Borough Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42753, 27 July 1905, Page 2

Borough Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday evening last, when there were present: The Mayor (A.. J. Farmer* Esq,,) and Councilors J. Rowe, E. Devey, P. O Meagher, C. Wallis, and A, E, Thomas.

Numbers of ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed- Inward and outward correspondence dealt with.

Boundary S reet Diminution.—C. W. Hursthcuse, Chieii Engineer, wrote under date Wellington, sth July, 1905, as follows .—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 30th ult, stating that your Council is surprised that the Department has raised any objection* to the proposal made by your Council to deal with the portion of Boundary-street, which has beeu raise;!. In reply I beg to state that the matter has been considered

by Cabiuet in view of objections which have been made by adjacentjland owners, and as it appears that the action of your Council is likely to prejudicially affect the value of their lands, the G iver imeut has decided that it will not recommend theGoveruer~in-Coun-cil to consent to the proposed use by your Council of the land under subsection 2, section 240, of “The Municipal Corporations Act, 1900,” unless your Couucil can obtain the consent of the adjuucent land owners to such proposal. The Department is not seeking to raise objections to any aciion of your Council, and is only concerned in seeing that the law is administered in such a way as will be equitable to all parties having an interest in the matter. Decided to leave the matter in abey - ance for the present, pending a reply from the solid: or to the Municipal Association, Report.—Foreman Dierck sent in his usual monthly report, setting forth the work carried out since last meeting, A good deal of the Foreman’s time duriag the month had been taken up with the laying of the pipes in the sewer, and in consequence of which an extra man was put on to do urgent works.

Shops and Offices Act,—Letter read from the Deputy Chief Inspector of Labour, acknowledging receipt of Council’s letter of 7th inst, addressed to the Hon the Minister of Labour, and in reply advising that he was directed to state that the Minister is very sorry, that Chemists cannot be exempt from the requisition duly gazetted in the New Zealand Gazette of 15th June, 1905. The only exemptions from the requisition are fishmongers, fruiterers, confectioners, bakers, refreshmentroom keepers, or bookstall keeper on a railway-station or wharf. This of course is the fault of the people who drew up the requisition, not the Department. and until the requisition is varied, asking that chemists be exempt and signed by a majority of the shopkeepers in Te Aroha in like manner, and certified to by the Borough Council. nothing can be done. The Council decided to get the shopkeepers to sign a petition praying that chemists be exempted. Free Water. —The Acting-Superin-tcndenf, of Tourist and Health Resorts acknowledging receipt of communication of the 28th ult., advising that the Council, while accepting the subsidy, cannot see their way to agree to supply water free to the Department’s premises iu Te Aroha. The Superintendent went on to say:—“That the condition under which the subsidy is to be paid was attached to the payment by direction of the Hon. the Minister, and the amount can therefore only be paid upon those terms. Seeing that the votes of the Department are being appropriated for town improvements, such as drainage and water, I think the condition imposed cannot by any means be regarded a* unreasonable. I shall be glad if you will therefore advise me as early hh possible whether the Council is pre pared to reconsider its decision, and accept the subsidy on the terms mentioned in my letter of the 14th ult.'’

After some discussion it was decided that the Mayor interview the Minister during his (the Mayor’s; visit to W ellingtou. Goldfields Revenue.—Go'dfiolds reveuue amounting to £9O 13s was lodged to credit. Afternoon Train, —The District Traffic Manager for Railways wrote, acknowledging receipt of letter of 30th ult", relative to carriage accomodation on goods train running between Frankton and Paeroa. The manager said there was evidently some mis understanding in reg -rd to this matter, as there has been no goods train running between Frankton and Paeroa, and added that it is very seldom incioed that it is found nenesnary to run a

special between those points. The Mayor again brought up tk'> question of an afternoon train to Prankton. to start from Frankton early in the morning for Paeroa, and return during the afternoon.—The Mayor remarked that up to the present the Railway had declined all requests made to it. The clerk was instructed to again write to the Department. Swamp Drainage.—ln reply to a letter from the Council asking the railway department to pay its share towards carrying off tire accumulation

of filth at the roar of the radway station the engineer asked to be supplied with a rough tracing showing t he extout an :1 locality of the proposed Hue of pipos, estimated to cost £ls. A Blind S reef.—The District En gineer of Railways (C Holmes Biss) wrote reminding the Council that in a letter dated the 27th November, 1900, the Council gave the Railway Department permission, during the ploasutc of the Couucil and subject to certain conditions, to occupy the unformed portion of Rewi street, presumed to be duly vested in the Borough of To Amin He said that he had beon informed that a private person had stated his intention to take possession of the ground had already, trepassod upon it. with the object of erecting buddings. He asked to be informed whether tho Council propi sea to leavo tho laud and

if so why the Railway Department has not beeh notified to relinquish possession and remove its gales and fencing. In conclusion he mentioned that the railway staff had been directed to retain occupation and prevent trepassby unauthorised persons pending receipt of communion'ion indicating the pleasure of the Couucil, Decided to reply stating that the Council had made no change whatever from existing arrangements. Banking Account.—lt was resolved on the motion of the Mayor seconded by Cr O’Meagher to transfer the account with the Bank <>f New Zealand from Paeroa to the Te Aroha branch. Closing a street. —Resolved that authority be given the Engineer (Mr Pavitt) to close Bridge stieet where it junctions with Lipsey-street during the progress of the drainage works. . Overdraft. —The Treasurer reported that the overdraft to date amounted to £213 19s 10d, accounts to be passed for payment, £367 2s 2d ; making the total overdraft £5Bl 2s. A Refund Requested.—A letter was read from A. S. Mackay, stating that in making up the footpath in frout of his sections in Rewi-street previous to asphalting of the same, he supplied pasts and planking amounting in all to £1 18s sd. He would be glad if the Borough Council could sen their way to make him an allowance for this amount. —Cr Rowe was in favour of making the allowance asked for, and moved accordingly.—Cr O’Meagher said there was a path there before Mr Mackay put the posts and planks up ;he did not see why the Council should pay him.—Cr Devey contended that m the event of Mr Mackay not fiading the planks and posts the Borough would have had to do so He therefore seconded Cr Rowe’s motion —Cr Thomas said that Mr Mackay promised to supply the timber if the Council did the work.—The Mayor Baid the Council had no right to pay any accounts that tiny were uot acquainted with and responsible for ;it would be estab isuing a precedent, They coulvi n>»t be too careful of the Ratepayer’s money.—Cr O’Meagher said he remembered Mr Mackay offering to provide the timber if the Council done the work.—Cr Wallis said that if the Council had to provide the timber iu the event of Mr Mackay not doing so. he was just'y entitled to half cost.—The Mayor said if he expected to be paid for it be ought to have applied to the Couucil beforehand. —Cr O’meagher moved an amendment that the matter remain ns it is at the present.—The Mayor seconded. — On being put the motion was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. Reported Unsafe Building.—lt. having been reported to the Council that the Catholic Church building was in an unsafe condition, and liable to be blown down during the fust severe gale, and thereby damage the adjoining properties,—lt was agreed that the Building Committe and Inspector Salmon view the structure, and report thereon. Impounded Road Melal.—Letter read from Mr P Gilchrist, borough solicitor, stating that with reference to the contractor’s (Grant) failure to deliver 49£ yards broken metal on Mr Gavin’s property, he thought the proper course was to sue him for delivery of the broken metal, and failing delivery, foi return of the money paid. He said he wrote to Grant that unless he arranged the matter within a week proceedings would be taken accordingly. The Clerk reported that Grant had been summoned and judgment given against him for the total cost of the metal. The amount of royalty claimed by Mr Gavin being £2 9s. Cr Wallis said he was surprised when he learned that Grant had been summoned. He would like to know who gave Mr Gilchrist instructions to sue the contractor, he (Cr Wallis) was cortainly not a party to it. He considered the action should have been brought against Gavin, who

appeared to have given his tacit consent to the metal being broken on his property. —The Town Clerk said there had evidently been some misunderstanding as he was under the impres-

sion that the Council wished the matter cleared up, and that tho borough solicitor Was so positive that that was the only way in which the matter could be cleared up, he (the clerk) advised the solicitor to proceed with the case. —The whole of the Councillors expressed regret at the action beingbrought against Grant. —Cr Rowe considered that Mr Gavin was quite right in wanting to bo paid for the metal. The Mayor said he was of the opinion that the Council ought to take an acre of laud in tne vicinity of Stoney Creek for a gravel pit for tho borough, under the Municipal Corporations Act. Electric Eight Poles. —It was reported that Mrs Willis had consented to the electric light polos running through her property. —lt was resolved ou the motion of Cr Rowe, seconded by Cr O’Meaghor, to wait on tho other owners interested.

Contracts Fiuished. — The engineer (F. Pavitt) reported that G. Frith had completed his contract for building the power-house ; and that H. McCormick had fiuished the reservoir on the Tui Hill.

Electric Lighting Machinery.— Messrs Stouart and Fonn advised that the bulk of tho machinery for the electrical installation had arrived and that the balance was oxpeotod shortly per s.s, Maori, —Resolved that the

Mayor make enquiries when in Auckland ro oreo ing same, Progress Payment.- P. Pavitt, engin n>r, certified that the work done by F. Walker, and material on tho ground in the sower amounts to £2GO, and that tho uontr.io or is entitled to the s.itu of C2OO as a progress payment f *r work done, —Decided to pay the amount certified to.

Fire Inspector—Jus. Salmon wrote to the effect that, if the Council decided to dispense with tho sorvioos of “ Fire Inspectors,” he would bo plemelto place his resignation of tho appointmoot in tho Council’s hands. Ho added that it was a peculiar appoint mout with cousiderublo responsibility

in case of fire, with neither honor or pay. He said he bad held the poriion for a few years, and had been careful that the Borough should not be called upon to pay for any act of his in carrying out his duties as Fin* Inspector. He concluded by t unking the Council for the coui te >us consideration always given to any requests or suggestions that he had made during his term of office.

Fire Brigade Matters.—The Secretary of the Te Aroha Volunteer Eire Brigade (G. McKee) wrote spring that the Brigade had agreed t» the proposals contained in the letter from the Council, with the exception of paragraph 7 referring to the Fire Inspector. With reference to this the Brigade respectfully suggest that the Council retain the Captain of the Brigade as Fire Inspector, The Brigade desired to point out that the captain of the Brigade not being a Fire Inspector, would be an unauthorised person, and would not be able to demolish a building to prevent a fire from spreading in case of si lortage of water or similar accidents, should the emergency arise. The Captain of the Fire Brigade not being a Fire Inspector has practically no power at a fire.—Cr Thomas said that further discussion on this question should he postponed till after the passing of the Fire Brigade’s Bill. He said that unless they had a Fire Inspector they might find themselves mulcted in heavy damages.—Cr Wallis was of the opinion that the disadvantages strongly outwetghed the advantages derived. According to the solicitor to the Municipal Association it was not a necessity, but very probrble a danger to appoint a Fire Inspector. It was resolved to dispense with the services of Fire Inspectors. Cr Thomas referred to the capable way in which Mr Salmon had fulfilled his duties as Fire Inspector. He said that Mr Salmon, was really the “father” of the Fire Brigade and also as Secretary of same. He moved that his resignation be accepted. This was secondel by Cr Devey and carried. In reply to a question asked, the Clerk said he had asked the present Secretary of the Brigade (G. McKee) for the bonks of the Brigade, in order to peruse same, ro the accounts said to be owing, and was informed by Me Kee that no books were available, as the late Secretary had kept no books. Cr Wallis suggested that no sum of money be paid to the Brigade until such time as Crs Hetherington and Thomas inspect the balance-sheet. The Fire Brigade Committee to set in. motion the previous resolution passed by the Council. This was seconded by Cr Thomas and carried. Inspector of Nuisance’s Report.— Jas. Silmon in his monthly report, said there had been a few complaints of nuisances, aud in each case had been removed and abated. Mr Hatrick has satisfactorily put in drainage that will prevent his house drainage and most of the surface water flowing on to the adjoing section in Brick street. The drains from the residences of Messrs Dudley and Drawbridge are not satisfactory. At Mr Dudleys there are more pipes required, also several loads of filling in to enable the drainage reaching the water-table, At M Drawbridge’s it is simply running .n to the road, both will be very objectionable direc’ly the fine weather sets in, as there is no ouriot for either except onto the road. Now that the water-table has been formed in Koromiko street, front of Mr Frith’s etc., and the draiuage cut off from in front of Messrs Lamb’s and Smith’s properties. a few loads of earth are required there to cover over the old drainage silt in the road befor° the weather gets warm, or it will be very insanitary. No complatnts re night-soil service* Burying Pipes.—Some of the Councillors spoke against burying the steel pipes for electric lighting installation, as in doing so they only last a few years. —This matter is to bo looked into.