NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 13 February 1906, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the above was held on Monday. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr If. Cock), Crs. Wontcalh, Kwing, Wilson, Brooking, Collis, Hutchcn, Brown and Webster. The School Commissioners notified that they could not agree to Ihe proposed exchange of sections for Western Park purposes, except upon payment of I.VM by way of eipialily of exchange, and that Ike sections proposed lo be exchanged be handed uver intact with a street frontage to sections 'i'.M and ilotf. —Kcfcrred to the Western Park Board. Emma Hoskin wrote that she was not able to make drainage connections at her properties in Devon-street. She understood when she voted for the loan, that the Borough Council would make the connections out of the loan, charging the ratepayers a moderate rate

The Mayor said that was one of the questions "that would crop up before tire Council. There would be many poorer people asking for exemptions, and the Council would have to make a stand. The ratepayers had put the Council iu to put the drainage works through, and although he regretted to say it, the Council could not make any exceptions. Cr. Col lis wanted to know how the people could make connections if they lind not the luoncv. 'flie Mayor: The Council can advance them the money, under a mortgage over their property.—The letter was referred to the Drainage Board. Mrs F„ IT. Joseph wrote, asking whether the Council intended to connect Devon-street with Gill-street, along Gover-street, pointing out that she Would save 75 per cent, of the cost "1 making conned ions if there were a sewer in Gover-street.—Referred to Iho Drainage Committee. Tn reply lo life application of Mr F. G. Hume, to have a dwelling on section 21 8., west side of C'utfield-strecl (without the Borough area) connected with the town water supply, it was resolved lo lav the necessary pipes, estimated to cost £2l ss, on the cost being guaranteed by the applicant. The Works Committee's report, already vmblished, was adopted.

The;' Finance Committee's report, recommending £1!)5.10.s 10il for payment on general account, leaving a credit hahince of JCSIMi Its; and .0574 Ms 3d on loan aecounl, leaving the account .C5,17«J Ids, Id in credit, was adonlcd. The licservcs Committee's report was adopted. The Electrical Committee rceommended Hint the resolution previously missed, authorising the Electrical Engineer to indent electrical, motor* lie rescinded; thai lamp brackets lie li'iinteil black; Unit the hour for shutting off the street lighting be 'midnight; that tin; charges for electrical fintij he advertised; that the Bru-h Cruipuiy be informed thai, under the eonlr.ict. the Council cannot retnr.i the deposit until after the expirit'ou of the maintenance period. A very interesting discussion took place on the first clause of the report, C'r. Eiving contending that the Council should stock motors, and sell Diem to consumers at about prime cost, and he moved an amendment that (hat chime be deleted from the report.

During the discussion, it wis staled that one prominent firm of electrical engineers was prepared to indent motors on a 5 par cent commission, and was als) intending to stock the machines. Crs. Collis, Hutehen, Wilson, Ewing and the Mayor took part in the discussion.

The amendment was lost and the report was adopted. Cr. Wilson moved that the Borough Engineer be instructed to prepare bofore the ensuing year's estimates are framed, schedules of material deemed necessary by him for the Borough's requirements in the year 100(5-7 with such comments as he may think neces-sary.—-Seconded by Cr. Ewing and carried.

Cr. Wilson further moved that (lie Borough Engineer he instructed to prepare an inventory, with valuations annexed, of till plant and machinery the property of the Council.—Seconded by Cr. Brooking and carried. KI.KCTHIC.tr. CHARGES. Cr. F.wiug's notice of motion. <■' that Ihe rate fixed as a minimum charge for electric light he rescinded," was after an animated discussion, lost on a division, only the mover and Cr. Wilson supporting it, Cr. Ewing then further moved that " the resolution authorising a rental to he charge for electrical meters he rescinded." Cr. Wilson seconded the motion, which was carried after discussion with only one dissentient.