BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 232, 10 September 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The above met last night. Present—-Crs. Smith (in the Chair), Lewis, Townley, Tutchen, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn, andßrown. The minutes were read and confirmed. Incoming Correspondence. From E. O’Dwyer, making application for the transfer of lease of section 64 in the Borough, in Childers Road, to Mr. Bourke. The request was granted. From Mr. W. Brassey as follows :—“ I wish to draw your attention to a slight inconvenience and damage that I have suffered by reason of the destruction of the footpath in front of my property in Childers Road. Your Council were good enough to form a pathway in front of my property in length about 360 yards at a considerable expense to your Council, and for which I was compelled to pay half. I wish you had not done it, because it cost me in new fencing about £lOO. The path has ever since been used by horsemen and draymen and rendered utterly useless, as you are aware. I would ask that you extend some consideration now that you are making Childers Road, and, at any rate, form and shingle the path as far as my stable gate. I do not think the cost would be much.” Cr. Lewis would like to ask the Engineer what the cost would be ? The Engineer said the footpath was made a long time ago. The footpath had been knocked about for some time, but not more so lately than hitherto. It would take about a pound a chain to shingle the footpath. There were about five chains. Cr. Joyce considered there had been more money appropriated to that street than it was entitled to. He thought from the Engineer’s statement the matter could be very well held over for the present, and the fact of money being spent [on only five chains for the sole benefit of one gentleman would scarcely meet the wishes of the generality of the burgesses. He moved that the matter stand over for the present. Cr. Hepburn seconded. It was not necessary. Cr. Kenny could not see why Mr. Brassey should have a special footpath for his own special benefit, but Mr. Brassey had been paying for something which he had not received. Therefore it only seemed fair that the Council should reimburse him by granting a small sum of money to put the footpath into a tolerable state of order. He would move that £4 be spent on the work. Cr. Lewis seconded, and agreed with Cr. Kenny’s remarks. Cr. Joyce thought if they reimbursed one ratepayer like that they would have others in a similar position making the same demands. The original motion was carried. The following letter was read from the School Committee, and was discussed with the Engineer’s Report“ I have the honor to draw your attention to the state of the footpath in Derby Street, and to respectfully request that the kerbing may be completed from the corner of Palmerston Road to that already laid opposite the teacher’s dwelling.”

ENGINEER’S REPORT. CONTKACTb. Childers Road.— This contract will be finished in a few days. The specified time expired on 31st August. A progress paymen', (the fourth) of £74 10s. is recomended. Palmerston Road.— The formation is not yet completed. A small portion at the Pec’, street end has been metalled. Roebuck Road.—Work has not been begun yet on this contract. Turanganui Bridge.— Before operations arc commenced the Ferry will have to be shifted. The best place for it seems to be below Common Shelton & Co.’s store, where there is a good approach from the town side. Footpath in Derby Street.— The school committee complain of the state of this footpath. As there is a good deal of traffic here, I think it would be a good thing to kerb and re-gravel the path on the school side from Gladstone Road to Palmerston Road. This could be done by using old timber from the reserve for £lO. Footpath Derby Street. Cr. Kenny moved that the request of the committee be not acceded to. The footpaths passing offices in the very centre of the town where as a matter of decency it ought to be kept in good repair was in a dilapidated condition, and if that was the case, why should they accede to the above request ? Cr. Tutchen would second the proposition. Cr. Joyce inquired what would be the cost of doing the kerbing mentioned ? The Engineer—About £5. Cr. Joyce proposed as an amendment “ That the request ba complied with as regards the kerbing only. ’ There being no seconder to that, the original proposition was put and carried. The report was then adopted as altered. Brick Party Walls.

The Clerk stated he had not received a report from the Committee appointed to consider and draw up a bye-law in reference to above, but the committee had sent in a draft of the amended bye-law. The Chairman said he would ask, as this was a matter to be very carefully thought over, and as one of the members was not present, that it be allowed to stand over for a month as there was a general election about to take place. Cr. Kenny moved “ That the consideration of the report of the Committee be postponed for a month. Carried. Payments. A. G. Croll, £2 14s; Advertising tenders Turanganui Bridge, £5 4s; Kennedy and Bennett, £1 Os Id ; Sievwright and DeLautor £6 Ils lOd ; W. E. Cross, £5 4s ; D. Malone, (progress payment), £74 10s; Loan Interest account re £lO,OOO, £304 10s 2d. Rates.

The Clerk asked the Council to appoint a day on which the rates should be paid. It was usual in each year to name a date, and after that date to summon the defaulters if they did not pay. He would suggest the first of October. The rates were coming in very slowly at present, and it was important they should get them in, in order to reduce the overdraft. They generally advertised before the present time. They used to do so about August. After discussion it was decided to have the date fixed at Wednesday, October 15th, and the Clerk was instructed to advertise to the effect that if the rates were not paid by that time, they would be sued for. Weighbridge.

Cr. Lewis said now the Turanganui bridge was about to be started, he supposed the weighbridge would be to all intents and purposes out of place if allowed to remain where it now was. He thought some other site should be selected, and to have it fixed permanently lower down, then it could be brought within the duties of the wharfinger. The Chairman said the wharfinger could not do it. Two thirds of his time was taken up in collecting money. Cr. Lewis said they could make who they liked custodian of it. Cr. Townley said they could not move in the matter until the contract at present existing expired. The matter then dropped. Taruheru Bridge.

Cr. Joyce said there was a matter he should like to draw attention to, and that was the driving of loose horses over the Taruheru Bridge. On one occasion he saw three loose horses galloping across the bridge, and a person coming along in the opposite direction had to hang on to the side to get out of their road. It was a frequent and most dangerous occurrence, and some steps should be taken in the matter. He had heard children screaming when horses were galloping along the bridge. After various Councillors had spoken on the subject, reco’ ’ irg their experiences, amongst which ~r. Tutchen gave a most thrilling account of how he was very nearly, though not quite, killed by a horse and cart on the bridge in question, the clerk was instructed to write to the Sergeant of the Police, drawing liis attention to the nuisance, and asking him to be kind enough to have a watch kept by the police officers on the bridge, in order that the Council’s bye-laws might not be infringed with impunity. Cr. Joyce suggested that a footbridge should be constructed by the side of the cartbridge on the outside. Cr. Tutchen asked that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to Mr. S. Stevenson also, as he was always in the habit of driving his horses over the bridge. The Clerk was instructed to do so. Ranger. Cr. Smith’s notice of motion regarding the Ranger was now brought up for discussion. The Chairman Raid when giving notice of the motion he had supported it with all arguments he thought necessary. He introduced the matter for the Council to consider, and gave them time before expressing their ideas on the question. He had no idea as to who they could get to fill the position, but he felt quite sure that it was a post that should be given to a man who could devote the whole of his time to the work. Cr. Tutchen seconded the proposition. A year since he brought the same thing up. As far as he was concerned he was satisfied with the present Ranger, but they could not expect him to give the whole of his time to the work on the screw which was barely £2 per week, and he had to keep a horse besides. He suggested in addition to the duties the Ranger now had to perform, he also performs the duties of the boy in the office, and if they weie unable to give the Ranger sufficient money to keep him, they could do so by combining the duties. As far as the motion went it laid no charge against the present Ranger. Cr. Joyce thought it would be wise to let the question stand over until the new Councillors come in. The Chairman said he had no wish to press it on. The question was therefore postponed, to be considered by the new Council.