Borough Council.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 251, 15 December 1903, Page 4

Borough Council.

The Borough Council met on Monday evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Cock), Crs Bellrioger, Burgess, 13rooting, Carter, Tisoh, Edmunds and Medley. Apologies were receined lor absence of Cr. C'ollis. Correspondence was read From Mr R. C. Hughes, asking for the Council's consent to right-of-way for section ieasod by the Primitive Methodist Church trustees. —Granted. From Valuation Dcirartment re transfers.

From Mr Newton King, guaranteeing to remove building from tl.v Kawau Reserve when requested i.y the council.

From Mr D. Berry, requesting the council to submit the lease of the section at corner of Brougham and King Streets to public competition. Ui>e request was grantod. IVom Cite Treasury, re interest on loans.

From N.Z. Express Ca., asking thttt water tables in front of their new offices in be attended to.—Referred to the Works Committee.

From Dunodin Draioage and Sewerage Boaid, asking co-operation in opposing the granting of [>atents for concrete working.—The engineer recommended that before any actio» were takvn the specifications be obtained.

Referred to the Works Oommiteee. A letter was read from a temporary workman, giving particulars of a difference with the foreman, which ended in the man's dismissal. —It .was decided to take no astion.

Mr Mouteiiore wrote offering earth on StaWdiS'i's Hill at Is Id per yaid. The offer was declined with thanks.

Mr Govett wrote re fixing next section of drainage works. It was decided, on the motion of Cr. Bellringer, that the next section be from Liardet-street to Eliotstreet, and that the Town Clerk prepare tihe same. Official reports, and that of the Works' Committee, were adopted, the latter with the exception of the clause dealing with driving horses ill the streets. .

Hie Mayor reported on various matters entrusted to him. He recommended raising the footpaths fwmr Mr Chong's in Bul'ler-street, and that Gill-street, near Mr Ewing's, be graded. Tbe engineer .would see to the matter of removing stones at Te Henui baths' site. Arrangements bad bfeen marie with tbe Taramafci Daily News for punishing the annual balance-sheet ; the crossing at the junction of Robe aujd Powderhain Streets would 'be improved ; G over-street channelling coiriplaints bah been attended to , the ruWrish depot required c learning up, at the cost of live or six days' work.

■ Accounts were passed for payment. It was decided to accept the tender of Messrs Okey and Rollo for hooks for abattoirs.

It was decided that the borough offices be closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6 for the Christmas holiaays. Cr. Bellringer moved, according to BOtice, a formal resolution to opaa the wiay for the abolition of the ward system in the borough. He would merely move the resolution, and ask that consideration of the important matter be further held over, Wards were now being generally abolished, and were only made in olden days when plural voting .was allowed. Why he moved in the natter now was that the borough roils would soon be compiled, and it would cheapen the cost and simplify general elections. The adoption of his motion would give increased .powers to burgesses, and tend to produce that public spirit, the loss 0/ which was so much deplored at the present time., Cr. Tisch supported tbe motion.

The Mayor had thought ol this matter a good deal, and agreed that a great saving of expense would result from , the abolition of the wards. He remembered when votes were given according to the amount of rates paid, but now, unfortunately any man living in a house could .vote, aaid Iris wife could vote too.

Cr. Bellringer : That's quite right, your Worship.

. The Major agreod with the system also. He referred to the trouble in securing a west wand repre«entatirve recently, and thought a vacancy would soon by filled were the position open" generally to) JLsur-gt-sses.

Cr. Carter : That would mean that th» borough wotold be reflieved of the valuable services of the present council a year before its time. The Mayor : That is so.

Cr. Carter moved the adjournment of the 'debate to the first meeting in January.—Carried.

Cr. Bellringer further moved that the council take steps to sell Pen-darves-street.— Carried.

Cr. Bellnnger'a motion that- the Garrison and Town Bands be granM £lO on condition that they give two evening concerts in each of the following places : Coronation Rotunda, Government Buildings and The ftnes 'before March 31 next, was earned without dissent. The council adjourned.