Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2985, 9 September 1878, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

A special meeting of the Council, for the purpose of considering what steps could be taken to provide relief for the unemployed, was held at the Council Chambeis this morning at eleven o'clock. Present — His Worship the Deputy Mayor, Crs Gibbons, Butt, Renshaw, Wilson, McGowan, and Eead.

1 There were a number of the unemployed present, and Mr Srtencer was present on be'aalf of the County Council. He laid on the table a list of 150 names of the unemployed, which had- been sent lO the County Council. The Mayor said they would, all be aware that there had been a great deal of distress amongst the working portion of our population through want of work. At the public meeting at the Theaire ttoyal some days ?go the Government had . been pressed (o start the i ailway in con* sequcaee of the want of employment, but ' the answer had not been fayoiable to the work being started at once. They were present to de\ise means to alleviate the prevailing distress, and Mr Spencer was present to inform them what steps had been taken by the County. Mr Spencer said that he had . been requested to attend this meeting by the A cting County Chairman to inform them what steps hpd been taken by the County Council. That body had vent telegrams to the Government and to Mr Brodie on the subject. He retired to the steps the County had taken, and said they were willing to cooperate with the Borough. A reply was received from Mr Brodie this morning, which Stated that they should make every effort to keep the people here, as, if the Public Works Sta'ement was agreed to, there would be ■plenty of work for every one. He was 'present to answer any question, and convey their decision to the County. At the. request of the Council for Mr Bawdon to make suggestions, he said tb'at the best thing would be to give the men stone breaking, as it was the '■ most useful work, though the .cost of'carting was great.. • , ,Cr Bead suggested. that the stones might'be broken at the Hape Creek or other places and left there until they were wanted. It would save-the coat of cartage at present. Mr Eawdon said that he thought it was cheaper to cart the stone than quarry t it. Some three years ago they had stone broken in that manner and a geat deal of tnuilock was mixed with the metal.

Cr Reed suggested that a number of small contracts for stone breaking be let. .'" The Mayor then asked some of the men present their opinion, and several of them stated that it would be very disadvantageous to break stones from the Karaka Creek,, as there was no place close to the creek from where they could be. carted.

Cr McGowan said that amongst the names of those men on the list there were many who would sosner lay down-and die than break stones. He advocated the Council, procring the stones for those willing to break them, bat he thought that the/ should also take steps to procure work for tbe more independent clpsi, and would move this resolution— " That this Council take every opportunity of pressing upon the Government the urgent necessity of commencing the railway or ot'ier public works in this district." He said on-the list there were many men who would not work for anyone but the Borough, and were constantly crying out for wQrk; and there.wera several whom it would not pay any public company . or. anyone to employ. The motion was seconded and carried.

Cr Gibbons said thct the Foreman of Works, could employ 20 men for a fortnight in cuttings at the Waiotahi Spur. He moved that the Foreman of Works be authorised to employ percons resident in the Borough, who may apply for work, at stcne breaking and other works subject to tbe approval of the Works Committee. Cr Eeishaw seconded.

The Mayor, in putting the motion, said that they had formerly got into hot water because they had employed day laborers ; L owever, as this was an emergency, he did not think the ratepayers would object.

Mr Spencer said that he would press on the County to employ all wishing for work —whether they resided in the County or not. The motion- was then agreed to, it being decided eliminate the words "resident in the Borough," and the mcc ing adjourned.