Borough Council.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7068, 14 February 1893, Page 2

Borough Council.

An ordinary mealing of the Timaru Borough Council was hold la?t evening. Present —Hie Worship the Mayor, Councillors Gabitee, Bush, Hill, Houston, King, Hole, Owers, Bennett, Delaney, Burford and Stumbles. Councillor Gabites suggested that as the Town Clerk had been closely occupied all day as Returning Officer the meeting should be adjourned Other councillors expressed their willingness to adjourn, but Mr Lough deprecated the proposal on his account, and the business was proceeded with. STREET WORKS. Mr McKeown wrote drawing attention to dilapidation of the korbing opposite hia new premises, and asked that it bo repaired, and asked also for a re-alignment of a portion of it (to fiU out a kink of II inches in it).— In respect to the letter request, Councillor Stumbles stated the kerbing was put down with an angle instead of a curve, and it ought to bo altered. Councillor Bush thought the works committee should inspect the place.— The applications were referred to the works committee with power to act. Councillor Hill who moved this, said the streets had been originally laid out very badly, and the Council should give and lake on tbe plans | when it would improve the street*. A memo from Mr Hllis, agreeing to cart stone from trucks at 9d a ton, gave rise to some discussion. Tbe mayor stated that was all the stone coat; it was tbe cheapest stone they had ever got. Councillor Burford said some things were dear at nothing, and this i might be. He wanted to know when it was going to be taken off the market reserve again, because he wanted to move shortly that something be done to improve the reserve. He objected to the carting being given to one man without any form of competition. If that stone was put there with the idea of stopping the improvement of that part of the town he would agitate for its removal though it was to be thrown away. Councillor Delaney thought it disgraceful to make that reserve a receptacle for every kind of rubbish It should be broken and taken away at once, for he was with Councillor Burford in desiring that something be done for the improvement of the reserve —Councillor Bush valued one yard of the Timaru stone at three of any other.—Councillor King demanded that Ihe reserve be levelled, and not made a dumping ground, for the benefit of tbe volunteers if for no other reason, and Councillor Delaney concurred.—The action of the Mayor in regard to the stone was approved. (A squabble took place as to whether tbe motion approving had been put or not, Councillors Burford aud Delaney declaring it had not ) The foreman of works reported that besides channelling, clearing, and shingling, bis men had put down seven asphalts crossings, and were now preparing material for eight or nine more. They carted 37 tons of stone ballast frem the railway to market reserve, and G. Kills 283 tone. The kerb and channel contracts were proceeding satisfactorily, over 26 chains of contract work being done, and tbe stone-work contract had been begun. He feared that tbe work would be injured by people driving cattle home for milking, and butcher boys take their horses on tbe paths in getting orders, a practice that should be stopped. He also feared damage would be done by people backing carts against the concrete. One man actually prepared to drive a horse and cart over the new concrete, and would have done so if not threatened with on action for damages. He recommended that the people be cautioned by advertisement against damaging the kerb work. WATERWORKS. The reservoir beeper reported 18ft 6in in the reservoir (nearly full). Applications for water supplies from Mr Philp and others up Gleniti road, and from Mr McKeown and other owners in LeOren street, were referred to the valuer to report on the valuations; the mayor to authorise the latter work if the return from the rate equals 16 per cent. The waterworks inspector stat'd that the supply asked for on Gleniti road would be so nearly at the level of the reservoir that no pressure could be got, and in case of heavy draft in town there might be no supply at all. The applicants must understand that beforehand. Tbe inspector reported that tbe now pipes had been landed and carted to the store-yard in good order, 150 four inch pipes. He had also received some pipes from the Gas Company in return for those borrowed, but bad more yet to be received. He had lowered the rider-pipes in North street, and almost the wbo’o length without burning. The service pipes in Barnard street bad been connected with the main pipe and the riderpipe was ready for removal. The race was in good order, and a full bead of water was coming down. THE INSTITUTE, A deputation from the Mechanics’ Institute Committee, Messrs Hardcastle and Oullmann. asked the Council to make a donation to the Institute by way of refraining from collecting tbe rates on the building. As a ground of claim for such a concession it was stated that the library is open to the public although the newspaper room is not. Ckmncjllors Hole and Owers moved to the

; ffcot that, the request be complied with j Councillor Qabites moved and Councillor Bush seconded that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. Councillor Burford objected strongly to the rates being remitted, because the institute is a private anH not a public institution and if one private institution was let off every other would be making the same request. It was explained that the institution is partially public, as the reading-room (but not the newspaper room) is open to the public, and all strangers to Timaru are allowed to use the newspaper room free for one week. Councillor Hole spoke in favour of the request. Councillor Delaney suggested that a committee wait upon the Mechanics Institute committee, and try to arrange for the borough taking over the institute, and supporting it by rate. Councillor Qabites wished for delay to inquire into the powers of the Council with regard to the Institute. His amendment was carried by seven to three. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr P. W. Stubbs wrote offering to pay 80s for damage done to a lamp post some time ago, he having been charged £3 odd Ho protested that the charge was excessive, the post being a very old one and could have been replaced for less. —The offer was accepted. The domain ranger reported that the work during the month had been cleaning paths and borders, staking and tying flowers, burning pine leaves, etc. Two water-taps were wo'n out and needed replacing. The report was adopted.—The Mayor said the domain was looking very well, and everything was very satisfactory at present. An application by Mr North for ten feet of drain.pipe for a crossing was referred to the works committee. ACCOUNTS. General accounts to the amount of £278 19s, maintenance of waterworks £37 14s Bd, and domain aocoun's £8 10s, were passed for payment. THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. A telegram to the mayor was received during the Billing of the Council, from the Minister of Education, as fallows :—“ A telegram just receive! from Premier of Queensland stating that owing to recent floods great destitution prevails and much help will be required. In event of your receiving contributions, the Government will arrange that those given in goods will be conveyed free by rail to nearest port, and will also settle for freight to Brisbane. Money contributions may be sent through the Colonial Secretary, Wellington.”—lt was resolved that the mayor call a public meeting at an early date, to consider the telegram. The Council rose at 10.20 p.m.