Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2626, 8 June 1877, Page 3

Thames Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last night. Present— His Worship the Mayor in tho chair: Crs Renshaw, Read, Gibbons and Macnab. MINUTES AND GORETCSPONDENCE. The minutes of previous meeting wero read and confirmed. A letter from inhabitants of Broad, Keddell and Princes streets, complaining of the state of the roads, was referred to j the Works Committee. A letter was read from the manager of the Queen of Beauty G.M.Co., slating \ that it was intended to remove the Bella street tramway. This, it was understood, the Mayor had said they had not the power to do. A letter was read from Martin H. Payne, Acting Medical Officer to the Board of. Health, with reference to the rumoured existence of infectious disease, and stating that typhoid or enteric fevor was not contagious ; also giving directions for precautionary measures for removing" the danger or keeping it off. : Cr Renshaw proposed, and Cr Read seconded, that the letter "be received.. Carried. .. ...

A letter was received'from W. Souler, calling attention to the.; state of the site and footpath near the new boys' school, and asking that a water table be formed, "•!%£•>that the Foreman of Works be instructed to improve the present sources of tho water outlet. Referred to Works Committee.

A. letter was read calling attention to the culvert in Pahau street, from Mr H. Burton, stating that it was too small, and at every fresh his cellar was flooded. Resolved that the Foreman of Works be instructed to construct anew culvert. A letter was read from the City Council of Christchnrch regarding the payment of subsidies by the Government and the stoppages for charitable purposes, and also recommending a conference of representatives of Councils to meet at Wellington so as to decide upon some equitable plan for deductions to be made with a view to recommend the same to the Government. It was decided to postpone the further consideration of the letter to next meeting. A. letter was read from G-.'S. Clark as to the dangerous state of the Waiotahi Creek. Referred to the Foreman of "Works to report upon. . A letter was read from C. T. Batkin regarding the Borough subsidy, stating that the amount had not been paid because the Borough banker had not been commuuicated, but as this information had been aince received the voucher for the money was passing through the Treasury. A lettei?, calling attention to the slate of Mackay street between Richmond and Sealey street, from W. J. Watts; was read. Repairs ofdered to be carried out under direction of Foreman of Works. :■■■■.'■ "WOBKS COMMITTEE.

The Works Committee's Report was read and adopted, and on the recommendation of the Committee it was resolved to lay down a larger tulvert across the footpath at the junction-of Pahau and Pollen streets.

Endowments. : - ; The report of the Committee to examine blocks of land to be recommended """^»s endowments for the Borough, was read. •■■•■.•■ ■ .;-;' ■ ■"" :. :■■'■■'

Gr Rerishaw understood that since that report was ; prepared Mr McFarland had recommended" that instead of 40 acres on the Bird-in-Hand hill about 20 acres be asked for there, and nnother 20 acres in Waiotahi; : It was decided that the further consideration of the Endowment Committee's report be postponed until receipt of the Surveyor's report. : . . , BUILDINGS. '"■■■ I: The Foreman of Works reported that he had examined the Naval Hall, and found it suitable for dancing purposes! A l;cense had been issued. \; FOBEMAN OF WOBKS' ;KBPOBT. The report of the Foreman of, Works, enumerating the works completed recently and undertaken, and recommending others to be done, was read and received/ and the recommendations referred to the Works Committee to report upon, the Waiotahi footpath to be done forthwith by the Foreman of Works. Also, that the footpath in Williamson street, near the old Star office, be removed as dangerous.

HEAITH OEFICEB's SEPOET. ; The Health Officer's report was read. It reported that six deaths had occurred in the Borough during the month,, but two of the persons who died in the Hostal were not residents of the Borough. It was ordered to be received. SMOKY CHIMNEY. A report was read from the Borough Surveyor approving of arrangements made by Mr Somerville for consuming the smoke at his tailings battery. Received and adopted. ' FISTANCE. COMMITTBB'S BEPOBT. The report of the Fiuance Committee was read. , .;...... ■.. . •,;, . •■.. ....,.; ■„ „; - . ■

Cr Renshaw. called attention to two items in the financial report, which the Committee had deemed it advisable to submit to the Council. These items were for printing the roll and advertising the financial j^tement. • Cr Realragreed that Cr Renshaw had done right in calling attention to the matter.

Cr Gibbons thought it was too late to call attention to the roll, as it was a matter of tendering. If they could see their way to reducing the expenditure in future they might do so. . .. Mr Renshaw thought they ought to be met a little more liberally in the matter by newspaper proprietors. The Mayor thought they could scarcely put the two things in the same category. The advertising was bound to be donej and the other item was a matter of tender. If they found the prices too high they must go further afield and ask for tenders from Auckland as well as the Thatnej.

Cr Renshaw thought they might appeal to their public spirit. He gave his time. The Mayor: Yes, but you don't give your ironmongery, and it is no use in •pecting the.newspaper proprietors to give their printing. They had no doubt laid their heads together. The items were then-passed for payment, and the Finance Committee's report was adopted. ■ ' SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Council was held at which the matter of the rate, and the period for which it was struck, should :be altered. - .

Or Benshatv said it was now proposed to strike a rato for twelve months instead

of nine as before agreed, upon, ns it was becoming a. conviction that the (loverntnent subsidies to Boroughs would not be continued long, and it was deemed advisable to get all they could.

The Mayor said all that would be required would be to rescind Ihe resolution of meeting of date May 10th, and approve of new estinate of expenditure and receipt. The resolution of May lOih was then rescinded by unanimous vo'e, and the new statement was considered and approved. Cr Ronshaw then gave notice of motion to strike a rate of one shilling in the pound for the year, and the Town Clerk was instructed to give notice to that effect. -■ ■ ' BMAW. A by-law referring to the removal N and deposit of night soil was read and con- j sidered, amended and adoptrd. : The Council then adjourned. , J