TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2218, 27 April 1880, Page 2

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council took place last night. Present —His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Gibson, Boss, Shepherd, Gabites, Bruce, and Sherratt. Correspondence was read from—Tho captain of the Timaru Eire Brigade, asking the Council to provide hydrants fon the use of the brigade in view of the early completion of the Timaru water woirfcs scheme. Beferred to the Works Committee to report upon. From the secretary of the Smith Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club, enclosing a petition containing over 20 signatures, praying His Worship (he Mayor to urge Ills Excellency the Governor to proclaim May 12 and 13 next bank half-holidays, those being the days of tho Athletic Club sports. 11 is Worship sail he had complied with the request of the requisition, but had not as yet received a reply. From the Begistrar-General, asking for the usual annual returns. Several applications were received under the building regulations. From Mr Perry, solicitor, re dog fees, Moved by Cr, Gibson, seconded by Cr, boss—“ That tho Mayor and the mover be appointed to strike a balance between the Council and the Geraldine County Council re the refund of the Dog Tax and report at the next ordinary meeting of the Council.”

From Mr Win. Evans slating that he had made certain alterations to a stable of his, and that objections had been made to his having done so without obtaining the sanction of the Council. He did not know that there would he any objection to the alterations being made, and must apologise for (lie deviation, if any, froiu Clause 4 \ of the Building Begulatious, Mr Evan’s letter gave rise to considerable discussion, Cr. Gibson was of opinion that persons contemplating making alterations, &c., should apply to the Council for permission to do so, before they commenced the work ; it was useless to leave the matter until after the alterations were completed. Ultimately the following resolution proposed by Cr. Gibson, and seconded by Cr. Boss, was curried— l> That tjio

Town Clerk be instructed to write to Mr Evans, and inform him that he must make sjeccial application under the modification clause of the Building "Regulations.” A petition was read from three or four residents ro the asphalting of a certain footpath. The matter was left over for consideration until next meeting, the building surveyor to report. His Worship stated that the bank overdraft amounted to £2,200 16s sd, and the value of the rates for the year would be £2,100. Ho submitted that the Council must be very cautious in its expenditure. Accounts amounting to £llß 9s 8d were passed for payment. His Worship remarked that all the large water-pipes had been tested, and it was found that a large number, about 10 per cent of them, in fact, were more or less damaged. The Auditor’s Report was then read. It stated that the Auditors had carefully examined all bcoks and vouchers in connection with the annual balance sheet, and must compliment Mr Lough, Town Clerk, on the way in which the hooks arc kept. The balance sheet to March 31, was then read.

Moved by Councillor Eoss, seconded by Councillor Shepherd, and carried — “ That the annual audited balance-sheet to March 31, 1880, bo received and advertised, in compliance with clause 132 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1870.” ■; The Town Clerk read the estimates of proposed expenditure and available assets of the Council, as required by the Act. Eesolved —•“ That the estimates he approved.” Moved by Councillor Shepherd, seconded by councillor Sherratt and carried —“that the Council’s Inspector be requested to furnish a report of the testing of the water-pipes, together with the numbers tested, and the percentage of faulty pipes. The report to be weekly.” Eesolved —“ That the Mayor, any one Councillor and the Town Clerk, be empowered to sign the bye-laws, numbered 1 and 3 to 16 inclusive passed by the Council, at a meeting held on April 12, 1880.” With regard to the striking of a general rate, it was proposed by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Eoss —“ That it is the intention of this Council to make an annual general rate of Is in the £ sterling on all rateable properties within the Borough of Timaru on May 25, 1880, and that the Town Clerk bo instructed, to at once prepare the rate hook, under the provisions of sections 109 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1876, and present the same as a special meeting of the Council to be held on May 25, 1880 ; said rate to be payable on May 26, 1880.” In reply to a question of Cr, Gibson’s as to what was the position of the burgesses under the new Registration of Electors Act, Mr Lough said that under the new law the registration officer had only to receive claims, and the clerks of local bodies were no longer required to make a return of ratepayers. Only the freeholders on the old rolls were entitled to be placed on the new roll by the registration officer. He (Mr Lough) had rendered that officer a good deal of assistance, however, and would be glad to assist any ratepayer to fill up his claim properly. After some further discussion, it was resolved—“ That the Town Clerk be instructed to fill in claims for registration for all persons coming under his notice not already on the roll, who are resident in the Borough of Timaru, and have paid their rates.” The Council then adjourned.