THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1794, 2 October 1874, Page 2

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The weekly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. There were present-His Worship the Mayor; Crs. Eenshaw, Macnab, Butt, Wilson, Ehrenfried, and Anthony. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. COBBESPOHDENCB. A letter was read from the Town Clerk of Oamaru, respecting the Municipality revenue, expressing a willingness to cooperate. One was received from the Town Clerk of Timaru, also expressing favorable views on the league, and. suggesting that Wellington should be the headquarters. One from Mr. O'Connell asked for assistance to construct a culvert across the beach road, as his yard was suffering from the drainage. Beferred to Works Committee. ■ Thomas Stonley, of Tararu road, gave notice per letter that he should appeal against the assessment *«£Lhis cottage afr 20s. His Worship^lKd^ if they could reduce the rates in certain cases -when fair grounds appeared, they might do so to save people going into the E.M. Court. One from Mr. A. Bagnall gave notice that he should appeal against the assessment of his house in Mackay-street. He wished the valuation reduced from £8 to £6. A letter was received from John McCabe, manager of the Queen of Beauty, drawing attention to the destruction done to the Bella-street tramway by carts crossing it; also to the Bird-in-Hand crossing. Referred to Works Committee. TEKDEBB. Tenders were received for printing Borough Bye-laws. POBEMAN OF WOBKB. A report from the Foreman of Works. was read, notifying certain matters performed according to instructions, and stating the amount of metal required for metalling roads, namely, 2780 yards. PUBLIC POUND. Eeferring to the pound, Mr. Butt suggested that in order to make the work which had been undertaken more complete a culvert should be constructed across Grey-street. Cr. Macnab proposed the matter should be referred to the Works Committee. Cr. Ehrenfried strongly objected to any further expenditure on works, especially in a direction where so much had been spent already. Cr. Macnab's proposal was ultimately adopted. BOAD METAL. With regard to the subject of metal His Worship said the Council must have some independent means of supplying the Borough with stone: at present they were dependent upon any of the contractors who chose to bring it down the creeks. Some discussion arose as to the mode of procuring the stone for the next year. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. . - EFFECTS OF THE GALE. The question of repairing the portions of the Borough damaged by this late severe weather was referred to the Works Committee. PUBLIC WOBKS COMMITTEE. The report of the Public Works Committee was read, and made certain recommendations. The report was received. .*. WAIOTAHI BOAD. According to the report of the Works Committee the cost of ripping up the pitching in the Waiotahi Eoad, would be £20. Cr. Anthony said that would be the best way to do the work, but there was no necessity to proceed with it at once, and it was accordingly agreed to let the matter stand over. FIBE BEIOADE COMMITTEE. A report from the Committee appointed to confer with the Fire Brigades of Shortland and Grahamstown was read. The Committee asked for permission to ring the new fire-bell in Shortland. As to ringing the fire-bell, Cr. Anthony said publicity should be given if permission were allowed, as it would cause alarm otherwise. Cr. Ehrenfried said the brigades should be made as efficient as possible, and he would propose that necessary apparatus mentiened in the report should be obtained, which was in all respects agreed to. The accounts stated in the report were passed. Cr. Macnab asked whether it would not be better to appoint a Fire Inspector for Shortland. The Mayor said it had been thought of, but Mr. Price, one of the Inspectors, lived between the two townships. Cr. Eenshaw said the Shortland brigade had appointed Mr. Curtis, While on the question of fire brigades it was decided, on the suggestion of the Mayor, to accord the thanks of the Council to Mr. Sub-Inspector Bullen for his introduction of the Californian branch, which has proved to be*K> efficient. PUBLIC HBALTH. The report of the Public Health Officer was read. finances. The report of the Finance Committee was read and adopted. { ALFBED-STBEET TBAMWAY. With regard to this tramway a memorandum of agreement between the Council and Bright Smi'e G.M.Co. was submitted by Mr. E. K. Tyler. The Clerk read the agreement. The agreement was adopted on the proposition of Cr. Butt. BOUNDABT CHEEK WATEB BACE. The Clerk notified that he had laid the objection to the granting of site for this water race to the Moanatairi Company. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr. Ehrenfried's notice of motion to re-

scind the resolution making the meeting* hebdomadal came on for- discussion. Cr. Ehrenfreid said the matter did not require to be dwelt on; they had all pretty well arrived at the. conclusion that it was time they held their meetings fort* nightly, and he would therefore make a proposition to that effect. Seconded by Cr. Benshaw, and carried. CR; BUTT'S MOTION Regarding Cr. Butt's motion to enquire into the salaries and expenses of the Council, Cr. Butt suggested they shculd ad* journits consideration until next ordinary meeting, as the matter would raise discus* sion. Cr. Renshaw seconded. Cr. Ehrenfried moved an amendment that they proceed. Seconded by Cr. Anthony. ' Cr. Butt said he had no object in bringing the matter forward other than that the question of the Council expenses should be calmly considered. He did not advocate a cheeseparing principle, but thought that some of the offices might be amalgamated. He had only seen*a statement that night and was not prepared. Cr. Kenshaw said he had undelfctood that the matter would not be discussed to night. .;■■_ The Mayor said Cr. Butt should have made himself acquainted with his subject having given his notice of motion. The amendment was carried. •. Cr. Butt then referred to certain items in the statement. He moved that the first subject gone into should be the engineer's percentage on works. Cr. Ehrenfried: You know what it is: 5 per cent. ■■■■■: The Mayor said they would not do much by going into his accounts. ;The engineer's salary would not be nearly sa much next year as it had been this. Cr. Ehrenfried said the reason he had moved the amendment was that so much had been made of the money expended, when there was no proof to justify the cry that had been raised. Cr. Butt had proposed a notce of motion a fortnight ago, and now came up utterly unprepared ; and as such was the case, he would give that gentleman every opportunity to make his enquiry, and move that the enquiry be adjourned. Cr. Kenshaw seconded the. motion, but thought it should not be considered that Cr. Butt wished to impute extravagance. Cr. Butt had disclaimed any such intention. Motion carried. It was proposed, seconded and carried that the meeting adjourn to Tuesday evening next to consider the acceptance of tenders for the Waio-Karaka Road. The Council then rose.