THAMES BOROTTGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1901, 5 February 1875, Page 2

THAMES BOROTTGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last nigHt. There were present: His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Anthony, Ehrec.fried, Macnab and Eenshaw.

MINUTES.

The minutes of last meetiig were read.

UNPAID BATES.

Some discussion took place regarding the recov&y of unpaid rates, with particular reference to the rates due on the Theatre Royal buildings. Deferred. ; COHBESPQNDENCE. ; • A letter was received from Mr Bowe asking for leave of absence.; Crßenshaw; proposed that the leave be granted, as Mr jßowe had written asking it. Carried.

From the contractors for the cemetery road a letter was recejnd asking for a reconsideration of Hfl^mpplication for compensation, and clenffiLjfc the circumstances of their claim... Itirill be remembered that an application 'from thes* men was received at last meeting, on account of certain deviations which had to be made in the construction of the road. Or Anthony proposed that the application be referred to the Engineer to report upon. Seconded by Or Renshaw and carried. A letter was received from Francis Garden, asking to be excused the payment of rates, as he was blind, and had a family. Ordered to stand over. INFECTIOUS DISEASES QUESTION. From the Central Board of Health a communication was received in answer to a letter sent by the Council on the 18th of last month, regarding power to act in the matter of isolating cases of infectious diseases.

The Mayor said he had when in Auckland called upon the Superintendent, and mooted the question of the necessity of building a private hense that might be prepared in case of an infectious disease breaking out iv the district. He had urged strongly upon ips Honor the claims of the. Thames in this matter. The Hospital was maintained principally by the inhabitants, besides which it was too small to admit of accommodation of persons afflicted with infectious diseases, and was situated in the centre of the town. He (the Mayor) considered | he Government ought to help them in this matter. The Superintendent told him that j he could not see th« Government could help them, but that that the Council might write to him. The Mayor showed that one of the great difficulties in their way was the obtaining of a house, which could not be got except in the neighborhood of some inhabitants who would object to such an institution being placed in their midst. They would therefore have to build. A situation could fee got (he spoke authoritatively) on isolated ground, of which he had informed His Honor, but did not wish to make it public for prudential reasons. He would move that the clerk be instructed to write to the Superintendent, urging this upon his consideration. Mr Macnab considered the Gpvern-r ment ought to erect a building of that kind at its own expense for the general public. -

Cr Ehrenfried seconded the Mayor's motion, which was carried.

A SA.NATOBIUM.

A letter was received from J. E. Hansen, offering for sale a piece of land for the above, purpose.

OBJECTION TO BATE.

A letter was received from Ann Aitken, a resident in Campbell-street, objecting

to the rate levied upon her house, namely £18 per annum, as being much too high. jßefemd to collector.

THE FAB4WAI BBIDGE QUESTION BEVIVED.

A letter was received from the Parawai Board regarding the expenditure on this work. The Board offered £100 of their share towards its construction, stating that they could not recoup the Council in the remaining £50 until the Eolleston Bridge was formed, to cost not more than £100, and of which the Parawai Board would pay half. A letter was enclosed from the Superintendent's office, in which these terms were set forth— that the remaining £100 grant to the Board would not be paid over until the second I ridge was built.

[The original arrangement between the Parawai Board and the Borough Council was to the effect that a bridge .should be constructed connecting tho two sides of Grey-street, that it should cost £300, and that the Parawai Board would contribute half the cost if the-Council undertook the work.] : The Mayor considered the Parawai Highway Board had been guilty of a fraud., The Government had promised that Board £200 towards the construction of two bridges, and the Board must have known when entering into the agreement with the Council for the Grey-street bridge that they could not get £150 on account of that work for the Borough Council. It was understood that if the Council paid £300 for the Bridge, they would receive £150 from the Parawai Board. The Chairman of the Parawai Board had given them a guarantee in a letter for the payment of that amount, and on the strength of that letter the Council had acted in good faith towards them. Cr. Anthony suggested that the Council erect a toll-gate, and in that way make the Parawai people pay their indebtedness. ; Cr. Rensbaw thought the Board were being judged too harshly. Cr Macnab said the Parawai Board might have applied to tha Government to retain the. money in the same way as they had done with tha Kauaeranga Board. - -, The Mayor would not go so far as that, but believed he was right in saying that the Chairman knew before he wrote that letter. Cr Ehrenfried suggested that the Mayor should see the Chairman at once, explain the unjust manner in which the Council had been taken advantage of, and the pecular position in which they were placed. They must pay tbe. money in a very short time, or the Council would hare to get it in some other way.? Gr Eenshaw proposed;- ft!iat the Mayor and Chairman of the Parawai Board wait upon the Provincial authorities. The Mayor said it was never contemplated, in the agreement that another bridge should be built. Cr Anthony remarked that the whole matter lay in a nutshell. The facts were these. The Borough Council agreed to build a bridge in Grey street if. the Parawai Board would pay £150 towards it. The Board agreed. But they -now turned round and said they would only give £100: The position of that Council now was, therefore, how were they to get the money ? ■ The Clerk here read a letter from the chairman of tho Parawai Highway Board agreeing to "pay half the cost of the bridge, and to give an order for such sum of money. The Mayor said the fast was that a great deal too much local influence had been exercised in hurrying on the construction of the bridge. Cr Ehrenfried said no councillor had a right to hurry on a work, even if such work should benefit a road running bj his own door.

Cr Eenshavr mored that the Mayor and Chairman of the. Parawai •■ Board wait upon His Honor and explain that £150 was due to the Council upon the Bridge.

Cr Ehrenfried suggested that since Capt. Butt had hurried on the bridge to suit his own interest, he should go to the Board, and get the money. -The M ayor considered it better not to mention names in a personal way. * Cr Ehrenfried apprehended that names should be mentioned in a matter of this kind. ; The Mayor: As they hare promised, they ought to have carried it through. Cr Ehrenfried alluded to the difference between this and the manner in which the formation of the WaioKaraka road had been entered upon. Erery security was sought from the companies, and cheques even had to be forthcoming before the Council would proceed with that work. Here they had the Inspector of the Bank of New Zealand telling them that the overdraft of the Council had reached quite high enough, and yet this £150 of the Council's money was lying idle. Captain Butt had done a great injustice in hurrying on the work because' Grey-street ran before his door. Cr Authony said as to the difference between tbe caution used in the Xaraka Eoad, one was a matter wHa mining companies and the other with a local governing : body, in whom the Council had confidence.

Cr Jfensbaw thought it was no use treating the Board iv this way. It was their policy to live in harmony with the Board.

Cr Aothpny: How can we live in harmony with a body that is trying to swindle us out of two thirds of our right. Cr Eenshaw feared that the Board was being misapprehended. Thoy were doubtless as mvcli annoyed over the affair as the Council. The Provincial Government had the disposal of the money, and they would always work in antagonism with the Borough uutii the Council got the best of them. , The Mayor and Cr Aiitlicay stated that they did not recognise' the Provincial

Government in the matter. The Council only recognised the Parawai Board, with whom, the contract had been made, and it was the duty of the Board to see that tho money was paid. Cr Ehrenfried moved that the Mayor see the Chairman of the Parawai Board and come to some arrangements with him for securing the money. Cr Wilson seconded, and the motion was carried, Cr Kenshaw having' withdrawn his motion in favor of Cr Ehrenfried.

HEALTH OFFICES. . The report of the Health Officer was read. He reported'that Mr Judd's children had had the fever; also that there was.a defective drainage near Mr Tyler'i property, very prejudicial to the health of the inhabitants in that locality. Ihe latter case was referred to tho Works Committee. Other matters referred to were uninteresting. FOBEMAN OF WOBKS.

The foreman of works reported that he had sunk one of the wells at the junction of Abraham and Brown-streets which the contractors had failed in proceeding with, and had obtained a good supply of water. The well's dimensions were Bx3.

Cr. Ehrenfried spoke strongly on the necessity for haying these wells, in order to the prevention of fire. He moved that well at Williamson-street be at once sunk.

Cr Eenshaw moved that the work be not proceeded with considering the desirability of retrenchment. Prevention of fire was not the only consideration. The Mayor considered the work advisable, as the Foreman of Works had already some timber on hand from the last work, with necessary appliances. Cr Renshaw's amendment was not seconded, and the motion of Cr Ehrenfried was then put and carried. TIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE. The Committee reported on matters connected with the Borough Fire Brigade, and notified that Mr John Bull had resigned the Superintendency of the Shortland contingent.

Cr. Eenshaw moved, and it was carried —That this Council pass a vote of thanks to Mr Bull for past services rendered by him, and express regret at his resignation.

The Committee recommended the appointment of Mr Macdonald in room of Mr Bull. The Council confirmed the recommendation.

The Mayor stated that the attendance of the Fire Brigade Committee would have to improve; there was seldom a quorum present, and at meetings with the Brigade they had no voice. : Cr Macnab said that the Brigade Committee should attend. The Council had the spending of the money, and they should direct it.

Cr Ebrenfried considered the remark made by Cr Macnab a piece of impertinence. It was most improper for one Councillor to hazard such an opinion of another when he knew nothing of the circumstances. He considered it was levelled at him (Cr Ehrenfried).

.. Cr Macnab said he did not reflect on any individual number of the Committee. He had not known before who the members of the Fire Commitee were.

It was agreed that two should form a quorum of the Fire Brigade Committee.,