BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 142, 13 July 1909, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening, when there were present: His Worsfiip the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch, in the cLatr}, and Councillors E. Dockrill, F. C. Be'ringer, F. E. Wilson,, J. West, A. E. Watkins, G. Bishpo, j. F. Hooker, H. J. Gilbert and G. W. Browne. An application from the local branch of St. John's Ambulance Corps for the use of a room in the Town iiaii vas referred to the Reserves Committee, with a recommendation that the use of the room be granted, the Association to pay for lighting. V. W. Ardern wrote with reference to the affidavit sworn to by J. Smart, at the previous meeting, that Ardern had visited Smart and asked him to go before the Council and swear to certain things against the borough engineer. He stated that the allegation was absolutely without foundation.—Received. COMMITTEE REPORTS.

Reserves.—The report already published was adopted. The principal iecommendation was that the Council agree to an exchange of sections 1"2C7 and 1274 (inclusive), part of the Racecourse Reserve (containing 2 acres 0 perches), for an equal area of section "D" owned by the Jockey Club, provided the Jockey Club undertake to extend Gover Street along the frontage of the area to be acquired by the Council, and also lay out a 66 feet wide street a'o:ig the south frontage of the same, the club to bear all expenses. Drainage.—The committee's report agreeing, upon Mr. Callaghan contributing £3 and paying the usual connecting fee of £3, to extend the sewer in Dawson street far enough to enable Mr. Callaghan's property to be connected, was adopted. Electric Light.—Recommending that the engineer be authorised to purchase 500 Osram lamps, at a cost not exceeding £l2O, was adopted. Councillor Beliringer moved and Councillor Bishop seconded, that the whole of the Council be on the Electric Light Committee—Carried.

Library.—The report of the Library Committee, showing that owing to additional cost of maintenance through extra cost of lighting and heiatjjig, heavier cost of caretaker, etc., the Committee could not carry on without an additional subsidy of at least £7O was discussed, the latter portion being referred to the Finance Committee. Regret was expressed at the necessity of dispensing with the services of tie competent assistant-librarian. Finance.—The committee's report, lecommending accounts amounting to £203 8s 7d for payment was adopted. The statement showed the overdraft on district fund account £3387, and un electric light account £1240. The reports of the borough engineer and electric light engineer and the Abattoirs Committee, as already published, were received, and the latter adopted. Works.—The Works Committee's report, as already published, was considered. Clause 3 was altered to provide for a 00ft. bridge over the Huatoki in Powderham Street, instead of 30ft. mentioned in the report. At clause 0, " that Mr. B. Tippills be appointed general inspector," etc., Councillor Bellringcr moved that the name of L. Webster be inserted in place of B. Tippins. Ho said lie (lid so on the grounds that a young and active man, able also to ride a bicycle, should have the position. ! Councillors Wilson and Bishop opposed the idea of raising an " age limit" question, after having called for applications on conditions open in that respect. After an acrimonious discussion, the amendment was lost by 7 to 3, Councillors Bellringer, Watkins, and Hooker voting in the affirmative. The Mayor, in moving the adoption of the report, explained the position regarding the Gill Street extension proposals, the committee having recommended the purchase of Messrs. Newman's and Nolan's properties.—The re- | port was adopted after a short discUß- ; sion.

GENERAL. Councillor Hooker withdrew the notices of motion standing in his name:— That the services of the borough engineer be dispensed "with; and that the Council meet fortnightly instead of monthly. Councillor Bishop gave notice of motion that the* whole of the Council be members of all committees.