BOROUGH COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2820, 8 April 1882, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Councilwas held on Thursday evening. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs Jackson, Ross, Bush, Sherratt, Filmer, Gabites, Cullman Shepherd, and Gibson. THE WATER-RACE MEN. Mr Newton, manager of the waterrace, waited upon the Council with reference to the misconduct of one of the men under his charge on 27th February, and his absence on two or three occasions when he ought to hare been on duty. The man referred to was then called in, and answered certain questions as to his whereabouts on the occasions spoken of. The Council were unanimously of opinion that the waterrace should be divided into separate lengths, with a man responsible for each length. After discussion the Council resolved —“ That the three men, Newton, Gordon and O’Connor, receive one week’s notice with a view to reorganising the water-race staff,”

LICENSES. His Worship the Mayor referred to certain unpaid license fees due by wholesale merchants. The Town Clerk stated that he had forwarded a circular letter to each of the persons who had failed to pay the fee. WATER SUPPLY. A letter was received from Mr Warren of Wai-iti with reference to water supply, declining to give a guarantee for cost of the supply. A long discussion took place on the whole question of water supply. The Council were constantly receiving complaints and protests, in re the Council’s valuation of people’s properties. It also appeared doubtful by whose authority the pipes were laid outside the Borough. No action was decided upon, however. The Benevolent Society asked for a water supply to the old hospital. Referred to the Waterworks Committee. It was moved by Cr. Gibson seconded by Cr. Jackson and carried :—“ That 1 the Valuators be instructed to value all the properties when water is applied for and 12 per cent charged upon such values.” The ordinary meeting then closed. DRAINAGE The Council then resolved itself into an adjourned special meeting for the consideration of the drainage scheme. Mr Dobson’s report, (which was published m our issue of Tuesday last) was read by the Town Clerk. Some discussion took place on the ways and means, some Councillors being of opinion that the security of a sewage rate would be quite inadequate for borrowing purposes. Cr. Bush strongly urged the scheme being carried out, on sanitary ‘grounds. He thought the liability for such work should belong to the coming generation; it would not be necessary to discharge the entire cost at once.

A Councillor asked His Worship how it was proposed to deal with private lands.

His Worship cited “ The Municipal Corporations Act,” section 219. Cr. Filmer thought the dimensions of the pipes as specified by the Engineer, were altogether too limited for the requirements of the Borough. Cr. Gibson agreed with this. He also thought the disposal of the nightsoil would be very difficult. The scheme was too crude to go to the ratepayers with. He quite agreed with what had appeared in the South Cantebbuet Times on the subject—it appeared to him to be very much to the point. He objected also to increasing the rates at present; such a course also would lessen the value of property in the Borough. He begged to move—“ That whilst admitting the great desirability of a complete system of drainage for the Borough, this Council is of opinion, that owing to the heavy charge upon the ratepayers for general and water works purposes, it is desirable to postpone carrying out the proposed scheme, until such time as a reduction in the water rates warrants the Council in appealing to the burgesses to vote a loan for the purpose without increasing the rates in the aggregate and to give sufficient time for the scheme to be fully considered by those most interested.’ - Cr Jackson moved and Cr Bush seconded, as an amendment “That Messrs Dobson and Son -be asked to prepare plans and estimates of a complete system of underground drainage in order to place it before a public meeting to consider if a loan should be raised for drainage purposes.” Cr Boss agreed with Or Gibson as to the necessity for caution, and he entirely disagreed with Cr Jackson’s scheme for having an expensive estimate unless the Council were prepared to go on with the work.

Cr Jackson urged that the work be undertaken on sanitary grounds. Money also was plentiful just now, and in every way the time was propitious. The Engineers (Messrs Dobson) were excellent, capable men, and he would repeat that the Council ought to proceed with the work.

His Worship referred to what had been said about the solid sewage. Ho had observed that such was utilized at Homo. It is utilized in Glasgow and surely a few thousand persons could hardly raise so great a pestilence when the ocean wares were there so entirely to destroy .... refuse. Ho together differed from what had been said in the South Canteuhuuy Times, such a nuisance as was there described it was quite impossible could occur hero. Cr Cullman thought there would certainly be a nuisance.

Cr JFilmer thought the Council ought

to first inform itself whether it would be permitted to allow the refnse of the Borough to go into the harbor. His Worship thought the Council ought to defer consideration until they had communicated with other Boroughs.

Cr Gibson said there were two nuisances—the nuisance itself and the tax—and he did not know which was the greater. His Worship asked Or Gibson to withdraw the part of his motion referring to reduction of rates, but Cr Gibson declined to do so.

On the amendment being put 2 voted for it, and His Worship declared the resolution carried.

Several Councillors expressed great discontent at the action of His Worship in declaring the resolution carried without being put, and Cr Jackson challenging His Worship’s decision, an animated discussion took place. It was further moved by Cr. Eoss, seconded by Cr. Filmer, and carried — “Thatnokerbing or channelling contracts be entered into in the meantime until the Council have an opportunity of further considering the best system of drainage and asphalting.