BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 148, 4 June 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Borough Conn, oil took place last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Townley, Lewis, Brown, Smith, Joyce, Kenny, and Hepburn. The minutes and outgoing correspondence were read. Incoming Correspondence. From the secretary of the Gas Company informing the Council that the company intended to at once proceed with laying the pipes along the main street. From the secretary of the Gisborne Hospital applying for the annual grant of £25 for that institution. The amount was ordered to be paid. From John Harvey, making application to be registered proprietor of certain sections which were the property of Geo. Beveridge, who had lately been adjudged a bankrupt, and of which property he was the mortgagee. It was resolved that Mr. Harvey be accepted as tenant under the lease. From Mr. J. Shrimpton, requesting that the drain in Roebuck Road be filled in as soon as possible, and applying for the footpath to be gravelled between Carnarvon-street and Roebuck Road. With regard to the drain he stated that at the present time it was only a receptacle for rubbish, and extremely dangerous for people visiting the Hospital at night. Cr. Hepburn said he had brought this matter up several times before. It was very dangerous as people might fall into it and meet with a serious accident. In summertime the water lay stagnant in it, and only cieated a stench. He considered the work should be proceeded with at once. Cr. Kenny agreed with Cr. Hepburn. The drain was a great source of danger and did not fulfill the purpose for which it was meant. Perhaps the Engineer could say what the cost of the work would be.

The Engineer replied that the work was provided for in the estimates. The Clerk said that £l7O was down on the estimates for filling in the drain, metalling the road, and diverting the water from Gladstone road. Cr Kenny—What would be the cost of filling in the drain apart from the other works ? The Engineer—lt would take about £4O to form the road and fill in the drain. Cr. Joyce—l think it is a mistake to form the road uniess you have good metal to put on it at the same time. Cr. Townley —I agree with that, and think that as it has been allowed to remain standing so long, it might still be allowed to stand until we have sufficient funds to *pay for it. It would be better to let the Engineer report on it before doing anything definite. Cr. Townley—l move that the Engineer be requested to prepare plans and specifications of the work, and submit them this day fortnight to the Council for its due consideration. Cr. Lewis—l second that.—Carried. Engineer’s Report. Childers Road.—Good progress is being made with this contract. About ten chains have been formed, and the contractor has begun metalling at the Carnarvon Street end. head's Quay. — The wattling is nearly finished, and the contractor has got a considerable quantity of gravel ready for metalling. I recommend a progress payment of £2O. Aberdeen Road.— The state of this road from the brickyards to the brewery demands attention. The shingle will not carry the heavy traffic. Harrowing and filling in ruts is no use. To preserve the road it is necessary to put on some better metal. I think about 200 yards of river gravel, such as is now being put on Childers Road would be sufficient to make a hard road-way for the present. Cr. Lewis—l move that the consideration of the question re Aberdeen road stand over until next meeting. Seconded by Cr. Kenny, and carried. Payments. The following accounts were passed for payment:—C. McDevitt, £26 6s ; Wilkinson, £lO 4s ; Adair and Humphreys, £1 17s. 6d ; Returning Officer, £4 4s. Street Crossings. Cr. Townley—l would ask that the Engineer be requested to report on the best kind of street crossings we can have. It was agreed that the Engineer should report as to what would be the best metal to use in order to make good street crossings. Sir George Grey. The Chairman—Yesterday I called on Sir George Grey, and he took advantage when I was there of asking me a number of questions upon various local matters, particularly on the Harbor Bill. He informed me that he had considered the Bill carefully and minutely, and had replied to a communication from us on the matter. I think he referred to the communication sent by Mr. Chambers and myself, after the conference we held on the subject. After that he said he intended to visit this district. He made an outline of what he considered the best means of obtaining a grant of land, but did net suggest anything particular in reference to the Bill, but it was more for a means of meeting the views of the Government in getting it through the House and obtaining an endowment that he would take it up, which he said he was quite willing and anxious to do, if we were agreeable to it. He was anxious with reference to this place, and was most eager to advance it. I told him I would refer the matter to the members of the council, who would most likely confer with him as to the course to be pursued. I would therefore suggest that either the Council, or a deputation of the Council, should wait on him to discuss the matter. I really think he is sincere in what he says, though we always look on these things with suspicion during elections. But he has always taken an interest in this place, and there is no doubt if |

he did take the Bill in hand himself he would have a better chance of passing it. than any local man, or any one else we might entrust it to. Regardless of our politics I think it is a matter we ought to seriously consider, Cr. Kenny—l think it is desirable that the Council should wait upon Sir George Grey and ascertain whr.r. he can do for us in regard to the Bill. I think the whole Council should meet him and not only a deputation, because we would all then be in a better position to understand exactly what his views are, and would be able sooner to form an opinion as to whether we carry out his suggestions. I move that the Mayor and Councillors should come together at these chambers on Thursday morning at 11 o’clock to meet Sir George Grey in regard to this matter. The Chairman—You might add, and members of the County Council. Cr, Kenny—Exactly. Cr. Smith—l concur with what has been said, and have much pleasure in seconding the motion. There being no amendment the motion was carried. Cr. Lewis—l understood that Sir George Whitmore had promised to take the Bill up if he could. I would like to know if he has been written to informing him of what we are now doing with regard to it. The Chairman—Sir George Grey can force it through the Lower House, whilst Sir George Whitmore can support it in the Upper. I think if the Bill gets through the Lower House, the Upper House will not throw it out. Vacancy. The Clerk said the next business was for the Council to appoint a member to fill the seat in the Finance Committee, which had been vacated by Cr. Tucker. Cr. Lewis moved, and Cr. Kenny seconded, that Cr. Smith be appointed to fill the vacancy.—Carried. This concluded the business of the Council.