THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2496, 5 January 1877, Page 2

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Thames Borough Council waa held yesterday evening in the Thames Borough Council Chambers. There were present: Crs Benshaw (called to the chair), Kiigour, Gibbons, Butt, Maonab, and Wilson.

MINUTBS. The minutes of the last meeting were read over.

BEGIBTBAB GENEBAL.

A letter was read from the Registrar General's office requesting that a return of people inhabiting dwellings be furnished. He referred to an " element of error *' which told against the apparent healthiness of the Borough, and thought that by obtaining the information he requested he would be able more nearly to approximate bis returns. The Town Clerk was instructed to finv nish the information requested. WAIOTAHI CBEBK. A letter was read from Mr J. A. Miller complaining on the part of Mr Somerville of the diversion of part of the Wai®tahi Creek, whereby his culvert was frequently flooded and bis property damaged, and intimating that unless within a fortnight steps were taken to rectify this; proceedings would be commenced to recover compensation for the damage done.-

On this subject some discussion arose, the Councillors generally being in favor of extending the culvert, but objecting to do so in Mr Somerville's interest.

Cr Macnab said that the Council should also deprecate the threatening letters which were sent them from time to time. It was agreed that the matter be allowed to stand over until the next meeting, and that Mr Miller be informed of the same. GAS. A letter was read from Mr Barnes, Dunedin, asking if it was desired to have the town lighted with gas, and offering, if it were deemed desirable, to float a company. The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Barnes that for three years the Borough had been lighted with gas. VALUATION LIST. . The valuation list of the Borough of Thames was banded in. It had been estimated by Messrs Vernon and Fleming, and the rateable property was assessed at £43,248. The satisfaction of the Council was expressed at the way in which the work had been done.

The Town Clerk drew attention fo the Bating Act, pointing out that each ratepayer must be written to separately informing him of the amount of rates at which he was assessed.

The question of the best way to carry out the statute was, then discussed, and proposals to give notice by postal cards and to send notice by letter were also discussed. The matter was ultimately let in the hands of Crs Kenshaw aud Kilgour, and the Town Clerk. XOCAL BOABD OF HEALTH. The report of the officer of the Local Board of Hpalth was read, received, and adopted, it showed that during the month of December six deaths had occurred, and during the year past 78 deaths had been recorded. FINANCE. The report of the Finance Committee was read, and the accounts amounting to £126 7s Id were passed for payment.. THEATBES, PUBLIC HALLS, &C. The Town Ulork drew attention to the Municipal Corporations Act, aud read section 323, and suggested that a special meeting of the Council beheld to consider the question of framing bye-laws. The suggestion was acted on, and ie was decided to hold a special meeting after the termination of the next ordinary meeting. ENDOWMENT. Dr Ealgour drew attention to the fact that the Borough might apply for 2000 acres of land as an endowment. Cr Eenshaw said that besides the 2..00 acres they might also apply, he thought, for 100 acres inside the Borough. On looking into the Act this was found to be the case, and Cr Kilgour's motion, seconded by Cr Gibbons, was carried as follows :-r- <rTiiat an application be made fco the G<?verpor jn Council to get »sjde ? §s

an endowment for the Borough of I hauies, 2000 acres of land in the provincial district of Auckland, and 100 acres within the limits of the Borough, and that the Mayor be requested to make the application forthwith."

The Council then adjourned