BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 98, 14 April 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. E. Dockrill) presiding, ami Councillors Boon, ISellringcr, o>leinan, Wesl, Collis, Mills, Morey, Cattley, j aud Browne.

| FINANCE. I The .Mayor made brief reference to the annual returns of receipts mil expenditure of the Borough Council, I pointing out that receipts had been C10,48t 7s lOtl, or .C 1748 7s lOd above ' the estimates. The amount expended j wih CM ,'.172 12s 3d, or ,C23li 12s :!d ; more than had been allocated. This -bowed that the wauls of borough had ! not been stinted. Every separate account stood in credit, and the finances of the borough were iu a much healthier condition than when In- look ollice. lit* could now confidently retire, from ollice, feeling sure the Council would be able to meet its obligations coml'ortably next year. More money could now be expended on the streets, a department which he considered had been allowed

[ to lag behind. Councillor .Mills said the weak point of last veal's operations was that the full amount of money allocated for the streets had not been expendedThe Mayor said the streets maintenance and improvements had been extensive, but very economical. At the same time, had the loan been obtained earlier in the year more money would have been available for the streets. Councillor Mills moved that the Fin-' ante Committee be authorised to circularise the money-lending institutions informing them Of the borough debentures for tale.

Councillor Cattley seconded. The .Mayor thought the matter should lie left till the new Finance Committee was set up. There was no need to hurry the matter now, for the money was not urgently required. The motion was lost. EXCKOACHMEXTS.

I The Kneroaehiiients Committee reportI'd Unit upon the Council undertaking to raise the level of tile septic tank on her property and to allow her the ine of lib' eneruiteiiiii'Mil on Hrowne Mi'eet, Mvs. \Y. N. Kwiiij; will pei'mil the slope oi the to i'all on her property sullieient to euuble Cill I*tr«rl to be made the full width; and recommended that Air. Hani's Ford be required to move tack his i'cnee In lif- ! teen inches along his frontage next Air. Bransgrovc's property in Devon Street; that encroachment tees be charged to Alesari. T. 15. Sole, Anderson, andJJates. whose properties encroached on Browne Street; and that the borough engineer enquire as to the dedication oi tin* frontages oi sections Zrl to 270, i'owdrvham Street, owned by the l'rimitive Church trustees.—KelVrred back to the Committee lor further consideration.

UC;IITIXC; KXTJixsiux. Mr. \V. Ambtiry presented ;i petition from 21 residents of tile Fraiiklcy ltoad and at Franklcigh l'ark asking ior the extension for three miles oi the electric light for private lighting, and guaranteeing Hi lights troiu the eummeiK-e----lueut. Utlier property-owners were piv pared to take the light, 'mil their signatures hud not been obtained. Councillor Browne recommended .Mr. Anibury to endeavour to have -licet lights erected. Mr. Auibury artid they were considering that question.

Tile matter was referred to tiie Electric lighting Committee for its report. Upon the motion of Councillor Bellringer it was decided to pay ail extra two .shillings a day to the men engaged on the Devon Street west tuuuel contract.

Ul'jXJjliAL.'i'he application of the Draughts Club to use the draughts room in the newlibrary building was referred to the Reserves Committee. Mr. A. il. Kendall, borough engineer, wa» appointed the Council's valuer in conjunction with Mr. A. C'lill', lor the valuation of the buildings to be taken over from the Council by the j'ire Board. The Council resolved that the Fire Board should appoint a secretary other than the Town Clerk.—ln the discussion it was pointed out that the time of the Town Clerk was already Hilly occupied, and that it wan, advisable to allow outside secretaries to pick up these little billets. It was aUo explained that the Town Clerk had only accepted the position subject to the Council's approval, and because lie Had been pressed to do so by .some members of the Fire Board, who considered his services would lie invaluable, particularly in the lir-d year. The question of altering Hie po-.il inn ol the telephone at the sextuii'-, ,-m----tagc was reicrred In (lie Ke-erves Com linttee. complaint having been made that the sexton could not hear the telephone call if he were outside his cottage.

Meal's, jL). Berry & Co.'.-. tender fur waterworks and general hardware Simplies was accepted. The abattoir manager'* requests for improvements were referred to mc Abattoir* Committee.

Ilon. T- Kelly a application fur the extension of tilt: sewer in Buller Street was referred tu the Drainage Committee. Ihe Minister for liailuays will again be asked for lii> decision with regard to the dismantling or otherwise of the llefiui railway bridge. All endeavuu)' will be made lo .secure an interview with the District Engineer of Kailways with regard to Waimami Street. Ahe Electric Light Commiltee withdrew from its report a recommendation to the Estimates Committee to iavouraldy consider the increase of the electrical engineers salary.