain, £B. Dead's Quay. — The work of forming and metalling the portion of Read's Quay, from Childers to Nesbitt Road, and fascining the river side ought to be undertaken soon. The cost was estimated in a former report at £BO.

On the question of drains being considered, Cr. Lewis moved “ That the necessary work for the Grey-street drain be undertaken by day labor, but that tenders be called for the other work, to be in by that day week.” Cr. Tucker seconded the motion, which was carried. The Chairman (addressing the Engineer) supposed that the idea of filling in the Greystreet drain and carrying the water the other way had been quite abandoned. The Engineer stated that the drain which Cr. Townley referred to was not the one mentioned in the report, and in answer to a further question from the Chairman as to whether these works were in the estimates, said there was a sum set apart for such purposes. Referring to the proposed work on Read’s Quay, Cr. Joyce thought the matter one for the Harbor Board. The Chairman did not think so. It was undoubtedly a Borough work. Cr. Brown moved, and Cr. Joyce seconded, “ That tenders be called for the carrying out of the work, to be in by that day fortnight.” Carried. REPORT ON ACCOUNTS. Mr. Bourkc then read the following statement :— Acting on the suggestion of your Worship that it might be of interest to the Council to have placed before them a comparative statement of this year’s operations with the last, I have the honor to report as follows : — Taking the balance-sheet of 31st March, 1883, and the statement of 31st ultimo, the results will be found as follows: — Receipts.

Under the above head of expenditure, many items may be classed as extraordinary—viz.:—Fire Brigade, £422 16s. 7d. has been expended in the erection of Fire Engine Shed, Fire Bell, digging well and drain, and purchase of hose, and Brigade uniforms. The increase in office expenditure is accounted for by the erection of a strong-room at a cost of £6O, and legal expenditure which shows in the annual statement as £62 7s. is reduced by the sum of £36, this being the amount paid by the lessees of Borough reserves on the 19th July, 1880, for payment of legal expenses, in connection with their leases. Under the head of miscellaneous, subscriptions have been paid during the year amounting to £B7 10s. so that the sum of £606 6s. 7d. may fairly be counted as extraordinary expenditure and deducting the same from the £798 Bs. 2d. above stated, as “ increase of expenditure ’’ leaves the total of £ll9 Is. 7d. During the year the Harbor Board has paid to the Council the sum of £1,025 2s. being balance of amount of purchase of wharves, together with 10 per cent, interest. The yearly payment of interest on the loan of £lO,OOO amounting to £6OO has been paid to the 9th May next, leaving this account in credit £ll Ils' 91. In the receipts under the head of pound fees the sum of £l7 ss. 6d. only has been received during the year for driving fees. As this account is decreasing year by year, and as 575 animals have b -en impounded during the last 12 months, the erection of a pound and appointment of a poundkeeper might be worthy the consideration of the Council. Daring the past twelve months twenty-four general, and sixteen special meetings have been held. Only one lapsed for want of a quorum. Ten committee meetings have also been held.

He might might say that the Act laid down that a special meeting must be held on the 13th May for the purpose of passing the Annual Accounts. Cr, Lewis wished to he ar that portion of the icport read apaiu which to the pound fees, It appeared that the Council nad only received £l7 ss. 6d. out of £2B 15s, He would like to know where the balance went to. The Clerk explained that the Council only got Is. as driving fee out of every 3s. on each animal their ranger ira unded. auditors’ report. “ We have the honor to report that we have carefully examined the statements, vouchers, receipts, expenditure, and assets of the Borough Council for the half year ending March 31. 1884, and compared the same with the previous half-year's statement and with state* ment for year, and have also examined same with tho ledger. We have also examined the account of the Loan Commissioners, and also the securities held by them which we find in order. If we are not exceeding our duty as auditors, we would call the attention of the Council to the security held by the Loan Commissioners from one John Robert Hurrey to secure the sum of £7OO. We think this amount somewhat in excew of the value of the property held as security for the purpose of a mortgage. The Commissioners evidently thought this also, as we see they insured Mr. J. R. Hurrey’s furniture, &c., for the sum of £350 as further security, but in the event of a fire the Insurance Company would not pay the Commissioners, as they have no estate in the furniture, either as owners, lessees, or mortgagees. Consequently, we think the insurance of no value. We would suggest the Commissioners obtain a bill of sale, so as to have an interest in the furniture, We would also refer to the security of Charlotte Teat, and suggest that the Commissioners obtain the title-deed under which Mrs. Teat holds the land, as at present the Commissioners only have the bare mortgage. With reference to the state of assets and liabilities prepared, as will be seen on reference thereto we have struck out the Borough reserves as they are not, in our opinion, assets of the Borough beyond the rents derived therefrom, so we have corrected the statement accordingly in blue. From inquiries we have made we find the Borough reserves were omitted from previous statements of assets and liabilities, being considered inalienable. We think the Council should have some check on Mr. Faram as to receipts for weights and measures. The present mode is for Mr. Faram to pay only monies he receives direct into the bank, and we have no voucher or mode of knowing what he receives except by his word to Mr. Bourke. A small receipt book would meet this. With above exceptions we find all the books and statements correct in every particular.—J. C. Dunlop, Joseph Cresswell, Auditors.

With respect to that portion referring to Mr. Hurrey’s property, Cr. Tucker could not see what the commissions had to do with the furniture. The Chairman explained that there had been £7OO lent on the house and lands, and there was a clause which stated that the house should be insured for £7OO. On the policy lapsing the insurance company refused to renew it at £7OO, and the furniture had been insured to make up the deficiency. Cr. Tucker could not see what right the auditors had to dictate as to what security they (the Council) chose to accept. They had ample security in th? house and land, which had increased in value and not deteriorated. They had no claim whatever on the furniture. The Chairman said it appeared as though the auditors had gone out of their way in making that report. It was almost a pity they had done so. Cr. Tucker thought he could see some personal feeling in the matter. It appeared that one had refused to sign, and a quantity of the report had been scored out and altered. He should express his opinion that the auditors had greatly exceeded their duty and would move “ That the report be not adopted.” The Clerk explained that the auditors were acting under full information on the subject, and had one of the commissioners with them. Cr. Joyce thought the auditors had some reason for their action, and he thought it the duty of the Council to look into the matter before going further. Cr. Lewis pointed out that the commissioner thought the security insufficient. Cr. Tucker said the auditors did not know what they were about. Cr. Joyce wished to know whether there was any other mortgage on the property. The Chairman thought such a question must be an insult to the solicitor. Cr. Tucker thought this thing would prove very damaging to Mr. Hurrey, as it would be printed in the newspapers. The Chairman was very sorry that the report had appeared in its present form. The thing was very unsatisfactory and damaging to a business man. (Cr. Tucker—Shame, shame.) The report had placed the Council in an awkward position. The report was very uncalled for. Mr. Hurrey had given ample and good security, and this made it look as though a swindle had been attempted, whereas the reverse had been the case. Cr. Joyce moved as an amendment “ That the report be left over for further consideration,” Cr. Tutchen would second Cr. Tucker’s motion as the Auditors had asked them to do what they had no right to attempt. As Mr. Hurrey had insured his furniture he had done all that could be reasonably expected of him. Had he not have done so ne would have obtained money under false pretenses. Ho could not see what business the Auditors had to write such a report. Cr. Lewis considered there was much in the report uncalled for- It was evidently either trying to mislead the Council or casting a slur on Mr, Hurry. He should support Cr. Tucker’s motion. Cr. Tucker would withdraw his motion in favour of Cr. Joyce’s. It was finally agreed to refer the report back to the Auditors. With respect to that part of the report referring to the Borough Reserves the Chairman thought the Auditors were right, as they could only be an asset as far as the rent values were concerned. Referring to the Inspector of Weights and Measures as to a receipt book, he explained that he had every name of the parties he had received money from since his appointment, and had to send a copy of them to the Government department. The Chairman taought that rue whole of the report had b?tter stand over. If the auditors were correct, the Council had entirely neglected their duty and had better clear out at once. Cr. Tucker hoped that -Cr. Joyce would withdraw his motion, so that the report could bi referred back to the auditors for reconsideration, and that the clerk afford them the information which they we e evidently shor of when they drew up the report. Cr. Tutchen having sc .onded this motion it was unanimously carried. SINKING FUND COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. This report was laid on the table, the clerk explaining that a special meeting would have to be called to consider and pass the same. BALANCE-SHEET. A discussion took piaee as to whether the borough reserves should be put down in the balance-sheet as an asset or not. The Chairman gave it as his opinion that only the value of the rents could be taken. Although the reserves were vested in the Council, they had no other power to deal with them beyond letting them, and consequently they could not be taken as an asset at full value. They had never been put in before, and it would only be a sign of weakness to put them in now. He could not see an advantage to be gained by such an action, and would move, “ Tliat they be struck out of the balance-sheet.” Cr. Brown would second this motion. Cr. Tutchen thought otherwise, and would move, as an amendment, “That they remain in.” Cr. Tuclcerhaving seconded the amendment, it was put and carried. Th ■ balance-sheet was ordered to be printed in it pi it foi:.i. STRIKING THE ANNUAL RATE. The Clerk asked that a resolution be passed striking the rate for t he next year, so that the same might be published for general infor-

Cr. Lewie proposed, and Cr. Joyce seconded, “ That the amount of rate for the ensuing year be the same as last, viz., 5 per cent., to be struck on the 6th day of May, and payable on the Ist day of June.”— Carried. Crs. Brown, Tucker, and Townley were appointed to sign the rate-book. It was resolved that a special meeting of the Council be held next Tuesday evening for the purpose of signing the Burgess Roll. EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr. Tutchen had a little matter he thought it right to bring before the Council. He must say it was a great shame that when any person borrowed money from the Council, their names should be dragged through the newspapers. He thought it was very injurous to people, and before long they would find that for this reason no one would borrow. The Chairman thought it a matter entirely beyond the control of the Council. He did not see how they were to interfere. Cr. Tucker was of opinion that when the Eublic money was lent, the ratepayers should now who had borrowed their money. Cr, Joyce said the papers dragged everybody through the mud, including themselves (laughter.) The Engineer’s attention was called to the state of the drain in the Roebuck Road. The Council then rose.

Rates collected to 31st March, 1883 £1,000 12 6 Rates collected to 31st March, 1,139 13 0 Increase £139 0 6 Rents collected to 31st March, 1883 £188 19 10 Rents collected to 31st March, 1884 201 12 11 Increase .. .. .. £15 13 1 Licenses collected to 31st March, 1883 £573 0 10 Licenses collected to 31st March, 188-1 ,, 058 1 8 Increase ,. ,, ,, £85 0 10 Taxes collected to 31st March, 1883 £157 12 11 Taxes collected to 31st March, 1881 134 4 0 Decrease ,, ,. ., £23 8 11 Total increase of revenue (not including amount received from Harbor Board £210 5 6 Expenditure, Fire Brigage account— Amount expended in 1883 £171 0 0 Amount expended in 1881 460 1 3 Increase .. ,, .. £289 1 8 Oflice expenses — Printing, advertising, and stationery, 1883.. £835 12 1 Printing, advertising, and stationery, 1881.. 890 10 11 Amount expended on streets, 1883 £1,015 12 0 Amount expended on streets, 1881 1,350 5 6 Increase £334 13 6 Miscellaneous, 1883 .. £01 0 10 Miscellaneous, 1881 .. 178 1 5 Increase £113 14 7 Total increase of expenditure for the year £798 8 2