TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2497, 22 March 1881, Page 2

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An adjourned meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Members present —His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Cullman, Gabites, Sherratt, Jackson, Greenup, Shepherd and Filmer. TIMARU PlhE BRIGADE. Mr Turnbull, Fire Inspector, waited on the Council to endeavor to mediate with the members on behalf of the Brigade, He remarked that there appeared to be a serious and unfortunate misunderstanding between the Council and the late Brigade. If the latter had given offence to the Council by their action, he felt justified in saying it was quite unintentional. The Brigade were anxious to receive a definite answer to their letter in reference to the boots, as when their application was made they had no intention whatever of disbanding. They had all desired to remain in office until arrangements were made that would terminate the difficulty re boots. The person who had drawn up the letter on behalf of the Brigade had somewhat misunderstood the matter when he wrote as he had done. However, the Brigade now desired to heal the breach, and were agreeable to arrange the matter amicably. The Brigade simply wished to understand their position with reference to the boots. If the Council were inclined to meet the Brigade in a reasonable manner.no doubt even now affairs could be arranged to the entire satisfaction of both parties. He (the speaker) had permission to say that it was the intention of the late members of the Brigade, should matters be satisfactorily settled, to appoint Mr Thomas Arnos to the captaincy. Mr Amos had had large experience on the West Coast in the mangement and conduct of fire brigades, and was in every way suitable for the position.

His Worship said the matter was very clear indeed. Some time ago it was

arranged that the Council should supply the Brigade with boots once during the year. The arrangement had adhered to very punctually for a considerably time past, with the exception of thei' present year. In January last, or perhaps it might have been a little later, tenders were called for the supply of uniforms, but the samples of material that had been furnished were of such an. inferior quality and the prices so unsatisfactory, that the Council had deemed it best to send the order on to Messrs Shand, Mason and Co., of London, from whom uniforms of the very best quality had been arranged to be supplied. The order had been sent Home with the entire concurrence of the Brigade. He might add that the goods would now very shortly arrive. Subsequently a demand had been made by the Brigade for boots, and it was the intention of the Council that the application should be complied with. At the same time it was agreed that the boots should not bo served out until the arrival of the uniforms, when the complete outfit would have been handed round. Unfortunately though the present difiicnlty had arisen, When the South Canterbury Times was informed that the uniforms at present in use were ragged, the report should have added that new uniforms were ordered from Home. There was one thing he would like to suggest in the event of the Brigade returning, viz., that trustees should bo appointed to look after the Brigade’s sick and accident fund, who should: countersign cheques on that fund with the Council.

Cr Jackson thought they should accept the explanation of the Brigade. Cr Shepherd was in ■ favor of the Brigade being reorganised. It was useless for the Council to do one thing one week and undo it the next. Let the Brigade be reorganised ; the old members would have a chance of re-joining and it would so amount to much the same thing. His Worship could not agree with Cr Shepherd ; in accepting the resignation of the Brigade, the" Council had acted on the impulse of the moment. Mr Turnbull’s explanation had made all the difference.

Cr Jackson then moved, and Cr. Greenup seconded, the following resolution—“ That after hearing the explanation of Fire Inspector Turnbull, the Council is of opinion that it will be best for all parties concerned that the Brigade resume their duties,”

A division took place on the resolution. Cr Ross v, ithdrew from the table. For the resolution Crs Jackson, Greenup, and the Mayor ; against—Crs Shepherd, Cullman, 'Gabites, Sherratt, and Filraer. The resolution was therefore lost, and after some further discussion it was resolved that the Brigade should be reorganised, and that the old members should have the opportuity afforded them of joining the new brigade individually. WITHDRAWN. His Worship remarked that having looked into the matter he was of opinion that a resolution could not be put after an amendment had been carried on a former resolution dealing with the same matter, because the amendment in that case became a resolution itself. Under these circumstances he would ask Cr Cullman to withdraw his resolution which had been carried after an amendment on a former resolution dealing with the same matter. The resolution was withdrawn with the consent of the Council. GRANTED. Messrs Peacock and Geaney’s application re outside blind at their premises, corner of Church street, was granted conditionally on the sanction of' the building surveyor being obtained. PETITION. A petition was read from a number of residents in C street, informing the Council that the roadway required forming and the foot-paths metalling. It was resolved that the work should be done. BUILDING REGULATIONS. A long discussion took place on the building regulations,councillors expressing the opinion that alterations very similar to those applied for by Mr Turnbull (and refused) had lately been effected in the town, and that therefore' Mr Turnbull’s application should be re-considered. After some discussion it was moved by Cr. Shepherd, seconded by Or. Gabites, and carried —“ That the application of Mr E. Turnbull made on Jan. 24, 1881, to make alterations to premises in Grey street be granted.”

OUT OF SCHOOL. 1 Cr Greenup remarked that it had come to his knowledge, that although neither of the papers had published certain remarks with reference to Mr Jas Bruce made at the last meeting of the Council, yet Mr Bruce had been informed of all that had transpired *at the meeting. He (Cr Greenup) thought that if the newspapers refrained from publishing personal remarks that they ought not to go outside the Council. At least Mr Bruce’s informant might have the manliness to come forward and acknowledge having given the information. This was not the first time the same thing had occurred^ His Worship entirely concurred with Cr Greenup. Anything that was said in the heat of the debate ought not to be repeated outside the Council. MB BEUCE’s CLAIM.. It was proposed with reference to the above, on the motion of Cr Jackson seconded by Cr Sherratt —“ That in order to prevent any further damage on Mr Bruce’s property by storm water the foreman of works be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for a large sewer, to commence where Mr Bruce’s sewer joins the Council’s sluice to the sea ; plans to be laid before the Council at its next meeting. The resolution was lost the mover and seconder only voting for it. Dr Mclntyre wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the unsatisfactory state of drain crossing near Mr Bruce’s mill and alluded to as a possible source of disease. MISCELLANEOUS. An application from Mrs Watkins for modification of the building regulations was refused, being in opposition to the building regulations. In reply to a letter from Mr LeCren and others, it was resolved —“ That the application of MrLeCren and others for extension of the water supply to Wai-iti Road stand over till the next meeting of the Council.” It was resolved with regard to the the bankruptcy of Mr E. W. Mills, of Wellington—“ That the Town Clerk prove on the estate of Mr E. W. Mills for the amount due to the Council.” The Council then adjourned.