BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue XXXXII, 9 January 1900, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met on Monday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr, E. Dookrill), Councillors Glow, Bellringer, Oollis, Avery, Oattley, Stohr, Ward, and Brooking. A question was raised by Or. Bellringer as to the correctness of the minutes in recording that the overdraft of £2OOO was to be paid out of the loan. He pointed out that this was not only not intended, but was illegal, and he moved to expunge all mention of the £2OOO from the minutes. This was seconded by the Mayor carried. In reply to a question by the Town Olerk, the Borough Solicitor, Mr. O. Samuel, advised that only one loan proposal at a time could be placed before the ratepayers, although a special loan may be raised for several purposes.

Or. Bellringer said that it was plain that only one issue could be raised, and that was the £60,000 loan; and that if the loan be carried, each of the separate works would bear their proportion of the expense of raising the loan. He referred to the action taken when the previous loan was raised, and considered that the Council were then in the dark, He was glad that the issue was narrowed to " Yes" or "No" on the £60,000 proposal. The Mayor seated that he was not aware at the time the matter was before the Counoil that the proposals could not be divided, or he would have expressed his opinioD, but as the time had gone by he would not further refer to it. Cr. Avery: Do I take it that if the £60,000 loan is rejected, the £29,000 for paying off the present loan can be raised without going to the ratepayers? The Mayor: That is so. The Waterworks Engineer reported on the hours of pumping, and the repairs effected during the month. I Or. Bellringer pointed out that on several days only one pump was working, and that accounted for extra time of pumping. He also pointed out the repairs that were necessary both to the machinery and to the dam, and mentioned that it had been necessary to put battens across the dam to increase the supply. The Turnoock reported that the works were in good condition, and that all necessary repairs had been effected ; that a large quantity of extra water had been used for Fire Brigade practices and for flushing gutters. —The report was received. The Sanitary Inspector reported the town clean and, with a few exceptions, in good order. Cr. Oattley explained the cases referred to as the exceptions. Cr. Bellringer contended that there should be no exceptions, and that persons in default should be named A discussion took place, after which tht report was received. The following report from the Works Committee was read:—sth January, 1900, Works Committee—Present: Cr. Bellringer (Chairman), the Mayor, Cr. Brooking, Or. Stohr. 1. That the Council be recommended to purchase the horse offered by Mr Struthers, o! Pihama, for the sum of £42, providing the Foreman reports all satisfactory oi. Monday, the Bth inst. 2. That the Town Clerk obtain from local firrnt terms for indenting £2OO worth oi pipes, etc., for waterworks l'or year 1900-1901. 3. That plans submitted for Messrs Cock <fcCo, and M. Andrew.be approved. In moving the adoption of tho report, Or, Bellringer said that the Oouimittet were wtll satisfied with the horse purchased, and though it was a long prici they had a good young horse with the best of his life before him. As to tht water pipes it would fake about eight months to get them here, and tharefori it was necjssary to order them in time, Or. Oollis asked whether it was policy for the Counoil to speculate in highpriced horses which usually came to grief. Both Ors. Bellringer and Lealand replied, justifying the purchase. The report was adopted. The Finance Oommibte3 reported a? follows: —Finance Committee: Same members and date as Works Committee 1, That Messrs. Metcalfe and Fenn be paid the premium of £IOO awarded them for water and electric 1 lighting schemes. 2. That the Town Clerk obtain the opinion of the Borough Solicitor on matters connected with loan proposals. 3. That the Treasurer be instructed to pay harbor rates on premises liable for rates. Or. Bellringer explained that the reference to rates on premises liable to rates was put in owing to a diunnd by the Harbour Board for rates on the Oemetery, which was not liable for rates. The report was adopted. Accounts amounting to £l6l ls6d were passed. I Or, fcitobr complained of loose stones , in the roadway, but was informed that , 'his was being attended to. j

Or. Ward leported a complaint as to Young-street. On the mo* ion of Cr. Bellringer, the log tax was fixed at ss, and Mr. Morcon was appointed collector; tho tax co be payable to him at the Town Hall, I The Ocuncil rose.