BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 172, 2 July 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers, Lowe street, last night, when the following Councillors were present: — His Worship the Mayor (Capt. T. W. Porter) in the chair, and Messrs. Lewis, Townley, Tutchen, Hepburn, Joyce, Browij,, Moore, and Smith, The miputes of the former meeting were read and confirmed, when the following outgoing correspondence was read :— Letter to Mr. Shrimpton informing him that the objectionable drain of which he had complained was being filled in ; and to Mr. Williams re rent of property leased by him. The Turanganui Bridge. The following communication with respect to the Turanganui bridge was then read :— “ Sir, —With reference to my telegram of the 20th instant, I have the honor, by direction of the Minister having charge of this Department, to inform you that his Excellency the Governor in Council has approved of the plan of the bridge across the Turanganui River at the foot of Gladstone Road. I enclose duplicate of the approved plan, M.D. 933, and I am to add that the Colonial Marine Engineer points out that according to this plan the Bridge will bo only three feet clear of flood line, which is only about half of what is usually allowed, and he suggests that it should be raised.—l have, &c., Lewis H. H. Wilson, for Col. Sec.”

The Chairman said the plans had been approved of in their original entirety, and the advice given in the communication was merely in the form of a recommendation. He himself had spoken to the Engineer of the Marine Department, who had suggested that it would be better to have the structure six feet above the highest flood line. Cr. Tutchen said the highest flood he had ever witnessed was one which reached to the height of three feet above the flooring of Adair’s store. He thought the suggestion made a good one, and that it should be followed. The Chairman called attention to the fact that the present plans brought the bridge on a level with the road, and pointed out several objections to the proposed alterations. After considerable desultory discussion it was finally deemed advisable to adhere to the original plans, and a resolution was passed to the same effect, with the addition that the Marine Department should be informed of the reason for so doing.

The question of preparing duplicate plans and specifications and calling for tenders was then gone into, when Cr. Townley suggested that advertisements be inserted in several outside papers, and copies and plans of drawings and specifications be made at once. The Chairman remarked that the work could be commenced at once, as it would not be necessary to make any payments for some time. In answer to a question, the Engineer said it would take him some time to prepare the necessary duplicate plans, and he did not think they would be ready for some three months. Cr. Tutchen moved, and Cr. Moore seconded, “ That the Board Engineer be instructed to prepare sets of plans and specifications for Auckland, Wellington, and Gisborne.” He thought those would meet all their requirements. Cr, Joyce thought Napier should also be included. This would only necessitate three extra copies being made. The Mayor suggested that, as it was desirable to prevent any delay, the Engineer might be authorised to engage assistance fo y making copies of the tracings should he ftad it necessary. The Board wished the work to be pushed on, and he did not think >he expenditure of an extra pound or tub should bo allowed to stand in the way, and to delay the commencement of the work, The office boy could make the copies of specifications, &c., and the only real work was the three tracings. Cr. Joyce wished to know whether the Borough would be called upon to pay anything beyond the £5OO already voted, and would ask who was to bear the expense of the plans, &c. The Chairman explained that all these minor matters would be included in the cost of £3,ooo—plans, drawings, advertising, and all such matters, had been allowed for. Cr. Tutchen could not possibly see the use of preparing too many copies of plans. Intending contractors could easily come here and inspect both the plans and the site at the same time. He should like to remind the Board how they had been sucked in) by the manner in which the duplicate plans for the new wharves had been prepared. (Laughter). The Chairman suggested that the best plan would be to advertise in the Government Gazette alone.

The Engineer thought it would be advisable to send copies of plans to all places where they advertised, as it would save any confusion or trouble. Cr. Smith concurred in this, as it would otherwise be impossible for contractors to get any idea of what sort of contract it was. Cr. Tutchen was sure that contractors were so anxious to get anything they could just now, that they would eagerly look in all the papers. He thought the three places he had previously mentioned quite enough. The motion was then put and carried. On a further suggestion being made that the Engineer should be allowed assistance, Cr. Joyce wished to know what would be the additional cost.

Cr. Smith moved and Cr. Hepburn seconded, “ That the Engineer ba authorised to obtain assistance in preparing the additional plans.” He thought this necessary as it was important that no delay should occur in calling for tenders. Cr. Tutchen strongly objected to the Board paying the Engineer extra for every little matter like this. All this was part of the Engineer’s duty, and if he (the Engineer) could not do his work let him pay for help out of his own pocket. He would move as an amendment, “ That'the Engineer prepare the plans himself.” Cr. Joyce seconded the amendment, as he could see no reason for such hurry. The opening of the bridge would only stop their income from the ferry. Cr. Lewis supported the original motion, as he thought the expenditure of some four guineas would be more than saved by calling for tenders during such dull times. On the amendment being put it was lost, and the original motion was then carried.

Engineer’s Report. Contract, Head's Quay — This work will be finished before next meeting. I recommend a progress payment (the second) of £26. Childers llbad — The contractor has made good progress, considering the weather. About 27 chains have been formed and 13 chains metalled. Day Labour— The drain in Roebuck Road, North, is being filled in by day labour, as ordered at last meeting. Day labour for the month (exclusive of road overseer’s wages), £4 Ils. After a few remarks on the engine house well, the report was adopted. Inspector of Nuisances’ Report. Nuisances — Tho night soil contractor is carrying out his duties in a most satisfactory manner. He has had to travel over your extended district, and up to tho present there has not been a single complaint laid against him. I am glad to be able to state this, for

as you are aware, during the past month the weather has been dreadfully severe. Hires —I have to report two fires—one in Peel-street, caused by an iron chimney ; another in Gladstone Road, at Mr. East’s store, both were put out before much damage was done. The Chairman called Mr. Faram’s attention to the number of stray horses to be seen in the thoroughfare, and said complaints had been made to him about this. The Inspector said he had impounded 42 last month, and 82 this one. He had used every endeavor to correct the nuisance. The report was then adopted. Payments. The following payments were then passed : —Sinking fund account, £700; rent, £l5; Adams, £2 Ils 6d ; Parnell and Boylan, £4 14s lid; M‘Davitt £29 16s 6d; Chrisp and Muir, £2O 9s 6d ; Wilkinson, £10; D. Ready, £2 2s; Andrews, £2 9s 6d. Tenders. The following tenders for laying on gas were received Bigley, £l4 10s.; Wade, £l2 17s. Gd. ; Ludlow, £l2. The tender of Mr. Ludlow, being the lowest, was accepted. Extraordinary Business. A long and warm discussion re day labor now took place, but pressure on our space compels us to hold the report over, Notices of Motion. Cr. Joyce “ That no sum over £lO be expended in day labor.” Cr. Smith, in giving the following notice of motion, saicP he brought it forward for the sake of ventilating the subject, as he thought the time had arrived for protecting themselves from the disastrous effects of fire. He then pointed to the fact that had not the late fire in the rear of Mr. East’s, been early discovered, and promptly suppressed, the whole block must have been destroyed. The motion was, “ That in future all buildings erected in the Gladstone Road, from Bright Street to the Turanganui River, be built of brick, or at any rate have brick party walls.” The Council then rose.