BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2773, 3 January 1878, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A deputation, consisting of members of the Borough Council, then waited on the ministers. They were introduced by Hi 3 Worship the Mayor, who first brought before the notice of the Premier the question of Borough Endowments. He said, that according to the Municipal Act, 1876, they could acquire 2000 acres outside the Borough, and 100 acres inside the Boroug'i as an endowment. They had consequently applied for a piece of land known as the Wnihou Block No. 1. This they had not yet got, as it was not yet in the hands of the Government, but it soon would be, as they had been informed that the signature of one nafire was now required to make if; the property of the Government. They had also applied for 94 acres in different parts of the Borough.

Sir G. Grey said that they would have to lodge plans of the land they required, and then the matter would be considered.

The Mayor said that it had been done,

Sir G. Grey promised to see into the matter on his return to Wellington, and Mr Shcehan remarked that in a few days the difficulty to the handing over of the Waihou Block would be removed.

"With reference to a request to have the Powder Magazine handed over to the Borough, Sir G. Grey requested to put their application into writing and forward it to him.

The Mayor said that they had not yet been paid the whole of the subsidy on their rates, and there was about £2000 due to them by the Government.

Sir G. Grey said he would telegraph and get an answer as to the reason the money had not been paid, in about an hour.

In answer to Dr Kilgour Sir G. Grey promised to do his best to have the regulations requiring the signature of a J.P. for every barrel of blasting powder altered.

The construction of tho Thames Valley Kail way vyas also strongly urged, and the same answer given as to the County Council.

Tho Mayor stated the reasons the Borough had for objecting to have the Mining Inspector appointed by the County. He said they considered that his judicial functions necessitated his being a General Government officer.

Sir G. Grey reqaesed them to put their views on the matter on paper, and forward them to him.

The Mayor referred to the action of the late Government in endeavouring to have the Borough merged into the County, and the action which had been taken with reference to the Big Pump, Water Eace, and Grahamstown and Tararu tramway. He made these observations as it was probable that future correspondence would be based on them.

A conversation on the construction of roadsito Waikato and Mercury Bay then ensued, Sir George Grey admitting that both of them were necessary works. The Mayor stated the history of the Grahams town and Tararu tramway, adding that it was on the strength of the promise by the late Superintendent that the Borough would ultimately have the tramway handed over to them that they had maintained the sea wall.

Mr Sheehan said ho recollected the promise having becu made, and Sir George Grey recommended them to

put their wishes with respect to it in writing.

Cr Ehronfricd Jurgcd the necessity of their hrring a recreation ground.

Sir George Grey said that he feared thnt giving such « favor to one plncu would cause jealousy, but pronri-ed lo ace if v special cusn could be made out for them.

After some conversation on the matter of the School of Mines, Hospital endowments, &c, for which Sir George promised to do his best, the deputation withdrew.